There’s nothing quite like arriving at your destination only to find out that your suitcase hasn’t joined you on the journey.
The loss of luggage can really put a damper on your trip, especially if you’re traveling home for Thanksgiving or Christmas with gifts packed inside.
Seasoned travelers have been sharing their best advice for minimizing stress during trips, which could make the holiday season much more enjoyable.
What’s their go-to suggestion?
Frequent travelers recommend placing Apple AirTags in your luggage, allowing you to track the location of your belongings.
The small tracking devices utilize Bluetooth technology to display your item’s location in the ‘Find My’ app, enabling you to easily locate your bag if it goes missing.
You will also receive an alert if you stray too far from the AirTag (such as leaving it behind).
These could make an excellent Christmas gift for a travel enthusiast, with a set of four AirTags currently available for 25% off on Amazon.
Psychologist Dr. Daniel Glazer recently discussed why losing luggage can trigger anxiety for many travelers: “A frequent trigger is the thought of a suitcase vanishing into the labyrinth behind the check-in belt and never reappearing at the other end,” he said.
“Watching your bag progress on the Find My map provides the prefrontal cortex with real-time data, calming the amygdala (the part of the brain that processes emotions), because uncertainty is replaced by concrete information.
“Knowing that your phone will alert you if the luggage drifts off course reinforces an internal locus of control, reducing the cognitive load of mentally rehearsing potential problems.”
He commended the gadgets for acting as a ‘psychological buffer’ against the stresses of flying: “This extra layer of perceived safety is no cure-all for flight anxiety, but it demonstrates how technology can serve as a psychological buffer.”
“By addressing one specific stressor—the location of your belongings—you alleviate the overall anxiety and create mental space to engage with the journey itself rather than the worries surrounding it.”
Customers are highly enthusiastic about AirTags, with one reviewer stating: “Can’t go wrong with these! I’ve had and have been using these for over a year now. They go in our luggage cases when traveling abroad and I’ve also used them in the children’s rucksacks when they’re on trips or out of sight!
“They’re such a brilliant idea, easy to use, easy to set up, and I can track them from my [cellphone]! I wouldn’t be without these and would definitely recommend them to anyone considering purchasing them.”
Another reviewer expressed: “I absolutely love these AirTags—I’ve since bought more because they work flawlessly with Find My on iPhone. Setup is instant with a single tap, and tracking is incredibly accurate.”
“We now use them in our suitcases for [vacations], and each of the kids has one in their bag. It’s reassuring to know we can locate everything quickly if needed. The precision finding feature is brilliant, and the audible ping helps when something’s buried or misplaced,” they added.
25% off