Bag tags: should I just throw them in the bin?
 

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.

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!:p

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stainless-St...screw+key+ring

Still not quite twigged on the point of a bag tag. I've seen anecdotal evidence that having a gold tag on your hand luggage may help very rarely in some queues, but in hold luggage?

Q: Why would anyone attach airline tags in the first place?

LH mislaid my bags last week for 24h, but they were delivered to me the next day, as promised, despite only having the barcode tags...

My OH calls them wa..er tags. Though I am told they fetch a nice price on eBay.

The sticky tag with the barcode that they attach when you check bags in achieves the purpose needed - to identify the bag. Of course you can always tie bandanas or scarfs too which seems to be popular :)

Attaching BA tags serves no purpose and they'll disappear fast as they break, and the leather strap opens by itself it seems.

Speaking of w****r tags, was on a LHR-BHD today and someone had 2 GGL tags on EACH of his 2 bags. Perhaps he did buy them on ebay. But he sure looked like a w****r with all that unnecessary bling.

50p? I'm in.

I agree, can't really see the point of them, but each to their own.

You can buy them on eBay? Why would someone want to buy someone else's bag tags?

I use them because my brain doesn't read barcodes and they are a good way of identifying my rather generic looking Samsonite roller case.

The key ring thing looks good. I think that I saw a colleague of mine with something similar securing his LH tag.

+1.

I tie a few coloured straws round the top of my suitcase. Negates the need to read any barcode.

Your name is on the barcode sticker also.

And for extra validation, look at the last 4 digits on the bag sticker, compare with the sticker they put on your boarding pass/passport to be truly certain its your bag.

I've yet to see the sticky tags ever come off, but have seen and heard of dozens of w****r tags disappear randomly. so the regular tag method seems more reliable too.

And imagine the outrage of those who see no point in them if BAEC were to 'enhance away' the baggage (w**ker) tags. Accusations of racing to the bottom again no doubt!

Many may fail to see the difference between advertising their status on a baggage tag or when displaying their numerous shiny cards on their FT profile!

Each to their own.

The plastic material BA uses is too thin. Has been for about 12 years now. The f**kin things keep cracking so I gave up years ago. They now mostly go to the children who play aeroplanes with them.

Well said. Guess there is a little w**ker in everybody.:D

Bag tags: should I just throw them in the bin?
 

I only use mine for hand luggage. I find it quite useful when queuing - I have been asked if I'm at the right check in before when dressed casually. I don't get offended by staff being proactive but it does save a bit of embarrassment all round.

Never put it on checked bags though. The sticky barcode label is all that's needed.