We Love Travel. We Love overseas Travel, and sometimes we travel for business. In all our journeys, particularly when travelling by air we have come to only consider carry-on Luggage
With increasing mobility and travel options, more and more of us travel on shorter breaks, be it for work, business, or pleasure. We also undertake increasing overseas journeys, particularly by Air. With these shorter break options, we are travelling light utilising carry-on luggage, and in particular more softer style bags, Leather holdalls, Backpack styles, etc.
So Why? you ask do we at Opulus-Prestige only consider carry-on luggage for air travel.
Below are 5 reasons
- Cost Saving
It is a fact that many airlines today will charge extra if you wish to put a suitcase or luggage in the hold. In our experience, for customers wishing to check in luggage we have seen costs for trips to be an extra $50 Dollars in the US to £65 Sterling in the UK For each passenger and each way. Suddenly the bargain short trip weekend get away is not the bargain you budgeted for. By using carry on bags you save this cost meaning more in your pocket to enjoy and experience the culture of your destination
- Time Saving
Technology now is part of modern life. Our mobile phones carry everything from social apps, to banking to travel tickets. The advances in technology give us flexibility. By having your airline tickets on your phone, you can simply turn up at the airport gate, scan the bar code ticket issued by your airline and you are on your way to passport control and security. Simple, quick, and easy. Combine this with your luggage being carry-on and you avoid the horror of the Airline check in queue, where not only do you have to spend ages waiting to have your luggage checked in, but depending on season you will endure the misery of having your feet run over by Ski Holdalls/Golf Bags/Push Chairs etc
Time is also saved when you arrive at your destination Airport. You do not have to wait in the Baggage reclaim hall for your luggage to be offloaded and sent up for collection. Instead you can be Off the aircraft, through security/customs and on your way.
- No lost Luggage
Work on the tenet that the moment you check hold luggage in….. you will not see it again. (that is why, if you have to check in hold luggage NEVER pack anything of value) Sadly, lost, mis directed and re routed luggage is a risk of air travel. There is nothing worse than waiting in the destination luggage hall for your suitcase to appear on the carousel when the sickening realisation hits you that everyone from your flight has vacated the Baggage area and the only items going around on the conveyor belt are a suitcase that's all split at the sides and a buckled folded babies pushchair.
Lost Luggage is a real pain. You will need to locate the Lost Luggage kiosk and then try to explain to the person working there, who invariably will not speak your language, the fact that you have lost luggage. You will need to obtain a reference number, and keep telephoning the service carrier/airline as to where, when (and if) your luggage may turn up. Depending on your schedule you might not be at your apartment/lodging when the carrier says they will deliver your found luggage, meaning, you probably need to change your sightseeing/business plans.
- Destination Flexibility
Have you been to Marrakesh ? Or Split in Croatia ? Fantastic destinations, great people and wonderful things to see. But, both these places have extremely narrow, historical streets. Often you will need to walk through the cobbled pavements, up steps and down stairs to find your Riad or Airbnb.
Good luck wheeling a large traditional hard shell suitcase there. Ever travelled on the Paris Metro? again, trying to manoeuvre a large suitcase through the ticket gates and auto barrier doors is a nightmare, in fact any city destination will prove a challenge with a large suitcase, particularly on public transport, Add in the stress of travel, heated ‘discussions’ with any travel partner and repeating the whole sweaty process in reverse for your return journey leaves you more worn out than before you started your trip or vacation.
Oh, and not forgetting when the wheels (literally) come off.... Repeated bouncing over pavements/stairs/escalators is not good for any suitcase
- Security
Sadly pickpocketing, street mugging and robbery are a fact in any city in the world. Thieves are opportunist, looking for an easy target and nothing shouts Tourist more than the stereo type image of an individual, in a city centre, adorned with various cameras around their neck, wearing an ‘I love London Paris New York ‘ (delete as necessary) T-shirt whilst reading a guide book and map.
Pulling a large wheeled suitcase around a city also identifies you as a non local and potentially vulnerable, especially in and around airports and city centre stations and terminus. Stopping off at a Café or Bar for refreshment? Need to use the facilities? Going to take your suitcase with you? Or risk leaving your bag at your table… All part of the challenge of using large Suitcase luggage.
By using carry on sizes, not only do you get the flexibility but you also have more chance of blending in as a local, and thus less of a potential opportunist target for a pickpocket.
- Business or Pleasure
(I know we said 5 tips but here is a bonus)
You can choose your carry on luggage in different styles to the traditional, wheeled hard shell case.
Depending on the purpose of your trip means that you can utilise your carry on bag during your stay. For example, at times we travel on Business and combine this with sightseeing. Are you One of the rising breed of Digital Nomads? By choosing carry on luggage, such as a traditional, stylish, leather bag, in a backpack or Laptop style means that you can turn up to a business meeting, with your bag containing your laptop etc. no problem. Not sure of the image you would convey turning up with a wheeled suitcase.
Further, If your choice of bag is in a traditional style as above, then after a few trips the bag becomes your go to bag, becomes an ‘old friend’ and shares many an experience and adventure with you….. Where to next ?...
We hope you enjoyed this article. If so, why not check out our range of luxury bags and collections to enhance your travel style and accompany you on your next adventure at:
http://www.opulusprestige.co.uk
https://www.opulusprestige.co.uk/collections/opulus-you
Happy Travels….Opulus Prestige
