Planning to propose to your significant other should be fun, but figuring out how to get an engagement ring through airport security can be pretty daunting if you haven’t done it before — which, chances are, you haven’t. It’s not like you can call up TSA and warn them not to let the cat out of the bag by riffling through your carry-on and pulling out the ring box.
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Planning to Propose on Your Vacation? Remember These Two Airport Security Tips
Last week, Luton Airport in London launched a marketing campaign with the city-based jewelry company Queensmith to help secret proposers smuggle engagement rings through security.
The very English-sounding initiative called “Ask for Harry” instructed passengers to use the keyphrase “Does Harry still work here?” at security to let staff know they are carrying an engagement ring in their luggage. It’s a smart gimmick that had me googling the jewelers, but in my opinion, that’s as far as it goes.
I can’t imagine anything more suspicious than my partner inquiring about some dude called Harry with a security agent — we’re certainly not posh enough to know someone with that name. However, it got me thinking about whether taking an engagement ring through security is really all that difficult. And to spoil the ending, no, it’s not that hard unless you get unlucky. It certainly does not warrant you using a code word that will make you sound like you’re smuggling illegal substances.
According to recent data from the wedding planning site The Knot, over a third of American proposers choose to pop the question during a planned trip. Although many of these trips are on home soil, there’s been a surge in popularity with international destinations since the pandemic. And unsurprisingly, destinations such as the Maldives, Italy, Greece, and France are popular backdrops for the romantic moment. But even if you’re not going that far, your plans might involve a face-off with TSA. If so, there are two simple things you can do to help avoid getting caught out.
The first cardinal rule is to pack it in your carry-on rather than your checked luggage. The second is not to put the ring in your pocket and saunter through the metal detectors. Both are no-brainers, but here are a few more tips I found on Reddit from travelers who’ve successfully managed a secret proposal.
A few commenters suggested to secure the ring in a safe and discreet container. While the original jewelry box may suffice, consider investing in a small, soft-sided ring case. These cases are designed to protect the ring from bumps and scratches and are often more discreet than a larger jewelry box. Place it at the top and avoid wrapping the ring box in plastic or paper when packing as this could trigger a closer inspection by security.
Another essential is to pack your carry-on properly. Ensure your bag is free of any items such as liquids over the permitted amount, sharp objects, or electronic devices with unusual power banks.
Others suggested attaching a small, discreet note to the ring box that reads, “Engagement ring — please handle with care.” Hopefully, this gentle nudge will help security personnel handle the situation with sensitivity. And if you are pulled over to be searched, you may request a private screening, although that might have your other half googling wedding venues in your absence or questioning they are in a relationship with Pablo Escobar.
More concern should be placed on losing the ring when traveling. Ensure you’ve got sufficient insurance. And if it’s purchased in the US, you won’t have to declare the item at customs, but take a photo of yourself with it at home to prove it was not acquired abroad.
After that, all you need to do is focus on planning the perfect location for your destination proposal. 