My bargain luggage!

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

When we went to Disney in January I bought a BIG Samsonite suitcase on clearance at Dillard's. Regular $200, clearance $50. DH pointed out that if I fill that bag as full as I can stuff it, it will exceed the 50 lb. limit. OK, still a good deal.

Later (after we came home) I found a Samsonite carry-on at Dillard's for 75% off. I think it was maybe $100 marked down to $25.

Thursday I was at Ross and saw a Samsonite bag (I THINK it is small enough to go carry-on) for $40. I didn't buy it. Then I went to Kohl's and saw one almost exactly like the one at Ross and it was $110 ON SALE! Crap. Should have bought the one at Ross. Didn't have time to go back and that Ross is pretty far from home. Went to another Ross yesterday and they didn't have any Samsonite bags.

Remembered DH had some pants we needed to return to Ross so I took them back today (to a third location). DS found the exact bag I wanted! And it was the last one! Unfortunately the handle doesn't lock in the "middle" position. It locks fine fully extended and fully retracted. I ask at the desk if they can discount it and the man says he can give me 40% off!! By the time I applied the credit from DH's pants my total on the suitcase was only $13!! YAY!! I love bargains!!

Now I have enough luggage to meet all sorts of needs! We can pack a decent sized carry-on with our essentials in case Magical Express isn't so magical. Our checked bags will hold enough that I won't have to do laundry for the entire trip (9 nights). If one checked bag is too heavy I can redistribute stuff to other bags. We will have plenty of room for lots of great WDW stuff!

I guess my one concern should be how to fit all of my lovely bags into the rather SMALL room at Pop!

 

[Taja]

Congratulations on your bargains!

Know what you mean about the large Samsonite bags! I have the four-wheeler and love it, but if I'm not careful, I will exceed the weight limit. I've found that if I can lift and carry it about 10 feet (I'm aiming for 15 feet now), I should be about 2 to 3 lbs. under the weight limit. Discovered my last trip that 10 feet was too short of a distance--or I'm stronger than I used to be! The case weighed 48.5 lbs.!

Can you nest them inside one another for storage? Or at least two of them? I have a boarding bag that nests inside a rolling duffle (17"), that nests inside a pilot's case (carry-on), that nests inside the four-wheeler, with a garment sleeve tucked on top for good measure!

The pilot's case, garment sleeve and four-wheeler were a set, but the other items were purchased separately on sale. Saves a lot of space at home and on the road!

 

[luv2nascar]

way to go. Great bargains.

 

[redmomof4]

Good job on finding those bargains! Great Brand also!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I do have some of them nested together right now. The big Samsonite has my other smaller two-piece set in it, then I have another two piece set under the bed. I put the one I bought yesterday in DS's closet because I don't have any more room! Up until last year I was the only one who ever went anywhere - and that was just to an annual conference that only lasted Thursday - Sunday. Now that all three of us are going places together I have been bitten by the "luggage bug"! Of course the drawback to buying pieces here and there on clearance is that none of it matches, but I'm OK with that. I just have to be able to remember what all of it looks like!

 

[Taja]

Yeah, mismatched luggage can be a challenge to identify! But any color that isn't black is easier to locate on the luggage carousel! About 90% of mine is black--looks great, but is difficult to locate. I have an old pilot's case (no longer qualifies as carry-on) that is beginning to look sad, but I love the shape of it (a tad smaller than a weekender, but 2" wider than specified carry-on dimensions) and it's color-blocked in jewel tones! Very easy to identify!

Try tying a bright ribbon (same color) to all pieces to help with initial identification on the carousel. Or make bright, colorful tags (identical colors) to attach to all pieces. Another thought (haven't tried it, so you might be the guinea pig!) is that electricians tape comes in many colors these days (used to be--black!). You might want to experiment at home with taping several strips on your cases to see if it works.

Something I'm seriously considering on my black luggage is a small piece of reflective tape on the sides to alert inattentive drivers that a pedestrian with luggage is crossing the street/driveway!

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

I didn't know about the 50# limit. Is that all airlines or just some?
Even if you have a very large suitcase, you can still only pack 50#?

 

[prncess674]

I didn't know about the 50# limit. Is that all airlines or just some?
Even if you have a very large suitcase, you can still only pack 50#?

Some airlines have an even lower limit. Most, not all, US based airlines allow 2 checked pieces of luggage per person and each bag may not weigh more than 50 lbs. There will be additional charges for more than the limit. Charges for excess weight or pieces of luggage vary by airline. Check your airlines website for specifics.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You might take a look over on the Transportation forum for more info about the weight limits. We fly American, and there was an article in the paper recently about how they have installed new scales at DFW and they are being REALLY strict on luggage weight. If your bags are over even by a few ounces they are charging the additional fee.

We threw our bathroom scale out when we moved and we never replaced it. I guess now might be the time to think about buying a new one, just for a ballpark on the suitcases!

Taja-

We are planning to use Magical Express, so I am planning for luggage identification to be THEIR problem, not mine!
But when we come home I should probably have some plan for reclaiming all those bags! It is so much more fun to plan for the GETTING THERE part as opposed to the COMING BACK part. We bought neon colored tags at Target, but several of them broke on the last trip. I might have to go get some fabric or ribbons to tie on our luggage this time around.

 

[Taja]

There was an article in our local paper two or three months ago showing the additional costs based on overweight/oversized bags and additional bags on the major airlines. Some airlines have strict requirements on maximum size for checked bags in addition to weight limits. The additional charges begin at $25 per bag and go up from there, depending on the airline!

From a safety stand point, the 50 lb. maximum weight limit makes sense. Realistically, airlines also make money selling unused cargo space on passenger flights at premium rates.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

We've always used SWA and although they've tagged my bags with a "heavy" tag, they have never charged me. I'm going to Alaska for a cruise in August and flying Delta. I'm really worried now about the weight of my luggage. With having to take summer and winter clothes, it will be tough to pack. I'll check out their website.

 

[Reyasmom]

You might take a look over on the Transportation forum for more info about the weight limits. We fly American, and there was an article in the paper recently about how they have installed new scales at DFW and they are being REALLY strict on luggage weight. If your bags are over even by a few ounces they are charging the additional fee.[/QUOTE=jackskellingtonsgirl]

That's good to know, we're flying American out of DFW next month.

Amanda