I am shopping for a travel bag so I can take my clubs on an airplane two or three times per year. I see that some airlines won't pay for damage to clubs unless they are in a hard case. Is this something to worry about or are these airlines just making a big deal out of a small issue?

I already bought a padded, soft case with wheels on sale at a local store. I can still return it if I think I made a poor choice.

Also, I see that today on ebay there is a non-wheeled hard case up for sale. Are wheels all that important?

I also saw an inflatable guard that you put around your club heads before putting it in the travel bag. Good, or garbage?

I'd also like to hear opinions about a travel cover into which you put your own bag, vs. a travel bag into which you put just your clubs and use as a golf bag at your destination.

Any other tips or horror stories?

Thanks,
Ken