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How AirTags led police to an alleged luggage thief at Florida airport
Caroline Tanner
News reporter
A classically trained journalist, Caroline Tanner covers news and travel for TPG. She is a dual-journalism graduate of Mizzou and Northwestern.
Aug. 16, 2022
•
3 min read
How AirTags led police to an alleged luggage thief at Florida airport
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AirTags continue to prove themselves as the heroes we didn't know we needed in 2022.
Apple's tracking device helped locate a traveler's missing suitcase and items after failing to arrive at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) earlier this month, due to alleged theft by an airport employee.
Police successfully located a traveler's missing suitcase containing more than $15,000 worth of jewelry after the traveler reported that her bag was missing on Aug. 9. It never appeared on the luggage carousel at VPS, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Airport Security Unit, located outside of Fort Walton Beach.
Officers found the missing items using an AirTag that the traveler had placed in her bag, which police used to identify its location in Mary Esther, Florida, via the Find My app per a press release issued by the department.
"This arrest is an example of excellent teamwork by our Airport Security Unit, our Investigators and the Airport to find the person responsible for these thefts and make sure he is held responsible," Sheriff Eric Aden said in a statement on Facebook on Aug.11.
The defendant, an airline subcontractor working at VPS at the time of the incidents, allegedly removed an AirTag when rummaging through the victim's suitcase. The AirTag reportedly showed the location where the suitcase had last been seen, which led authorities to its retrieval. A second victim also claimed they lost a suitcase that never arrived to the airport in July, containing more than $1,600 worth of items, but police said those belongings had not yet been recovered.
TPG reached out to the police department for additional comments but hadn't heard back by press time.
AirTags have made headlines this year, helping travelers deal with mounting baggage issues at European airports amidst a summer of flight delays and cancelations, further increasing the likelihood of losing checked luggage.
AirTags have exploded in popularity, in part no doubt, because of all the lost luggage issues.
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These handy devices are slightly larger than a quarter and easily fit into a suitcase, allowing travelers to passively keep track of their luggage by slipping one into a pocket in their suitcase or attaching the device as a bag tag.
If your bag gets lost or delayed in transit, you can use Bluetooth to track your suitcase via nearby Apple devices, specifically compatible iPhones or iPads.
You can use the Find My app to track your suitcase via nearby Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads (Airtags connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device on the iOS platform.) If an item is marked "lost," the device will ping and notify you of the location when discovered without transmitting personal data in the process.
Currently, AirTags are available online for purchase. They generally cost less than $100 for a four-pack or around a quarter of that for a single AirTag.
Read our guide for everything you need to know about using AirTags.
For even more, read on:
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.