The best place depends on what you need to see before you buy
If you want to feel the weight and test the wheels before committing, a department store or luggage specialty shop is your best bet—you can open zippers, pull handles, and roll bags across the floor. If you know exactly what you want and price matters most, online retailers usually undercut brick-and-mortar stores by 15 to 30 percent. If you need a suitcase today and don't have time to wait for shipping, a big-box retailer or airport shop will have stock on hand, though you'll pay a premium for that convenience.
The right choice also depends on your budget, how soon you're traveling, and whether you want to return something easily if it doesn't work. A suitcase you buy in person and hate can usually go back the same day. One you order online may take a week or more to return, and some retailers charge restocking fees.
Key Takeaways
- Department stores and luggage specialty shops let you handle bags before buying, but charge more than online retailers for the same models.
- Online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target typically offer lower prices and wider selection, but you cannot test the bag or return it when ready.
- Big-box stores like Costco and Sam's Club carry a rotating selection of mid-range suitcases at competitive prices if you have a membership.
- Airport shops and travel retailers stock bags for last-minute purchases, but prices are significantly higher than other channels.
- Specialty luggage shops often carry repair services and extended warranties that general retailers do not offer.
Department stores: middle ground on price and selection
Macy's, Nordstrom, Dillard's, and similar department stores carry suitcase brands like Samsonite, American Tourister, and Delsey in their luggage sections. You can see and handle multiple bags side by side, test how smoothly the wheels roll, and check how the handle feels in your hand. Staff are usually available to answer questions about materials and warranty coverage.
Prices at department stores fall between specialty shops and online retailers. A mid-range hardside suitcase that costs $120 online might run $150 to $180 at a department store, but you avoid shipping time and return hassle. Many department stores also run sales during holiday weekends and back-to-school season, which can close that gap.
Return policies vary by store. Most allow returns within 30 to 60 days with a receipt, and many accept returns without a receipt if you used a credit card they can trace. Check the specific store's policy before you buy.
Online retailers: lowest prices and broadest selection
Amazon, Walmart.com, Target, and Overstock carry hundreds of suitcase models from dozens of brands, often at prices 20 to 40 percent lower than physical stores. You can read customer reviews, compare specifications side by side, and filter by price, size, material, and color without leaving home. Shipping is usually free or low-cost if you meet a minimum order amount.
The trade-off is that you cannot touch the bag or test the wheels before it arrives. If the suitcase doesn't meet your needs—the handle is too short, the wheels are louder than you expected, the color is different than the photo—you have to pack it back up and arrange a return. Most online retailers offer free returns within 30 days, but some charge a restocking fee or require you to pay return shipping.
Amazon Prime membership (paid annually or monthly) includes free two-day shipping on most items and free returns at Whole Foods locations and some Kohl's stores, which can save time if you need to return something. Walmart+ and Target Circle+ offer similar benefits for their respective sites.
Specialty luggage shops: repair and warranty support
Independent luggage stores and chains like Luggage Pros or local travel shops stock a curated selection of suitcases and often employ staff who travel frequently and can speak to real-world durability. These shops typically carry brands like Rimowa, Away, Briggs & Riley, and Tumi alongside mainstream options.
The main advantage is service: many specialty shops offer on-site repairs, replacement parts, and extended warranties that cover damage beyond the manufacturer's standard coverage. If your suitcase wheel breaks two years after purchase, a specialty shop may be able to replace just the wheel rather than requiring you to ship the bag to the manufacturer or buy a new one.
Prices are usually higher than department stores or online retailers for the same model, but the warranty and repair access can offset that cost over time if you travel frequently. Ask about warranty terms and repair costs before you buy.
Warehouse clubs: good value if you have a membership
Costco and Sam's Club rotate suitcase inventory seasonally, typically stocking a small selection of mid-range hardside and softside bags from brands like Samsonite and American Tourister. Prices are competitive with online retailers, and you can inspect the bag in person. Both clubs accept returns within a generous window—Costco allows returns on most items indefinitely, and Sam's Club allows returns within one year.
The catch is that you need a paid membership to shop at either warehouse. A Costco Gold Star membership costs about $65 per year, and a Sam's Club membership costs about $50 per year. If you buy one suitcase and nothing else, that membership fee makes the deal less attractive. But if you already have a membership or plan to shop there regularly, the savings on luggage can be real.
Selection is limited compared to department stores or online retailers. You may find two or three suitcase models in stock at any given time, and if the one you want is out of stock, it may not come back until next season.
Airport and travel retailers: convenience at a high cost
Hudson News, Brookstone, and other airport retailers stock suitcases, travel pillows, and luggage accessories in terminals and travel hubs. If your suitcase breaks mid-trip or you arrive without luggage, these shops can sell you a replacement the same day without waiting for shipping.
Prices are significantly higher than other channels—a suitcase that costs $100 online might sell for $180 to $220 at an airport shop. You are paying for when ready availability and the convenience of not having to leave the airport. Some airport shops also charge premium prices because they have higher rent and fewer competitors in that location.
Return policies at airport retailers are often stricter than other stores. Many do not accept returns at all, or only accept them within a very short window. Read the receipt and ask about the return policy before you complete the purchase.
What to check before you buy anywhere
Regardless of where you shop, examine the warranty. Most suitcases come with a manufacturer's warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship for one to five years, but does not cover normal wear, damage from rough handling, or damage from overpacking. Read the warranty document or the product page to understand what is and is not covered.
Check the weight of the empty suitcase. Airlines charge overweight fees if your packed bag exceeds 50 pounds (for checked luggage on most domestic flights). A lighter suitcase leaves more room in your weight allowance for clothes and belongings. Hardside bags are typically heavier than softside bags of the same size.
Look at the wheel type. Four-wheel spinner suitcases roll in any direction and are easier to maneuver in tight spaces, but the wheels are more fragile. Two-wheel pull-behind bags are more durable but harder to steer. Test the wheels in person if you can, or read reviews from people who have used the specific model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to buy a suitcase online or in a store?
Online retailers are usually 15 to 30 percent cheaper than department stores for the same suitcase model. Warehouse clubs like Costco are competitive with online prices if you have a membership. Specialty luggage shops and airport retailers charge the most. If you factor in return shipping costs for an online purchase you don't want to keep, the savings may shrink.
Can I return a suitcase if I've used it?
Most retailers accept returns within 30 to 60 days regardless of whether you've used the bag, as long as it's not visibly damaged and you have a receipt. Costco is more lenient and accepts returns on most items indefinitely. Check the specific retailer's policy before you buy, because some online sellers charge restocking fees or do not accept returns on used items.
What's the difference between hardside and softside suitcases?
Hardside suitcases are made of rigid plastic or polycarbonate and protect contents better from crushing and impact, but they are heavier and don't compress to fit more items. Softside bags are lighter and more flexible, making them easier to squeeze into overhead bins, but they offer less protection and can tear more easily. Choose based on how roughly your luggage is handled and whether weight matters for your trip.
Should I buy an expensive suitcase brand or a budget option?
Budget brands like American Tourister and IT Luggage are durable for occasional travelers and cost $80 to $150. Mid-range brands like Samsonite and Delsey cost $150 to $300 and last longer with heavier use. Premium brands like Rimowa and Briggs & Riley cost $400 and up and often include better warranties and repair services. Buy based on how often you travel and how long you want the suitcase to last, not just the brand name.
Where can I buy a suitcase if I need it today?
Department stores, big-box retailers like Target and Walmart, warehouse clubs, and airport shops all have suitcases in stock you can take home the same day. Airport shops are the most expensive but have the longest hours. Department stores and big-box retailers offer better prices and easier returns if the bag doesn't work out.