The holiday season is stressful enough; you don’t need to wonder where your luggage went. Between air traffic controllers not being paid, the Trump administration reducing air traffic and the Federal Aviation Administration scaling back flights — this winter is slated to be a particularly turbulent time for air travel in the US, and we don’t just mean weather-wise.
Deemed a “must for the holidays,” Apple AirTags let you keep an eye on your checked bags, bringing extra peace of mind during high-travel months. Whether your flight plans get mangled, your suitcase doesn’t transfer, or your bags just get mishandled, this quarter-size tracker ensures you know where the heck your stuff is, at all times. And right now, a 4-pack is finally back on sale for $64.99, making each tag just $16.24, about the price of a coffee at the airport.
Here’s how the trusty trackers work:
AirTags can ping their own location, so when you attach them to one of your belongings (or pack them in a bag) you can track that item via Apple’s Find My app (available in the cloud and on Apple devices like iPhones, laptops, and iPads.) Through Find My, you can even tell your AirTag to play a sound so it’s easier to find. Plus, you can share tag info with your loved ones, so in case you lose your luggage and phone, a loved one “can help track and find the item.”
While these tags are great for tracking your daily needs like keys or kids’ backpacks, they’re truly game-changing for airline travel. Fans say these babies “live” in their luggage, especially during holiday travel. “Baggage misrouted on mid-flight stop over with plane change,” one reviewer said. “AirTag tracked its location, airline confirmed it and luggage delivered next day. All in order.”
“When the flight was cancelled and required an overnight stay, we were able to make sure our luggage did not stray from the terminal,” another wrote.
Each tag is completely encrypted for privacy, so even when it’s far away, it can anonymously and secretly use a network of Apple devices to send its location back to you. When you move away from an item, say, if you’re running late for a flight and forget your purse in the bathroom, it can even send you a notice.
In addition to being water- and dust-resistant, AirTags have a wildly simple setup, and you can assign each one a name to keep your most valuable belongings sorted. “Very easy to set up, especially for some[one] of my age, 66,” reviewer Susan I said, “If I can do it anyone can.”
AirTags are simple and easy to set up and track with your Apple devices (the key ring holder is not included, but there are many options).
Bonus: They also make *great* gifts.
AirTags have garnered thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon, boasting an impressive 4.7-star rating. They’re universal, easy to use and something no one can never have too many of. It’s not surprising that tons of reviews say these small tracers were “a hit as Christmas gifts,” with one writing, “I can guarantee that whoever gets here will love them.”
Users say the 4-pack in particular is ideal for gifting, for your family and your wallet. “I opened them and wrapped them individually for Christmas gifts!” reviewer Patricia Bergmann wrote. “This was wonderful because I finally got what the older kids wanted and it was cheap because I had to buy so many. I bought 20 gifts with 5 packages.”
And if you’re buying multiples but want to save some for yourself, we won’t tell anyone.
And don’t forget about the AirTag holder options for your luggage, bags, keys and more.
Amazon
A 4-pack of TagVaults, fabric mounted holders (14% off)
Install your tag inside of your luggage with this 4-pack of handy, easy-install “TagVaults.” They stick to nylon, polyester, vinyl, rubberized fabrics, and GORE-TEX, with a removable top so you can swap out your AirTag if you need to change the battery. The 4-pack is currenty 15% off.
Promising review: “I love these. They are so easy just to stick inside your bag or luggage and not be laying around on the bottom or have to find a pocket for them. They stick securely and are easy to pop off the top to get to the AirTag to recharge it.” — Christine Carbon
Amazon
Or a budget-friendly 4-pack of slim holders
Another great option for baggage, these fabric holders have a sticky pack that attaches to most flat surfaces and allows you to slide AirTags in and out easily. These could be great for people who don’t want their Tags to “live” in their luggage, but want the ability to track their luggage while they’re traveling. According to our price trackers, a 4-pack is usually $9.99, which is still a great price.
Amazon
Or a Belkin secure holder with a wire cable
Shopping editor Marquaysa Battle has written about this high-quality, locking AirTag holder before, noting “Reviewers love it because you can enclose the AirTag inside it, loop it around and lock it closed on everything from luggage to purses to keychains and beyond. Several reviewers noted that out of all the AirTag holders on the market, the locking aspect of this one is so tight, you actually need a small tool to get it open or closed.”
“I use this holder to secure my Airtag inside of my luggage,” reviewer, Josh, noted. “The allen-head screw makes it hard to remove without the tool as a deterrent to theft by a shady TSA or airport employee. A must-have!
Promising reviews: “I really like how nice these look and how well they show off the airtag. I did not expect them to be nearly as durable though! i have put these on my keys which get tossed around and also on my luggage and they show no sign of cracking or coming lose. They may be a bit pricier than other options but these really feel like the premium choice.” — Ame
“I’ve bought two of these and have never regretted it. These are the only cases I have bought and will buy for my AirTags. I don’t trust the ones you can pop in and out, having the locking screw system gives me the peace of mind my tags won’t go missing. Easy to use and durable. They have never accidentally come open and that’s what it’s designed to do.” — Amber
A carabiner to carry your AirTag and tag your luggage
If you’re planning a holiday trip, this carabiner is a nifty way to keep track of your luggage — provided you’ve got an AirTag, too. This gadget holds an AirTag in place and has a small three-digit combination you can set to unlock it, so you don’t have to worry about someone in baggage claim or a random bystander meddling with your belongings. You can clip it to a piece of luggage or a backpack and keep track of your goods for safekeeping.
Amazon
Or a leather holder than conceals the tag
Promising reviews: “This was a great item for my son, who is always leaving his keys somewhere. The design is not ‘attention-seeking’ so he didn’t mind putting it on his key chain. The material and the quality is very good for holding up to rough handlers with keys. It was very easy to insert the apple tag and it holds it securely. It is not bulky. It protects the apple tag very well. I bought the black one so it doesn’t stand out. I would definitely recommend for all and is worth the money.” — Pamela Rayfield
“This was perfect for the air tag and it looks like a key chain instead of an air tag holder. I had one that showed the air tag and was worried it would either fall out or get stolen. This covers both of those issues. And as a bonus, it is a very nice leather and looks great.” — THans
A 4-pack of super lightweight silicone key chain holders
About $1.50 a piece, this 4-pack of silicone holders is well worth its budget price, letting you add a Bluetooth tracker to your keys, pet’s collar, bag and so much more.
Promising review: “Great product for a great price! The colors help identify whose it is, makes them easier to see, they’re super easy to use by just popping the AirTag in, but it fits securely and doesn’t even attempt to fall out!” — rbnyrk
A lightweight Bluetooth tracker wallet holder
This handy wallet holder can hold a single Bluetooth tracker snugly in your wallet. It’s smaller than a traditional credit card and it’s flexible, making it a perfect fit for various wallet types.
Promising review: “I bought a different holder that proved to be too thick and rigid for my wallet. I can use that one with a different air tag for an alternate purpose. This one works better for my “back pocket” wallet. (So far, no problems with the air tag falling out).” — Ctexhowlin
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)