How To Set Code On Away Luggage: Easy Guide

To set the code on an Away suitcase in the United States, open the suitcase, set the lock dials to 0-0-0, press and hold the reset button, choose a new three-digit code, and release the button. Test the new code several times before you close the case.

Away suitcases use a built-in combination lock. The lock is designed to let Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers open checked luggage with a special key without breaking the lock. The exact reset button or switch can vary by Away suitcase model, but the setup process is much the same.

Before You Set Your Away Luggage Code

Set the combination while the suitcase is open. If the case is already locked and you do not know the current code, the normal reset process may not work.

Before you begin, check these points:

• Make sure the suitcase is open.
• Find the three number dials.
• Look for a small reset button, pinhole, or switch beside the dials.
• Start with the factory setting, usually 0-0-0.
• Choose a code that you can remember but that others cannot easily guess.
• Keep the zipper pulls or latch clear while setting the code.

Away has released different suitcase designs over time. Most use a small reset button near the combination wheels. Some versions may use a reset lever instead. If your lock does not match the steps below, check the instructions for your exact model before forcing any part.

The reset control is not the same as the TSA keyhole. The keyhole is for authorized TSA access. Travelers do not receive a TSA key for changing the code.

How to Set the Code on Away Luggage

Follow these steps to change the combination on most Away suitcases.

1. Open the suitcase.
   Set the zipper pulls or lock tabs aside so they do not press against the lock.

2. Set all three dials to 0-0-0.
   This is the usual factory combination for a new Away suitcase. If the suitcase has already been used, use the current combination instead.

3. Find the reset button or reset switch.
   It is usually beside or below the number dials. A small pen tip may help you press a recessed button. Do not use a sharp metal object that could damage the lock.

4. Press and hold the reset control.
   On models with a button, press it until it stays down or until you feel it engage. On models with a slider or lever, move it to the reset position.

5. Choose your new three-digit code.
   Turn each dial to the number you want. For example, you might choose 4-8-2. Do not use this example as your personal code.

6. Release the reset button or return the switch.
   The lock should now store the new combination. Some models make a small click when the reset control returns to its normal position.

7. Scramble the dials.
   Move the numbers away from your new code.

8. Test the combination while the suitcase is still open.
   Enter the new code, then move the lock release or try the zipper lock. Repeat the test at least twice.

9. Close the suitcase only after the test works.
   Leave the case open until you are certain that the code unlocks it.

A successful setup has three signs: the reset control returns to its normal position, the lock opens with the new code, and the old code no longer works. If the lock opens with both codes, the reset process was not completed correctly.

How to Lock an Away Suitcase After Setting the Code

After you confirm the new code, place the zipper pulls into the lock or close the lock tabs, depending on your suitcase design. Keep the new code visible while you engage the lock.

Next, scramble the number wheels. This prevents someone from opening the suitcase by simply reading the dials. Before travel, enter the code once more to confirm that the lock opens smoothly.

Do not push hard on the zipper pulls or lock release. A full suitcase can place pressure on the lock and make it seem stuck. If the lock will not close, reduce pressure on the case and check that the zipper pulls are seated correctly.

For checked baggage in the United States, use the built-in TSA-compatible lock as intended. TSA officers may open checked bags during screening. Do not add a separate non-TSA lock unless you understand that it may need to be removed.

What to Do If the Away Lock Will Not Reset

Most reset problems come from using the wrong starting position, releasing the button too early, or trying to reset a locked suitcase.

The reset button will not stay down

Make sure the dials show the current combination before pressing the reset button. On a new suitcase, try 0-0-0. Press the button straight in rather than at an angle.

If the button still will not engage, look for a reset slider instead. Different Away models may use different lock hardware.

The new code does not work

Try the setup again while the suitcase is open:

1. Enter the current code.
2. Press and hold the reset button.
3. Set all three new numbers carefully.
4. Release the button.
5. Scramble the dials.
6. Enter the new code and test the release.

Turn each wheel slowly. A number that sits between two positions may not register correctly.

The suitcase is locked and the code is forgotten

The standard reset method normally requires the current combination. Do not force the zipper pulls, pry the lock, or keep guessing while applying pressure. Those actions can damage the lock and the suitcase shell.

You can try the factory code only if the suitcase has never been set before. Otherwise, contact Away customer support for model-specific help. Be ready to provide the suitcase model and proof of purchase if requested. A locksmith may also be able to help, but ask about possible damage and cost before authorizing work.

The lock feels stuck

First, remove pressure from the suitcase. A tightly packed case can pull against the zipper or lock. Then enter the correct code and gently move the release.

Check for:

• A zipper pull that is not fully seated
• Dials that are between numbers
• Fabric or lining caught near the lock
• A reset button that remains engaged
• Dirt or damage around the lock

Do not spray oil into the lock unless Away specifically recommends it. Lubricants can collect dust and may affect the lock mechanism.

The code changes by itself

A combination lock should not change during normal use. If the code appears to change, the reset button may have been pressed accidentally, or the lock may be damaged. Stop using the suitcase for valuable items until you confirm that the lock works reliably.

How to Choose a Safe Luggage Combination

Choose a code that is easy for you to recall but hard for another traveler to guess. Avoid simple patterns such as:

• 0-0-0
• 1-2-3
• 1-1-1
• Your birth year
• Your street number
• A number printed on your luggage tag

A private three-digit code is not a high-security password. The lock mainly helps prevent casual opening and keeps the zipper pulls closed. It does not protect the suitcase from every form of theft or from authorized airport inspection.

Do not write the combination on the outside of the suitcase. If you need a backup, store it in a secure password manager or another private place. Keep your luggage tag separate from the code.

Away Luggage Lock: Key Facts at a Glance

Question	Answer
Usual factory code	0-0-0
Number of wheels	Three
When to set the code	While the suitcase is open
What you need	The current code and the reset button or switch
Can a forgotten code usually be reset?	Not through the normal method
Is the lock for TSA access?	The built-in lock is designed for TSA inspection access
Should you test the code?	Yes, before closing and before traveling

The factory code may vary by product version or previous use, so treat 0-0-0 as the normal starting point rather than a guarantee for every suitcase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default code for an Away suitcase?

The usual default combination is 0-0-0. Try it only when the suitcase is new or has never had its code changed. If it does not work, the lock may have been set previously.

Can I change the code when the suitcase is locked?

Usually, no. Most Away combination locks require the suitcase to be open and the current code to be known before the reset control can be used.

Does Away luggage come with a TSA lock?

Away suitcases use an integrated combination lock designed for TSA inspection. TSA officers have authorized access methods for eligible locks, but travelers should not try to operate the TSA keyhole themselves.

What should I do if I forgot my Away luggage code?

Do not force the lock. Try the factory code only if the suitcase is new. For a used suitcase, contact Away support or a qualified locksmith and ask about available options and possible damage before work begins.

How can I tell whether the new code was saved?

With the suitcase open, scramble the dials, enter the new code, and operate the release. Repeat the test more than once. If the lock opens each time, the code was likely saved correctly.

Final Check Before You Travel

Set the Away luggage code while the case is open, test it more than once, and scramble the dials before packing the suitcase. If the reset button does not engage or the new combination fails, stop before closing the case and repeat the process using the current code.

For a locked suitcase with a forgotten combination, use Away support or qualified lock help rather than forcing the lock. A few minutes of testing at home can prevent a much bigger problem at the airport.