Travel Bag for international air travel

[booo]

So I have to buy a travel bag. thai airways allows 20kg checkin + 7kg, but some people told me that they will allow upto 40kgs checkin for one way pr holders.

Just checked the internet and there are so many options, samsonite, vip, american tourister and there are many sizes and then there are many options with wheels without wheels with handles without handles and then there are many types soft, hard, teflon coating, with lock, without lock.... huh!

anyhow, I need to buy luggage bag. one for checkin and other for carry. need to carry laptop and other electronic stuff in the carry bag and other stuff in the checkin. I already have a sony backpack that came with vaio but not sure if it will suffice my requirement.

Not sure which one to buy. so requesting the international travelers to throw in their gyan and suggestions here

thanks for reading
booo

 

[raksrules]

I suggest you carry..

1 Check In + 1 Carry On + 1 Backpack.

 

[pr0ing]

All the brands you mentioned are good and will almost be equally priced too. Do not buy a lesser known brand even if its cheaper.
Choosing the material (soft/hard/teflon etc) is personal preference. What you need to compare is the weight of the empty bag. My Checkin bag (soft/with wheels) itself weighs around 7kgs, that will reduce your total carrying capacity. Check the maximum size permissible on airline sites and buy accordingly as you will be using these for a long period.

Having wheels on checkin bag is a must and is recommended on the carry-on bag too. Both should also have the retractable handle as it will help in travelling comfortably. In case of lock, go for one with a TSA lock as these are required while travelling to-fro USA. If your bag has a non-TSA lock you should keep it unlocked and use a separately bought TSA lock.

As @raksrules has mentioned, you are allowed to carry 3 bags including your backpack, verify this with the airline. The laptop can easily go in that. The backpack and carry-on bag is usually not weight-checked if it does not look stuffed/heavy.

If you do not have too much luggage, you can get a general luggage bag without wheels as a carry-on, provided it's size is acceptable.

 

[bottle]

A tip , weigh the bag when empty, someone I know got hush puppies gear and the bags were 5kg each when empty, You don't want that eating into the 20kg allowance budget airlines throw in these days

 

[puns]

this is what Ive been using when more luggage needs to be taken for long international trips:
http://www.samsonite.co.uk/debyte-duffle-with-wheels-75cm-olive-green/product-en.htm?or=9332183276&shs={4e55bab0-9ed9-4606-8743-7e141d546fd1} - 2.6 kgs checkin luggage
http://www.outdoortravelgear.com/productdetail/quechua-s15-ultralight-sleeping-bag/quechua-forclaz-50-ultralight-backpack/196.aspx - 1.1 kgs for cabin

both the bags weigh just 3.7 kgs so generally you have 24 to 28 kgs for luggage depending on airline. Usually, the small laptop bag is allowed without any issues but some low cost airlines have issues with cabin bag + laptop bag so have a laptop bag which can basically fit into cabin bag. my laptop bag with a laptop squeezes into the backpack cabin bag.

 

[raj_pol]

Among the less expensive one's I found American Touristar to be good. This is a personal opinion but I have used the same across a half dozen nations. Yes the wheels are and a retractable handle is necessary whatever brand you buy.