No Pretzel Luggage

Never mind last minute packing; how about last minute luggage? During my previous trip to my home town this past Christmas, the luggage that greeted me at the carousel bore little resemblance to the luggage I started my journey with. Suitcase No. 1 sported a jagged split down one of its fronts while Suitcase No. 2's zipper gaped open where the handle had come away from the leather. I can't even in clear conscience blame air travel in general and baggage handlers in particular. I am a procrastinator and in all truthfulness, my luggage has needed to be replaced for awhile.

Now just under a year later, I am still victim of my own procrastination. I went to fetch my suitcases only to be reminded that I don't have any. But there's a silver lining; how to put this nicely? My old luggage was...well old. My suitcases were semi-soft sided and had wheels. But they didn't have retractable handles and while they could be wheeled through a busy holiday-time airport, I had to twist myself pretzel-like to do so. This apparent disaster presented the perfect opportunity to upgrade to upright luggage that looked like it belonged in the twenty-first century.

While it is fun in a desperate sort of way to sit on your suitcase in order to get it to close, expandable luggage is much more stylish and convenient to use. My new upright luggage set includes two suitcases of different sizes, a beauty case and a shoulder bag/carry-on with an adjustable strap. The retractable handles work like a dream and the wheels are so quiet I almost forget that my suitcases have wheels. In addition to having the confidence that my possessions are safely locked away and fully protected, the bonus to owning a new luggage set is knowing I don't have to roll it alongside of me twisted like a pretzel.

- E.L.

Air Travel Survival Trips

It's not just your luggage that you have to worry about. These days, air travel can be really stressful, what with long lines, crowds of people, flight delays and security checks. Here are some simple but effective ways of dealing with holiday travel that will allow you to survive gracefully and arrive at your destination (almost) stress-free.

Know the Rules

Before you even leave the house, the number one way to reduce holiday travel headaches is to plan ahead. Because rules and restrictions vary from one airline to another, check with your travel agent or the airline for a list of dos and don'ts including the size of carry-on bags, the number of pieces of luggage, the weight capacity of each suitcase, etc.

Ensure that nothing in your checked in luggage is carrying prohibited liquids such as lighter fluid or realistic-looking toy guns.

Be Flight Ready

Check in online 24 hours prior to your flight.

Print out your boarding pass before going to the airport.

Check online for any flight or weather delays about two to four hours before leaving for the airport. If you have a mobile phone, you can sign up for flight updates so you'll be notified of any last-minute changes or delays.

Be Prepared for Security Checks

Make sure that your carry-on luggage does not include anything that is going to get confiscated or ring alarm bells when going through security checks. And ladies, don't be like me and forget that your purse also has to go through security.

Use exterior pockets of your carry-on to keep your passport, boarding pass, ID, etc. handy.

If you can't shop for gifts and mail them ahead of time, plan on packing them into any suitcase you will be checking in. Should you need to take them with you in your carry-on, don't wrap them.


- E.L.

Luggage for the Holidays

Holidays mean gathering with family and friends and making, sharing and eating lots of festive food. With two major holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, looming on the horizon, it also means travel. At LuggageSetSelect, you will find everything you will need to get you from one place to another, safely and in comfort.

Samsonsite has been making durable luggage for the discerning traveler since 1910. Samsonsite’s ability to change with the evolving needs of the modern traveler is key to the company’s continuing success. They make a number of compact and easy-to-use expandable suitcases, including the Samsonite Aspire XLT Collection that includes spinner luggage in different sizes, garment bags and carry-on bags. If you prefer a hard shell type of suitcase, the Samsonite Flite 31 Inch Upright is a good choice. Select one in red and it’s sure to not get lost in a crowd.

Heys USA is another company that consistently produces quality luggage with a high sense of style. Their suitcases are durable and lightweight. They include many of the Heys trademark features like TSA lock systems and ergonomic telescoping handles. They are also creators of “The World’s Lightest Luggage”.

International Traveller is another company that makes luggage, including overnighters and frameless cases. Who says travel has to be boring? Getting there is half the fun. In addition to the standard styles and colors, they also carry several fun and funky animal print rolling suitcases, like the International Traveller Shiny Zebra Print Wheeled Suitcase.

Luggage isn’t just for major holidays. You will need a carry-on for a weekend get-away, an overnighter when staying at a friend’s or a suitcase that has a special compartment for your laptop to keep it safe. Buying luggage in a set, like the Travelers Club Euro-Value Luggage Set is economical, saves time and gives you a choice of sizes and types of bags. For example, a typical luggage set will include two rolling suitcases in different sizes and one carry-on or all-purpose tote.

Especially when on a business trip or travelling to attend a special occasion like a wedding or anniversary, don’t forget the trusty and dependable garment bag. And they’ve come a long way from their humble beginnings of the traditional length garment bag that holds two or three items. A good example of how far garment bags have evolved is the Travelers Club Skyview II Rolling Garment Bag; it can hold up to eight garments or double as an overnight carry-on.

At Luggage Set Select, you will find a wide variety of suitcases, carry-ons and travel accessories that will meet all of your travel needs. Whether you’re traveling home for the holidays, going on a business trip or off on a long-time around-the-world adventure, a well-made, well-equipped luggage set will get you there in style.