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Transportation

What are TSA Approved Luggage Locks?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated Mar 06, 2024
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Transportation Security Administration or TSA approved luggage locks are locks you put on your suitcase that have a master key available to the TSA. If at an airport, and a security person needs to inspect your suitcases, they need merely use the master key to open the lock.

When the the luggage locks are opened with a master key, it triggers a small red dot, which shows the lock has been opened. This way, you know that your suitcases have been inspected. Usually, those inspecting luggage also put a note into your luggage notifying you of the inspection and the reasons for it.

TSA approved luggage locks can provide great convenience to those who want to keep the contents of their luggage secure. While you can use a normal lock to lock your suitcase, the TSA has the right to cut it off. If your luggage is inspected and you have TSA locks, you still have a lock after the inspection. Also, if anything is missing from your suitcase after an inspection, you can file a claim for it with greater ease. Lastly, if these locks are cut off, most companies that sell them offer a lifetime replacement.

Most TSA approved luggage locks have a combination, which you can change once you get the lock. A person opening the locks with a master key cannot change the status of a lock that has been opened unless they know your combination. So if anything in your luggage has been taken or lost, you can attribute it to the person inspecting your luggage.

Because of this safety feature, it is unlikely that an unscrupulous person who was inspecting luggage would take anything from suitcases featuring these special locks. The tamper feature would automatically be triggered, rendering the actions of a person quite traceable. This often gives people, in this age of heightened security at airports and greater license of inspection of luggage, greater feelings of ease when traveling.

TSA approved luggage locks are fairly inexpensive. They are sold at travel stores, luggage stores and widely on the Internet. If they carry the label TSA approved, especially when bought from a reputable source, they should be able to be opened by airport security if needed.

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Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen , Writer
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseTour contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.
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Discussion Comments

By anon990842 — On May 12, 2015

I don't think safe skies honors their replacement lock if it gets clipped anymore. I submitted the form and it came back not deliverable and when I used their contact form they never responded. Bad customer service it would appear!

By anon990140 — On Apr 08, 2015

Security has destroyed two suitcases and I don't even lock them. They force zippers that merely expand the suitcase and when they don't open the case up they rip them apart. I hate the effing national security. It's a facade anyway to appease stupid people. If someone is going to bring a bomb onboard then they are going to bring a bomb onboard and it won't be in a suitcase. Jerks.

By anon949390 — On May 05, 2014

In Australia the locks need to be the ones released by Safe Skies.

I bought a couple recently online that are simple and seem to work. I have not flown with them yet, and not sure if it covers both international travel and domestic, but thought hey, why not go for one that's exclusive within Australia?

By anon948351 — On Apr 29, 2014

What is the difference between TSA002 and TSA007? Thanks.

By anon342997 — On Jul 26, 2013

The problem isn't thieves, it's the NSA. I have NSA locks on my baggage and rather than use the master key, they just cut my zipper pull. This is the second bag I've had destroyed by the NSA. I'm no longer going to put any locks on luggage because it just isn't worth it.

By anon307012 — On Dec 03, 2012

Come on guys, you're telling me that a thief can't get hold of a "master key"? Boy are we dreaming. Keep valuables out of anything that you won't have with you.

By anon279540 — On Jul 13, 2012

You don't program anything - they're not electronic! You might recode them. And please come on, it's not rocket science if you have the right code to start off with.

By efty — On Sep 29, 2010

Do all International airports have access to these master keys or do the locks only work in Canada and the US?

By anon48300 — On Oct 11, 2009

You should know that any baggage thief will conveniently insert a copy of the TSA inspection notice, thus the "red dot" alert is useless. However having a locked bag is better than not having one, as the choice to invade is more complicated. If they really want anything, they will just slit the bag open anyway. Bottom line, is don't pack check-in luggage with anything you can't stand to lose. By the way, the TSA frequently forgets to relock these locks, causing them to fall off en route. I have personally lost three or four in the last two years.

By anon44113 — On Sep 04, 2009

I just bought a suitcase with TSA lock. I tried to reprogram the 3 digit code from it's default 0-0-0 code. I thought I already followed the instructions but it couldn't open. I have tried all the combinations but still could not open it. What should I do?

By raybeg5317 — On Jan 30, 2009

I have the same problem with my TSA lock. It will not close and i can't reprogram it.

By anon19300 — On Oct 09, 2008

I opened my TSA approved lock (four numbers) but now it won't close. How do I reprogram it?

Tricia Christensen

Tricia Christensen

Writer

With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseTour contributor, Tricia...
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