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An interesting topic popped up on the Delta subreddit and I’m curious to get your input.
Redditor Banya6 started the thread, “Solo travelers: do you feel safe leaving your stuff in the lounge to go use the restroom?” and followed it up with a single line of text: “I don’t want to drag my luggage.”
Thanks to an array of travel credit cards (such as the The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card), along with some airline status benefits and premium cabin tickets, I’ve enjoyed the privilege of visiting airport lounges for many years.
I’d say 50% of those visits are when I travel alone: no family, friends, or colleagues enter the lounges with me either as guests or with their own access.
It’s (usually) nice to travel with companions because you get to share the travel experience with them. And they can watch your carry-on luggage whenever you need to use the restroom (or, when in a lounge, grab some food and a drink).
But what about when you’re by yourself — especially in a crowded lounge?
I know someone who’s been visiting airport lounges for about as long as I’ve been alive.
“I have no problem leaving my stuff (at my seat) when I go get food or a drink or visit the bathroom,” they said several years ago. “No one in there is going to steal your stuff.”
Unless I know I’ll be away from my seat for an extended period of time (changing clothes, maybe needing extra time in the restroom, etc.), I generally leave my Nomad Lane Bento Bag at my seat — but lock it. I also have AirTags in my bag that can help me track if it’s stolen or misplaced.
But I always take my wallet, iPhone, and passport with me wherever I go. I also try to get a seat near the buffet, bar, and hydration stations — places I know I’ll visit at least once or twice but from which I can see my belongings.
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I rarely ask someone next to me if they’ll watch my bag. I don’t love leaving my belongings — but I rarely sweat it. If a line is taking too long, I’ll go sit down and come back later.
That Said
One would think most people visiting lounges — or employed by them — aren’t the thieving kind. There are cameras everywhere in many of the newer lounges. Plus, airports are generally secure places.
One would think lounges are even safer than other areas of the airport. But that might be a false sense of security.
A friend of mine heard from a Delta Sky Club rep said things occasionally “go missing.”
What Do You Think?
Do you bring your carry-on luggage with you everywhere in a club lounge? Or do you trust that your fellow lounge lizards will leave it alone?
Please share your thoughts in the below Comments section!
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I think lounges used to be safer but are still pretty safe. Most lounges used to be the domain of business travelers or maybe business travelers on vacation. Now days everyone with a credit card seems to be trapsing through them so they are less safe just due to the number of people in them. If you had something very expensive stolen I’d assume you might be able to track them down as the lounge desk has everyone’s name but it would be difficult.
I’m in a United Club at least a dozen times a year. I will leave my laptop out, but with the screen down and the machine locked. I’ve never had a problem with anything stolen.
Many years ago, I took out my computer from my briefcase in a club, intending to use it. However, I received a lengthy phone call. Then, I realized time was short before boarding so I used the restroom, then grabbed my briefcase and roller board and headed to the gate. We waited about 30 minutes for the in-bound flight to unload and be prepped for our flight
I boarded first, had a bulkhead seat in EC. I realized, when I lifted it up to put it in the overhead compartment, that it was too light. I realized I had left the laptop in the Sky Club. I pushed my way up the aisle, exited, and ran to the club (all sorts of fears going through my head). My laptop was still on the table where I had left it – 45 minute earlier. I considered this a miracle – that it was neither stolen nor confiscated and sent to lost and found.
The airport was LaGuardia! How’s that was “testing” whether it is safe to leave possession unattended!
I leave everything but my phone and wallet. There are cameras everywhere and – ostensibly – they know the identity of everyone in the club. Plus, everyone in there already passed thru security with a ticket so there really aren’t any rando’s around. Does that make it 100%? No, but I think you’d have to be pretty stupid to try to steal something large.
Lost a wallet filled with airline membership cards. It was a nice wallet. And a sentimental Titanium Marriott Card (real metal). Tried with Delta on several occasions to see if they have it. Happened in Detroit. They told me anything found was sent to Atlanta. Just tracking down who to contact was an ordeal. No luck.
That stinks! Sorry to hear that. Last year, I got a wallet that allows me to put an Apple AirTag in it. Life saver.
Trust in God but tie up your camel.
I never travel with my animals.
Had my Bose headphones stolen from the Skyclub in Dallas. Quick trip to the restroom and they were in the top of my backpack. Really frustrating. I didn’t realize it until I was on my next flight. Called the lounge but no luck. Better than losing a wallet, but still annoying. I leave my stuff but try to be more deliberate about where I sit.
J Bro: Was it crowded? I’ve never been in the DFW Sky Club when it was ever busy? Where did you leave your stuff? The bar area or by those seats in the back?
The whole situation is unfortunate: the theft and the DFW Sky Club, in general.
I’m sorry that happened. I wonder how many people lose smaller items as opposed to entire pieces of luggage.
Has n anyone had any issues on the Las Vegas T3 Gate E2 lounge. I visited yesterday before my flight back to the UK, left a large carry on tote bag with a plastic bag inside full of clothing on my seat whilst I went to grab a snack and drink (gone no more than 2 mins) always take my laptop backpack with me so thankfully this wasn’t stolen but the bag of clothing was. You won’t expect a lounge in an airport to be a risk or unsafe. Checked with the desk and they don’t have cameras! Airport lost and found wasn’t available for support (even though not lost) and hardly going to have been handed in when they left my other items behind. The lounge was also very busy. I hadn’t realised it was missing until I stood up to go to the gate for boarding, had been in the lounge a maximum of 30 mins.