06-03-2008, 12:36 AM
I travel at least once a month domestically and at least 5 times a year internationally. Never used luggage straps, but I use quality luggage and am aware I have to replace it every few years. Having minimal change of clothing in carry-on is good advice, but if your luggage does get lost, you could be without clothing for the full duration of the trip. I can tell you that being in Spain is no fun if you are 6' 3" and have no luggage. Fortunately, losing (actually, delaying for 2 weeks) luggage happenned to me only once in the past 6 years of intensive travel.