The best places to buy luggage depend on what you need and how much you want to spend

Good luggage is sold at department stores, luggage specialists, online retailers, and warehouse clubs. Each route has different return policies, price ranges, and selection. Department stores like Macy's and Nordstrom carry mid-range brands and let you see the bag in person. Luggage specialists like Luggage Pros or local luggage shops stock deeper selections and staff who know repair options. Online retailers like Amazon and Zappos offer the widest choice and fast returns. Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club sell a smaller selection at lower prices, but only to members.

The choice matters because luggage is something you use for years, and buying from the wrong place can mean paying more, getting stuck with a bag you can't return, or losing access to repairs. This guide walks you through where each type of retailer makes sense, what to expect when you shop there, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Key Takeaways

  • Department stores and luggage specialists let you handle bags before buying, while online retailers offer more brands and easier returns.
  • Luggage specialists often provide repair services and can tell you which brands hold up longest, information department stores rarely have.
  • Warehouse clubs sell fewer brands but at lower prices, and membership costs should factor into whether the savings are real.
  • Return windows vary widely — some retailers offer 30 days, others 60 or 90 — and this matters if you need to test a bag on a trip first.
  • Buying from a retailer with a physical location near you makes repairs and exchanges easier if something breaks during travel.

Department stores: seeing bags in person, paying full price

Macy's, Nordstrom, Dillard's, and similar stores stock luggage from brands like Samsonite, American Tourister, and Delsey. You can touch the wheels, test the handle height, and open the zippers before you buy. Staff are usually not trained on luggage specifics, so you are mostly on your own to compare weight, material, and warranty.

Return policies at department stores typically run 30 to 60 days, though Nordstrom extends to 365 days on most items. Prices are usually full retail — you will rarely find discounts unless there is a store-wide sale. This route works well if you want to inspect a specific bag before committing, or if you have a Nordstrom nearby and value their return window.

Luggage specialists: repair access and deep knowledge

Luggage shops — whether local independent stores or chains like Luggage Pros — employ staff who repair bags and know which brands survive rough handling. They stock brands you will not find at department stores, including higher-end options like Briggs & Riley and Away. They can tell you which wheels fail most often, which zippers jam, and which frames crack under pressure.

Prices at luggage specialists are often the same as department stores, but these shops sometimes offer discounts on older stock or floor models. The real advantage is access to repair: if your bag breaks mid-trip or years later, you can bring it back to the same place. Many luggage specialists also offer free or low-cost repairs on bags you buy from them, and they stock replacement wheels, handles, and zippers. If you travel frequently or want a bag that can be fixed rather than replaced, this is the best route.

Online retailers: the widest selection and fastest returns

Amazon, Zappos, Target, and Walmart online carry hundreds of luggage brands and models. You can compare prices across retailers in minutes, read reviews from people who have used the bags, and see photos from multiple angles. Return windows are often generous — Zappos offers free returns for 365 days, and Amazon typically allows 30 days.

The downside is you cannot touch the bag before it arrives. Weight, handle comfort, and wheel smoothness are hard to judge from photos. If the bag does not fit your car trunk or feels too heavy when it arrives, you have to pack it back up and ship it. Shipping a full-size suitcase back costs money unless the retailer covers it, which most do for returns but not for straightforward changes of mind.

Online shopping makes sense if you know exactly what you want — the same model you have owned before, or a specific brand and size you have researched. It also works if you have time to wait for delivery and are willing to return something that does not meet your expectations.

Warehouse clubs: lower prices for members only

Costco and Sam's Club sell luggage at 10 to 20 percent below department store prices. Selection is small — usually 5 to 10 models at any given time — and inventory changes. Costco carries brands like Samsonite and American Tourister; Sam's Club stocks similar options. Both clubs offer return windows of 60 days or longer.

The math only works if you are already a member. A Costco Gold Star membership costs $65 per year; Sam's Club Plus costs $110 per year. If you are buying a $300 suitcase, a 15 percent discount saves $45, which does not cover membership. If you are buying multiple bags or other items, the savings add up. Warehouse clubs also do not have repair services, so if something breaks, you return it for a refund rather than fixing it.

Outlet stores and discount retailers: real savings and real risks

TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, and Burlington carry luggage at 20 to 40 percent below retail. The catch is that outlet luggage is often older stock, discontinued colors, or bags made specifically for discount retailers with lower-quality materials than the full-price version. Return policies are stricter — usually 30 days, sometimes less, and some items are final sale.

Inspect outlet luggage carefully before buying. Check that all zippers work, wheels spin freely, and the frame has no cracks or dents. Ask whether the bag is the same model sold at full-price retailers or a discount-only version. If you cannot tell, assume it is a lower-quality variant. Outlet shopping works if you are willing to accept that risk in exchange for a lower price, and if you have time to test the bag before the return window closes.

Direct-to-consumer brands: cutting out the middleman

Brands like Away, Calpak, and Coolife sell luggage through their own websites. They skip department stores and wholesalers, which lowers their costs. Prices are often 10 to 30 percent below what you would pay at a department store for a comparable bag. Return windows are typically 100 days.

The downside is you cannot see the bag in person before ordering. Direct-to-consumer brands also do not have physical locations for repairs, so if something breaks, you ship it back or get a refund. These brands work well if you have researched the specific model online and read reviews from real travelers, or if you are willing to return it if it does not meet your needs.

How to choose the right place to buy

Start by deciding whether you need to see the bag in person. If you are replacing a bag you already own and know fits your needs, buy online — you will save money and have more options. If you are buying luggage for the first time or upgrading to a different size, visit a department store or luggage specialist to handle the bag and test the handle height and wheel movement.

Next, check the return window. If you want to test the bag on a trip before committing, look for retailers with 60-day or longer returns. If you are buying a bag you are confident about, a 30-day window is usually enough. Finally, consider whether you might need repairs. If you travel frequently or want a bag that lasts 10 years, buy from a luggage specialist or a retailer with a physical location near you. If you travel once a year and are willing to replace a broken bag, online retailers and warehouse clubs are fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is luggage cheaper online or in stores?

Online retailers and warehouse clubs are usually cheaper, but only if you know what you want. Department stores and luggage specialists charge full price but let you see the bag first. Direct-to-consumer brands are cheaper than department stores but more expensive than warehouse clubs. The lowest prices are at outlet stores, but the bags are often older stock or lower quality.

Can I return luggage if I have already used it?

Most retailers allow returns on used luggage within their return window, as long as the bag is not damaged and has no stains. Zappos and some online retailers are explicit about this; department stores vary. Warehouse clubs and outlet stores are stricter. Always ask before buying if you plan to test the bag on a trip.

What if I buy luggage and it breaks during a trip?

If you bought from a luggage specialist, call them and ask about emergency repair or replacement. Many will ship a replacement bag or cover repairs. If you bought from a department store or online retailer, contact them about a return or refund. If you bought from an outlet store or warehouse club, you will likely get a refund but no repair option. This is why luggage specialists are worth the cost if you travel frequently.

Should I buy luggage on sale or wait for a discount?

Luggage goes on sale during holiday weekends — Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday — and at the end of summer and winter travel seasons. If you need luggage now, buy it. If you can wait two to three months, you will likely find a 15 to 25 percent discount. Outlet stores and warehouse clubs have lower prices year-round, so waiting for a sale at a department store does not always save money compared to buying from those retailers now.

Is it worth buying expensive luggage brands?

Expensive brands like Briggs & Riley and Away last longer and repair more easily than budget brands like American Tourister. If you travel more than twice a year, the higher upfront cost spreads across more trips and often costs less per trip than replacing a cheaper bag every few years. If you travel once a year, a mid-range brand from a department store is usually enough. Buy from a luggage specialist if you choose an expensive brand, because you will want access to repairs.