New luggage for flying

[ktlm]

Our TJ MAXX has a lot of Samsonite luggage and it is pretty easy to get a matching set. They have other brands too. Ross and Tuesday Morning are other places to check. Definitely take your own tape measure because the PP is right about the luggage manufacturer not measuring like the airlines do. Also, a big thing is weight. You want the lightest suitcases you can find because you will be surprised how fast you can hit that weight limit especially when packing things like jeans and shoes, and of course whatever souveniers you bring back. I have a beautiful set of Ralph Lauren luggage I got at Tuesday Morning a few years back, but the stuff is about 3 to 4 pounds heavier than the luggage I use, which makes a huge difference when you are flying. If I take it, I am always bumping up against the weight limit and shifting things between bags. I only take it when we are driving. I've also learned not to spend a ton of money on bags becuase no matter how nice it as, after a few flights the airlines are going to rip it somewhere, or break something off of it, or scuff it up. I had one suitcase with reinforced leather at the base, and sure enough about the 2nd time I used it, I don't know how on earth they did it, but it had a slash all the way through all the layers of leather into the interior of the suitcase. They had to have caught it on some time of machinery. First time, I've ever had them rip the leather instead of the fabric. Discount is definitely the way to go!

 

[NotUrsula]

Our TJ MAXX has a lot of Samsonite luggage and it is pretty easy to get a matching set. They have other brands too. Ross and Tuesday Morning are other places to check. Definitely take your own tape measure because the PP is right about the luggage manufacturer not measuring like the airlines do. Also, a big thing is weight. You want the lightest suitcases you can find because you will be surprised how fast you can hit that weight limit especially when packing things like jeans and shoes, and of course whatever souveniers you bring back. I have a beautiful set of Ralph Lauren luggage I got at Tuesday Morning a few years back, but the stuff is about 3 to 4 pounds heavier than the luggage I use, which makes a huge difference when you are flying. If I take it, I am always bumping up against the weight limit and shifting things between bags. I only take it when we are driving. I've also learned not to spend a ton of money on bags becuase no matter how nice it as, after a few flights the airlines are going to rip it somewhere, or break something off of it, or scuff it up. I had one suitcase with reinforced leather at the base, and sure enough about the 2nd time I used it, I don't know how on earth they did it, but it had a slash all the way through all the layers of leather into the interior of the suitcase. They had to have caught it on some time of machinery. First time, I've ever had them rip the leather instead of the fabric. Discount is definitely the way to go!

ALWAYS do a quick inspection of your bags when you pick them up at the carousel, including making sure that the wheels still roll properly. The airline will pay for seriously damaged bags (usually pretty generously), but you MUST file the claim before you leave the airport.

I photograph all of the tags and receipts for every bag I buy, and save them forever. If you have to invoke the mfr. warranty, they will insist on seeing copies, even years later.

 

[winterwhite]

I flew 189,000 miles last year with an eBags convertible carry on. There is a wheeled version of this bag and I am not lying when I say it is the ULTIMATE travel bag.

I'm an adult, but only 5' tall, 105lbs. I carry the TLS 22" weekender and it is plenty big enough for a week's worth of clothes for me, and is a legal carry on (I never check bags unless forced).

Highly recommend this and I believe the ebags brand comes with a lifetime warranty.

I love, love love how light the bag is, how many organizational tools and places to put stuff it has, and this sucker is TOUGH.

Here is the whole collection. Been happier with this than any of my samsonite/tumi/etc.
http://www.ebags.com/search/b/ebags/bc/tls

 

[ssawka]

ALWAYS do a quick inspection of your bags when you pick them up at the carousel, including making sure that the wheels still roll properly. The airline will pay for seriously damaged bags (usually pretty generously), but you MUST file the claim before you leave the airport.

That's interesting! So I guess if you use DME and your bag is damaged en route to MCO you are SOL!

 

[rszdtrvl]

I agree with looking at Ross. I found our larger suitcase there. They have some GORGEOUS Kathy VanZeeland suitcases, but I would be scared they would get destroyed! They are probably better for car trips than airline trips.

Also, look at yard sales! I found a lot of our carry-on bags and smaller bags at yard sales for less than $5.

 

[disney777]

Another place that carries luggage is Burlington Coat Factory. My friend got some luggage there and was happy with it. I got my last 2 bags at TJ Maxx and a name brand at a local "swap meet".

 

[aubriee]

I also agree! TJ Maxx is a great place to buy luggage. You can get a matching "set", but you need to piece it together yourself.

Last year we bought a Heys set and love it. The "big" case only weighs 7 lbs. empty. That gives you up to 43 lbs. for clothes and stuff.

We got bright neon orange ones. They are ugly as heck, but easy to pick out at baggage claim.

Several years ago I got a set of the hardsided Heys Exotic in the black and white plaid pattern at Marshalls. I bought just the middle size and the carry on spinners, since I thought the largest size would be too big to check and I'd forgotten my tape measure that day. Like you said they are very light and I think the black and white plaid is cute. Here are the ones I have, but there is no way I would pay over $300.00, when I could get the exact same bag for less than half that at TJMaxx or Marshalls. http://www.overstock.com/Luggage-Ba...side-Spinner-Luggage-Set/3444035/product.html Shortly after I bought my plaid ones, I saw a leopard print set of the hardsided Heys at TJMaxx. I could kick myself for not getting them too. They were only like $69.00 for the carry on and $79.00 for the medium spinner.

I've also seen name brand luggage at Ross and Burlington's. For that matter when I was in Costco the other other day, they had some Ricardo of Beverly Hills spinners. That same say I was in Marshalls and noticed they had some of the more expensive Heys too (the Britto collection) for like $99.00 for the carry on and $120.00 for the 26" bag. Out of curiosity I came home and looked them up on ebags and found the exact same 26" bag for $300.00. It was this one:http://www.ebags.com/product/britto...alm-26-spinner-case/212414?productid=10131228. They also had some Kathy Van Zeeland, Dian von Furstenberg, Nautica, IT, Swiss Gear, and several other brands.

 

[swilshire]

ALWAYS do a quick inspection of your bags when you pick them up at the carousel, including making sure that the wheels still roll properly. The airline will pay for seriously damaged bags (usually pretty generously), but you MUST file the claim before you leave the airport.

I photograph all of the tags and receipts for every bag I buy, and save them forever. If you have to invoke the mfr. warranty, they will insist on seeing copies, even years later.

Good luck with that. I knew that wheels and handles were not covered, but I thought surely American would pay when my new bag obviously got caught up in some sort of machinery. There was a huge spot of black oily stuff on that side of the bag, it was frayed all the way down the seam and the teeth were ripped right out of the zipper. In spite of nothing in their online info regarding zippers being excluded, I never got any satisfaction. I made the airport people note it on the reservation after they denied any remedy, but the customer service group also declined the request for a repair.

Sheila

 

[JessM]

Try TJMaxx or Marshalls! They have great brands at great prices and they are on display so you can see the compartments, zippers, handles and wheels. The ones near me usually have Disney suitcases too!