Checked luggage with a TSA lock keeps your bag closed and lets airport security open it with a master key instead of cutting the lock off. Below are Traveler's Choice large checked bags with built-in TSA-approved combination locks, plus a padlock for a bag that does not have one, from $139.99.
The picks
29 inch large checked. Metallic-finish hardside, expandable, with a built-in TSA-approved combination lock and spinner wheels.
Large checked hardside. Expandable, with a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, for longer trips or heavier packers.
Travel Sentry approved padlock with two keys. Adds a TSA-recognized lock to a bag that has no built-in lock, and works with any Traveler's Choice suitcase.
Why Traveler's Choice
Traveler's Choice has built luggage in California for 41 years and supplies replacement bags for seven U.S. airlines. When a carrier damages a passenger's suitcase, these airlines send that traveler to Traveler's Choice for the replacement.
The locks here are the built-in kind. Each of the two checked bags above has a Travel Sentry approved combination lock set flush into the shell, so there is nothing to clip on, lose, or forget at the belt. You set your own three-digit code, and because the lock is Travel Sentry approved, security can open it with a master key and relock it rather than cutting it off.
It helps to be clear about what a lock on a checked bag does. It is a deterrent and a way to keep a zipper from falling open in the hold, not a vault. Someone determined can still get into a soft zipper, and TSA can still cut a worn lock if the master key does not turn. A lock makes your bag the harder target and gives you a closure you can trust.
For a bag you already own that has no built-in lock, the Sentry padlock adds the same TSA-approved protection to any zipper pull.
Price is the last piece. A large checked bag with a built-in lock from a premium brand often runs $200 to $300. These start at $139.99. You are paying for the shell, the wheels, and the lock, not the logo.
The video is Traveler's Choice running its own bags through drop, torque, and compression tests, the same handling a checked bag takes on a busy connection. The shells that pass are the ones airlines put into their replacement programs.
FAQ
Does TSA allow checked bags to be locked?
Yes, but only with a TSA-approved lock. Bags with a Travel Sentry or Safe Skies approved lock can go through as normal - security opens it with a master key if they need to inspect. A bag locked with a non-approved padlock can still be checked, but TSA will cut the lock off if they need to open it. If you want your bag back with an intact lock, it has to be one they can open with a key they carry.
What makes a lock TSA-approved?
A TSA-approved lock carries the Travel Sentry mark, usually a small red diamond. It has a master keyway that TSA officers can open and relock during an inspection, so your bag gets checked without the lock being cut. A lock without that mark can be cut off if security needs to open the bag.
Do these checked bags come with a lock?
Yes. The two checked bags above have a TSA-approved combination lock built into the shell. The Sentry padlock is a separate accessory for a bag that does not have one.
How do I set the combination on a built-in TSA lock?
Built-in TSA locks ship set to 0-0-0. You hold the reset button, turn the dials to your own three-digit code, then release the button to save it. The exact steps are on the card that comes with the bag, since the reset varies slightly by model.
I forgot my TSA lock combination - can I reset it?
It depends on whether the lock is open or closed. If the lock is open, you can reset it the same way you set it initially - hold the reset button, dial in your new code, release. If the lock is closed and you cannot remember the code, you have to try combinations or contact the manufacturer. For a built-in lock, Traveler's Choice customer service can walk you through it. For the Sentry padlock, the manufacturer has a reset process on their support page. There is no universal override - the only master key TSA carries opens the lock mechanism, not the combination dials.
Will TSA cut the lock on my checked bag?
Usually not, if it is TSA-approved. Officers open a Travel Sentry lock with a master key and relock it after the inspection, which is the whole point of the approved standard. They can still cut a lock if it is worn or the master key does not turn, so it is not a guarantee. A non-approved lock is the one that gets cut off by default. The built-in locks on these bags and the Sentry padlock are all Travel Sentry approved.
What are the disadvantages of TSA locks?
The main one is that the master key system is not secret. The key codes were published years ago, and physical copies are available online, so anyone with one can open any Travel Sentry lock - not just TSA officers. This is why a TSA lock is a deterrent, not real security. It stops the casual grab and keeps zippers from working loose in the hold, but it will not stop someone who specifically wants in. Keep valuables in your carry-on, not in a locked checked bag.
Is a TSA lock worth it if security has a master key?
The master keys are not secret, so a TSA lock is a deterrent, not a safe. It keeps the zipper closed in the hold and makes your bag the harder target, which is what most locked-bag travelers are after. Keep anything valuable in your carry-on, and use the lock to protect against the casual grab, not the determined thief.
Is a built-in lock or a padlock better for checked luggage?
A built-in lock sits flush with the shell, so it cannot be removed or forgotten, and there is no loop for someone to cut. A padlock is the way to add a TSA-approved lock to a bag that did not come with one. If you are buying a new checked bag, the built-in lock is one less thing to carry.
Reviews
Here are some 5-star reviews from our Bell Weather and Ultimax II customers.
✓ I recommend this product
Great large suitcase!
Super easy to organize and pack due to thoughtful interior design! I will be buying the medium-sized one next!
Bell Weather Large Checked
✓ I recommend this product
Great product
Suitcase was extremely durable, spacious, and held up to how harsh airlines can be with luggage.
Ultimax II Large Trunk - Rose Gold
✓ I recommend this product
Well designed and sturdy luggage.
I have only used my luggage once and it held up very well. I love the design features of this luggage. I purchased both the large and medium trunk spinners and am very happy with them. I love the trunk design. I put shoes and toiletries in the smaller top section and clothes in the larger bottom section which allows me to remove to top section once I'm at my destination and leave my clothes in the bottom during my stay. With my old non trunk design I had to open the entire luggage flat which takes up a lot of space. This luggage looks great, has very thoughtful features ( love all the handles!) and weighs about the same as my old soft sided luggage of the same size. They roll smoothly and content say in place when the luggage is upright. The medium fits inside the large for storage and I love the storage over rap bag that's included with the luggage. I have purchased cheaper luggage but have been disappointed with them. These are worth the investment in good luggage with great design. I feel confident they will last for a long time but I will update this review if they do not.
Ultimax II Large Trunk
