John, speaking to RSVP Live, says that ribbons or old travel stickers can interfere with automated scanning. If your bag can’t be scanned properly, it may be rerouted for manual processing—and might not make your flight. He advises removing all old stickers and skipping the ribbons to reduce scanning issues.

Surprisingly, marzipan is also a red flag. Its density is similar to explosives, so packing it may result in your bag being searched and removed from the flight.

Another tip: place your suitcase wheels-side up when checking in to reduce damage.

To make your luggage stand out, opt for bold colors or patterns instead of black or navy. Or, decorate your existing bags with fabric paint or flat stickers that won’t interfere with scanners.

These small steps can help ensure a smoother travel experience.