Social media travel hacks debunked

Several viral travel hacks circulating on social media have been identified as ineffective or impractical. One trend involves wrapping biometric passports in aluminum foil to prevent digital theft via RFID skimming. While foil can shield radio-frequency communication, the risk is minimal because RFID chips are highly encrypted and require extremely close proximity to be accessed.

Using foil may lead to longer security queues and potential damage to travel documents. Another trend involves using pillowcases or neck-pillow sleeves to smuggle excess clothing as hand luggage to avoid baggage fees. However, airline staff are trained to identify these methods and may charge passengers for excess baggage regardless of the container used.