A viral video shows Delta Air Lines requiring a carry on bag to be checked at the gate – promising that if the bag is damaged the airline is responsible for that. The bag comes back with scuff marks.
This highlights the difference between what an airline considers damage and mere everyday use. However the traveler is particularly put out by the scuff marks because this is a Louis Vuitton bag and that’s no longer pristine. And these can run over $3000.
Buying designer luggage is kinda wild 😭. You really thought it wasn’t gonna have a scuff or anything when you got it back? Bffr. pic.twitter.com/6u06DP0jdr
— Alien’s GROOVE. (@arguewitchamama) February 4, 2023
As someone who travels a hundred flights or more per year for many, many years (with a brief slowdown during the pandemic), I invest in my carry on bag. I no longer do the sub-$50 throwaway bag, instead preferring a bag with a weight and feel I’m comfortable with and the size that fits in all of the overhead bins I encounter regularly while also fitting everything in it I want to travel with. I can amortize the cost over a lot of trips. I don’t, however, understand expensive designer bags.
The two most common complaints I see on twitter that include photos are passengers asked to gate check bags even though there’s still overhead bin space available on the plane, and passengers who get their bags back with (actual) damage. I find the former more frustrating.
@traveltmz #traveltmz #airportdiaries #carryononly ♬ Song Oh no oh no oh no no no – Hip Hop
It’s often the airport’s baggage system, rather than the airline, that destroys bags – getting caught in the conveyor, for instance. To be sure, baggage handlers toss bags around. Bags get scuffed. Many travelers view those marks as part of your bag’s personality, showing off the travels they’ve been on.
You might see your bags getting cleaned or wiped down at baggage claim in Japan, but certainly not in the U.S.
The marks on the Louis Vuitton bag are a badge of honor, not a damaged luggage claim, at least by U.S. standards. You may want Japanese baggage handling, but you cannot expect it when flying Delta. And as one commenter noted if you’re low enough in the boarding order that you’re being forced to gate check a bag, perhaps pay for better boarding or extra legroom seats rather than for LVMH luggage? (It doesn’t appear that the passenger was simply late to the gate.)
I *ONLY* use Travelpro luggage. I’m not sponsored and I pay list.
At least you can but spare parts…………….and, they hold up.
I agree investing in good luggage, but no matter how much money I make, it just doesn’t make sense to buy a luxury brand that is easily scuffed/damaged. Even with the best care, it’s still going to be put under the plane, on conveyor belts, next to other luggage, etc. Even if you don’t check it, luggage generally gets put to the test in transit. It’s kind of like buying a truck to go to a work site. It’s going to get some wear and tear, but it’s rugged and designed for those conditions. You don’t pull up to a work site in a Lambo.
I mean, that’s wear and tear, not damage.
Only the true crew-issue TravelPro seem to hold up. My last TravelPro batch was the Crew 8 (consumer line), and my 24″ bag (the most common that I use) simply too a beating on the corners.
During the pandemic, there was a rare Briggs&Riley sale so I splurged and bought the medium Baseline rollaboard (not spinner). 15 trips in and it still looks brand new. I also like the external extendable handle for a flat packing floor.
B&R is just on another level than TravelPro consumer lines. Bonus is that it doesn’t look particularly fancy, so less likely to be targeted.
Why do we continue to believe these random people on the internet simply because they posted something or give these stories even the slightest credence? The public doesn’t even trust actual news stations, yet a person who we know nothing about, showing us no evidence of the ‘crime’ posts a video and we’re just supposed to believe it? Video of a conversation with a Delta agent isn’t proof of anything other than the person may have been setting this up. Is there a video of a Delta employee damaging the bad? Do we even know if it’s a real LV bag? The answer is no and don’t anyone try to say they know for sure based on the video. These stories are just so incredibly ridiculous. This person could be trying to get followers by bashing a corporation or get a pay or who knows what with a fake sob story. For all we know the person scuffed it themselves. It may not have even been Delta, could have been the airport conveyor system. There is absolutely no reason to believe a story like this and quite frankly these things shouldn’t even be reported and perpetuated by legitimate sites like this one.
All bags are meant to protect your stuff inside and not themselves. They will sacrifice themselves to save your stuff. We stick to the major quality bags, currently Victorinox hard side spinners. They looked like Rimowa when new. After having suffered broken and lost wheels with other brands, I called Victorinox customer service and they shipped me spare wheels—just in case. I keep one inside each bag but have never had to use any. We now only use hard side because we can actually clean off the luggage handling systems’ grease when we get home. Sometimes we need GooGone solvent to do so. There is nothing you can do to really clean soft side luggage.
Nothing says “pick me” to a would-be luggage thief than a fancy-pants designer bag.
Can afford a $3,000 suitcase, but not an upgrade to Comfort+??
I buy the cheap bags. They last a year or two or possibly three with heavy travel and cost 20 $ in asia. Then I just get a new one. No problem with scuffs, minor damage etc which happens when you need to check them in.
I feel much calmer than with an expensive one.
I have a 20 year old Eagle Creek, that is semi-retired, I had to replace wheels a couple of times. I kept a spares in the bag, came in handy a few times. I also use a couple of my wife’s old TravelPro crew member bags. She was an F/A for over 30 years. The best bag hands down was an Andiamo, unfortunately the material in it finally rotted so badly that they couldn’t restitch it anymore. Why anyone would waste $3k on a suitcase for travel is beyond me.
If I had an expensive fancy bag (that’s not my style), I’d consider wrapping my bag before checking it. If it didn’t come with a sleeve, I’ve seen people wrapping their bags with giant sheets of clear plastic wrap.
It’s like driving a fancy car and getting upset when it picks up the usual dings from every day life.
Taking a $3k carry-on for a flight in coach without at least priority boarding is simple stupidity. Besides, travel bag is for travel, not for fashion, so it’s doubly stupid.
There were just 4 times I checked in my carry on in the span of 15 years with my extensive travel. None of the check in were my choice. On 1, I know someone went through my bag. I’m that OCD person that have all my zippers in a specific way. The zippers were all over the place when I got it back. The 2nd time, the bag came back with a big old footprint on it. Sort of glad because that was the excuse I needed to get a better bag to replace my 12 year old bag. Now if there is a hint of a forced check in I bring my hardshell bag that I found at 60% off that can withstand a Chinese balloon popping missle. I now only buy expensive bags that are small.
That’s NOT a carry-on bag. Any luggage you cannot carry on should be checked! Any luggage with wheels and is rolled on the plane or through the airport is NOT carry-on luggage. I cannot stand these people blocking lines and tripping people by dragging their suitcases on wheels inside of carry-ons.
Truth!
Anyone who uses any kind of designer bag on flights is too dumb to be out on their own. How could a bag of any kind or price get subjected to airline/airport baggage systems without damage … or wear & tear if you prefer. “The airline told me they wouldn’t damage it” … how could anyone possibly believe that? This country needs some seminars on “Taking Personal Responsibility for Yourself and Learning how to Think”.
My soft spinner Samsonites have taken me half a Million miles, all for $199.00
It is odd how you like to keep bashing Delta. Honestly, some of us prefer Delta over YOUR favorite American Airlines. What has Delta done other reducing service to your home town Grand Rapids??
@tom grand rapids? new here. I guess. Welcome.
Why would any sane person buy one of those overprice bags – who do they think they are impressing? Buy a cheap bag and replace it when necessary. Some people are so ignorant.
Don’t buy things you can’t afford to replace. Bless his heart. Nothing screams I have credit card debt like caring if your luggage gets scuff marks or not.
My daughter had receipts for over $350 worth of souvenir bag and makeup stolen from her checked bag. Delta refused to pay.
Of all things going on in the industry, this is considered news by this blog. Seriously? Kind of tragic.
@Tom – if you’re looking for unbiased news, this is clearly not the place. Obviously the authors receive perks from their preferred carriers and/or are employees.
That’s why The Points Guy is mostly quoted as a source for industry news.
Typical MSM. Click bait and NOT journalism. You’re what’s wrong with society.
Overpaying for Italian trash and then blaming the airline that it scuffs under the most minor of stress.
That piece of luggage can be found at the HK Ladies Market. <$60
Now take your knockoff carrying self on back to row 28…
@JT – that’s funny.
@Gary
Not nearly as funny as your “writing “. Where to even start with that one.
@JT – thanks for reading!
But “Obviously the authors receive perks from their preferred carriers and/or are employees” is just flat-out wrong (other than elite perks earned as a customer), and your advice to go to TPG for reliable and unbiased content is… special?
As the saying goes a fool and their money are soon parted . As a retired ramp agent we do all we can to protect your bags, they are stacked inside the belly of an airplane along with 200 to 400 other bags. So if your bag got scuffed then it served its purpose it protected your stuff. Buy a cheap bag next time.
Expecting your checked bag to arrive without scratches or dents is silly. I had to check my bag on Delta, I arrived smacked and they replaced it. All I can ask for.
Yo, the bag is fake. Look at the handle and edges do not match any of the actual bag on the website
I bought a nice 3 piece set of soft side luggage, with wheels, at Goodwill for $6.00. It had a bit of wear and tear when I got it but I have used it for years. If it gets scratched, no problem. Just more character lines!
Easy solution. Carry some AA lithium batteries in your carry on. Lithium batteries must be kept in the overhead compartment not baggage compartment (fire hazard).
Everything I need fits nicely in my Swiss Army knapsack, which I think I bought in 2006. It got me through grad school and many years of business travel. I think it was $75.
I have a Goyard roller bag. I only fly with it when I am flying first class international because then I know I won’t have to check it.
Domestic (even first) I used my dependable old Tumi….
A lot of “designer” luggage is cheaply made and is more easily damaged with normal use.
lol @ Bleeper for not equating Tumi with being a “designer” brand…..
Two words for LVMH: CANAL STREET
I fly Delta and pay extra for comfort plus. Also, I’m a Amex sky miles member with priority boarding which eliminates the need to check a carryon, which I purchased from Ebags for the lifetime no questions asked warranty.
These aren’t even the same luggage bags. The first one has a dark handle and trim pieces. The damaged one has a light tan handle and trim pieces.