You can go to the website for your airline and they will give you dimensions for the bags they allow.

Also, for packing, you might check the Vivienne Files on line ... she shows how to put a wardrobe together for traveling to get the maximum outfits for a minimum of pieces.

No matter if I'm traveling for 3 days or 3 weeks, I take one carryon suitcase and one personal bag (purse with computer). Travel light.

I agree, before shopping. look at the dimensions and weight allowances. It sounds like you want to check a bag which is good if you have children or packing for multiple people in one large bag. Look for reviews on Amazon. Since I use a carryon, I don't have a full size brand to recommend.

Lipault makes a good rolling soft sided bag that weighs very little. I have a 19" spinner that holds an amazing amount of clothing. Whatever you get, make sure you get a 21" to conform to international carryon standards.

We were hit with significant luggage upcharges when DH & I traveled to Denmark recently with our DD/SIL & GDD. The charges related to carry on pieces.

We had scheduling constraints with work & school schedules and ended up booking our flights with Wow Airline - a first for us. We were bringing Christmas gifts to my DS 's family so we had 2 check-in bags. We had carefully researched the size and weight requirements and made sure we were in compliance. We also checked the weight and size for carry ons and thought we were good.

I usually carry a lightweight nylon shoulder or cross body bag as my purse when traveling which I stash under the seat. It holds my passport, boarding passes, iPad, glasses - you know, things you keep in your purse. I have a rolling carry on bag that I stow in the overhead compartment. That has always worked in the past. When traveling for business, DH always has an over the shoulder bag with his laptop and a few personal items and a rolling carry-on bag.

This wasn't the case with Wow. They claimed my MZ Wallace cross body bag was my carry on bag. My DD's Longchamp shoulder bag was her carry on. And my GDD's little child-size backpack with her travel games and coloring books was considered her carry on. DH & SIL were also charged for carrying small backpacks holding their iPads & personal items. We ended up paying about $500 extra at the gate to be able to board with these "extra" carry on bags. We (miserably) joked that we knew why the airline was called Wow, because we were incredulous.

So, my advice is these days you have to be very aware that what you consider to be a purse or personal bag, some airlines consider it your allotted carry on piece.

This pic shows DD's green bag next to what we consider a carry on

And this is the shoulder bag I wore touring every day that they charged me as carry on luggage

Many of the budget airlines like Wow, EasyJet, RyanAir, etc. make much of their money on baggage--both carry-on and check-in. That's why their tickets are so much less.

Also, they charge 2-3x more for the bags at check-in versus when reserved online.

It's true that they allow only one small carry-on bag. For example, the extra carry-on bag charge is 38 Euros per LEG of the flight at check-in.

A check-in bag during check-in at the airport is 55 euros.

It can cost less to use a major airline with more expensive tickets, in some cases.

Yes, those budget airlines are often not so budget, once you account for the fact that everything is extra.

I like hard sided luggage so my contents wont be crushed. I currently have a Delsey set that has held up really well (even after a trip to Asia) and was relatively inexpensive. I agree with the other poster who said to check out Marshalls and TJ Maxx they often have such bags heavily discounted.

The tour company I travel with specifies no hard sided bags. I'm not sure why. I got a very lightweight Lucas spinner bag or a carryon, although if the airline is truly hardnosed, it may be an inch over, I'm not sure. I've never had anyone measure my carryon. I buy my luggage at TJ Maxx. I got a really nice Samsonite medium size spinner bag there. For eight days, I would need more than a carryon size, although with laundry facilities, I suppose I could do with less.

If you are buying a bag to check, do not get one over 24" and very lightweight or I can almost guarantee you it will weigh over 50 lbs once you pack. I am a big fan of TravelPro or Eagle Creek for durability but they both are pricey (TravelPro has an outlet with better prices). I also have a rolling duffel I use as a carry-on or for a night or 2 getaway from LL Bean that has been a great bag.

About five years ago, I bought IT luggage at Costco. It bills itself as the world's lightest luggage. It is still perfect altho it has had few difficult journeys. It goes somewhere at least 4 times a year and it is indeed very lightweight,,,and sturdy. Soft sided with a thin frame inside. I love it. Check Amazon.

On a flight home from Europe, the American guy in line ahead of me had to check his carryon (it looked to be the usual size, not too large, he wasn't one of those people trying to bring his whole life on board with him). He said but I always carry it on. Swiss Air said that may be on US carriers but many European planes have slightly smaller overhead bins so you have to gate check it.

I believe the gate agent about the slightly smaller bins because on the flight there, my new 21" spinner wheel carry on didn't fit wheels first in the overhead bin, it was a smidgen too long. Luckily, my seatmate didn't have anything to put up there so I turned the bag and shut the door. On the way home, I checked it so I don't know what might have happened if it didn't fit and I couldn't turn it. But after hearing the Swiss Air gate agent, I worry the bag may be a problem on future flights.

I've used EasyJet four times, and three times they were very strict about allowing one, and they mean one item, carried on. The fourth time they didn't comment to my sister about on her purse and a bag (luckily the purse could have been placed in the bag if necessary).

My recommendation for luggage is get the lightest one you can and know that they don't last forever so don't pay too much.

You can always get a deal on Travel Pro at Macys.

Yes, the European airlines often have smaller overhead bins than the flights we take overnight to get there. Last year, I had packed my Samsonite spinner for my trip to Paris, but then looked at the British Airways site because I was connecting on that airline. The dimensions were too small, so I switched to my GoLite bag to fit the BA plane.

I bought a small Lucas carry-on spinner with matching tote at T.J. Maxx a few years ago and that has become my go-to luggage. I can pack for two weeks easily in the carry-on and I can fit my purse in the tote along with my electronics and a few necessities. I love not having to check a bag.

In an attempt to embrace the concepts of a capsule wardrobe and packing a carry-on luggage I have now had good experiences with:

Delsey Helium (hard shell) Carry-on

Longchamps Pliage-personal item

Right now both are packed for a week in Paris. Less is more. The weight of the bag counts towards your allowance, which is quite limited on international flights. Check your airline website for both dimensions and weight limits.

I used the same bags for a cruise a couple of months ago. When going to a warm climate where lightweight clothing is all that is necessary, it's amazing what you can fit into a carry-on!

Oh, this is all so helpful! I'm going suitcase shopping tomorrow at a giant TJ Maxx store nearby. I know I should do a carry on and will try to steer clear of the bigger luggage. Thanks for all the great advice.

Jo

amck2 - would you be willing to share which MZ Wallace cross body you took - did it work well for you?

I'm used to carrying a smaller MZ Wallace cross body and taking a small carryon too. But for my next trip I'm not going to bring a rolling carry on, I'll take a slightly larger suitcase and check it. So I'll need a larger cross body. I was looking at the Charlie - the 3 different straps might be a real plus.

Jojoco, I take a small soft sided cross body bag that fits into my large Longchamps Pliage Large Tote. That is my personal item. I bought my Delsey Helium at a local TJMaxx. They have great luggage!