June 7, 2008
How to Choose and Buy the Right Luggage (part 2)
Airlines Airlines have become more restrictive in recent years, in terms of carry-on luggage. In addition to a briefcase or purse, most will allow only one piece of luggage, no more than 9″ x 16″ x 22″. Most soft-sided rolling carry-ons are made to fit these dimensions but it’s still a good idea to check before you purchase. Also, if the bag you’re considering has a collapsible handle, you’ll want to make sure it collapses into the bag, not on the exterior. Many of the exterior-handles on luggage have suffered damage during airline trips, and in fact you’ll often need to sign a waiver of damages for this type of handle. Identification Black is a very popular color for frequent travelers. It’s sleek, stylish, and cleans up easily. However, it’s also difficult to recognize your black bag when 20 others spill out of the baggage claim area. For this reason, I recommend getting a bag that’s not black. Red bags can be very stylish, especially with black trim. Dark green bags with leather trim are also handsome. If you have your heart set on black, then I suggest tying a colorful ribbon or luggage strap around the handle of the bag. This will take the guesswork out of finding your luggage. Another important tip to remember is to label your bags. Very often people overlook the simple task of including their name, address, and/or phone number on the bag; or they forget to update the information when they move. Many bags come with some form of luggage tags. If you’re caught without one, you can always use a paper tag available for free at most airline check-in counters.
Baggage Claim If you check any bags on an airline flight, be sure to claim your luggage as soon as you can. Baggage claim theft is real and happens every day in all places around the world. You’ll want to find out where your bags will arrive and stand there until your bags are delivered. If the worst happens and your bags don’t appear, you’ll want to find the airline service counter and make a claim immediately. Lost baggage claims will most likely not be honored once you leave the airport.
Protection To further protect against lost baggage, keep all your important items with you in a carry-on. This includes items such as medicine, makeup, maybe even a camera; anything that you can’t afford to lose or be without. Whenever you check a bag, you must consider that you may not see it again for 24 hours. Another good tip is to put a copy of your contact information and/or trip itinerary inside the checked bags. This way, if something were to happen to the luggage tag on the outside of the case, you can still be tracked down with information from the inside of the case.
Buying Luggage You can save hundreds of dollars buying good quality luggage online. With so many Internet stores, though, how are you supposed to know where to shop? The best move is to check out independent review sites such as http://www.topconsumerreviews.com/luggagesites for quality information. They can facilitate your comparison-shopping and make sure you get the best value for your money.
Following these suggestions should help you find the best luggage to fit your needs and give you the ability to buy it at the most affordable price. Good luck to you and happy travels!
Brooke DeAngelo is a freelance writer based in New York. An experienced traveler, she enjoys meeting new people and has a passion for the consumer. She has been published in a variety of magazines and periodicals. Her current passions include her dog Maggie, and her goldfish Wanda.
About the Author
Brooke DeAngelo is a freelance writer based in New York. An experienced traveler, she enjoys meeting new people and has a passion for the consumer. She has been published in a variety of magazines and periodicals. Her current passions include her dog Maggie, and her goldfish Wanda.
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