The Main Places to Buy Luggage

You can buy luggage at department stores, specialty luggage retailers, big-box discount chains, and online marketplaces. Each type of store offers different advantages: department stores carry mid-range brands in person so you can feel the weight and test the wheels, specialty shops have staff trained to match luggage to your travel style, discount chains offer lower prices on basic models, and online retailers show the widest selection and often have customer reviews from actual travelers.

The store you choose depends on whether you want to inspect the bag before buying, how much you want to spend, and whether you need informed guidance. A traveler buying their first carry-on might prefer a department store where they can handle several options. Someone replacing a broken wheel on a specific brand might go straight to a specialty retailer who stocks parts. A budget-conscious buyer might start at a discount chain.

Key Takeaways

  • Department stores like Macy's and Nordstrom let you see and touch luggage in person, which matters for checking weight, wheel quality, and handle comfort.
  • Specialty luggage stores employ staff who understand different travel needs and can recommend bags suited to your trip length and airline restrictions.
  • Big-box retailers like Costco, Sam's Club, and Walmart stock basic luggage at lower prices, though selection is smaller and changes seasonally.
  • Online marketplaces including Amazon, Wayfair, and brand websites show hundreds of options with customer reviews, but you cannot test the bag before it arrives.
  • Luggage brand websites often offer the full range of colors and sizes, direct customer service, and sometimes sales not available elsewhere.

Department Stores and General Retailers

Department stores like Macy's, Nordstrom, Dillard's, and Kohl's carry luggage from multiple brands in a single location. You can compare a Samsonite hard-shell spinner against a Delsey soft-sided bag without leaving the store. Staff are usually available to answer basic questions, though they may not specialize in luggage the way a dedicated shop does. Prices tend to fall in the middle range—higher than discount chains but lower than specialty boutiques.

These stores run sales regularly, especially around holiday travel seasons and back-to-school periods. If you have a store credit card or membership rewards program, you may earn points on your purchase. The main drawback is that selection shrinks during off-season months, so you may find fewer options in spring or early summer.

Specialty Luggage Retailers

Stores dedicated to luggage—such as The Luggage Store, Luggage Pros, and regional chains—employ staff trained specifically in travel gear. They can ask about your trip length, airline, and packing style, then recommend a bag that fits your needs. Many specialty shops also repair luggage, replace wheels and handles, and stock replacement parts, which becomes valuable if you buy from them and need service years later.

Specialty retailers typically carry a deeper inventory of each brand they stock, meaning more colors, sizes, and styles than a department store. Prices are often higher than big-box stores but comparable to department stores. If you are buying a premium brand or need informed information on durability and features, a specialty shop is worth the visit. Many also offer a warranty or repair may provide with purchase.

Discount Chains and Warehouse Clubs

Costco, Sam's Club, and Walmart stock luggage at lower prices than most other retailers. Costco and Sam's Club require a membership, but their prices on luggage are often 20 to 40 percent below department stores. Walmart has no membership requirement and carries budget-friendly options from brands like Mainstays and better-known names like American Tourister.

The trade-off is selection. Warehouse clubs rotate their luggage inventory seasonally, so you may find only three or four options in stock at any given time. Walmart's selection is larger but still smaller than specialty stores. These retailers are best if you know exactly what you want—a basic carry-on in black, for example—and want to save money. They are less ideal if you want to compare many options or need specific features.

Online Marketplaces and Brand Websites

Amazon, Wayfair, eBay, and luggage brand websites like Samsonite.com, Away.com, and Rimowa.com show hundreds of models with customer reviews from people who have actually traveled with the bags. You can read about real problems—a wheel that broke after six months, a zipper that jammed—before you buy. Online shopping also lets you compare prices across retailers quickly and often find sales or discount codes.

The main disadvantage is that you cannot feel the weight, test the handle height, or roll the bag before it arrives. Return policies vary: some retailers offer free returns, while others charge a restocking fee. Brand websites often have the best return policies and direct customer service if something goes wrong. Amazon and Wayfair typically offer free returns on luggage, but read the policy before checkout.

What to Compare Across Stores

Before you buy, compare the same model across different retailers to find the best price. The same Samsonite spinner may cost $180 at Macy's, $160 at Walmart, and $155 on Amazon. Check whether the price includes tax and shipping, since free shipping can save $15 to $25. Look at return policies too—a store with a 30-day return window is safer than one with 14 days if you want time to test the bag on a trip.

Also compare what comes with the bag. Some retailers include a luggage cover or lock; others do not. Brand websites sometimes bundle a smaller carry-on with a larger checked bag at a discount. Read customer reviews on the retailer's site to see whether people received the exact color they ordered and whether the bag arrived damaged. A lower price means nothing if the bag shows up with a broken wheel.

Buying Used or Refurbished Luggage

Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace sell used luggage at steep discounts. A Samsonite hard-shell that costs $200 new might be $60 used. This works well if you travel rarely or want to test whether a brand works for you before spending full price. Check the wheels, zippers, and handle for damage, and ask the seller how many trips the bag has taken.

Refurbished luggage—bags returned to the manufacturer and repaired—is sold by some brand websites and discount retailers. These bags are usually cheaper than new but come with a warranty. Read the warranty terms carefully, since refurbished warranties are often shorter than those on new bags. Refurbished is safer than used because the manufacturer has inspected and repaired it, but it costs more than buying secondhand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to buy luggage online or in a store?

Online is usually cheaper because retailers have lower overhead and compete on price. However, you pay for shipping unless it is free, and you cannot inspect the bag before it arrives. In-store prices are higher but you avoid shipping costs and can return the bag when ready if it does not work. Compare the final price including tax and shipping before deciding.

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

Most luggage comes with a manufacturer's warranty covering defects for one to five years, depending on the brand. Check your receipt or the brand's website to see what your warranty covers—usually wheels, zippers, and handles, but not damage from rough handling. Some credit cards extend the warranty automatically. Keep your receipt in case you need to file a claim.

Can I return luggage if I have already used it?

Most retailers allow returns within 30 days even if you have used the bag, as long as it is not damaged and you have the receipt. Department stores and brand websites are usually flexible about this. Discount chains and some online sellers have stricter policies—check before you buy. If you want to test the bag on a trip before deciding, buy from a retailer with a generous return window.

Where can I find luggage on sale?

Department stores run sales around major holidays—Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday, and after Christmas. Warehouse clubs rotate inventory seasonally, so luggage goes on clearance when they stop stocking a model. Brand websites sometimes offer sales to email subscribers. Online marketplaces like Amazon have daily deals. Set up price alerts on sites like CamelCamelCamel if you are watching for a specific bag to drop in price.

Should I buy luggage at an airport?

Airport shops charge significantly more than retail stores for the same bag—sometimes 30 to 50 percent higher. Buy before you travel if possible. Airport luggage shops are useful only if your bag breaks during a trip and you need a replacement when ready, or if you want to buy a small carry-on after arriving because your checked bag was lost.