New luggage for flying

[sarahk0204]

Hooray! After driving for every vacation since the kids were born, including multiple trips to Florida, we are flying to WDW this December. I would love to get some new luggage that is more air travel compatible. We currently use a couple of rolling duffles that just aren't sturdy enough for an airplane. We do have a set of suitcases, but they are close to 20 years old. They have wheels, but the wheels all face the same direction. One tows the suitcase with a leash, and they tend to topple over on their sides if everything is not exactly right with packing, terrain, phases of the moon, etc.

I've been looking a little bit, and the type that I am interested in are called "spinners". These have 4 wheels on casters and retractable handles, and they seem much less likely to tip. We would probably need a couple of the larger size that can be checked. I am also thinking about getting the kids a suitcase each in the carry on size. We do actually have several pieces that fit carry on requirements, mostly because I am a sucker for the Disney "spend X$, get a Mickey Mouse suitcase"

Anyway, where is a good place to buy luggage? I need a happy medium in price between "falling apart in 1 trip" and "lasts forever but 1 piece costs as much as 4 MVMCP tickets" Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Ravenne]

A couple of months ago, Costco had a pretty good deal on a set of polycarbonate luggage. It had a larger one and a carry on size, both with spinner wheels for $130. I looked on their website and the same set isn't there any more but they have a similar set, though soft sided, but also with spinner wheels for $140. I don't know how well they hold up yet, but the price was right and I figured, since it's Costco, with their return policy, I felt ok with buying them.

 

[Lisa71]

Ebags is a great site. Also check big department store sales we have some nice bags from Macy's and just bought some spinners from Target. Overstock.com has had nice bags in the past.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

You can get some nice Nautica hard sided spinners on Amazon. I think you get either 2 or 3 for around $189 in a variety of colors.

I don't have those yet but next time I buy luggage that is exactly what I am getting.

 

[DiznyDi]

As long as you're not looking for a matched set, I have found wonderful bargains at TJMaxx and Marshall's

 

[rachel09985]

don't spend a lot of money on luggage that will be checked at the airport and handled by them!

I needed new luggage as well and got a 29 inch American Tourister. It came back to me so dirty and already ripped! I should have just gotten something as cheap as possible for my checked bag

 

[khmz]

I fly monthly for work. I have always had good luck with Samsonite. I recently got a new piece from the Sphere collection. It's tough, lightweight and has the spinners. It is a LOT easier to maneuver. I price around but usually end up buying from the samsonite website with a coupon code. It's cheaper than Amazon which is my typical price comparison site.

 

[Iri920]

I second TJ Maxx or Marshall's. Last year I bought some nice big Samsonite spinners for $99 each.

 

[disney777]

I also got a Samsonite spinner, hardcover in a purple/white flower pattern at TJMaxx for around $100. It's lasted a couple of trips and counting. that's about all I ask for with the way the baggage is handled by airlines. I will not buy expensive luggage until I start flying in a private jet! haha. I've used spinners for the last 5 yrs or so. Wouldn't think of getting any other kind.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

What ever you buy, make sure to measure it before buying it. Airlines have a maxi inch requirement before the bag is considered oversized and you will have to pay an extra fee for that luggage. And you will have to pay that fee for your outbound and inbound flight.
And chances are that because the bag is oversized you will more than likely over pack it and now it becomes over weight so you will now have to pay yet another fee for an overweight bag. _ YIKES.

Most airlines will accept up to 62 inches (LxHxW) before a bag is considered over sized.


I love my rolling duffle bag. I spray Campout (a water and dirt repellant that you can find a WalMart in the camping section or shoe dept.) on the outside of it a week before we go to keep it from getting dirty/wet. I have had it for 9 years and it is in great shape. The best thing about a duffle is that it does not take up much room when its empty so storing it at home is great.

If you are buy a reg. suitcase look on the tag for the denier count AKA the strength of the material. The high the number, usually higher that 600, the strong the material

 

[ssawka]

I second TJ Maxx or Marshall's. Last year I bought some nice big Samsonite spinners for $99 each.

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.

 

[sarahk0204]

A couple of months ago, Costco had a pretty good deal on a set of polycarbonate luggage. It had a larger one and a carry on size, both with spinner wheels for $130. I looked on their website and the same set isn't there any more but they have a similar set, though soft sided, but also with spinner wheels for $140. I don't know how well they hold up yet, but the price was right and I figured, since it's Costco, with their return policy, I felt ok with buying them.

We don't have Costco around here, but we are Sam's Club members. I think one of our rolling duffles came from there. Thanks!

As long as you're not looking for a matched set, I have found wonderful bargains at TJMaxx and Marshall's

My mom was was a TJMaxx/Marshall's fan. This is just the sort of bargain quest that she would've LOVED. Thanks for the tip!

don't spend a lot of money on luggage that will be checked at the airport and handled by them!

I needed new luggage as well and got a 29 inch American Tourister. It came back to me so dirty and already ripped! I should have just gotten something as cheap as possible for my checked bag

Bummer about your luggage. That is exactly why I am not shelling out an enormous amount of money. I looked briefly at Lands End, but 1 bag would cost as much as I am paying for MVMCP tickets this year!

I fly monthly for work. I have always had good luck with Samsonite. I recently got a new piece from the Sphere collection. It's tough, lightweight and has the spinners. It is a LOT easier to maneuver. I price around but usually end up buying from the samsonite website with a coupon code. It's cheaper than Amazon which is my typical price comparison site.

Samsonite is a good name. I will have to check out their site. Thanks!

What ever you buy, make sure to measure it before buying it. Airlines have a maxi inch requirement before the bag is considered oversized and you will have to pay an extra fee for that luggage. And you will have to pay that fee for your outbound and inbound flight.
And chances are that because the bag is oversized you will more than likely over pack it and now it becomes over weight so you will now have to pay yet another fee for an overweight bag. _ YIKES.

Most airlines will accept up to 62 inches (LxHxW) before a bag is considered over sized.


I love my rolling duffle bag. I spray Campout (a water and dirt repellant that you can find a WalMart in the camping section or shoe dept.) on the outside of it a week before we go to keep it from getting dirty/wet. I have had it for 9 years and it is in great shape. The best thing about a duffle is that it does not take up much room when its empty so storing it at home is great.

If you are buy a reg. suitcase look on the tag for the denier count AKA the strength of the material. The high the number, usually higher that 600, the strong the material

Thanks for all of the helpful info. At least online, the dimensions are given, and most seem to indicate that they are airline compatible. We will probably be flying Delta, and their magic number is indeed 62.

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.

Yes, I was looking at a purple set online. It is DH's favorite color, and easy to spot is key!

 

[MichelleVW]

TJ Maxx is the only place I buy luggage now!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Thanks for all of the helpful info. At least online, the dimensions are given, and most seem to indicate that they are airline compatible. We will probably be flying Delta, and their magic number is indeed 62.

IME, the dimensions on the label are almost ALWAYS smaller than the reality. The TSA's measurements include wheels and the handle stem, and the luggage labels almost never do. Bring a tape measure and check it yourself to be sure. I've had bags go as much as 6 inches over the dimensions listed on the label.

What I do if I'm shopping somewhere like TJ or Tuesday Morning for a bag is to roll it over to the linens dept. and fill it up with packaged sheets. Then I measure it, so that the measurement I get is what it is packed, not empty. Also, the weight will demonstrate whether or not the case is correctly balanced and has good suspension; if it doesn't roll well fully packed, you don't want it.

(Needless to say, once my testing is done, the sheets go back on the shelf exactly as I found them!)

 

[midgetpepper]

TJ Maxx is the only place I buy luggage now!!!

You may even find some at Ross. I just found a rolling duffel bag (pretty huge) for a different upcoming trip and it didnt cost much at all!

 

[hsmamato2]

I think I'm a dinosaur here, why is luggage so expensive? I have been using an assortment of clearance cases etc for many years now, but our 'big one' is starting to fail now, and I think I need a replacement.....I cringe at spending 50-60.00 on a bag that doesn't get a lot of use....help me get past this! (my last smaller suitcase I lucked out at Goodwill,it was perfect,and expensively made,for 7.00...but that was a rare find) I am also looking for one larger one, say 24-25"..... and a good price!

 

[ssawka]

I think I'm a dinosaur here, why is luggage so expensive? I have been using an assortment of clearance cases etc for many years now, but our 'big one' is starting to fail now, and I think I need a replacement.....I cringe at spending 50-60.00 on a bag that doesn't get a lot of use....help me get past this! (my last smaller suitcase I lucked out at Goodwill,it was perfect,and expensively made,for 7.00...but that was a rare find) I am also looking for one larger one, say 24-25"..... and a good price!

The adage of "you get what you pay for" holds strong when it comes to luggage. Yes, you may only use the bag once or twice a year, but if you are using it on an airplane, expect it to be dropped, smooshed, kicked, flattened, and anything else that the laws of physics will allow. Also, the cheaper bags tend to be heavier since they were not engineered to take advantage of lighter and stronger materials.

 

[Minnesota!]

We bought a matching set at Overstock last year. It was this one:

http://www.overstock.com/Luggage-Ba...erdam-4-piece-Luggage-Set/711428/product.html

It has held up well!

My only regret - I would have gone with orange. EVERYONE has navy or grey...can make it hard to find my luggage amidst everyone else's!

 

[mcuoghi]

Try kohls as well. Often times its on sale for 50+% off and then you can use a 30% coupon as well. We got nice luggage there for a reasonable price for our honeymoon.

 

[momminnie]

I bought 2 RED Samsonite pieces from TJMAXX 2 years ago. The 29in and the 27in. They are very durable. I bought Red because that is my favorite color and I thought it would be easy to spot. I thought about purple that is my DH favorite color. Red won. They do match from the same line. I have really enjoyed them. They have been to NY by bus, Disney by car, NC Mountains by car and Washington DC by bus. Numerous trips to Myrtle Beach and Charleston and Savannah. I really enjoy them. I just have a tendency to pack heavy. But husband loads them most of the time. oh by the way they are spinners. Have pockets made of that tough plastic so you can put wet clothes, toiletries and dirthy clothes or shoes in. Good luck on your mission. Oh I paid all together about $140 for them.