The cheapest carry-on bags come from warehouse clubs, discount retailers, and direct-to-consumer brands rather than department stores

A basic carry-on bag costs between $40 and $80 at warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club, compared to $120 to $200 at department stores for the same durability. The difference is not quality — it is markup. Warehouse clubs buy in bulk and pass the savings to members. Discount chains like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross stock overstock and past-season luggage at 30 to 50 percent below retail. Direct-to-consumer brands like Away, Coolife, and Rockland sell online without a middleman, which lowers the price even though shipping is included.

The trade-off is selection and convenience. Warehouse clubs require membership and carry limited styles. Discount retailers have unpredictable inventory — you may find the exact bag you want or nothing in your size. Online direct brands offer more choice but you cannot touch the bag before buying, and returns can take time. Department stores cost more but let you inspect the bag, compare brands side by side, and take it home the same day.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco and Sam's Club sell carry-on bags for $40 to $80, often with a warranty, and membership costs $60 to $130 per year depending on the tier.
  • TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross mark down luggage 30 to 50 percent but stock changes weekly and sizes run out quickly.
  • Online direct brands like Away, Coolife, and Rockland have lower prices than retail but no in-person inspection or same-day pickup.
  • Amazon and eBay have competitive prices but require careful reading of seller ratings and return policies, since luggage damage in shipping is common.
  • Buying at the end of a travel season (September, January) or during holiday sales (Black Friday, Cyber Monday) cuts prices further at any retailer.

Warehouse clubs offer the best per-item price if you have a membership

Costco carries two to four carry-on models at any given time, rotating stock seasonally. Prices range from $50 to $100 for hard-shell or soft-shell bags with wheels and a handle. Costco bags often come with a limited lifetime warranty on the frame and wheels, though not on zippers or fabric. The catch is that Costco membership costs $65 for Gold Star (basic) or $130 for Executive, and inventory changes every few weeks — if you see a bag you like, buy it then, because it may not return.

Sam's Club carries similar luggage at similar prices, with membership at $50 for basic or $110 for Plus. Both clubs allow returns within 90 days even if you have used the bag, which is a real advantage if a wheel breaks or a zipper fails early. Neither club charges shipping on online orders over a small threshold, and both let you pick up online orders in-store the same day in most locations.

Discount chains have lower prices but less predictable stock

TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross buy overstock, cancelled orders, and previous-season inventory from luggage makers and sell it at 30 to 50 percent below the original retail price. A bag that costs $150 at Macy's might be $75 at TJ Maxx. The downside is that you cannot order online and pick up in-store at most locations — you have to visit the physical store, and what is on the shelf today may be gone tomorrow. Sizes and colors run out fast, especially in popular sizes like small and medium.

Return policies at discount chains are stricter than at warehouse clubs. TJ Maxx and Marshalls allow returns within 30 days with a receipt, but some luggage is marked final sale. Ross has a 30-day return window but does not accept returns on clearance items. Check the tag before you buy — if it says final sale or clearance, you own it as-is. These stores do not offer warranties beyond the manufacturer's, which is often limited to one year.

Direct-to-consumer brands cut out the retailer markup

Brands like Away, Coolife, Rockland, and Calpak sell online directly to customers, which means no department store markup. Away carry-on bags start at $225, which is higher than warehouse clubs but lower than Macy's or Nordstrom. Coolife and Rockland are cheaper — $60 to $120 for a carry-on — and both ship free. Calpak sits in the middle at $100 to $180. All of these brands offer free shipping and 30 to 100-day return windows, so you can test the bag at home.

The risk is that you cannot inspect the bag in person before buying. Read customer reviews carefully, especially photos posted by buyers, to see how the bag holds up after a few trips. Check the return policy before you order — some brands charge a restocking fee or require you to pay return shipping. Away and Coolife offer free returns, but Rockland charges return shipping unless the bag is defective.

Amazon and eBay have competitive prices if you read the fine print

Amazon carries hundreds of carry-on bags from both major brands and lesser-known sellers. Prices range from $30 to $200 depending on the brand and seller. Prime members get free two-day shipping, which matters because luggage is heavy and shipping costs add up. Read the seller rating carefully — bags from sellers with fewer than 95 percent positive feedback are riskier, especially for items that can be damaged in transit.

eBay has similar selection and often lower prices because sellers are clearing inventory. Luggage on eBay is frequently new but from liquidation sales or warehouse overstock. Shipping costs are higher than Amazon because eBay sellers set their own rates, so factor that into the total price. eBay's buyer protection covers defective items, but luggage damage during shipping can be hard to prove if the box arrives intact but the bag inside is cracked.

Timing your purchase can cut the price by another 20 to 30 percent

Luggage goes on sale at predictable times. End-of-season sales happen in September (after summer travel) and January (after holiday travel), when retailers clear inventory to make room for new stock. Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November offer 20 to 40 percent discounts at most retailers. Back-to-school sales in July and August sometimes include luggage, though the selection is smaller.

Warehouse clubs run seasonal sales on luggage, usually in spring and fall, advertised in their weekly mailers. Sign up for email alerts from direct brands like Away and Coolife — they send discount codes for 15 to 20 percent off during holiday weekends. If you are flexible on timing and can wait two to three months, buying during a sale cuts the price of an already-cheap bag by another $15 to $30.

What to compare when you are looking at cheap carry-on bags

Price alone does not tell you whether a bag is a good deal. A $40 bag that breaks after two trips costs more than a $100 bag that lasts five years. Compare the warranty — warehouse clubs often offer longer coverage than discount retailers. Check the wheel type: four wheels that spin 360 degrees roll easier than two fixed wheels, but they are more likely to break. Zippers are a common failure point; look for bags with YKK zippers, which are more durable than no-name zippers.

Weight matters for carry-on bags. Airlines charge overweight fees if your bag plus contents exceeds 22 pounds. A hard-shell bag weighs 6 to 8 pounds, leaving 14 to 16 pounds for clothes. A soft-shell bag weighs 4 to 6 pounds, giving you more packing room. Soft bags are cheaper and lighter but less protective; hard bags cost more but protect fragile items better. For a cheap carry-on, soft-shell is usually the better choice unless you travel with electronics or breakables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a $50 carry-on bag from Costco as good as a $150 bag from a department store?

For most travelers, yes. Costco bags have the same basic components — wheels, a handle, a frame — and come with a warranty. The difference is that department store bags have brand names and marketing costs built in. If you travel once or twice a year and do not pack heavy, a $50 bag will last as long as a $150 bag. If you travel weekly or pack fragile items, a more expensive hard-shell bag may be worth the cost.

Can I return a carry-on bag if I have already used it?

At Costco and Sam's Club, yes — both allow returns within 90 days even if you have traveled with the bag. At TJ Maxx and Marshalls, returns are 30 days and the bag must be in resalable condition, so used bags are usually rejected. At direct brands like Away and Coolife, return windows are 30 to 100 days and most allow returns of used bags as long as they are not damaged. Check the return policy before you buy.

What should I avoid when buying cheap luggage online?

Avoid sellers with low ratings on Amazon or eBay, even if the price is tempting — a damaged bag in transit is not worth the savings. Avoid bags with no customer photos or reviews, because you have no way to know if the wheels work or the zippers are durable. Avoid final-sale items at discount retailers, because you cannot return them if something breaks. Read the warranty details — some cheap bags have no warranty at all.

Is it worth buying luggage during a sale, or should I just buy the cheapest option now?

If you need a bag in the next two weeks, buy now — the difference between a sale price and a regular discount-retailer price is usually $10 to $20. If you can wait, waiting for a seasonal sale or Black Friday saves more money. A $60 bag at Costco might be $45 during a holiday sale. The best strategy is to find the bag you want at a discount retailer, note the price, and check back during a sale period.

Do I need to buy luggage from a brand name, or are generic bags just as good?

Generic bags from Costco, Coolife, and Rockland are just as durable as name brands for carry-on use. The difference is that name brands like Samsonite and Delsey have longer warranties and wider availability if you need repairs. For a cheap carry-on that you will use a few times a year, a generic bag is fine. If you travel constantly or want to replace parts easily, a name brand may be worth the extra cost.