Where to buy a large suitcase

[Anonymous]

I am traveling overseas on Sunday and taking with me a stroller my cousin begged me to bring. The travel agent said I could not just check in the boxed stroller and that it needed to be inside a suitcase. I opened the box and tried fitting it in a 31.5”x 11 x 10 suitcase at no avail. I need something which is at least 34” long.
There is no time to order something online.
Which department store has these large suitcases?
What’s the best way to transport an unused stroller?

[Anonymous]

Huh? Just buy a stroller or car seat bag from Amazon or Buy Buy Baby and either check it or gate check it. It should be free.

We have the JL Childress padded car seat bag. It's huge, it fit two car seats and a huge box of diapers in it on our last trip, so it should fit a stroller (you'd have to take it out of the box).

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP. I have seen strollers being checked at the gate but did not know about stroller covers.

[Anonymous]

The travel agent may be wrong. But, I've never flown overseas. Maybe if it is in suitcase v. a box the fees are different. ?? Are you travelling with a young child? If you aren't, then technically the airline might not allow you to gate check a stroller or check it for free. But, likely they don't care.

Usually it is recommended to check strollers and car-seats in their original packaging -- to prevent damage. Alternatively, many airlines will provide you with a large plastic bag for checked items like car seats.

[Anonymous]

Try a thrift store.

[Anonymous]

You can do a duffle stuffed with towels and the stroller.

[Anonymous]

I was able to gate check the stroller I used for an overseas trip for free.

[Anonymous]

Agree you should be able to gate check - if you are traveling with a child. Not sure what the rule will be if you're not. Is this an umbrella stroller or something larger?

I've had good luck finding large suitcases that won't break the bank at TJMaxx.

Be sure to check the rules and costs of that extra suitcase if that's the route you go. It may not be worth the extra cost to transport it overseas (unless it's a Bugaboo or similar!).

[Anonymous]

I used to take big things to England all the time - baby swings, play things, etc. Rules then were the box had to be opened so they could check inside.

[Anonymous]

Lots of the area outlet store malls (all of which are in the suburbs) have a Samsonite store. I've been to one up route 270 a few times and it's got a great selection -- big suitcases too. If desperate, there's always the Tumi store, which is downtown among other places.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered a stroller cover bag that can be gate checked? I saw one the other day while boarding a plane. Check them out on google.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can do a duffle stuffed with towels and the stroller.

This.

Or just wrap the box really well in paper + tape. Or (if they have it) use the luggage wrapping service.
People check boxes all the time. The only thing to look up is the size/weight restrictions for the luggage.

And/or call the airline and ask if you'll be able to gate-check a stroller w/o a child. I've done it on a domestic flight...

[Anonymous]

Order a stroller bag from Amazon. Or you can even use a car seat bag they are pretty big. Don't know if they have a Buy Buy Baby near you. They should have it.

[Anonymous]

I’d call the airline and check
Domestic I’ve checked strollers in original box for free


Otherwise a stroller bag

[Anonymous]

Some airlines restrict the size/weight of the stroller you can gate check. If it's within your airline's requirements, I would get a stroller bag (as the PPs said) and just gate check it.