The Best Places to Find Cheap Suitcases

The cheapest suitcases are usually at Walmart, Target, and Amazon, where hard-shell luggage runs $40 to $80 for a carry-on and $60 to $120 for a checked bag. Costco and Sam's Club stock name-brand luggage at 20 to 30 percent below retail if you have a membership. TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross sell overstock and last-season suitcases from brands like Samsonite and American Tourister at roughly half the department store price, though selection changes weekly and you cannot order online for pickup.

Off-season shopping cuts prices further. Luggage goes on sale in January (after holiday travel) and September (before fall trips), when retailers clear inventory. Buying a suitcase in June or July costs 40 to 60 percent more than buying the same model in January. If you can wait, set a price alert on Amazon or check Target's clearance section online every few days.

Avoid the airport gift shops and hotel luggage stands — prices there are triple the online cost. If your suitcase breaks mid-trip, a $30 duffel bag from Walmart will cost less than the markup you pay for convenience.

Key Takeaways

  • Walmart, Target, and Amazon stock basic hard-shell suitcases for $40 to $120 depending on size, and these are the fastest way to find a cheap option today.
  • Costco and Sam's Club offer name-brand luggage at 20 to 30 percent below regular retail, but you need a membership and must shop in person.
  • TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross sell overstock suitcases from major brands at roughly half the price of department stores, though inventory changes weekly.
  • Buying luggage in January or September saves 40 to 60 percent compared to peak travel seasons, so timing your purchase matters as much as where you shop.
  • Airport and hotel luggage stands charge triple the online price for the same suitcase, so avoid buying there unless you have no other choice.

What to Look for in a Budget Suitcase

A cheap suitcase does not have to fall apart after one trip. Look for hard-shell construction — polycarbonate or ABS plastic — because it protects contents better than soft-sided luggage and resists punctures and dents. Soft-sided bags are lighter and cheaper upfront but tear more easily and offer less protection for fragile items.

Check the wheel type before you buy. Four wheels that spin 360 degrees (called spinner wheels) cost more but let you push the bag instead of pulling it, which saves your shoulder on long airport walks. Two-wheel bags are cheaper and lighter but harder to maneuver in crowded terminals. If you travel often, the spinner wheels pay for themselves in comfort.

The handle mechanism matters more than the price tag suggests. Grab a suitcase in the store and extend the handle a few times — it should lock firmly and not wobble. A loose handle breaks within months and cannot be repaired cheaply. The same test applies to zippers: pull them open and closed several times to feel whether they catch or glide smoothly.

Comparing Budget Brands Worth Buying

Samsonite and American Tourister (which Samsonite owns) are the safest budget choices. A Samsonite carry-on at Costco costs $60 to $80 and typically lasts three to five years of regular travel. American Tourister is slightly cheaper and lighter, good if you fly frequently and want to avoid baggage fees.

IT Luggage and Delsey are mid-range brands that appear at TJ Maxx and Marshalls at $50 to $100 for a carry-on. Both use lightweight materials and come with decent warranties. Delsey is French-made and tends to hold up longer, but IT Luggage is easier to find on sale.

Walmart and Target house brands (like Mainstays and Room Essentials) cost $30 to $60 for a basic hard-shell bag. These are not designed for frequent travelers — expect them to last one to two years — but they work fine for occasional trips or if you need a backup bag. Do not buy a house-brand suitcase if you travel more than twice a year.

Avoid ultra-cheap luggage under $30 unless you need it for a single trip. The wheels jam, zippers break, and handles crack within weeks. You end up replacing it sooner than a $60 bag would need replacing, so the savings disappear.

When to Buy New Versus Used

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and eBay sell used suitcases for $15 to $40, which beats new prices at Walmart. The catch is that you cannot test the wheels or handle before you buy, and you have no warranty if something breaks. Used luggage makes sense if you need a backup bag or travel rarely enough that a two-year lifespan is acceptable.

Inspect a used suitcase in person before you hand over money. Spin the wheels, extend the handle, and open and close the zippers multiple times. Look for cracks in the shell, stains inside, and broken latches. If the wheels stick or the handle wobbles, walk away — those repairs cost $20 to $40 and eat into your savings.

Buy new if you travel more than twice a year or need the suitcase to last longer than two years. The warranty and known condition are worth the extra $20 to $40.

How to Spot Sales and Discounts

Set price alerts on Amazon for the specific suitcase model you want. Amazon emails you when the price drops, and you can see the price history to know whether a sale is real or just normal fluctuation. Most luggage drops $10 to $20 during January and September sales.

Sign up for Costco and Sam's Club emails if you have a membership — they announce luggage sales a week before they start, giving you time to plan a shopping trip. Target's Cartwheel app (now part of the Target app) sometimes includes 10 to 15 percent off luggage, though the discount rotates monthly.

Check TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross in person on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, when they stock new clearance items. Call ahead to ask whether they have luggage in stock — many locations do not carry it regularly. Do not rely on their websites; these stores do not show inventory online, and prices vary by location.

Luggage Size and What It Costs

A carry-on suitcase (22 by 14 by 9 inches) costs $40 to $100 and fits in most airline overhead bins. This is the cheapest option and works for trips up to a week if you pack light. Checked bags (28 by 20 by 12 inches) cost $60 to $150 and hold roughly twice as much. If you travel with a family or take longer trips, a checked bag saves money per trip because you do not need multiple carry-ons.

A personal item (16 by 12 by 8 inches) costs $20 to $50 and fits under the seat in front of you. Most airlines let you bring a personal item free, so buying a small bag for short trips can save you from paying a checked-bag fee. However, a personal item is too small for most weekend trips, so it only makes sense if you travel very light or fly weekly for business.

Buying one mid-size checked bag is usually cheaper than buying a carry-on and a personal item separately. A $80 checked bag handles most trips, whereas a $50 carry-on plus a $30 personal item costs $80 and gives you less flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hard-shell and soft-sided luggage?

Hard-shell suitcases protect fragile items better and resist dents and punctures, but they are heavier and more expensive. Soft-sided bags are lighter and cheaper, but they tear more easily and offer less protection. For budget shopping, hard-shell is worth the extra cost because it lasts longer.

Can I return a suitcase to Walmart or Target if it breaks?

Yes, both stores accept returns within 90 days with a receipt, and some locations accept returns up to a year if you have a Target RedCard or Walmart+ membership. Check the store's return policy before you buy. Costco offers a longer return window and will refund luggage even after a year if you are not satisfied.

Do I need to buy luggage with a warranty?

A warranty is useful if you travel frequently, but it adds $15 to $30 to the price. Budget suitcases from Walmart or Target rarely come with warranties longer than one year. If you buy from Costco or a brand like Samsonite, the warranty is usually included and covers wheels and handles for two to five years.

Is it cheaper to buy luggage online or in a store?

Online is usually cheaper because you can compare prices across stores in minutes. However, you cannot test the wheels or handle before you buy. In-store shopping at TJ Maxx or Marshalls lets you inspect the bag, but prices vary by location and selection is unpredictable. For the lowest price, buy online; for the ability to inspect first, shop in person.

What should I do if my cheap suitcase breaks during a trip?

If the wheels jam or the handle breaks mid-trip, most airports have luggage repair shops that fix wheels and handles for $15 to $40. If you bought the suitcase recently, contact the retailer about a return or refund before you pay for repairs. For future trips, keep the receipt and know the store's return policy.