Tumi Tracer Program
 

Does it really work? I am about to take a wild ride around Africa with my new Tumi Tech. If it gets lost on flight in a small place like VFA, TNR or MUB will it really be returned? The real question has anyone had a lost bag returned via this program?

I suspect someone has. I registered mine but I believe if my luggage goes awry then it is gone. Maybe I have little faith in human nature...

I'd never had the need to use the Tumi Tracer program, although my bag is registered.

A few days ago, someone took my carry-on bag from the plane, leaving theirs which was exactly the same model. Their bag had a luggage tag, but no phone number on it.

In an effort to help track down the person with my bag, I grabbed the Tumi Tracer ID number and phone number off their bag, and called the phone number - only to be told that their office is closed and that their normal hours are 8am-5pm Eastern, Monday to Friday.

Apparently if you lose your bag outside of office hours you're out of luck... :(

(Thankfully United did a good job of tracking down the owner, and we were both able to be reunited with our respective bags)

The Tumi Tracer Program is only as good as the person who is knowledgeable enough to know what it is.

If a random person finds the luggage without knowing what the Tumi Tracer Program is, you are out of luck.

Also, it is easy to re-register a Tumi Tracer number from a previous owner, as all that is required is contacting Tumi Customer Service to enroll the number under a new owner.

This is far from the available third party luggage GPS locators available in the market today.

Best practice is to maintain positive contact with your luggage as much as possible. If you are checking in your luggage, you are playing the usual airport roulette.

Great concept, leave it at that.