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

  1. Dear Richard. Thank you for your tip on unlocking 3digit combination lock, when the unlocking combination is lost. IT WORKED and I was able to open my travel case. A query though. You mentioned the locking combination is irrelevant due to partial exposure of the locking mechanism. Thus, is it right that there is a master combination and a second combination the user permutes for one’s use? Thank you again.

    Reply

    1. Hi Sidhartha,

      Thanks for your comment, glad to hear that this method worked for you.

      What I meant when I said that the numbers are irrelevant was that the actual digits aren’t important since you just need to line up the notches and then turn the wheels the same number of clicks until the lock opens.

      Reply

  3. It took 12 minutes to find your instructions, and three minutes to read them and try it. Success on the 5th number. Thank you for your very helpful and clear instructions. 1970’s Samsonite briefcase belonged to my dad.

    Reply

  6. I hope you can help me! I bought the expensive large aluminum suitcase that has a lock on each front end. When I thought I had set the locks with the matching combination, and closed the suitcase when I later tried to open it only one of the locks opened. So what do I do? I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS VERY EXPENSIVE UNUSABLE TUMI SUITCASE?????

    Reply

    1. Hi Judi,

      I’m not familiar with Tumi suitcases but if the method described above didn’t work for you’ll have to work your way through all the possible combinations from 0-0-0 to 9-9-9 one at a time until it opens. It takes longer but if you work methodically you should be able to open the lock in less than half an hour; 0-0-0, 0-0-1, 0-0-2 etc…

      Reply

  7. Thanks, Richard. Your method worked. I used it on a lock without a reset button.
    I don’t see the lock to prevent people from getting into my stuff, but more to prevent the zipper to open unintentionally.

    Reply

    1. Hi Erik,

      Thanks for your comment. I totally agree with you. The combination lock on this type of suitcases does little more than secure the zip pullers and ensure that they don’t inadvertently come open when the case is going along the conveyors or on baggage carts at the airport.

      Any valuables really should be in your hand luggage, and even then you should be vigilant when going through baggage checks at the airport.

      Reply

  8. Hello Richard,
    Thank you for the post, glad to see it has helped to many people. I ran to see the wheels from the side and saw the gaps, I was hopeful, but it did not work for me. I have done the methodical way 3 time back and forth for 3 days, and nothing.
    The small button on a side, is it done kind of reset or something?

    Reply

    1. Hi Era,

      Thanks for your comment, I’m sorry to hear that you haven’t managed to open your bag yet.

      It’s hard to say what the problem is from afar. At a guess, I recommend you should make sure that the gaps in the discs are all lined up in the same position. There are normally two positions where the notches in the wheels are visible. For example, if you look closely at the fifth photo (close up of the blue suitcase) you will see that the notches are at the right-hand side of the gap. If one of the notches was at the left-hand side, then the method wouldn’t work.

      The small button that you mention is a reset button and is used to reset the PIN code of the suitcase. However, it only functions when the lock is already open. Once you have opened the case, you can use the small button to reset the code to one which is more memorable. Unfortunately, at the moment it won’t help you open the case.

      Reply

  11. Hii! Thank you so much for a life saving hack in travel! More than travelling it’s hard for us to remember the combination when we take out the suitcase to travel
    Thanks a lot❤️❤️❤️

    Reply

  13. Hi! Utterly brillant! Was given the suit case because of unknown combination. Took me a few minutes but worked on the 8th combo setting!

    Reply

  17. Wow, daughters case wouldn’t open, was just about to write it off and get a hacksaw out.
    Came across this site, started going through the numbers not expecting anything to happen then bingo, the lock flew open!
    Thankyou!

    Reply

  18. Hi Richard,
    I’ve tried the methods you described to open my Samsonite Magnun suitcase, but I can’t either see or feel the notches in the wheels.
    Do you have any other ideas?

    Thanks for the great post and for help a lot of people.

    The model of the luggage is this

    Reply

    1. Hi Andre,

      If you can’t locate the notches then I suggest you try each of the possible combinations from 0-0-0 to 9-9-9 one after the other until you find the one which opens the lock. (0-0-0, 0-0-1, 0-0-2. etc…)

      It’s not ideal but, if you work methodically, it should take less than half an hour to find the code.

      Reply

  19. Hello,

    Thank you very much for the advice, but it did not work on my suitcase.

    I have a samsonite Aerial TSA 007 and I the combination code I had set no longer works.

    I tried to line up the notches, but it is still locked.

    Please help.

    Thank you
    Sarah

    Reply

    1. Hi Sarah,

      Lining up the notches is only the first step of the process, it’s totally normal that your case doesn’t open at this point.

      Once you’ve lined up the notches you should turn all three thumbwheels one click and then try to open the suitcase.

      If the case doesn’t open you just continue turning all 3 thumbwheels one click at a time then trying to open the lock again until it finally opens.

      I find that it’s easier if you write down the numbers on a piece of paper as described in the article above.

      I recommend that you watch the video I uploaded to YouTube. It shows the steps done slowly so you can see exactly what I mean.

      Hope this helps

      Reply

    1. Hi Charlotte,

      There are two common problems that people have with this method:

      (i) Not lining the notches up correctly

      The gap where you can see the notched disk is fairly large and there are normally 2 positions where the notch is visible. It’s imperative that you line the notches up at the same position. If you look closely at the photos of the blue suitcase above, you will see that I have lined the notches up at the right-hand side of the space where you can see the disk.

      (ii) Can’t see the disk

      It’s not always easy to see the notched disks. In this case, you can use a thin piece of plastic or card to feel for the notches. Used boarding passes work well for this.

      Hope this helps.

      Reply

  22. Hello Richard

    I’m having the BIG SIZE HARD PVC SAMSONITE SUITCASE similar to this one.

    While locking it before leaving my hotel room pushing the “3 small dials” below the numbers display, they strangely sound different with unusual clicking.

    On returning and opening it, I could open it but no further able to lock it with those matching numbers seemingly no further working.

    Its the first time I am coming across this problem having used numerous Samsonite luggage for over past 35 years.

    Let me know how you can be able to assist me.

    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Donald,

      Those Samsonite cases with the locking mechanism incorporated in a kind of large hinged hasp work slightly differently to the ones shown in the article.

      If you lift the hasp you’ll see that there’s a red plastic flap. To reset the code you lift the flap. This frees up the locking mechanism so you can turn the thumbwheels to the PIN code of your choice before pushing the red flap back into position to set it.

      If I were you, this is the first thing I’d check since it sounds like the flap might have become dislodged.

      Reply

  24. Thank you very much. It really worked. I tried so many combinations but when I read this process It really worked. This is very helpful.

    Reply

  25. Thank you VERY VERY MUCH, brand new luggage, and forgot combo. But with the video we could open without breaking

    Reply

  27. This is amazing. I tried it and it worked! Now I feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway when he figured out how to start a fire.

    Thank you!

    Reply

  28. I had a similar problem with our Safe Skies lock – we thought we had the combo set correctly but when we spun the dials around and tried it, we were locked out! There is an actual way to “see” the combo setting, then march back to unlock it. We made a video to help people out:
    https://youtu.be/qxLVrkqfN0Y

    Reply

    1. Hi Aaron,

      Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.

      I think that this simple trick works for most suitcases from the majority of modern luggage brands because they all use combination locks based on the same Travel Sentry design.

      I like your video because it shows clearly how, if you can’t see them, you can feel for the notches using a thin piece of card or plastic.

      This is something which I’ve suggested to people several times in the comments section below and your video illustrates the technique very well. I especially liked the fact that you seem to be using a random piece of card that you have found lying around and not a special locksmiths tool.

      Once again, thanks for your comment and congrats on the video.

      Reply

  33. Thank you SO much! This tutorial saved me having to cut open my suitcase, and from having to buy a new one. Can’t thank you enough!

    Reply

  35. Thanks so much for this! I must’ve watched at least 20 video tutorials and was at my wits end as the bag was already packed for a flight in a few hours that we are taking with our baby and toddler. The bit I was missing was adding a digit to each number on the line which was so well explained here. Thanks so much again!

    Reply

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