Despite the fact that all airports have airport luggage trolleys, having your own luggage trolley offers a number of advantages. You can only take an airport luggage trolley so far; if you have a lot of carry on luggage, you may want to have your own trolley that can be used anywhere in the airport. Many airports in the States charge around $4.00 for the use of an airport trolley; you can also opt to have someone from the airport help you unload your luggage onto a larger airport trolley but you need to pay the person a tip. If you travel a lot, having your own trolley works out to be cheaper in the long run.
Buying Luggage Trolleys at a Shop vs. Buying Them Online:
There are a number of advantages to buying a trolley online. Often online retailers offer better prices than regular stores and supermarkets, plus you get a better selection. In fact, all large retailers now have an online site where you can buy the same items selling at your local supermarket.
As an example of the kinds of deals, you can get online, online retail site Northerntool.com sells a folding luggage cart with 150 pounds capacity for only $9 (plus shipping fees). Wal-Mart sells a folding luggage cart for around $25; Sam’s Club sells one for $33.
The main drawback to online shopping is that you cannot see the item you are purchasing close up. You have to rely on the thumbnail and description of the trolley when deciding which exact trolley is the best one for you. This is not a problem if you already know exactly what you want, but if you are not sure, you may want to check what trolleys are sold at your local supermarket. You should also be aware, when comparing prices that many online retailers charge above the listed price for tax and shipping. The exact policy differs from site to site; some retailers ship free of charge, some only do so under certain conditions, and other sites charge an additional shipping fee. Check the exact site you are purchasing from before finalizing the purchase so you can accurately calculate the cost.
Folding Luggage Trolleys:
A folding luggage trolley can be quite convenient. It can easily be stored in an airplane’s overhead compartment and kept in your hotel room without needing much extra space. The price of a folding luggage trolley depends on what brand name you buy, where you buy it and how large it is. Some are smaller and lighter; others are heavy-duty trolleys that are good for family vacations and trips where you have a lot of luggage.
Besides the $9 folding luggage cart mentioned above, there are a few other affordable luggage trolleys for sale online. Meritline.com sells a small black plastic 3-Way Portable Folding Luggage Cart that can carry up to 66 pounds for around $10. While 66 pounds is not much weight allowance if you have a lot of suitcases, it is perfect if you are travelling alone. This trolley is also very lightweight, yet still sturdy and has received good reviews from those who have bought it.
Another good option is the Conair Travel Smart TS36FC Luggage Cart selling at TheNerds.net for $13. This luggage cart can hold up to 80 pounds of luggage, is made from steel and comes with an elastic safety handle. Other features included are a padded handle for extra comfort and expandable support wings on the platform.
Heavy Duty Luggage Trolleys:
If you are travelling with a large family, then you may very well need a heavy-duty luggage trolley. These are likely to cost a fair bit more than many of the trolleys mentioned above, but it is possible to get one at a good price if you know where to look.
Target’s online retail site currently sells a Heavy Duty Flat Folding Cart for $40. This cart can be folded small enough to fit into an airplane overhead compartment and it carries 150 pounds of luggage. It is made from aluminum and those who have bought it have given it good ratings for its sturdiness and durability.
Another good buy for those who have a lot of heavy luggage is the Franzus Heavy-Duty Flat Folding Cart selling at www.lnt.com for $45. This luggage cart features and adjustable handle and can hold up to 200 pounds of luggage. It also fits into the overhead compartment without any problem. The only drawback is that the cart itself is a bit heavy – at 8 pounds, it weighs more than most other luggage carts.
Stebco also makes a heavy-duty luggage trolley that can carry up to 250 pounds of luggage. The Stebco Luggage Cart is made from steel and also features ball bearing sides and an elastic safety cord. It is slightly lighter in weight than the Franzus Heavy-Duty Flat Folding Cart and can be bought for $48 at Buy.com.