Are Electronic Luggage Tags Actually Worth It Or Do They Mainly Benefit The Airline?

Imagine yourself checking in for a flight. But instead of standing in a long check-in line or fumbling with a printed label, your bag updates itself digitally, and you drop it off in seconds. Interesting, isn't it? That's what electronic luggage tags promise to offer, as they are designed to allow travelers to check in and label bags from their smartphone. It's certainly nice that this device has come to modernize the way travelers can tag and track their luggage, but there's a twist: these high-tech tags aren't free, as passengers are expected to shell out cash. Alaska Airlines for instance has electronic bag tags that cost $89.

Arguments and concerns have arisen so far. While supporters of electronic tags believe that it reduces paper waste, and altogether eases air travel right from check-in, many travelers are at loggerheads with this view. Some have argued that the introduction of this tool might just be a business move that primarily benefits the airline, while the passengers are made to foot the bill.

A case in point is that of Reddit user Dr_Nick_Literski, who said on r/AlaskaAirlines: "So, Alaska Airlines wants to sell me a fancy electronic bag tag, that saves THEM the time and effort of printing out bag tags each time I travel. Looks like the benefits are mostly to the airline, and yet they want ME to PAY them $89 per tag for the privilege? Really folks? You'd think they would at least discount it based on status level!"

Ask the airline, and they'd most likely tell you electronic bag tags are a win-win. Of course, apart from reducing the airline's reliance on paper printers, and trimming down the need for staff at check-in desks, electronic bag tags also help keep lines moving faster. Alaska Airlines, for example, claims that their electronic bag tags are meant to make the travel experience smoother. According to their official statement: "These bag tags enable our guests to tag their bags from the comfort of their home and help cut down the time they spend in line at the airport."

Other bright sides of the e-tags include the fact that they're more resilient than paper slips that tend to fade or even rip. If you've ever arrived at your destination only to find that your tag is torn or unreadable, you'd understand this better. The e-tags can easily display barcodes and travel info, and can be reused trip after trip.

Still, the benefits tend to feel less tangible for many, especially the infrequent travelers. Truly, setup can be quick, especially through the airline app, and frequent travelers might appreciate the fact that they won't have to reprint tags for every trip. But then, the technology is still limited, as it isn't quite universal yet, which therefore restricts value. While they work on Alaska Airlines and a couple of its partners like Icelandair and Qatar Airways, you may be out of luck if you're flying with most other airlines, and your sleek tag could become nothing more than a paperweight until your next Alaska flight.

If you're still interested in the idea of having an e-tag, and maybe you often fly with an eligible airline, it's important to know how best to maximize its potential. Firstly, make sure to pair your tag with a durable luggage brand that has an external tag slot or attachment point, as this ensures the tag stays secure and visible to scanners when you're checking in. You should note that it's very important your tag is attached to the bag as tightly as possible, so you don't lose it without realizing.

Make sure to fully integrate the e-tag with the airline's app, and set it up ahead of your trip — perhaps the day or night before your flight. Doing this simply involves syncing your flight information via Bluetooth or NFC (Near-Field Communication), ultimately helping skip the kiosk and head straight to baggage drop. Also, consider the electronic bag tag not just a gadget, but essential gear meant to streamline your trip every time.

When not in use, it's wise to have it in your carry-on for an easier traveling experience and accessibility. If you're a frequent flyer, it'd be helpful to track how much time you save or how many tags you no longer print, as these metrics help understand how well the initial cost may be justified. By the way, you might want to confirm what information you would generally need on your luggage tag.