How to Unlock Your Suitcase When You’ve Forgotten the Combination

Picture the scene, you’ve just arrived at your hotel in an unfamiliar city after a long flight. You put your suitcase on the bed and slowly turn the numbered wheels of the three-digit combination lock. You press the button to get access to your case but nothing happens. The metal zipper tags remain firmly trapped in the lock’s clasp…

A red hand luggage size American Tourister suitcase with a built in combination lock
A locked suitcase with TSA approved combination lock

Getting locked out of your luggage is something that happens to even the most seasoned travellers at some time or another. Luckily the ubiquitous, TSA approved, 3-digit combination locks used by brands such as Samsonite, Eastpack, Antler and American Tourister are easy to open without damaging either the lock or the case and without any special tools.

By following the steps described below, you will be able to quickly open the lock and re-program the code to a new 3 digit combination which is easier to remember.

A locked red suitcase with a TSA007 combination lock
A 3-digit TSA007 combination suitcase lock

How to Unlock Your Suitcase When You Forgot the Combination

If you look closely at the lock from above, you will see that to one side of the 3 numbered thumb-wheels there is a small disk (see photos below).

I have found that the best way to see the disks is by using your mobile phone’s camera.

Select the video camera and shine the flash down into the lock then zoom-in to see the disks more clearly.

Starting with the first thumb-wheel of the lock, turn the wheel one click at a time until you see a notch in the disk as shown in the photos.

Once you have lined up the notch of the first wheel you then repeat the process for the second and third digit until the notches of all three wheels are lined up (see the photo of the blue suitcase).

Once all three notches are lined up, turn the suitcase so you can see the numbers.

Note, this is NOT the combination code.

How to unlock a Samsonite or American Tourister suitcase when you have forgotten the code
The notch is not visible on either disk

Write down the numbers on the first line of a blank sheet of paper.

On the next line add 1 to each digit.

Repeat this 8 more times until you have a list of 10 3-digit numbers as shown in the photo below.

Try the codes one at a time until you find the one which opens the suitcase.

Once the case is open you can change the combination for one which is easier to remember.

With practice, the entire procedure takes less than 2 minutes.

Video: How to Quickly Open Your Suitcase Lock When You Forgot the Code

When writing this article I used 2 different suitcases, both of which are fitted with TSA approved Travel Sentry combination locks. The locks are slightly different models but the procedure is identical.

I made the video using the older, blue, suitcase because the notches in the green plastic discs are easier to see than the notches in the black disks of the red suitcase.

The code which opened the red suitcase was 2 clicks away from the position with the disks lined up. The code which opened the blue case was 8 clicks away.

If none of the codes which you have written down work you should check that you lined the notches up correctly. As can be seen in the video, there are normally two positions where the notches are visible. Make sure that all 3 notches are lined up in the same position. You can see that in the video I lined up the disks at the right-hand position.

Close up view of the number wheels of a combination suitcase lock while opening it after forgetting the code
The notch on the left disk is now visible

How do Combination Locks Work?

The 3-digit combination locks used on suitcases are designed so that you can change the combination to a unique code which only you know.

To do this, you have to first set the lock to the current combination. You then press a small button (normally using a ballpoint pen) which frees the numbered thumb-wheels from the locking mechanism (currently in the open position).

You can then turn the 3 numbered thumb wheels independently to a new combination before pushing the larger button (the one which is used to open the lock). This re-connects the numbered thumb-wheels to the locking mechanism, activating the new code.

The method described above relies on the fact that part of the locking mechanism itself is visible (the notched disks next to the thumb-wheels). This makes the number shown on the knurled thumb-wheel pretty much irrelevant. Once the disks are aligned you simply need to rotate them around until the lock opens.

de-coding the TSA approved lock on my blue American Tourister suitcase
The notches on all three disks are lined up

What Are TSA Approved Locks?

The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is a US federal government agency responsible for the security of travellers that was created in response to the September 11 attacks.

All luggage is scanned before being loaded into aeroplanes and if any prohibited items are detected it will be opened by airport staff and the items removed.

TSA approved locks, identified by the red diamond shaped Travel Sentry logo, can be opened using master keys. The locks are often incorporated into suitcases but TSA approved padlocks are also available.

If your suitcase can’t be opened with a master key then, if they need inspect your luggage, airport staff will open it by force, cutting off padlocks etc.

Using a pencil and paper to crack the code
To save confusion it’s a good idea to note down the numbers

In theory the keys are only available to airport staff but in reality anyone with a 3D printer can print out their own master keys.

Is it Really worth Locking my TSA approved Luggage Lock?

As we have seen, the 3-digit combination locks fitted to most modern suitcases offer very little or no security. At best they stop your suitcase from opening accidentally during transit, preventing your dirty laundry from spilling out on the baggage carousel.

Some suitcases (including the red suitcase in the photos) have small metal hoops incorporated into the zip-pullers allowing you to use a padlock to lock your suitcase. Although at first glance this may seem to add a second level of security, in reality, it’s a waste of time. As shown in this video, zip closure suitcases can be opened quickly and easily using a ballpoint pen.

TSA007 combination suitcase lock open
Once the lock opens you can change it to one which you can remember

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252 comments

  3. Thanks , mines a different type of tsa lock
    BUT I could just see down the side of the wheels and lined up the notches, then turn ALL the wheels at once till it unlocked
    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Ron,

      Thanks for your comment, glad to hear it worked.

      It can be harder to see the notches on suitcases with the thumb wheels set perpendicular but, as you pointed out, once the notches are lined up the lock is easier to open because you can turn all three wheels at once.

      Reply

  4. Super job. Thanks much. TSA jammed it shut, but my combination didn’t work. However, your trick worked, thanks again.

    Reply

  5. Hi Richard
    we have a Samsonite F’lite case which does not have the small wheel described. I set the combination, locked it, and the case does not now unlock. (There is an “on” / “off” ‘tag which is used to set the combination)
    Any ideas? I have already gone through the 1000 possible combinations without success….

    Reply

    1. Hi Phil,

      The Samsonite F’lite has the same type of lock as shown in this video right?

      If so, it seems that the process is the same as described above, just that the marks are harder to see.

      Failing that, then trying all the possible combinations from 0-0-0 to 9-9-9 one at a time, although time consuming, should work.

      If not, it’s possible that the lock is broken in which case your best option would be to contact Samsonite customer service to find an authorised repair centre.

      Reply

  7. Hi Richard,

    My son has locked the cabin bag and we can’t recollect the 3 digit combination.
    I read your post about the notch, but it’s difficult to see the notch because there is hardly any gap between the digit dials and the surface.

    I tried my best using a torch light but it’s difficult figure out the notch.

    Reply

    1. Hi Melwyn,

      If you can’t see the notches, you can try feeling for them by sliding a thin piece of card of plastic down beside the knurled wheels. The corner of a business card works well for this.

      Reply

  8. Oh wow, thanks for this.

    Honestly I still remember my old lock combination but both my suitcases just gave up on me. Finally today I managed to open them.

    In order for me to access the contents inside I had to use a screw driver haha to turn down the metals that hold the zips. Anyway this is great, thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  9. I tried to do with a bit of thick clear plastic…worked the first time. Then the second time (in two weeks…as I think it had been fiddled with again) I tried finding the notches. Thank Goodness this worked. Not sure I’m ever going to use the lock on the case again….otherwise a pain to open the case every time you fly/arrive !
    Thank you for the video and recipe. It works (the notches!)

    Reply

  13. I wonder if anyone can help me unlock a cabin bag John Lewis brand, is open but combination locked now and forgotten. Any idea’s ?

    Reply

    1. Hi Liz,

      This type of lock (with the thumb wheel set perpendicular to the surface) is a bit more tricky because the notched disks are covered but the process is the same. In this case, you need to feel for the notches by sliding a thin piece of card, plastic or metal in beside the wheels and slowly turning them until you feel the notch. Once you have lined them up, the procedure is exactly the same as described above.

      Reply

  20. OMG I was sceptical, and freaking out my son’s case would be locked forever. This totally worked, best hack ever, thank you!

    Reply

  22. Thanks for helping! My parents’ luggage got locked and they can’t remember the pin. Had my doubts initially but it worked! Now I realise how easy it is to break open someone else’s luggage. I need better locks!

    Reply

    1. Hi Jared,

      Glad you managed to open your parents’ case. At the end of the day it’s best not to place anything valuable in your checked luggage.

      Reply

    1. Hi Keith,

      I don’t think it really matters if all thieves know this trick (and I’m sure they do already).

      Despite the fact that you can find the PIN code and open the lock in less than 2 minutes using this technique. If you aren’t worried about damaging the suitcase it’s much faster to just force the zip open using a ballpoint pen as shown in the video I linked to in the article.

      I’m pretty sure that thieves don’t waste time trying to crack the combination.

      Reply

  27. THANK YOU SO MUCH. To be honest I had my doubts but but my family had something we needed urgently stuck inside our suitcase with a lost combination and this worked so quickly and easily our whole family was shocked when it opened! Thanks for teaching me a new life skill! XD

    Reply

  28. Dude you are brilliant! It worked!!…had to use a paper to feel the notch because the torch would work. And its a little confusing because it feels like it can be either a 5 or a 4. But even when you write down the codes using both, you only have 30 combinations to try which is so much easier.
    Thanks a lot.

    Reply

    1. Hi Geekstinct,

      Great news! As you say, it’s harder when you can’t see the notches but with a little perseverance and ingenuity the method still works.

      Reply

    2. He is brilliant. In a Paris hotel room trying to open a lock that has had the same combination for years. All of a sudden it won’t work.
      Tried this method and bingo. It worked. So my thanks to him and to Google for hooking us up

      Reply

    1. Hi Ntosh,

      Some suitcases have the number wheels mounted perpendicular to the lock (so you can looking from above instead of the side). In these type of cases the notched disk is hidden but it is still there, in between the number wheels.

      If you slide a thin piece of stiff card or metal down beside the wheel (the corner of a business card or small metal rule are ideal for doing this) you can feel for the notch as you turn the wheel. The process for finding the combination code and opening the lock is the same as described above.

      It’s just a bit more difficult and takes a bit longer because you can’t see the notches and have to feel for them.

      Reply

  32. Richard, thanks for this tip. It worked the first time I tried it. I needed help because I am travelling and was unable to unlock my suitcase until I found your solution via a search.

    Adam

    Reply

  33. Hi, thank you very much for this wonderful post. I was able to find the lock combination of my luggage using your method. Why are you so clever?!

    Reply

  35. Thank you so much for this post: I was worried I might have to break my cabin max suitcase once it decided to change the code seemingly on its own but I was able to open it in less than a minute!

    Reply

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