How does ProtectaBag give me security?
Luggage wrap ensures that if anyone has accessed your luggage in transit you will know immediately on arrival at your destination, as the wrap will be evidently damaged or missing. If this happens, don’t claim your luggage from the baggage carousel/reclaim hall – report it to airport security, explaining that the luggage was wrapped at airport of origin and ask them to investigate.
How much is the wrapping service?
Any size of box/baggage is priced at Php160/wrap.
What if my luggage is too heavy?
ProtectaBag provides a free weight-check service before wrapping your luggage to make sure that you do not exceed your baggage limit, or at least allow you the opportunity to re-distribute or remove any items before wrapping.
How can I lift/move my luggage once it is wrapped?
Our fully-trained luggage-wrap assistants will always release luggage wheels and handles after wrapping, so that you can lift/ move your luggage as normal. Of course, if you don’t want this done, just tell the luggage-wrapper before wrapping.
How can I get the wrap off when I get to my destination?
The secure wrap can be removed by using a pair of scissors to slit through the wrap; it should then come off in one piece, almost like a jacket. You will also be provided with a small cutter specifically for this purpose.
What do I do if my wrapped luggage is opened/or the wrap is damaged when I get to my destination?
Do not reclaim your luggage from the carousel in the baggage claim hall. Go to the airport security and state that you had your luggage securely wrapped by ProtectaBag, naming your departure airport, also show your receipt as proof – your receipt will show the date and time when your luggage was wrapped. Ask security to check your luggage. This gives you peace of mind concerning damage, loss or tampering.
What if security/airlines want to look in my luggage?
At Philippine airport security/ airlines, they X-ray your luggage before you travel, eliminating the need to look inside.
I have been told that I cannot have my bags wrapped if I am going to the USA – is this correct?
No. This is a common misconception – we actually wrap many bags going to the USA. Under USA Flight regulations, luggage has to be available for inspection at any point on the journey, so locks and ties are removed by inspectors, this leaves your luggage totally unprotected.
The wrap film we used is clear so that the inspectors can see that there are no locks underneath it, and so the wrap will only be removed if that bag is chosen for inspection during transit. There are some random sample inspections performed at check-in time on direct flights from the Philippines to USA, there is a small chance that a wrapped bag may need to be opened – if so we rewrap free of charge. Luggage wrapping is done in many USA airports, so authorities there are quite familiar with it.
I already have a padlock/cable ties on my suitcase, isn’t this secure enough?
No, not necessarily. It is very easy to gain access to zipped luggage without unlocking any padlocks/ cable ties thus there is no evidence of access, until you open your luggage and realize that some item(s) is/are missing. Also, padlocks do not protect your luggage from bursting open or damages such as scratches to your luggage in transit.
I’m taking pre-packed boxes, aren’t these secure enough?
Boxes can easily be opened and resealed without your knowledge or consent. What’s more, cardboard packaging is very fragile, especially if it is exposed to moisture, so wrapping your boxes can prevent water seepage – especially if traveling on a wet day. ProtectaBag can also pre-wrap your boxes in bubble wrap to provide extra protection for their contents while transit.
I have travel insurance, so won’t that cover any items that are stolen?
Not entirely. Some travel insurers exclude from their coverage all items in stored luggage, due to the high number of theft claims they receive.
I’m only going on a short journey (flying domestically) why should I bother?
Although flying only domestically your luggage will pass through the same baggage handling systems, so there is exactly the same potential for your luggage to get burst, damaged or tampered with AND don’t forget there is always the potential for luggage to get lost, so wrapping provides security for the contents and added peace of mind until it is found.
If a lot of luggage is wrapped on my flight – how will I know it is mine?
ProtectaBag provides permanent marker pens for you to write your identifying marks and details after it has been wrapped so that you can easily identify your luggage, when you reach your destination.
ProtectaBag also sells a range of multi-colored luggage tags which will also help you identify your luggage speedily.