Travel-safety warning: Experts urge flipping luggage tags to shield personal data

Travelers are being urged to protect personal information at airports after a security expert warned that a common habit could expose them to identity fraud or harassment. Silvena Nonev, who works with Scandinavia Private Tours, told HuffPost that travelers should “Always, always, always flip your information card backwards” when tagging luggage. The advice targets the luggage tags that passengers attach to suitcases to help identify bags if they’re misplaced, a routine that can unintentionally disclose sensitive data.

Nonev noted that many tags display owners’ names, home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses to aid in bag recovery. In crowded terminals, that information can be easily visible to strangers, she said, creating a potential opening for criminals. Her guidance is to turn the tag over so the data isn’t readily seen. “If someone knows your name, number, and address, they already have enough to attempt identity fraud or, at the very least, harass you,” she explained. Airline staff and security can always turn the tag over if needed, she added, making the modest adjustment a simple safeguard for travelers.

The caution extends beyond the carousel and into the hands of hotel staff once travelers reach their destination. At check-in, many travelers receive key cards in smart envelopes bearing the room number and hotel name. Security expert Daniel Loo, owner of North Star Group, has warned that leaving a key card in a sleeve with the room number visible can unintentionally disclose the exact location of a guest’s lodging. He told Reader’s Digest that storing or presenting a card with the room information exposed is akin to handing someone both the key and the address to use it. If the card goes missing, he noted, unauthorized entry could become distressingly easy for someone with bad intent. For guests, the hotel room number remains a sensitive piece of information that staff are trained to keep discreet to safeguard safety.

Nonev stressed that the risk isn’t confined to the airport environment. As travelers go through checkout and hotel briefings abroad, the same principle applies: limit how much personal and stay-specific information is exposed in public areas. The emphasis on privacy in transit doesn’t just protect individuals’ data; it also reduces the likelihood of targeted scams or harassment while away from home. In practice, this means turning information cards backward, shielding room details at check-in, and asking staff to minimize the number of people who see such details. Airline and hotel staff are generally able to accommodate requests for discretion, according to security professionals.

The guidance aligns with broader efforts to safeguard personal information in travel hubs around the world, where crowded queues and shared spaces can amplify risk. While small, the steps proposed—reverse-facing luggage tags and careful handling of hotel accommodations—are presented as practical, low-cost measures that travelers can adopt without disrupting flight or hotel logistics. Experts emphasize that the goal is to reduce exposure of personal identifiers such as full names, home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and room numbers in public or semi-public settings.

For international travelers, the routine of tagging baggage and handling hotel documentation often remains routine regardless of destination. But the core message from security professionals is clear: treat personal data as sensitive and minimize its visibility in transit. By taking a few additional moments to flip tags and guard card information, travelers can add a layer of privacy and security to their journeys, without incurring significant inconvenience. As airports continue to operate at high volumes and hotels accommodate guests from diverse countries, the call for privacy-minded habits in travel is likely to persist as a staple of modern security best practices.