Save Money on Luggage and Travel Baggage

Depending on the length of your trip and also the number of people traveling with you, the luggage may become one of those little annoying things that you wish you could've handled differently. Usually people don't think about buying a decent set of luggage because they've always managed with their backpacks and those 25 year old suitcases that grandma has in her attic. But the truth is, nowadays, especially when traveling far, you want to have a good luggage that can take all your belongings and keep them safe for the rest of the trip. But with the current financial picture not looking so great and people having less money to go around, buying decent luggage has become the least of their priorities. However, there are quite a few good ways to get a good luggage without burning a hole in your pocket.

Sure, times are hard and a trip to Vermont or Hawaii is not cheap, but everybody could use a vacation once in a while. Luggage should be a minor concern as it is one area you can easily save serious bucks. Here are a few tips on how to keep luggage costs down.

• Purchase unclaimed luggage – Airports can sell off the unclaimed baggage, but most of them wholesale it to a particular one-of-a-kind store.
• Share travel baggage with family – When traveling with a sweetheart or the entire family, consider condensing the luggage. This works well for places where you are charged for every checked suitcase. Depending on how big the family is, savings could hit over $100 per trip.
• Try luggage shipping – With baggage shipping services, customers pack all their things and they are picked up at the door. The luggage is then delivered to the destination place. Although these services are available at a premium, customers can look forward to considerable money savings. Items like skis, snowboards and golf clubs are frequently damaged when checked with airlines. The airlines will not reimburse customers for any damage unless the damage is proven. Airlines often avoid liability by making the equipment’s owners sign waivers. The end-result? You wind up paying more to have the damaged goods repaired or replaced.
• Use online coupon codes – There are lots of places online where you can buy sturdy luggage at discounted prices. Look for the deals especially around holidays.
• Check out used luggage - Opt for used baggage in a set. A discount luggage set usually includes a carryon bag and a garment bag. Occasionally, all pieces in the luggage set have wheels. A complete wheeled luggage set with a backpack, a rolling carryon bag and a rolling garment bag is an excellent way to obtain the best price on baggage.
• Space-saving bags are in – There are bags made for air travels. People place their clothes in them then apply pressure by tipping or leaning into them. Clothes shrink when packed in these travel bags, creating more room and eliminating the need for a second suitcase.
• Big is beautiful – Go for large suitcases. Majority of airlines enforce strict rules when it comes to carryon luggage. They are laxer with checked luggage. Airlines usually charge around $25 (one way) for a second suitcase. If you are planning to bring two small suitcases, consider trading it in for just one big suitcase.
• Think dual purpose – Most people now use carryon cases as laptop bags too. Computer luggage doing double duty must be flexible as well as easy to handle. Get more out of the bag by considering the following features: removable toiletry kit; telescoping handle; padded compartment for computer system peripherals; in-line skate wheels; removable padded laptop carry case; padded, contoured, non-slip shoulder strap; and removable file holder.

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