Our Suitcase Security Guide for Hand & Hold Luggage

What Makes a Suitcase Secure?

The time is finally here for your highly anticipated vacation, and you deserve it to go off without a hitch. You’ll want to pack your favourite holiday outfits, bring your brand-new sunglasses and wear the swimsuit you treated yourself to. But, most importantly, you need these valuables to be secure inside your suitcase. 

Luggage Security

For such a simple idea, suitcases come in many shapes and sizes, and their levels of security vary. Securing your luggage is imperative when you travel. There are thousands of suitcase designs available to buy; the choice can be overwhelming. However, the benefits of a bag with a TSA (Travel Sentry Approved) lock are very high. 

Benefits of TSA Locks in Airports

• A safer screening process
• More efficient inspections
• No damage to luggage

Travel Sentry Airports

TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agents are part of the airport security staff. The security officers are provided with secure tools to facilitate the screening of airport hold baggage. This happens in over 750 airports worldwide, including 450 in the USA, where the Travel Sentry System is implemented. This means a bag with a TSA-accepted lock can be unlocked, searched and relocked without damage. 

Benefits of TSA Locks When Travelling

TSA locks are a great way to prevent thieves from stealing valuables and keeping your belongings safe and secure. You can also buy locks separately if you have a beloved bag that does not have a luggage lock. It’s always better to lock your bag than leave it unattended and run the risk of losing your items. You don’t want your bag to arrive at your destination’s baggage carousel open for all to see.

Learn how to deal with lost, delayed or damaged luggage.

What To Look For When Purchasing a Suitcase

With all this in mind, when purchasing your suitcase, you should research the following elements. 

• Material
• Size
• Wheels
• Personalization 
• Budget, spending a bit more money on a better quality bag, which may last longer.
• Closing Mechanism

Here are some features to consider when searching for a practical and secure bag in a design you love.

Hard Shell Suitcases

A hard shell suitcase is resistant and is designed to protect your luggage. The hard shell is more effective in preventing theft due to its harder outer casing. As well as this, it is much easier to keep your luggage dry in rain, snow, or puddles. It also provides better protection against general spills and accidents. 

A hard shell case is durable and will keep your luggage safe when it is on its journey from being checked in to being loaded onto the plane and finally reunited with you at baggage reclaim. These suitcases will resist the conveyer belt’s mechanisms, meaning your case will likely last longer and will be a good investment.

Bright and Bold Colours

A bright colour suitcase will stand out on the baggage carousel. This makes it easy for you to spot it quickly and keep an eye on it. It also speeds up the process and helps you enjoy your vacation sooner! 

A bright or patterned TSA strap lock is also a great way to easily distinguish your bag. You can also customize it with a colourful ribbon, a scarf, or a unique luggage tag. Finally, many brands offer options to personalize your case with your name or initials. All of these elements will make it easier to find at baggage reclaim. 

Competent Closing Mechanism

A resilient closing mechanism allows limited entry points and keeps your luggage secure. The zipper is a weak spot in a bag and can be punctured with a ballpoint pen or similar.

Puncture-Resistant Zippers

Suitcases can now be designed with a puncture-resistant zipper.  The double-element structure increases the chainzipper’s resistance to puncture. This option provides you with peace of mind and a safe journey.

Zipper-Free Luggage

Another option is zipper-free luggage. These suitcases don’t have exterior zippers but have a metal or plastic frame closed by a latch (or two) that can be locked with a TSA luggage lock. They’re much harder to break into and less likely to break open than a zipper. Some brands have also developed their own unique systems to tackle this issue.

View our blog on keeping your luggage safe, from airport travel to hotel rooms.

Added Protection

These tips will help you when choosing a bag and securing your luggage. For added security, we advise tagging your belongings with a TSID tag and registering through TSID.com. That way, if your luggage gets lost, you have a better chance of having it returned to you (with free protection for life!).

Luggage Security Mistakes Travellers Often Make

Even seasoned travellers can unintentionally compromise their suitcase security. In numerous instances, it’s not major errors, but small oversights that lead to avoidable problems during a journey. Understanding these common mistakes, along with a few practical TSA travel tips, can help reduce unnecessary stress while travelling.

Leaving Luggage Unlocked

Travelling with an unlocked suitcase is more common than many people realise. While it may feel harmless, unsecured luggage is naturally more vulnerable to accidental opening, handling-related damage, or opportunistic interference.

A simple yet effective TSA travel tip is to consistently secure your suitcase before check-in. Even short journeys benefit from this precaution.

Relying on Weak Closures

Not all luggage closures are designed to withstand the demands of modern travel. Lightweight zippers or strained fastening systems can increase the likelihood of damage or forced entry.

Choosing suitcases with reinforced closures or puncture-resistant zippers can significantly improve both durability and peace of mind.

Packing Valuables in Checked Luggage

Checked baggage passes through multiple handling stages, making it harder to monitor and access important belongings. Items such as electronics, travel documents, and valuables are generally safer when carried in hand luggage.

Keeping essential items close is one of the most widely recommended TSA travel tips for protecting personal belongings.

Poor Luggage Identification

Many suitcases look remarkably similar, particularly on busy baggage carousels. Without clear identification, bags are more easily misplaced or mistakenly collected.

Distinctive colours, luggage tags, straps, and identification systems can help travellers quickly recognise their belongings and reduce confusion.

Overlooking Lock Compatibility

Travellers sometimes purchase locks without realising that not all designs are recognised within airport screening systems. This can lead to unnecessary complications during inspections.

Using a Travel Sentry® Approved lock helps ensure authorised screening can be completed without damaging the lock or suitcase, a small decision that can make a noticeable difference during travel.

Ready to Secure Your Luggage Today?

Keeping your belongings safe while you travel shouldn’t be left to chance. A suitcase equipped with a Travel Sentry® Approved TSA lock helps ensure that airport security inspections can be completed smoothly without damaging your lock or your bag, wherever your journey takes you.

When it comes time to lock up and go, look for the red diamond symbol, which shows your lock meets global security standards recognised by airports and security agencies worldwide.
Contact us today for more information.