Originally Posted by Duncan Roberts (Post 10509276)

You may find that means you will have some room in the case. We had to downsize suitcases recently because even just filling them (not packing tightly) they were 10-15lbs overweight. They aren't the lightest cases but they aren't that heavy either.

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 10509313)

I find 26" cases when full just about confirm to the current weight restrictions.

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 10510213)

That's because when you fill a case with handbags and shoes there is a lot of airspace that doesn't weigh anything...

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 10510213)

That's because when you fill a case with handbags and shoes there is a lot of airspace that doesn't weigh anything...

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 10510512)

I am very resourceful you know. I stuff things into the bags and shoes...so they keep their shape and are not crushed. :sneaky: :D

Originally Posted by Bob (Post 10510991)

Anyone have any luck with those vacuum bag things that shrink the clothes up?

We got some knock off ones cheap when we moved, which were quite handy for sheets and the like, but they aren't half shite for storing anything more than a few days...just curious if the ones advertised on the tele were any better?

Originally Posted by SEL_boy (Post 10511161)

We've been very happy with our bottom-of-the-range Samsonite cases, I think they were about $100 several years ago -- but the best decision we made was to buy them in red and green - it makes spotting them as they come out on the carousel a doddle, and I bet it makes them less likely to be taken by someone on the lookout for a free case.

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl (Post 10511178)

As I posted earlier...Samsonite now make ultra lightweight hard shell cases for Costco...selling under the Kirkland name. It said made by Samsonite for Kirkland on the price sticker...don't know if these were the ones I saw.

Originally Posted by holly_1948 (Post 10509287)

Useful web site:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Airline_baggage

Air Canada for me next time, bigger free baggage allowance and only very slightly more expensive than United from here.

Originally Posted by Mummy in the foothills (Post 10508895)

We are doing the suitcase hunt right now too. We got a set from Burlington coat factory that look like they should be OK, izod I think they were.
We are only looking for the medium sized cases as the biggest ones are too big and when packed are too heavy for the airlines, so medium when packed tight should do the trick.
I'm at the point now of wondering if I can just cardboard boxes and gaffer tape or big black bin bags, I'm sick of looking.
I did look at the WalMart ones that Brit3964 mentioned and they are now top of my list for when I need to go and get a couple more.

Originally Posted by old_motters (Post 10512211)

Having had both hard and soft cases of the Samsonite brand, I would go for the soft sided in future. The hard case took a lot more abuse and the catches are vulnerable to damage where zips less so.

For emigration my wife took cardboard boxes - 10 of them in total on BA. Since they were for 1 use only we weren't worried about them getting trashed. Probably not good in the wet with hindsight so I might wrap them in polythene if I did that again.