Best "Checked" luggage
May 29, 2001, 6:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 11
Best "Checked" luggage
What brand/model/style of luggage would you all recommend for when you need a larger bag that you'll have to check? What's something that will hold up well to a lot of international travel?
I searched through the archives and found a number of threads about carry-on luggage, but none about "checked" luggage.
Thanks.
I searched through the archives and found a number of threads about carry-on luggage, but none about "checked" luggage.
Thanks.
May 29, 2001, 7:34 pm
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
As a very general statement, you can pretty much get an idea as to how long a bag will last based on the warantee it has. A 10 year bag will suffer through 7 years of abuse, a 5 year bag will last one or two, a lifetime bag will probably last a while. If I have it narrowed down to two or three bags, I always let the warantee come in to play.
May 29, 2001, 10:40 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 1,093
BTC:
My Tumi ballistic nylon luggage has held up quite well, accompanying me on a number of international trips. Before that I traveled with Delsey hard-sided luggage and it, too, served me very well on many long-haul trips.
My Tumi ballistic nylon luggage has held up quite well, accompanying me on a number of international trips. Before that I traveled with Delsey hard-sided luggage and it, too, served me very well on many long-haul trips.
May 30, 2001, 12:05 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 685
You will find a lot of votes for Briggs & Riley. Lifetime warranty like Tumi, unlike Tumi it covers airline damage! It doesn't have the Tumi snootiness factor and costs at least 25-50% less in most cases. It's just good quality luggage.
After 2 years and several international trips, I finally had something break that needed repair - the zipper pulls broke, I think that someone clipped them to break the lock off (nothing of value inside, of course, so nothing taken). I took it to one of the two companies in Seattle that does warranty work for them, they replaced the zipper pulls in a few weeks (I told them it was no rush) and paid $15 for them to UPS ground it back to me.
After 2 years and several international trips, I finally had something break that needed repair - the zipper pulls broke, I think that someone clipped them to break the lock off (nothing of value inside, of course, so nothing taken). I took it to one of the two companies in Seattle that does warranty work for them, they replaced the zipper pulls in a few weeks (I told them it was no rush) and paid $15 for them to UPS ground it back to me.
May 30, 2001, 12:19 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
I am a huge fan of Eagle Creek luggage/backpacks. They have a lifetime warranty and are built to last..
I generally buy mine at http://www.letravelstore.com.
My wifes bag is http://www.letravelstore.com/WS20056.htm
For the record, I don't have any interest in any of the companies mentioned other than being a satisfied customer.
Eastwest
I generally buy mine at http://www.letravelstore.com.
My wifes bag is http://www.letravelstore.com/WS20056.htm
For the record, I don't have any interest in any of the companies mentioned other than being a satisfied customer.
Eastwest
May 30, 2001, 8:38 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sunny Switzerland
Programs: BD / BA / AF
Posts: 4,388
I'm very happy with my Travelpro bags. I bought from the Platinum II range, and they seem excellent even by TP standards.
I've only had them about a year, but they are standing up extremely well and still look brand new, despite frequent travel and rough handling.
I've only had them about a year, but they are standing up extremely well and still look brand new, despite frequent travel and rough handling.
May 30, 2001, 1:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: WILD ANIMAL PARK (SAN), CA> GOLD-CO, MARRIOTT, HH, STARWOOD, HYATT,
Posts: 1,373
I am amazed that the baggage handlers haven't destroyed my 3 suiter Zero Halliburton case. They have tried by dropping it to the tarmac many times. Only the wheels needed to be replaced on too many occasions. Otherwise it seems too secure for them to bust into!
The gold color turns many heads at the airport. Not many around!
The 4 suiter that came before is still around, but the hinges have given a little from the tarmac drops. The large size makes it easy to overpack. That makes it too heavy for easy handling by the destructive baggage crew.
The gold color turns many heads at the airport. Not many around!
The 4 suiter that came before is still around, but the hinges have given a little from the tarmac drops. The large size makes it easy to overpack. That makes it too heavy for easy handling by the destructive baggage crew.
May 30, 2001, 1:48 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 36
I have had great service from a large, hard sided, wheeled Samsonite on many international trips. I swear by hardsided luggage. I have had everything from wine to framed artwork survive international travel when the hard side is packed well.
Esteban
Esteban
May 30, 2001, 2:58 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 37,486
For strong and stylish I combine:
Tumi, look great, are stong and provide loads of room
Rimowa (www.rimowa.com), the strongest suitcase I could find, mainly for when I also pack equipment or need something that is hard to break into.
[This message has been edited by ScottC (edited 05-30-2001).]
Tumi, look great, are stong and provide loads of room
Rimowa (www.rimowa.com), the strongest suitcase I could find, mainly for when I also pack equipment or need something that is hard to break into.
[This message has been edited by ScottC (edited 05-30-2001).]
May 30, 2001, 3:58 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: lax
Posts: 727
Tumi has done me well... One case is about 9 years old (500,000 + miles), and still has the original wheels, only the handle broke, which I fixed. Costly no doubt!, but worth it in the long run. I have tried others, and were satisfied, samsonite, eagle creek, etc. I will have to replace the samsonite sometime next year, and the eagle creek is doing okay (3 years old).
May 30, 2001, 9:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AA 1.5MM & RC of an employee, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 878
I totally agree with usoftie on this one.
Personally I do not check bags and have not for at least 5 years. I carry Tumi when I take small domestic hops and an Eagle Creek back pack on my long international flights.
However, I worked for the airlines during college and I spent some time in the baggage service office. I have seen bags that were run over by a tug. It is not a pretty site. Briggs & Riley is the only company that I know of that will replace a bag from airline mishandling. The rest have warranties but that only covers wear and tear. Briggs & Riley have a life time warrantee for all damage.
Personally I do not check bags and have not for at least 5 years. I carry Tumi when I take small domestic hops and an Eagle Creek back pack on my long international flights.
However, I worked for the airlines during college and I spent some time in the baggage service office. I have seen bags that were run over by a tug. It is not a pretty site. Briggs & Riley is the only company that I know of that will replace a bag from airline mishandling. The rest have warranties but that only covers wear and tear. Briggs & Riley have a life time warrantee for all damage.
May 30, 2001, 9:51 pm
#14
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
This came in the e-mail today, maybe it can be of use.
Luggage Super Sale
Save up to 65% on top brand name luggage in our Travel Super Sale! Choose from great names like Samsonite, Briggs & Riley, Atlantic & more.
http://www.ebags.com/emaildirect.cfm...|10|14zxz|TEXT
Forgot to mention, the above isn't an affiliate link or anything, it's what came in the e-mail, I make no money if you click it.
[This message has been edited by cordelli (edited 05-31-2001).]
Luggage Super Sale
Save up to 65% on top brand name luggage in our Travel Super Sale! Choose from great names like Samsonite, Briggs & Riley, Atlantic & more.
http://www.ebags.com/emaildirect.cfm...|10|14zxz|TEXT
Forgot to mention, the above isn't an affiliate link or anything, it's what came in the e-mail, I make no money if you click it.
[This message has been edited by cordelli (edited 05-31-2001).]