Abstract: An apparatus for the unique and permanent identification of an article of luggage includes a microchip attached to the article of luggage. The microchip contains a unique identification number that uniquely identifies that particular article of luggage apart from all other articles of luggage. A data base is provided that includes a file appertaining to each article of luggage. The file includes the name and address of the owner of the article of luggage and is updated by the owner, as desired, to include his travel plans. Only the owner (or his representative) may change the contents of the file. Authorized users, such as airline companies, may view but not alter the contents of the file subsequent to a communication to the data base that includes the unique identification number and an authorized user identification number.