Bag tags: should I just throw them in the bin?
Aug 22, 2014, 1:40 pm
#61
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 4,029
From the DYKWIA thread, someone I encountered recently
There were about 15 different cards attached to this tiny, tiny backpack. Never seen anything like it
At BRU recently, we had the winner of 'bag tag bingo', with cards of every sort attached to his (tiny) backpack - including, I observed, BA Gold, Silver and Bronze (the first two being the older style).
When priority boarding was called (as I understand it, a rarity at BRU), he bolted to the front and was promptly told "This is priority only, you will have to wait for general boarding", at which point he shoved his collection of tags in the womans' face and saying "These mean I am priority" and marched off down the ramp.
I predicted to my mates I was flying with that he would be sat way down the back and we would find his bag in the CE bins. And true to form, there it was above one of our lots seat, while he stood around row 20-something staring back down the aisle to makes sure nobody touched his bag.
When priority boarding was called (as I understand it, a rarity at BRU), he bolted to the front and was promptly told "This is priority only, you will have to wait for general boarding", at which point he shoved his collection of tags in the womans' face and saying "These mean I am priority" and marched off down the ramp.
I predicted to my mates I was flying with that he would be sat way down the back and we would find his bag in the CE bins. And true to form, there it was above one of our lots seat, while he stood around row 20-something staring back down the aisle to makes sure nobody touched his bag.
Aug 22, 2014, 2:15 pm
#62
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Northern England
Posts: 1,534
Bag tags: should I just throw them in the bin?
I used to use them until I realised that they had potential to give rise to DYKWIA moments. Now I have simple a4 laminated cards with my name and address that I place inside my brightly coloured luggage. For extra ID on the baggage belt I've asked my daughter to make a full case cover out of loom bands.
Last edited by Tim_T; Aug 22, 2014 at 4:01 pm
Aug 22, 2014, 2:45 pm
#63
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ireland
Programs: VS Silver, EK Gold, BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 487
I remove the leather strap and then slide the card into the "hidden" nametag pocket on my bag. That way I reckon that if the barcoded bag tag comes off they'll have my details via the card, no personal data is exposed to strangers and I still manage to avoid the DYKWIA factor.
Aug 25, 2014, 2:11 pm
#64
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: OSL
Programs: SK Diamond, LH SEN, KL Ivory, AY Basic, OZ silver
Posts: 1,103
So I've just got back from Munich to discover that, for the third time in 8 flights my BA Silver bag tag has disappeared somewhere between check in and the baggage belt. Honestly, what is the point? Do frequent flyers of other airlines have this stupid problem? Surely, providing sturdy fastenings would save BA some money because they wouldn't have to keep re-issuing them every few months.
Main reason I have those attached to my luggage is not that I consider myself a great wa**er, but that I'm too lazy (and cheap) to buy real tags. Plus that it's easy to tell a service desk when they managed to lose my luggage again what the bag and label looked like...
Aug 25, 2014, 2:17 pm
#65
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
If you file them down a little on the long side (the horizontal) they fit nicely into the equally w**kery Tumi luggage tags, which you can then tuck into the forward open pocket on the bag itself, so nobody sees nothin' (my approach).
Aug 26, 2014, 6:24 am
#66
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,741
They're just luggage labels, after all....
Aug 26, 2014, 6:31 am
#67
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Or in my case the responder may become aware that I may be a right grumpy old witch...
Aug 26, 2014, 6:44 am
#68
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Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Bag tags: should I just throw them in the bin?
I would expect a BA Gold, identified as such in his/her profile, to know a teeny bit more about all things BA than the twice-a-year flying Blue.
*runs*
*runs*
Aug 26, 2014, 7:18 am
#69
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Accor Plat, SPG Gold, MR Silver, BA Gold, DL Silver, Amex Plat (IDC)
Posts: 150
The steel wire cables ones linked to above are really good, in fact Cathay provide those for free with their MPC bag tags plus a metal casing for the tags to protect against bending and cracking under the delicate caresses of the worlds baggage handlers. The leather straps are terrible
Of course, to look cool I used one on my checked luggage and after my first trip, he was folded in two, and of course when trying to unfold it... I broke it!
Now I just have a lot of old ugly stickers and marks in my red plastic samsonite and I'm sure nobody else will take it and I will recognize it directly.
I just have my email address noted on it on a sticker next to the handle in case. (pointless I'm sure).
Aug 26, 2014, 7:22 am
#70
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 4
Useful at certain times for certain things
It's interesting to note that BA sends out new bag-tags at the beginning of each membership year when you obtain elite status but with AA you have to pay for your tags.
As mentioned earlier in this thread, I too put my tags on my carry-on luggage. It makes my bags easy to spot in a stuffed overhead bin. Also, if BA finds a bag with a Gold tag on it they get it returned promptly. I know this from personal experience.
As mentioned earlier in this thread, I too put my tags on my carry-on luggage. It makes my bags easy to spot in a stuffed overhead bin. Also, if BA finds a bag with a Gold tag on it they get it returned promptly. I know this from personal experience.
Aug 26, 2014, 7:22 am
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
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I use these keychains. I know you shouldn't have to need to buy an alternative but the leather straps come open easy and they don't cost the world. I also find they allow the tags to lie properly when wheeling the case/bag.
You get 4 spare for the next time they go missing!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-St...screw+key+ring
You get 4 spare for the next time they go missing!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-St...screw+key+ring
Aug 26, 2014, 9:24 am
#73
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,900
I have been using those for a while now and took off the leather ones. I find they are very good. Also if your bag does not have a lock but has the metal loops for one on each zip you can loop them through.
Aug 26, 2014, 9:57 am
#74
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kent, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,809
It seems like a lot of people use them just for showing off. I counted three bags in GC this morning with Gold tags on them. If they were still Gold I'd imagine that they'd find themselves in GF, not GC.
Aug 26, 2014, 12:35 pm
#75
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