Travel Products - Kirkland 22" (okay, 23.5") carry-on as regular checked bag?

Have an Airboss for my regular carry-on. Wanted rollers though so I picked up the Kirkland for my recent jaunt through Istanbul and Sofia. Great bag, but not for domestic flights.

When I fly internationally I usually check an empty suitcase going (it comes back weighing 45-50 lbs.). Coffee, tea, sugar, and my mini liquor bottles and beer cans are the usual trophies.

The Kirkland could become my regular checked bag. Has anyone checked the bag frequently? How does it hold up? Or should I try to find a different bag?

Coming back from IST I was forced to check the bag. Everything made it back without a problem. But that was just one flight.

I don't see the point in using it as a regular checked bag when you can just use a larger 24" or 27" for it.

Obviously the OP doesn't want a larger bag as the weight is already at the max on returning trips.

Kirkland bags have a wonderful guaranty. Just go ahead and check it and take it back to a COSTCO if it fails.

Here's a long discussions (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/744366-costco-kirland-signature-executive-luggage-question-10.html) about the Kirkland 22" bag.

Kirkland is normally very durable although i have never used any of their luggage their white shirts are great and their food is normally pretty good.

Just try it once and if it doesn't work just take it back as it has a lifetime warranty.

Two things - I don't want the extra weight (less that I can bring home), and I really don't want the additional size (a 24 wouldn't be so bad, but 27" is too big). Hoping to keep to 22". Besides, the smaller the suitcase the less likely I am to bring home electronics from Tokyo.:p

I have a few runs to MEX/SJO/BOG and other places coming up over the next few weeks - I'll see how it holds up and report back.

The COSTCO 24-25 inch bag is way too heavy at 15.8 pounds! Can't figure out why anyone would buy a bag that weighs so much EMPTY.

I've got a 5-6 year old Kirkland 22", which is different than the one they are selling now, at least on the expansion mechanism. I would not say I have checked it "often", but it has flown the cargo hold TATL a 10-12 times, and usually expanded. It has held up fine. It probably gets more abuse with me dragging it through airports as a carry on as I am not gentle with curbs, escalators, etc.

You can't beat the price, or Costco's warranty, so you really have nothing to lose.

Obviously the OP doesn't want a larger bag as the weight is already at the max on returning trips.

Kirkland bags have a wonderful guaranty. Just go ahead and check it and take it back to a COSTCO if it fails.

+1!

I think that bag is also expandable, so that could add some volume.

Till