The best places to buy affordable luggage are warehouse clubs, discount retailers, and online marketplaces that sell both house brands and name-brand overstock

Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale carry luggage year-round at prices 20 to 40 percent below department stores, though selection changes by season and membership is required. Target, Walmart, and Kohl's stock budget lines like Threshold and Room Essentials that cost $40 to $150 for a carry-on, plus they run frequent sales on clearance luggage. Amazon and eBay let you compare prices across sellers in one place and often have open-box or warehouse-return items at steep discounts. Off-price retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross stock overstock from brands like Samsonite and American Tourister at 30 to 50 percent off retail, though inventory is unpredictable and you cannot return items online at most locations.

The trade-off is that the cheapest luggage often fails within two to three years of regular travel. Buying from a retailer with a clear return policy and a brand that offers a warranty matters more than the lowest price tag. A $120 carry-on that lasts five years costs less per year than a $60 one that breaks after eighteen months.

Key Takeaways

  • Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club offer the lowest per-item prices on luggage, but you need a membership and selection rotates seasonally.
  • Discount chains like Target and Walmart sell house-brand luggage for $40 to $150 and accept returns in-store, making them low-risk for budget shoppers.
  • Off-price retailers like TJ Maxx and Marshalls carry overstock from name brands at 30 to 50 percent off, but inventory changes weekly and return policies are stricter.
  • Online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay let you compare prices and read user reviews before buying, and open-box items often cost significantly less than new.
  • The cheapest luggage often fails within two years; buying from a retailer with a clear return policy and a brand with warranty coverage protects your money longer.

Warehouse clubs: lowest per-item cost if you have a membership

Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale sell luggage at prices that undercut most other retailers because they buy in bulk and operate on thin margins. A two-piece Samsonite or American Tourister set that costs $250 at Macy's often sells for $150 to $180 at Costco. These clubs rotate their luggage selection by season—spring and summer bring more options, while winter stock shrinks—so you may not find the exact size or color you want year-round.

Membership costs $45 to $120 per year depending on the club and tier. If you buy luggage once every two years, the membership pays for itself on that purchase alone. All three clubs accept returns on luggage within a reasonable window (usually 90 days), so you can test a bag and send it back if the wheels fail or the handle breaks early. Costco's return policy is the most forgiving; Sam's Club and BJ's are stricter about what counts as defective versus normal wear.

Discount chains: predictable stock and straightforward returns

Target and Walmart stock luggage year-round in their house brands—Threshold at Target and Room Essentials at Walmart—priced between $40 and $150 for a carry-on or small checked bag. These pieces are not designed to last a decade, but they survive a few trips a year for three to four years if you do not overpack or drag them roughly. Both retailers accept returns within 30 to 90 days with a receipt, and both let you return items in-store, which is faster than shipping.

Kohl's carries similar house brands and also stocks name brands like Samsonite and Delsey at regular prices, but Kohl's runs frequent sales—often 20 to 30 percent off—and accepts Kohl's Cash on top of the discount. If you have a Kohl's card, you can stack a sale price with a card discount and sometimes reach prices close to warehouse club rates. The catch is that Kohl's sales are predictable but not constant; you may wait weeks for luggage to go on sale, or you may miss the sale window.

Off-price retailers: name brands at steep discounts, unpredictable inventory

TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross buy overstock and returned items from department stores and sell them at 30 to 50 percent below the original retail price. You might find a Delsey carry-on that retails for $200 marked at $99, or a Samsonite spinner set for $120 instead of $280. The catch is that inventory changes weekly and varies by location; you cannot order online and have it shipped to your store, and you cannot return items bought in-store to the website.

Return policies at off-price retailers are stricter than at department stores. TJ Maxx and Marshalls allow returns within 30 days with tags attached and a receipt, but they do not accept returns on final-sale or clearance items. Ross has a 14-day return window and does not accept returns on clearance merchandise at all. If you buy a bag and the zipper breaks on your first trip, you may be outside the return window or stuck with a final-sale tag. Shop these stores only if you can inspect the luggage carefully in-store before buying and are willing to accept the risk.

Online marketplaces: price comparison and open-box deals

Amazon and eBay let you compare prices from multiple sellers, read user reviews that mention durability problems, and filter by price range and brand. Amazon's warehouse deals section lists open-box, returned, and refurbished luggage at 20 to 40 percent off retail. eBay's auction format sometimes drives prices down below retail, especially for older models that are still functional.

The downside is shipping cost and return hassle. A $60 luggage deal becomes $75 after shipping, and if the bag arrives damaged or the wheels fail, you have to contact the seller and arrange a return, which can take weeks. Read the seller's return policy before buying; some sellers on Amazon and eBay do not accept returns on luggage, or charge a restocking fee. Check the reviews for complaints about damage in shipping—soft-sided luggage is less likely to arrive damaged than hard-sided, but both can suffer in transit.

Brand outlet stores: full selection but not always the lowest price

Samsonite, American Tourister, and Delsey operate outlet stores online and in some shopping centers. These stores sell last season's colors, discontinued models, and items with minor cosmetic flaws at 20 to 40 percent off the brand's regular website price. The advantage is that you get the full warranty and can return items directly to the brand if something breaks.

The disadvantage is that outlet prices are often higher than warehouse clubs or off-price retailers. A Samsonite carry-on that costs $180 at Costco might cost $160 at the Samsonite outlet after a discount. Outlet stores are worth checking if you have a specific brand preference or want to may support warranty coverage, but they are not the cheapest option overall. Sign up for the brand's email list; outlet stores send discount codes (usually 15 to 25 percent off) several times a year.

What to look for when comparing prices across retailers

The lowest price is not always the best deal. A $50 carry-on with plastic wheels and a thin handle will fail faster than a $100 bag with reinforced corners and a telescoping handle that locks in place. Read the product reviews on the retailer's website and on independent sites like Wirecutter or Consumer Reports to see how long users report the luggage lasting. Look for complaints about zippers breaking, wheels cracking, or handles snapping—these are the three most common failure points.

Check the warranty. Most luggage comes with a one-year or two-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship but not damage from overloading or rough handling. A brand that offers a five-year warranty is betting on durability; a brand with no warranty information listed is cutting corners. Compare the warranty length across retailers, because some retailers offer extended warranties for an extra $10 to $20 that can double the coverage period.

Factor in the return policy. If you buy from a retailer that accepts returns within 90 days, you have time to take a trip and see how the luggage performs. If you buy from a retailer with a 14-day return window, you have to decide based on appearance alone. The extra flexibility is worth paying 10 to 15 percent more at a retailer with a generous return policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is luggage from Costco or Sam's Club the same quality as luggage from department stores?

Often yes, because warehouse clubs buy the same models that department stores carry, just in bulk. Costco and Sam's Club sometimes sell exclusive colors or sizes, but the construction and warranty are identical. The difference is price, not quality. However, warehouse clubs also carry house brands that are lower quality than name brands; read the reviews before assuming all warehouse luggage is durable.

When is the best time of year to buy luggage on sale?

Luggage goes on sale most often in January (after holiday travel), late May through June (before summer vacation), and August (back-to-school and Labor Day sales). Black Friday and Cyber Monday also bring discounts, though selection may be picked over. If you need luggage urgently, do not wait for a sale; the cost of a trip without proper luggage outweighs the discount.

Can I return luggage to Target or Walmart if I used it once?

Yes, both retailers accept returns on used luggage within 30 to 90 days as long as you have a receipt and the item is not damaged beyond normal use. "Normal use" means a trip or two; if the luggage shows heavy wear, stains, or broken parts, the retailer may refuse the return. Keep your receipt and do not remove tags until you are sure the luggage works for you.

Are open-box luggage deals on Amazon actually cheaper than buying new?

Usually yes, but add shipping cost to the price before comparing. A $60 open-box bag plus $15 shipping costs $75 total, which may be more than a new bag on sale at Target for $70. Read the product description carefully; "open-box" means the box was opened but the luggage was not used, while "refurbished" means it was returned and inspected. Refurbished items sometimes come with a shorter warranty.

What should I do if luggage I bought breaks within a few months?

Contact the retailer first if you are within the return window; most will exchange or refund the item. If you are outside the return window, contact the brand directly and reference the warranty. Take photos of the broken part and keep your receipt. Many brands will repair or replace luggage under warranty even if the retailer will not accept a return.