Tommy

So, what should you consider when buying your luggage? First, ask yourself how will you be using this luggage? Is it for leisure, business? Long or short trips? By cars or planes etc.

1. Size & weight

Bigger luggage can hold more, but also weigh heavier. What’s the weight when empty?

2. Material & Features

Made of leather? Durable nylon or ABS? The number of compartments, zippers, wheels, storage pockets that matters.

3. Price

What price range are you looking at

4. Style & Look

Colors, design, patterns

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Color & Looks

There is no general rule to the color and style of luggage you should choose. When it comes to color most people choose what pleases them. But there are also advantages of choosing bags of certain colors over others. For instance, bright colors may be easy to spot. But some may opt for darker colors in that they do not show dirt and stains easily compared to bright colors. The shape, design, and style of luggage are also factors to consider. Pick luggage that is well lined on the inside. You may also find a bag with several compartments more convenient than one with just a single large compartment. This is because it allows you to organize your things well. The shape of your luggage bag also has some influence. This is because some shapes tend to be more compact and easy to carry around compared to others.

Price

Price is an important consideration whenever you are buying anything. There is luggage for almost every budget and what you need to do is carry out thorough research on the market to find what you need at the price you can afford. While the saying goes, ‘you get what you pay for’, that does not always mean that spending more guarantees you the best. Sometimes the market just overprices items for no good reason. And again, if you are patient enough to make a good choice, you could benefit from discounts and offers that could save you some cash.

Before setting out to buy a luggage bag, set a budget. This will act as a guide and will help you narrow down your choices. With a few bags to select from know, you can consider any other necessary features you want your luggage bag to have and then choose the bag that offers you the most and the best at your set budget. Again, looking for luggage reviews within a set budget range could help you identify some of the best available options.

Comfort & Durability

The importance of comfortable and durable luggage cannot be emphasized enough. This is something that you will be carrying around long distances hoping it safeguards your property and therefore investing in comfort and durability is essential.

Comfortable luggage has proper carrying mechanism that makes moving it around easy and effortless. Check if the handle is of good length, if the straps are comfortable and whether the feel of the fabric is good to you. Using it should also be comfortable. Check if the closing and opening mechanism are working right. Other things you might consider are how to care and store the bag, can you cope with its demands or are they just too much.

When looking at durability, you should consider whether you want just ‘one-time’ luggage or ‘forever’ luggage. If you do not mind a bag that will wear out after a few uses, then you need not invest much. But if you are a frequent traveler and are looking for something to withstand the test of time during all your travel adventures, then you really need to be careful when making your selection. Factors that add up to durability include the material used to make the luggage, the construction method and general workmanship. Most of these things you can observe with your eye and be able to tell just how good the luggage bag is. But just to be sure your choice is good enough, luggage reviews could come in handy.

Weight & Size

The size and weight of luggage really matter in ensuring you have great travel experience. If you intend to carry lots of things, you will probably not want one that is too heavy. What you might be looking for is a strong, sturdy and light luggage bag that can safely hold up your items throughout your trip. If you get one that is too heavy and big, you will realize that carrying it around especially where there is human traffic will be overwhelming. Also, over-sized luggage may be taking up too much unnecessary space. You may find it difficult finding a place to put it in the flight, bus or even taxi.

And as much as you want to minimize on weight and size of your luggage, remember not to compromise on quality. You can read through luggage reviews posted by other customers to find out their experiences with certain luggage bags before you can actually decide on your purchase.

Luggage Wheels

Today, you will find bags ranging from backpacks to large suitcases equipped with wheels. The wheels are supposed to make maneuvering your luggage an easy task but this may not always be the case. Some luggage wheels are stiff which makes movement quite frustrating. When choosing a luggage bag with wheels, consider picking one that can twist all the way to 360 degrees. This allows for greater control and movement as you drag your luggage along.

To ensure that the wheels are reliable enough, you can test them before making your purchase just to be sure enough. Try moving the bag back and forth turning it at different angles and determine how swiftly it responds. If the results are satisfactory, then it is arguably your best pick. Luggage reviews could guide on other wheel types that can act as a good alternative to the 360 degrees spinner wheels.

Whenever you are travelling, whether on domestic flights or international, it is important to take into consideration the size of your luggage. This is because most airlines have certain restrictions about luggage size, weight and dimensions. Bags are usually weighed at the check-in counter, which also have baggage sizers to measure the luggage. If the passenger’s luggage does not fulfil the specific guidelines, then it is classified as an “excess baggage” which usually carries an extra charge.

Keeping all these considerations in mind, the task of choosing the right luggage for your journey can be quite daunting. Determining the baggage size depends on a multiplicity of factors, like the length of your stay and the purpose of your visit. For instance, frequent fliers and people travelling for business purposes always prefer to just take a carry-on bag, while those on vacation often carry multiple bags in different sizes. This guide will help you in this process by providing a comprehensive explanation of all the steps required in choosing the right baggage size.

Measuring Baggage Sizes

The best way to ensure that your baggage size meets the airline requirements is by measuring it in the exact way it is done by the airport authorities. The first step in the process is placing it upright with the right side up, that is, with wheels on the bottom and the handle on the top. However, it is important to not pull out the extendable handle while measuring.

• Measure the height of the baggage from the bottom of the wheels to the tallest part which is the carry handle.
• The width of the baggage is measured at the widest point, from side to side. If the bag is soft-sided, then the widest part is usually found at the back. Hard-shell bags are usually more symmetrical and can be measured from any side.
• The length of the bag or its height is extremely important in the bag’s measurement, especially if it is a carry-on bag. The height is usually measured at the lengthwise, and includes the wheels and pockets.

The depth of the bag is also important with carry-on luggage as it has to fit in the overhead compartment of the plane. For measuring the depth, the bag has to be laid on its back and measured from the front to the back, without expanding it. The measurements end up differing in soft-sided bags, as they expand when overstuffed.

It is also important to look at the volume and capacity of the bags to make sure you choose the right one for your journey. While volume refers to the amount of space that is provided in the suitcase, capacity refers to the number of things that can be stuffed into it.

Carry-on Baggage

Carry-on luggage refers to the hand baggage that is usually taken on-board the plane to be kept in an overhead compartment in the plane. Though the size recommendation for carry-on bags depends on the airlines, the standard size is considered to be 22 inches in height, 14 inches in width and 9 inches in depth. One of the biggest advantages of choosing a carry-on bag is that your belongings are not entrusted with the airlines, which ensures that it arrives at the destination undamaged.

Carry-on baggage has three different sizes, which are as follows-

• Small cabin bag: This usually has a capacity of 30-40 litres and is best for one or two-day trips. The standard dimensions of these bags are: 18x13x7 inches (HxWxD).
• Large cabin bag: This usually has a capacity of 40-45 litres and is best for 2-3 day trips. The standard dimensions of these bags are: 20×14.4×9.2 inches (HxWxD).
• Extra-large cabin bag: This usually has a capacity of 40-50 litres and is best for 2-4 day trips. The standard dimensions of these bags are: 22x15x9.5 inches (HxWxD).

Besides the carry-on baggage, many airlines also allow a personal item, generally one that is small, which can be taken on-board the plane. The personal items usually include a purse, a briefcase, a laptop bag, and others. The restriction for the size of personal items differs on the basis of airlines. However, one must ensure that the dimension and weight of the personal item are smaller as compared to the carry-on bag.

There are many benefits of carry-on luggage:

• They help you avoid baggage fees.
• They help you save time by avoiding the wait around the baggage carousel at the destination.
• They reduce the risk of your belongings getting lost, and even prevent damage to them as you are in constant possession of your bag.

Check-in Baggage

Check-in luggage consists of any and all items that are not taken into the cabin. They are kept in the cargo hold of the plane and are inaccessible to the passengers for the entire duration of the flight. They include suitcases of all sizes, and cardboard boxes, sports equipment and the likes. Any item that does not meet the requirements of carry-on baggage is also counted as check-in luggage. However, there are certain items like those that resemble weapons, lithium batteries and liquids over 3.4 ounces, that are prohibited.

Standard size requirements: The standard size for check-in luggage in domestic flights is around 62 linear inches, while that for international flights depends on the airlines. Any bag larger than the standard size requirement is allowed on the flight after levying an additional charge.

The checked baggage also has three different sizes, which are-

• Medium-sized luggage: The medium-sized suitcases and bags are best for short trips spanning 4-7 days. They are usually 60-75 litres in capacity, with the dimensions of 24x17x10 inches (HxWxD).
• Large-sized luggage: This is a versatile and spacious luggage size that is suitable for trips that last longer than a week (7-10 days). They are usually 100-117 litres in capacity, with the dimensions of 27×18.5×14 inches (HxWxD).
• Extra-large luggage: The extra-large-sized suitcases are best for long term-travel and international trips (7-14 days or more). They are usually 120-130 litres in capacity, with the dimensions of 32x22x14 inches (HxWxD).

The largest luggage that can count as check-in baggage can measure 31x23x14 inches (HxWxD) and have a maximum weight of 35 kg. Any luggage larger than this will usually be refused by the airline for safety reasons.

Baggage Fee

An excess baggage fee is levied on any luggage that does not meet the weight requirements of an airline. This additional fee is usually less for carry-on bags when compared to that for checked-in luggage. An extra fee is charged on top of the excess baggage fee for all luggage items that do not meet the size requirements. To avoid this fee, one must be best prepared and take into consideration all the size requirements for their luggage.

Our luggage goes on a journey of its own in our travels and it is not always a pleasant one. From baggage handlers to the carousel, to a series of trolleys and then to the crowded overhead compartment of the plane. The luggage is bound to collect several scratches and bumps along the way.

According to the Air Travel Consumer Report from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the month of May 2021, airlines in the United States have mishandled around 1.2 million bags this year. The claims for all damaged, lost, delayed, or pilfered baggage comes under mishandled baggage. One of the best ways to ensure that your baggage escapes unscathed by these elements is by using luggage protection covers come.

Luggage covers

Luggage protection covers are usually constructed with plastic or cloth, and fit snugly onto your luggage. They not only protect your luggage from nicks and scratches, but also make it distinguishable at the airport.

There are several advantages to using luggage covers.

• Luggage protection covers help in keeping the luggage clean, and protect it from the rigours of travel which contribute to its wear and tear. They also protect the luggage from the elements of the weather. They are especially useful for people who use soft-sided fabric bags and suitcases, which can get soaked easily in the rain.
• As they are available in a variety of patterns, they can be easily spotted from a sea of similar-looking bags in the carousel.
• They also protect your luggage from accumulating dust in storage when they are not being used.
• They are good for ensuring that your bags are not stolen or tampered with.
• Prevents your items from getting scattered in case of the luggage bursts open. The luggage covers ensure an additional safety mechanism which is especially useful if you are not confident in the zippers of your suitcase.

1. Material: Luggage covers come in a wide variety of materials, and majority of them are made of elastic polyester blend and spandex. The material of spandex covers can stretch significantly and fit onto a variety of similarly-sized suitcases. They also ensure a snug fit, which prevents the fabric from flopping around the bag, and makes moving the luggage around easier. The Spandex and elastic polyester blend covers are also quite popular among people because they come in a variety of colours and patterns. Besides these, luggage covers are also made from transparent PVC material. The PVC covers are waterproof and thick, which prevents any dust from entering, while also protecting the bags from bumps.

2. Size: It is very important to measure the cover according to the dimensions of your luggage. This is because there is no one-size-fits-all in luggage protection covers.

3. Closure: The closure of the luggage protection cover is also an important factor in determining the effectiveness of its use. It is the durability of the closing mechanism which keeps the contents of the bag from pilfering out due to damage to the luggage. The closure, which is usually in the form of a zipper or Velcro, is located at the bottom of the cover, near the wheels of the suitcase. There is also the option of additional fastening provided by the buckle straps. The closures with zipper mechanism are generally considered more durable as compared to Velcro.

Baggage wrapping services

An alternative to the luggage protection covers is the bag wrapping services, which are available at most airports. Secure Wrap is one of the biggest providers of this service. The stations for Secure Wrap are located in the departure levels of around 54 airports around the world, in 17 countries. A machine is used to wrap the luggage with a non-toxic, 100 per cent recyclable, and tamper-proof plastic film. This plastic film not only prevents pilfering of the items in the bag, but also protects the exterior of the luggage from damage and foul weather.

• Deterrent for thieves: The baggage wrap is usually sealed tightly around the luggage, which ensures that it is tamper-proof. It acts as a deterrent to the thieves as it allows the passenger to easily spot if their luggage has been tampered with. If the plastic wrapping is cut through, it shrinks rapidly and creates an evident hole. These holes serve as an indicator to the passenger, allowing them to file for claims quickly.

• New technology in baggage wrapping: Bagging wrapping services offered by Secure Wrap also feature advanced protection and tracking technologies. This is in the form of a unique QR code that is placed on the luggage when it is wrapped by the machine. The QR codes usually contain information about the passenger, including their name, contact, flight number and departure city. This makes it easier to contact them in case their luggage gets lost in transit or even stolen.

Luggage Protection Covers and TSA

Any and all kinds of luggage protection covers are allowed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for both carry-on and checked baggage. However, since no luggage is immune to potential inspection by the airport security, the covers can be removed to gain access to the baggage for inspection.

Suitcases and bags that come with PVC or spandex covers are easier to remove during inspections by the TSA, and are almost always rewrapped after inspection. While the airport authorities try to ensure that most of the luggage is rewrapped after inspection, the ones wrapped at bag wrapping stations of the airport need to be cut through. The soft-sided bags are especially susceptible to damage, as it is often difficult to remove the luggage wrapping without slicing through the bag. In such a case, the TSA is not liable for any kind of damage that may be caused to the bags. While re-wrapping luggage is not usually offered post-inspection, baggage wrapping offered by Secure Wrap are only ones authorised by the TSA to do that. They usually offer complimentary rewrapping if any luggage is opened by the TSA for secondary inspection.