British Airways Is Launching Electronic Baggage Tags This Summer
Wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to get a new checked bag tag each time you fly? British Airways is working to make paper baggage tags a thing of the past with new electronic bag tags. After years of trials and false starts, it looks like British Airways is actually going to start issuing and accepting electronic bag tags this summer.
The December edition of BA's Business Life magazine the airline will be launching electronic bag tags in January 2019. Since we reported that in December 2018, British Airways' digital bag tag website has read: "Digital bag tag… coming soon…" That is, until today.
Now British Airways says that its "TAG" electronic tags will be available to pre-order from June 2019 and that it will "aim to start delivering TAGs in July 2019."
The airline released this video about how the electronic tag will work:
Since electronic baggage tags are a solution that will save the airline money and resources, you might think BA would be excited to give away these tags to its frequent travelers. But that's not the case. Instead, passengers will have to cough up £63 (US$80) to pre-order the tag. Starting in October, the price will increase to £80 (US$101)
Note that BA's Business Life magazine listed the price in its December 2018 edition as £60 (US$76). The advertisement referred to this as "affordable and accessible (especially if you're able to expense it as part of your business travel costs)."
This isn't too surprising coming from an airline that's cutting costs and trying to raise revenue wherever it can. However, it's a rather shortsighted decision as the price is sure to keep many potential users from adopting the new technology.
The only large airline that's been successful in getting electronic baggage tag adoption is Qantas, which launched its "Q Bag Tag" in 2011. Qantas flyers also have to purchase the tag themselves, but the tags are priced at A$30 (US$22) each or A$50 (US$36) for two. That makes BA's electronic bag tag prices nearly four times more expensive than Qantas during the pre-order or nearly 5x more expensive than the standard price.
This electronic bag tag rollout has been a long time coming. British Airways first announced passenger trials of electronic baggage tags back in 2013 — after having already completed "comprehensive testing." At the time, trial participants used Nokia phones for the test and the baggage tags were supposed to have a battery life of five years — meaning that they'd have run out of power by now.
In the 2013 announcement, the airline explained the process would work as follows:
Customers on the trial will use their Nokia Lumia Windows Phone to check in, chose their seat and obtain their mobile boarding pass. Each will be equipped with a specially adapted version of the British Airways app, which automatically updates the digital bag tag with a unique barcode, containing new flight details and an easy-to-see view of their bag's destination - just by holding the mobile phone over it.
They can then save precious time by quickly dropping their bag off at a dedicated bag drop desk, before going straight through security to relax before their flight, without the need for a new paper tag to be printed and secured.
Besides Nokia Lumia phones being replaced by passengers' own smartphones, it doesn't appears that British Airways has modernized the process much in the six years since.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.