The cheapest luggage comes from warehouse clubs, discount retailers, and online marketplaces rather than department stores or specialty luggage shops

If you need luggage that works without spending much, your best options are Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and eBay. Warehouse clubs rotate their luggage stock seasonally—usually January through March and August through September—so timing matters. Discount chains like Walmart and Target carry budget brands year-round in their travel sections. Online marketplaces let you compare prices across sellers when ready and often show customer photos of actual luggage condition, which matters more than marketing photos when you are buying used or refurbished pieces.

The trade-off is straightforward: inexpensive luggage weighs more, uses cheaper zippers and handles, and may not survive multiple international trips. But if you travel once or twice a year domestically, or need a second bag for occasional use, budget luggage does the job. The key is knowing where each retailer's strength lies and what to inspect before you buy.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco and Sam's Club offer the lowest per-item prices on luggage but only during their seasonal travel sections in January through March and August through September.
  • Walmart, Target, and Amazon stock budget luggage year-round, with Amazon offering the easiest price comparison across multiple sellers and brands.
  • eBay and Facebook Marketplace sell used and refurbished luggage at 40 to 60 percent below retail, but require inspection of zippers, wheels, and handles before purchase.
  • Outlet malls and brand outlet websites (Away, Samsonite, American Tourister) sell last-season stock at 30 to 50 percent off, splitting the difference between budget and mid-range quality.
  • Inspect wheels, zippers, and handle locks in person or request detailed photos before buying used luggage, because these parts fail first and cost more to replace than the bag itself.

Warehouse clubs: lowest prices during travel season

Costco and Sam's Club sell luggage at prices 20 to 40 percent below department stores, but only when their seasonal travel sections are open. Costco's travel section typically runs January through March and August through September, with inventory changing every two weeks. Sam's Club follows a similar schedule. Both clubs rotate brands and styles, so the same model may not be available next season.

The advantage is that both clubs inspect their merchandise before stocking it, so you avoid the defective-on-arrival problem that sometimes happens with online budget luggage. You can also return luggage to either warehouse within the return window (Costco's is generous; Sam's Club's is 90 days) if a wheel fails or a zipper breaks shortly after purchase. The disadvantage is that you must be a member, and you cannot browse their full selection online—you have to visit the store or call ahead to ask if a specific size is in stock.

If you are a member and travel during their peak season, check your local warehouse first. If the timing does not work, move to discount chains.

Discount retailers: year-round availability

Walmart and Target carry budget luggage in their travel sections throughout the year, with the widest selection in January and August. Both stock house brands (Walmart's Mainstays, Target's Room Essentials) alongside name brands like Samsonite and American Tourister at lower prices than you will find in department stores. Prices are typically 30 to 50 percent below what the same bag costs at Macy's or Kohl's.

The trade-off is that you cannot inspect the bag before buying online, and in-store selection varies by location. Walmart's website shows local inventory, so you can check whether a specific bag is in stock near you before driving to the store. Target's website does the same. Both stores accept returns within 30 days, which gives you time to test the zippers and wheels at home.

If you need luggage when ready and do not want to wait for a warehouse club's seasonal section, Walmart or Target is your fastest option. Prices are not quite as low as Costco, but the selection is better and you do not need a membership.

Online marketplaces: price comparison and used options

Amazon carries luggage from dozens of brands at every price point, and the search filters let you sort by price, size, and customer rating when ready. Amazon Basics luggage (their house brand) costs $60 to $150 for a carry-on or checked bag, which is among the cheapest new luggage available. Shipping is fast if you have Prime, and returns are straightforward. The downside is that you cannot inspect the bag before it arrives, and some budget brands on Amazon have high defect rates—read the one-star reviews carefully to see what breaks first.

eBay and Facebook Marketplace sell used and refurbished luggage at 40 to 60 percent below retail. A used Samsonite or American Tourister bag that cost $200 new might sell for $80 to $120 used. The catch is that you are buying someone else's wear and tear. Wheels flatten, zippers jam, and handles crack. Before you bid or message a seller, ask for close-up photos of the wheels, zippers, and handle locks. If the seller will not provide them, move on—those are the parts that fail first and cost $30 to $80 to replace.

Online marketplaces work best if you have time to compare prices and inspect photos carefully. If you are in a hurry, stick with new luggage from Walmart or Target.

Outlet malls and brand outlet websites

Samsonite, American Tourister, and Away all run outlet stores in major malls and online outlet websites. These sell last-season colors, discontinued styles, and overstock at 30 to 50 percent off the original price. A Samsonite bag that retails for $200 might cost $100 to $140 at an outlet. The quality is identical to full-price bags—outlets do not sell inferior merchandise, just older inventory.

The advantage is that you get a recognizable brand with a warranty and better construction than budget house brands, at a price closer to budget luggage. The disadvantage is that outlet prices are still higher than warehouse clubs or discount chains, and outlet selection is limited to what did not sell at full price. If you want a specific color or size, you may not find it.

Outlet websites like Samsonite.com/outlet or Away.com/outlet let you browse without visiting a physical store. Shipping is usually free on orders over a certain amount. This is a good middle ground if you want something more durable than Walmart luggage but cheaper than full retail.

What to inspect before you buy inexpensive luggage

Budget luggage fails in predictable places: wheels, zippers, and handle locks. Before you buy, inspect or ask the seller about these three things. Wheels should spin freely and not wobble side to side—a wheel that wobbles will wear unevenly and fail within a few months. Zippers should slide smoothly without catching; a zipper that sticks now will jam completely after a few trips. Handle locks (the buttons that lock the telescoping handle in place) should click firmly and not feel loose.

If you are buying in person at Walmart or Target, open the bag and test the wheels and zippers yourself. If you are buying online, read the one-star reviews to see what customers say broke first. If multiple reviews mention the same problem—"zipper broke after two trips" or "wheel fell off"—that is a sign the bag has a design flaw, not just a defective unit.

For used luggage on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, ask for photos of the wheels from the side and bottom, a close-up of the zippers, and a photo of the handle lock engaged and disengaged. If the seller will not provide these, the bag probably has damage they do not want to show.

Timing your purchase for the best prices

Luggage prices drop at predictable times. January and August are peak travel seasons, so retailers stock heavily and run promotions to clear old inventory before new stock arrives. Black Friday and Cyber Monday (late November) also bring discounts, though not always on budget luggage—discounts are deeper on mid-range and premium brands. After-holiday sales in early January clear Christmas inventory.

If you can wait, buying in January or August gives you the widest selection and the most competitive pricing across all retailers. If you need luggage when ready, Walmart and Target have consistent prices year-round, so waiting will not save you much. Warehouse clubs are worth checking first if you are a member, regardless of season, because their prices are hard to beat—but only if they have luggage in stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amazon Basics luggage good enough for checked baggage?

Amazon Basics luggage is adequate for occasional domestic trips but not for frequent travel or international flights. The zippers and wheels are less durable than mid-range brands like Samsonite. If you travel more than twice a year, spending an extra $50 to $100 on an outlet brand will save you money in the long run because it will not need replacing as soon.

Can I return luggage to Walmart or Target if a wheel breaks after one month?

Yes, within their return windows. Walmart accepts returns within 90 days; Target within 30 days. If a wheel or zipper fails during that time, bring the bag back with your receipt. After the return window closes, you are responsible for repairs or replacement.

What is the difference between outlet luggage and regular luggage?

Outlet luggage is the same quality as full-price luggage—it is just last season's color or a discontinued style. Retailers sell it at a discount to clear warehouse space, not because it is defective. You get the same warranty and durability as a full-price bag.

Should I buy used luggage on eBay if the price is very low?

Only if you inspect the wheels, zippers, and handles carefully first. A very low price often means the bag has damage the seller did not mention. Ask for detailed photos before bidding, and factor in the cost of repairs if wheels or zippers need replacement.

Do warehouse clubs ever have luggage outside their seasonal travel sections?

Occasionally, but it is rare and unpredictable. Your best bet is to visit during their peak travel seasons (January through March and August through September) or call ahead to ask if luggage is currently in stock. Do not count on finding it outside those windows.