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Travelling with your rollator
Introduction
Using a rollator will broaden your horizons, from visiting grandchildren across the country to exploring destinations you've always dreamed of seeing. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, a cross-country road trip, or an international vacation, traveling with a rollator doesn't have to be complicated or stressful.
We want to share with you a selection of useful tips and tricks that we've learned from speaking with our customers.
Checking your rollator
One of the most valuable pieces of advice for air travelers using rollators is to avoid checking your it at the ticket counter. Instead, request a gate check tag and keep your rollator with you throughout the airport journey. This simple strategy can transform your travel experience from stressful to seamless>
When you gate check your rollator, you maintain your independence and mobility throughout the most challenging part of your journey – navigating the airport. Airports are vast, and the distance from check-in to your gate can be substantial. By keeping your rollator with you, you'll have the support and stability you need while moving through security checkpoints, walking to your gate, and waiting in boarding areas. There's no need to rely on airport wheelchairs or struggle with fatigue when you have your familiar mobility aid right beside you.
Traveling with a partner or family member often means they naturally want to help, but gate checking your rollator ensures they don't become overwhelmed with extra responsibilities. When you maintain your mobility independence, your travel companion can focus on their own luggage and travel needs rather than worrying about providing physical support throughout the airport. This creates a more relaxed experience for everyone involved and helps prevent caregiver fatigue before your trip even begins.
Gate-checked items receive special treatment that significantly reduces the risk of damage to your rollator. Unlike regular checked baggage that gets loaded early and may be buried under heavy suitcases, gate-checked mobility aids are among the last items loaded onto the plane and the first items removed upon arrival.
How to Request Gate Check Service
The process is straightforward and airline staff are well-trained to handle these requests:
- Inform the check-in agent that you'd like to gate check your rollator when you arrive at the airport
- Request a gate check tag at the ticket counter – this special tag identifies your rollator for priority handling
- Keep your rollator with you through security (it will go through the X-ray machine or receive hand inspection)
- Use your rollator normally while moving through the airport and waiting at your gate
- When boarding begins, airline staff will attach the gate check tag and take your rollator to be loaded
- Upon arrival, your rollator will be waiting for you either at the jet bridge or just inside the terminal
Protecting Your Rollator
While gate checking offers better protection than regular baggage handling, your rollator will still spend time in the aircraft cargo hold alongside other equipment and luggage. Even with careful handling, the cargo hold presents a clear risk of the rollator getting damaged, such as other gate-checked items shifting during flight, and the loading and unloading process. Scratches, bent cross frames, or damaged wheels can turn your dream vacation into a frustrating experience, especially if repairs aren't readily available at your destination.
While a quality travel bag like the byACRE (Ultralight or Overland) represents an upfront investment, consider it insurance for your mobility and peace of mind. The cost of a protective bag is minimal compared to potential repair bills, replacement costs, or the inconvenience of a damaged rollator during your travels. For frequent travelers, this protection pays for itself quickly through preventing damage and extending the life of your mobility aid.
Security and Tracking: Keeping Your Rollator Safe and Findable
While proper protection keeps your rollator physically safe during transport, modern technology offers additional layers of security through tracking and theft deterrence. By combining digital tracking with physical security measures, you can travel with complete peace of mind, knowing your mobility aid is both protected and locatable.
AirTags
Apple AirTags have transformed luggage tracking, and now major airlines are officially integrating AirTag location data into their customer service systems. This means you can now share your rollator's precise location directly with airline staff if it goes missing, ending the frustrating experience of knowing where your mobility aid is while airline employees claim they can't find it.
How It Works: Through Apple's Share Item Location feature, you can generate a secure link that shows your AirTag's location on an interactive map, complete with automatic updates and timestamps. When your rollator doesn't appear at baggage claim, you simply share this link with airline customer service through their app or website.
Below are the current airlines that support this (as of February 2025)
North American Carriers:
- United Airlines (first to implement)
- Air Canada
- Delta Air Lines
European Carriers:
- Lufthansa
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- British Airways
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Brussels Airlines
- Eurowings
International Carriers:
- Singapore Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Air New Zealand
- Qantas
- Aer Lingus
- Iberia
- Vueling
- Virgin Atlantic
Placement of the AirTag
Installing an AirTag on your rollator is simple and provides invaluable peace of mind:
- Secure placement: Attach the AirTag inside the organizer bag, or for something more secure, attach it to the frame using a sturdy holder
- Concealed positioning: Keep the AirTag hidden from casual view to prevent theft of the tracker itself
- Test before travel: Verify the AirTag is working and connected to your Find My app before leaving home
- Battery check: AirTags use replaceable lithium coin batteries that last about a year, so ensure yours is fresh before major trips
Physical Security: Combination Strap
While AirTags help you locate your rollator, a security strap with a combination lock adds physical theft deterrence, especially when your rollator is in its travel bag.
Security Strap Benefits
- Visual deterrent: A visible security strap discourages opportunistic theft by making your rollator appear more challenging to steal
- Bag security: When wrapped around your travel bag, it prevents the bag from being opened or removed without the combination
- Airport identification: A bright, distinctive strap makes your rollator easily identifiable on luggage carousels
- Peace of mind: Knowing your rollator is secured provides psychological comfort during stressful travel moments
Choosing the Right Security Strap
Look for these essential features when selecting a combination security strap:
- Adjustable length: Ensure the strap can accommodate your rollator's dimensions when folded and bagged
- Durable construction: Choose straps made from cut-resistant materials that can withstand cargo hold conditions
- Easy-to-remember combination: Select a lock with numbers that are meaningful to you but not obvious to others
- Bright color: Opt for vibrant colors that make your rollator stand out and signal that it's secured
- Weather resistance: Ensure the strap and lock mechanism can handle various climate conditions
Further Reading
Read Cheri's article on how she took her byACRE Ultralight rollator from California to Istanbul.
About the Author
Let's Roll Mobility
We pride ourselves on our customer service as well as our knowledge of the product and personal experience with it. We know what a big decision it is to decide which mobility aid to use and we hope to provide enough insight to help our customers make a confident informed decision.
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