Tips for Checked Luggage

Most air travelers are well aware of issues that pertain to carry-on luggage: that is, the restrictions on any liquids (gels, creams, etc.) that can be carried through security checkpoints and onto the plane. (See Rules for Carry-On Luggage.) But checked luggage travels with issues too...

Protect Your Check Luggage
It's of course the prudent thing to protect your checked luggage from theft: but simply locking up your suitcase or bag is not a good strategy, as TSA security staff are entitled to break your locks in order to inspect the contents. The solution, in the US, is to buy special locks that can be opened by TSA staff, and then reclosed.

- for TSA-approved locks

Read product descriptions carefully and look for a red "torch" symbol on the product, to be sure that TSA can open and close the lock without damaging it. About's Guide for Student Travel has more info about TSA luggage locks and how they work (-both keyed locks and combination locks.) She travels with three such locks, herself.

Protecting Fragile Items in Checked Luggage
We all know that luggage is subject to rough handling, but sometimes circumstances dictate that laptops, digital cameras, digital media, or other fragile and/ or expensive items end up in checked bags. About.com's Guide for Europe for Visitors has a collection of Hard Cases for Cameras and Laptops, to protect these important belongings if they need to travel inside checked luggage.

How Many Checked Bags are Free?
No doubt the most commonly asked question about checked luggage is, "how many bags can I check for free?" More and more airlines are charging for even the first piece of checked luggage. Usually that charge is modest, but the price of the second bag rises steeply. Our About.com Guide for Air Travel keeps track of the policies of many airlines: see Free Baggage Allowances.