BEST BRAND ON HARD-SIDED SWIVEL LUGGAGE

She does know, I hope, that a 24"-25" hard-sided bag will not qualify as "carryon".

I would recommend not getting one of those. I wouldn't go bigger than 22" and would not go with hard sided luggage. With softer sided luggage you can use compression straps and tighten it down. With a bag like this it's always too big to carry on. I don't think the toughness of the bag is something to be that worried about.

I'm sorry I can't help in regard to the brand, but I thought I'd share some advice.

Is there a reason why it has to be hard-sided, swivel luggage? If your concern is zippers and handles, then that's what you need to focus on. Many of today's newer fabrics are just as tough if not tougher than hard-sided, will be much lighter, and will cost less.

My suggestion would be to go to a site like Ebags and browse. It will be hard to find one of decent quality for $100.

ebags.com carries a nice 3 piece set of hard-sided swivel luggage-search for Travelers Choice Freedom II. It's on sale today for 20% off @ 140.99. I think they're 22" - 26" and 30" sizes. They are way below MSRP.

Do you live near a TJ MAXX? My local store has a nice selection of hard spinners from $50-80 a piece. They also come in three different sizes, but are sold separately.

I was looking at the Traveler's Choice Freedom swivel in the 26", but as I didn't end up buying it, I can't say how sturdy it is. I decided to go back to my old favorite, the rolling duffel bag. I got a huge one that would cause most people on these forums fits, but I like it. It can squish down to be smaller on the way e, and fill up quite heartily with things on the way back.

My mother and her fiance are big fans of the old style Samsonite hardcase suitcases, but I dislike the potential for tippiness, even if the case is built sturdily.

If your looking for a good tough, hard sided suitcase that is also light weight, try Heys. They have numerous styles and sizes. Check their web site.

You can have problems with two wheel bags on the rough streets and cobblestone sidewalks. A swivel bag could be a nightmare. I doubt if it would roll smoothly at all.

It is possible to spend several weeks in Europe and never need to drag your luggage over cobblestones. They do have have paved streets. It all depends where you're traveling.

Especially if the suitcase is in the trunk of your car!

Friends: Wow! Lots of good advice. My daughter is not planning on it being a carry-on so the size is not a concern. We do have a TJMax nearby, and did see one for around $80.00 (by Heys) so wanted to get some advice before purchasing. I think the attraction for her on the swivel is the ease of moving thru airports and getting on and off trains in Europe. She always carries her hiking backpack as her carry-on, so needs easy ones for her "hand" luggage.

I have a Heys suitcase that is half hard-sided, half soft-sided and absolutely love it. It is not swivel, but two-wheeled. It is the lightest suitcase I could find. The quality and sturdiness are outstanding.

A friend of mine just returned from a two-week trip to Tuscany and raved about the hard-sided swivel Heys that she bought after seeing mine. She was really happy with the swivel feature.

After looking at luggage for months on line and in real stores, I've come to the conclusion that TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, etc. carry some really good brands at rock-bottom prices. Can't beat 'em, in my opinion.

Heys has swivel hard sided bags too. They weigh more than the two wheel versions. If you're checking, as you would be with a 24" bag, some come with a textured surface that is supposed to reduce visibility of scuffs better than the smooth sided versions.

We've used Heys hardsided luggage over the past 2 years and couldn't be happier with the quality, weight and toughness of this product.