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Things to consider:
1) Bike cases are HUGE, like 2/3 the size of a sheet of plywood. Ground transportation on the other side of your trip and storing the case are issues.
2) How good are you with tools/bike maintenance? If you're willing to remove your stem, rear derailleur, and fork, you can get a much more portable - ORUCASE is an example.
3) Even $12k bikes come in cardboard boxes and hard cases go to the bottom of the airport luggage pile. Consider a soft case.
4) If you get over 50lb, you're paying more at the airport. Consider weight.
5) Get something that's pure black, put non-bike stickers on it to avoid airport bike fees.
6) Bringing your bike anywhere is usually better than renting (unless it is a mountain bike), renting is more expensive than you think.
7) See if you can rent a case, mine has been sitting in my basement for years.
8) Mailing your bike in a cardboard box is a good idea too. I know bikeflights.com is just a FedEx discount code and works.
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