It all depends on trip length and its purpose. A quick 2-3 day trip and carry on only will probably win out. A week or longer vacation? Checked bag for sure. I'm not going to be doing laundry in a hotel sink every other day or wasting water using a friend or relative's washer because I only have three days worth of clothes for a two week trip. I have had two bags damaged one of which Delta replaced for me but it's a risk I'm willing to take for longer trips.