The cheapest places to buy luggage are warehouse clubs, discount retailers, and online marketplaces where you can compare prices across brands in minutes

The lowest prices on luggage come from Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale if you have a membership — these stores rotate luggage stock and often undercut department stores by 20 to 40 percent. Target, Walmart, and Kohl's carry budget luggage year-round and run frequent sales, especially during January and summer travel seasons. Online, Amazon, eBay, and brand outlet sites like Samsonite's direct store let you filter by price and read real user reviews before buying.

The catch with budget luggage is that the cheapest pieces often fail within a year or two — zippers jam, wheels crack, and handles snap. Spending $80 to $120 on a carry-on from a known brand at a discount retailer usually lasts longer than spending $40 on an unknown name. The real savings come from knowing which brands hold up and where to find them on sale, not from buying the absolute lowest price.

Key Takeaways

  • Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club offer the deepest discounts on luggage, but you need a membership and stock changes seasonally.
  • Target, Walmart, and Kohl's have budget luggage in stock year-round and run sales during January and summer, making them reliable for planned trips.
  • Amazon and eBay let you compare prices across multiple sellers and brands in one search, and customer reviews show which pieces actually survive repeated use.
  • Buying the cheapest luggage often means replacing it sooner; mid-range brands like Samsonite, American Tourister, and Delsey hold up better at only slightly higher prices.
  • Outlet stores and clearance sections online often have last season's colors at 30 to 50 percent off, the same durability as current models.

Warehouse Clubs: The Deepest Discounts If You Have a Membership

Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale consistently undercut other retailers on luggage because they buy in bulk and operate on thin margins. A carry-on that costs $150 at Target might be $99 at Costco. The trade-off is that luggage stock rotates — you might find a good deal one month and nothing the next, and you need an active membership to shop.

These clubs also accept returns for longer than most retailers: Costco takes back luggage for up to two years, and Sam's Club for one year, even if you've used it. That protection matters with budget luggage, because you can test it on a trip and return it if the wheels fail or a zipper breaks. Check your local warehouse's website or app to see what luggage is in stock before you visit.

Big-Box Retailers: Year-Round Stock and Frequent Sales

Target, Walmart, and Kohl's carry luggage every day, so you don't have to hunt for stock or pay a membership fee. Their house brands — Target's Up & Up, Walmart's Mainstays, and Kohl's store brand — start at $30 to $50 for small pieces and $60 to $100 for full carry-ons. These are not durable long-term, but they work for occasional trips or if you need luggage in the next few days.

The real deals at these stores happen during January (New Year's travel planning) and May through July (summer vacation season). Sign up for their apps or email lists to catch sales — Target and Walmart often drop prices 20 to 35 percent during these windows. Kohl's runs constant sales and accepts Kohl's Cash rewards, which can knock another 10 to 15 percent off if you time it right.

Online Marketplaces: Compare Prices and Read Reviews Before You Buy

Amazon and eBay let you search by price range, brand, and size, then sort by customer rating. This matters because you can see which $80 carry-ons have held up for multiple trips and which ones have broken zippers after one use. Read the one-star reviews first — they tell you what actually fails.

Amazon Prime members get free returns on most luggage within 30 days, which is longer than many stores offer. eBay's return window depends on the seller, so check before you bid. Both sites have third-party sellers offering older stock and overstock at steep discounts — a Samsonite carry-on from last year's color run might be 40 percent cheaper than the current model, with identical durability.

Brand Outlet Stores and Clearance Sections

Samsonite, American Tourister, Delsey, and other major brands run their own outlet websites where they sell overstock, last season's colors, and slightly damaged pieces at 30 to 50 percent off. These are the same bags sold at full price elsewhere — the discount is purely because the color is no longer current or the box is dented. Durability is identical.

Department store clearance sections — both in-store and online at Macy's, Nordstrom Rack, and Dillard's — also hold luggage that didn't sell at full price. Nordstrom Rack in particular rotates inventory from Nordstrom stores, so you might find a $200 piece marked down to $90. Check these sections weekly if you're flexible on timing, because stock changes fast.

What to Look for When Buying Budget Luggage

The cheapest luggage fails because of weak zippers, plastic wheels that crack, and handles that snap under weight. Before you buy, check the customer reviews for mentions of these three things. If multiple reviews say "zipper broke after one trip" or "wheel cracked," skip it even if the price is tempting.

Brands that hold up at budget prices include American Tourister (owned by Samsonite, more durable than the house brands), Delsey (French brand, lightweight and reliable), and IT Luggage (known for strong zippers). These cost $80 to $150 for a carry-on, which is higher than the absolute cheapest options but lower than premium brands. The difference in lifespan often justifies the extra $30 to $50.

Timing Your Purchase: When Prices Drop

Luggage goes on sale in predictable windows. January is the biggest sale month because retailers clear holiday inventory and capitalize on New Year's travel plans. May through July is the second peak, when summer vacation shopping drives volume. Black Friday and Cyber Monday also see luggage discounts, though not always deeper than January or summer sales.

If you don't have a specific trip planned, waiting for January or May usually saves you 20 to 30 percent compared to buying in March or October. If you need luggage within two weeks, Target or Walmart will have something in stock at a reasonable price — don't wait for a sale that might not come in time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is luggage from Amazon third-party sellers as cheap as warehouse clubs?

Sometimes cheaper, sometimes not — it depends on the seller and whether they're clearing overstock. The advantage is you can compare 50 options in one search and read reviews for each. Warehouse clubs usually have one or two options at a given time, but the price is often lower because the store buys directly from the manufacturer.

What's the difference between outlet luggage and regular luggage?

Usually nothing in terms of durability. Outlet pieces are overstock, last season's colors, or have minor cosmetic damage like a dented corner. The construction and materials are identical to full-price versions. The discount is purely because the item didn't sell at the original price.

Can I return budget luggage if it breaks after one trip?

Costco and Sam's Club accept returns for one to two years, so yes. Target and Walmart typically allow 90 days. Amazon Prime offers 30 days. Check the store's return policy before you buy, and keep your receipt. If you buy from a third-party seller on Amazon or eBay, the return window depends on that seller's policy.

Is it worth paying more for a mid-range brand instead of the cheapest option?

Usually yes. A $50 carry-on might last one trip; a $100 carry-on from American Tourister or Delsey often lasts five to ten trips. If you travel more than once a year, the mid-range option costs less per trip over time and saves you the hassle of replacing broken luggage.

Where do I find luggage sales if I don't have a warehouse membership?

Target, Walmart, and Kohl's run sales during January and May through July — sign up for their email lists or check their apps weekly. Amazon and eBay let you set price alerts on specific items. Nordstrom Rack and other outlet stores update clearance sections constantly, so check back every few days if you're flexible on timing.