This Common Boarding Pass Mistake Could Put Your Trip—and Personal Data—at Risk

Key Points

• Experts caution against sharing photos of your boarding pass on social media.

• One family had their seats and meals changed after sharing a selfie with their boarding passes, according to press reports.

• Luggage tags and baggage claim tags can also reveal a significant amount of personal information.

If you've ever been tempted to post a photo of your boarding pass on your Instagram story or other social media account to document your travels, this one's for you. While it may seem like a fun way to share your on-the-road adventures with your friends and followers, it turns out this is one of the worst things you can do in terms of online security.

For several years, security experts have been warning against posting screenshots or photos of boarding passes on social media , as online scammers and thieves have been able to extract significant personal information from them. Details like your unique passenger name record (PNR) and even a scannable barcode can enable someone to access your booking.

A recent warning authored by the United Kingdom-based legal service HD Claims says that advanced scammers can scrape personal data from a QR code or a barcode on the boarding pass , even when the main personal information is concealed. In addition to not sharing the information on social media, the firm recommends shredding and destroying all travel documents, as they have observed cases where tickets have been picked out of hotel trash cans.

"This isn't just about social embarrassment; it's a serious data protection issue," Adam Douglas, legal expert at HD Claims, shared in a statement to Travel + Leisure . "If your ID or travel account is compromised as a result, you could end up footing the bill or losing your holiday altogether."

In May 2025, a family who innocently posted photos of their boarding passes online to celebrate an upcoming international trip became victims of a travel nightmare, according to a report detailing the alleged "sabotage" from Wake Up Singapore . The Hong Kong-based family claimed in the report that their seats were reassigned, and their meals were changed from their original orders to kosher and diabetic options. Worst of all, the parents were separated from their two children, according to the report.

In another case in 2020, after former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott posted his boarding pass for his upcoming Qantas flight to his Instagram account, his personal information was obtained by a third party. However, according to the BBC's report , the self-described hacker who obtained Abbott's passport details only used it as an opportunity to spotlight the importance of internet security, rather than any negative outcome.

In addition to not posting a boarding pass , there are many other easy tips you can follow to enhance your personal safety and security while traveling. As an added precaution, experts also advise not posting photos of luggage tags , which can contain additional personal information. The United States Department of State recommends carefully researching a destination, not telling strangers where you are staying, locking windows and doors, and avoiding carrying anything expensive.

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