Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram
[MM_Member_Decision isMember='true'] MY ACCOUNT LOG OUT [/MM_Member_Decision] [MM_Member_Decision isMember='false'] subscriber log in [/MM_Member_Decision]
Product was added to your cart

Cart

  • Home
  • Destinations
  • Tips & Tricks
    • On The Road
    • Saving Money
    • Gadgets & Tech
    • Health & Safety
  • Deals
  • News
  • Courses
  • Shop
  • Podcast
  • About
  • Contact

Gadgets & Tech

NAVIGATION The Voyage Report > Tips & Tricks > Gadgets & Tech > How to Choose The Best Luggage Locks

How to Choose The Best Luggage Locks

February 28, 2017by Mark Albert

If I’m going to check luggage (which I rarely do; see this post for why), then you’ll probably want to secure your belongings with a luggage lock.

But before you go out and buy that titanium, gold-plated, 12-star lock, know this: if your luggage is selected for intensive screening and a Transportation Security Administration agent can’t open it, the TSA will cut your lock right off.

So I highly recommend buying a TSA-approved lock.

TSA Seal of Approval

Essentially, ones where TSA has the master key. An agent can open the lock, examine whatever item caught the screener’s attention, and relock your bag.

As the TSA says on its website, “TSA has worked with several companies to develop locks that can be opened by security officers using universal “master” keys so that the locks may not have to be cut.”

(PIC: Rei TSA Indicator Shackle Lock.PNG)

Many Kinds of Luggage Locks

There are many, many kinds. I use these on Amazon.com (this is a referral or “affiliate” link; thank you for supporting our journalism) and these from REI.

I like them because they’re lightweight and even though they’re small, they seem pretty sturdy. The latest ones now have an “indicator shackle lock” that changes colors, from green to red, if opened by a TSA agent for inspection.

While I haven’t used any others recently, Top10BestPro.com ranked its 10 best.

(PIC: Tarris TSA Lock With SearchAlert)

Thefts OnBoard Flights

Also, having a spare lock inside your carry-on bag can come in handy if you must place your bag in an overhead bin that is far away from your seat or if you plan to sleep on a flight.

There have been reports of thefts onboard in just such circumstances. CNN reports a man had $260,000 stolen from his carry-on luggage in May of 2016.

For flights landing in Hong Kong, mid-air thefts rose 25% in 2014, CNN reported.

Found a TSA-approved lock you like? Share with the travel community in the comments section below.

A word of warning: The news organization The Intercept reported in 2015 that in a “spectacular failure” of security, hackers have been able to make 3D printed copies of the master keys for TSA-approved locks. When The Intercept asked the TSA for comment on this gaping vulnerability, the agency entrusted with transportation security in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks basically shrugged.

“The reported ability to create keys for TSA-approved suitcase locks from a digital image does not create a threat to aviation security,” TSA spokesperson Mike England wrote in an email to the reporter.

Bottom line: If you’re bringing an item that’s really, really valuable or sentimental, either don’t check it or leave it at home. It’s common sense.

–>LEARN MORE: How to Stay Safe While Traveling

-–>SIGN UP: Want more original journalism and content? Get The Voyage Report’s FREE newsletter

TRANSPARENCY NOTICE: No free or discounted travel, gifts, or services or the promise of any compensation were accepted from any of the places, merchants, or products included in this article at the time they were reviewed. The decision to travel somewhere or review something is made by The Voyage Report alone with no input from advertisers. We believe in credibility and integrity and cannot be bought.

Some of the links in this article may be referral (“affiliate”) links. This site receives compensation when users make a purchase using that link, which helps fund our unbiased coverage of the travel industry and produce more original content about more destinations for you, our users. Thank you for your support.

Got a Tip? Share it!

Mark Albert
Mark is a Peabody Award-winner who has reported in newsrooms across the country, most recently as a freelance correspondent at CBS News. He's traveled to 60 countries so far and plans to get to the rest—with a little luck.
Previous post Hidden Gems: Turn the Page on Your Next Trip in a Foreign Bookstore Next post How To Stay Safe While Traveling

Got a Tip? Share it! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Travel should be enjoyable for everyone, so no inappropriate comments, please. For more, read the Responsible Use and Conduct section in our Terms of Service. Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks with your fellow travelers!

More Gadgets & Tech

  • Checked Gadgets Baggage Electronics Ban 10 Ways to Protect Checked Gadgets May 16, 2017
  • How to Avoid International Roaming Fees May 7, 2017
  • travel apps The Best, Must-Have Travel Apps February 28, 2017

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

  • On The Road
  • Saving Money
  • Gadgets & Tech
  • Health & Safety

Book Travel

Sign up for our Newsletter

Get the scoop on the latest news, money-saving tips, videos, deals, and more!(our on-time record is better than the airlines’)

We promise we don’t spam or sell your email address.
BE A CONTRIBUTOR
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram

[MM_Member_Decision isMember='false'] SUBSCRIBE SIGN IN [/MM_Member_Decision] [MM_Member_Decision isMember='true'] MY ACCOUNT SIGN OUT [/MM_Member_Decision]

The Voyage Report

Home About Us Contact Terms of Service Privacy Policy

Popular Destinations

  • France
  • Morocco
  • Peru
  • Israel
  • Bali

Travel Tips

On The Road Saving Money Tech & Gadgets Health & Safety

Explore

Deals News Podcast Courses Shop

Sign up for our Newsletter

Get the scoop on travel, including the latest news, money-saving tips, videos, deals, and more
Are you a passionate journalist? Become a Contributor.

VoyageReport.com © 2017-2018 The Travel Lede, LLC