AFAIK cmd-{ and cmd-} are the most reliable shortcuts to change between tabs in OS X apps (on US layouts: cmd-shift-[ / cmd-shift-]). They work in every app I know except iTerm. Would be great to have them.
Btw, cmd-left/right-arrow has a special meaning inside text fields (go to beginning/end of line), that's a good reason not to get used to them to switch between tabs. Can get very annoying in Safari when a form field or the URL bar has focus.