Your passport and luggage is the last thing you want to misplace on your next trip. Keep them secured with a great passport holder and luggage tag.
You very well remember placing your passport, ticket, and travel docs in your purse before you left home. But now, at the check-in counter, you simply can’t seem to locate it.
Your heart skips a beat. What if you left it at home? Your vacation might soon become your worst travel nightmare, more so if you are in a foreign country.
Relief washes over you, when you turn out all the contents of your purse, only to find it sandwiched between a few other docs. Phew! Sounds like a situation you’ve been in before?
This just goes on to justify why passport holders are truly worth it today. They’ve ceased to be fancy accessories and have instead become a necessary travel item. Not far behind is the humble luggage tag. This article discusses the reasons why one should buy a passport holder and luggage tag. We’ve also added a few bonus tips on selecting the best. So, stay tuned.
Do you need a passport holder? Yes, you do!
Protect it from damage
A passport is the most important identity document when traveling. It’s your permit to enter and exit a country. And, you may be expected to produce it at several checkpoints during your journey.
Given that it will be exchanging hands frequently, your passport will see extra wear and tear. To add, you may spill your drink on it. Not that you will do it intentionally, but accidents do happen.
A passport holder, designed like a sleeve, provides a protective covering. It has pockets into which you can slide both the covering flaps of your passport. It will prevent wear such as folded edges or tears caused by frequent use. Materials such as plastic and leather ensure the drink spillages don’t penetrate and stain important pages.
Easy to Locate
While a passport holder is not bigger in size, the distinct fabric colors and textures make it easily noticeable. Thus, you no longer have to worry about holding up lines at check-in counters.
Keeps you organised
Passport holders were designed to hold a passport. However, over the years they have evolved in their designs adding more compartments for other documents.
You can use a passport holder to stash your passport, credit cards, boarding pass, keys, identity cards, and maybe some cash too. Packing everything in a single place makes it easier to find when you need it.
Besides, a compact size (passport holders are not bigger than your passport) renders it a very convenient travel accessory. You can pack it in your purse.
Information security
Modern passports have an embedded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip. These chips contain important personally identifiable information belonging to the passport holder. Thieves use data skimmers to steal data remotely from passports.
A passport holder is a great and easy way to add an extra layer of security. Passport holders made using RFID blockers discourage data theft by intercepting the signal.
It looks good
Secondary though it may be, it doesn’t hurt to add a fancy travel accessory to your collection. With designer and personalized passport holders available on the market, you can flaunt your passport holder the next time you travel.
Passport Holder Buying Guide
Size. The whole point in getting a passport holder is its convenience, both in storing your documents and carrying them around. It is not sensible to get a size that’s too cumbersome to travel with. Especially if you would like to slip your passport holder in your pant pocket, a wallet-sized holder with a minimum number of slots and pockets is ideal. Selected designs are crafted to accommodate multiple passports; an ideal option if you travel frequently as a family.
Larger-sized passport holders also draw the attention of thieves. Hence, they are best avoided.
Colour options. Passport holders are available in a wide variety of colors including solids, two-toned or patterned designs. You can choose a color based on the image you want to project. Also, pick a color that stands out; after all one of the primary purposes of getting a passport holder is to make it easy to find.
A number of compartments. It depends on your needs. Think about why you will be using the passport holder. If you plan to store documents other than your passport, you will need extra space. Most passport holders are designed bifold. They may feature extra partitions and zippered sections for currency. Some designs make space for a smartphone too. So, choose as per your requirements.
Material. Leather, plastic, and fabric are some of the commonly used materials to make passport holders. Natural leather is the best in terms of durability. It also looks good, with its luxurious textures. You can buy passport holders in faux leather too. While they might look like natural leather, they are not of the same quality and may wear out sooner. Plastic passport holders look nothing like leather cases. In terms of price, however, the former is cheaper.
The material also determines the final weight of the product.
Brand. If you want to preserve your passport in great shape, you need a great quality holder; one that offers higher durability. Choose a brand that gives you good value for your money.
Security features. The greatest security threat when traveling with a passport is having your data stolen. Scour the market for a passport holder that uses RFID blockers.
Look. Gone are the days when passport holders looked like boring male purse. There are stylish passport holder designs that double up as slings and clutches with additional shoulder straps and hand straps.
Price. Yet another determining factor is the price. We often equate price with quality. It may not always be the case. To get the best value for your money, compare the price for the features offered and product quality.
In addition to the factors mentioned above, there are other features you may want to consider when making a purchase of a passport holder. Feel the case to test how heavy it will feel in your hands. Choose a waterproof holder instead of an ordinary one. You may also want to consider the ease with which you are able to slip your passport in and out of the cover. You may be required to do so at security checks with very little time and too much luggage in your hands.
Luggage Tags – Are they worth it?
Yet another travel accessory that may seem trivial but is an essential one is a luggage tag. Strapped to suitcases and handbags, these tiny pieces of leather or cards have all the contact information needed to identify luggage with a traveler.
Why are luggage tags useful? Think about a situation where all travelers may have to deposit their baggage in common storage. There may be any two suitcases that look alike. That only increases the likelihood of your baggage being picked up by someone else or being misplaced. Or you might accidentally leave your bags behind.
If you’re still not convinced, review the statistics on baggage that is stolen or lost at airport checkout counters each year!
A luggage tag can prevent such incidents from happening.
- It can help you recognize your luggage in the crowd. Made in bright colors and shapes, they are easy to spot.
- And, in the event your baggage is lost, these identification marks can help trace it.
Thus, you can rest assured that your luggage will reach its marked destination. Some airports don’t release your luggage unless they verify it against documents. Having your bags properly labeled and tagged will save you time. Airlines do provide paper tags to travelers for this sake, but they tear or get damaged with use.
Luggage tags started out as handwritten paper tags that were attached to the baggage. Today’s luggage tags have been replaced with digital prints that are more stylish and efficient; they are also made of more durable materials. Selected luggage tags include barcodes so that bags can be tracked anywhere.
When we think of luggage tags, we think of boring rectangular shapes with a label. They’ve come a long way from those. You can make fashion statements with funky, unconventionally-shaped luggage tags. Stand out in the crowd with custom luggage tags that reflect your personality. Here are some of the common designs:
Handle wraps: These tags do not hang loosely from a zipper or handle. Instead, they wrap around the handle. They have velcro straps to secure the tag in place. These wrap-style tags are also padded, ensuring a comfortable grip.
Bifold design: These are shaped like a bifold wallet; they feature a plastic slot on the inner side where you can slip in a label or business card. The flaps fold up and are kept in place with a press button or a magnet. These designs keep your personal information out of public view.
Slips and Straps: They are the most common and convenient. A slip type is a typical luggage label with a soft or hard plastic casing. There are cords or loops to attach to luggage. Strap luggage tags are designed like belts; are wrapped around a suitcase or bag and fastened by means of clips.
Label-lock combos: These serve a dual purpose: they secure your belongings and help tag and identify them.
Choosing a luggage Tag
You needn’t buy the first luggage tag you are shown. Take your time to look for one that best suits your travel needs. Narrow down your choices using the following factors:
- Sturdy tags made of durable materials. Plastic, natural leather, and synthetic leather, and metal (aluminum and steel) are commonly used materials.
- Aesthetically appealing designs. There are simple designs modeled after standard labels as well as those with zippers and bi-folds that double up as wallets. Choose a design based on your needs.
- Also select from a wide range of colors, sizes, and countless shapes.
What information should go onto a luggage tag?
A luggage tag includes personally identifiable information. However, you should restrict the details you include, in order to keep it from being misused.
- Include your full name: first name and last name.
- Contact details: A phone number or email address.
Some travelers also include a photograph, but it is optional. You shouldn’t include details such as social security numbers or postal addresses. While a postal address may help a finder deliver it to the right location; it could also make you a potential victim for future theft.
Use a luggage tag for both checked-in and carry-on luggage. It is advised you use two tags for checked-in luggage, given that you will be asked to store it away from you. Affix one tag to the outside and one on the inside. The one on the inside is just in case the external one is lost or damaged in transit. You can also add more details to the luggage tag included inside.
Passport Holder and Luggage Tag Sets
If you think a passport holder and luggage tag are only intended for travel purposes, you are mistaken. The ability to customize passport holders and luggage tags have widened their applications.
You can hand out color and design coordinated sets printed with your company name and logo to create brand awareness. Utility items are a great success when it comes to marketing. Parks, museums, and exhibits can also give them as souvenirs to travelers.
Great Gifting with Personalised Options
As an avid traveler or if you know of one, there is no need to settle for standard passport holders and luggage tags.
You can have your set custom-made. There are several manufacturers who offer a facility to customize your travel accessories by engraving your name, logo, or adding a charm. They are also made in unconventional shapes. Personalized passport holders and luggage tags make great gifting options. So, whether you are a frequent-flyer or the occasional vacationer, a passport holder and luggage tag are extremely useful travel accessories that you must have! Get the right ones and ensure your travels are hassle-free.
Written by Boyan Minchev