The cheapest luggage comes from discount retailers, warehouse clubs, and off-season sales—not from luggage specialty stores

The lowest prices on luggage appear at Costco, Sam's Club, and Target, where a mid-range carry-on runs $40 to $80 and checked bags run $60 to $120. Amazon and Walmart match or undercut these prices, especially on house brands like Amazon Basics and Mainstays. Department stores like Macy's and Kohl's mark luggage up 40 to 60 percent but run sales constantly—waiting for a holiday weekend or using a coupon code can cut the final price in half. Luggage specialty retailers charge the most because they stock premium brands and offer longer warranties; you pay for that service.

The second-cheapest option is buying last season's colors and styles. Retailers clear inventory in September (after summer travel) and January (after holiday travel). A suitcase that cost $150 in July sells for $60 in October because the color is no longer trendy, not because the wheels or hinges changed. Damage-sale sections at Costco and Walmart also hold luggage with dented corners or torn linings at 30 to 50 percent off; if you don't care about cosmetics, this is where the real deals live.

Key Takeaways

  • Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club offer the lowest everyday prices on luggage, with carry-ons starting around $50 and checked bags around $80.
  • Amazon Basics and Walmart's Mainstays house brands cost less than name brands but come with shorter warranties and less durable materials.
  • Buying off-season (September or January) cuts prices by 30 to 50 percent because retailers need to clear old inventory.
  • Department store sales and coupon codes can match warehouse prices, but you have to wait for the sale rather than buying at the advertised price.
  • Luggage with cosmetic damage sells at steep discounts and performs identically to undamaged pieces if you don't mind a dented corner.

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

Costco and Sam's Club rotate luggage stock seasonally and price it 20 to 30 percent lower than Target and Walmart. A Costco-branded hard-shell carry-on typically costs $50 to $70; the same size from a name brand at Target costs $100 to $140. Both clubs stock a mix of their own brands and established names like American Tourister and Samsonite, and both accept returns on luggage for up to two years after purchase—longer than most retailers.

The catch is membership cost. Costco Gold Star membership is $65 per year; Sam's Club Plus is $110 per year. If you buy two suitcases, the membership pays for itself. If you buy one carry-on every three years, it does not. Check what your warehouse currently has in stock before you join, because selection changes monthly and you may find nothing you want.

Amazon and Walmart house brands cost the least upfront but wear faster

Amazon Basics luggage starts at $35 for a carry-on and $50 for a checked bag. Walmart's Mainstays line is similarly priced. Both are made from lighter plastic than mid-range brands, the zippers are thinner, and the wheels are smaller and less smooth. They work fine for a single trip or occasional travel, but the hinges and wheel assemblies fail faster than luggage from American Tourister or Samsonite.

If you travel once a year or less, a house-brand suitcase will last long enough to make the low price worth it. If you travel three or more times per year, spending an extra $40 to $60 on a mid-range brand saves you from replacing the bag in two or three years. The math changes if you are buying for a child who will outgrow the bag before it breaks, or for a trip you know will be rough on luggage—in those cases, cheap is the right choice.

Department store sales can match warehouse prices if you time them right

Macy's, Kohl's, and JCPenney mark luggage 40 to 60 percent above cost and then run sales that bring prices down 30 to 50 percent off the tag. A suitcase tagged at $200 goes on sale for $100 to $140, which matches or beats warehouse club prices. The sales happen predictably: Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Black Friday, and after Christmas. Kohl's also accepts manufacturer coupons that stack on top of sale prices, sometimes bringing the final cost below warehouse club rates.

The downside is timing. You cannot buy luggage at the sale price unless you wait for the sale, and sales last three to seven days. If you need luggage in two weeks and the next sale is in four weeks, you either buy at full price or order from Amazon. Sign up for email alerts from the stores you prefer so you know when sales start.

Off-season clearance is where the deepest discounts appear

Retailers clear luggage inventory in late September and early October (after summer travel season ends) and in late January and early February (after holiday travel ends). Luggage that did not sell at full price gets marked down 30 to 50 percent to make room for new stock. The colors and styles are from the previous season, but the construction is identical to what sold at full price six months earlier.

Target, Walmart, and Costco all run clearance sections online and in stores during these windows. Prices drop gradually over two to three weeks, so a bag marked down 30 percent in week one may be 50 percent off in week three. If you can wait, hold off until the final week of the clearance period. If you find the exact bag you want, buy it when ready—popular sizes and colors sell out fast.

Damage-sale sections and returned items cost 30 to 50 percent less

Costco, Walmart, and Target all have sections for items with cosmetic damage—dented corners, torn linings, scratched plastic, or packaging damage. The luggage functions identically to undamaged stock; only the appearance changed. A hard-shell carry-on with a dent on one corner might sell for $40 instead of $80. If you pack the bag and check it, the dent will likely get worse anyway, so paying full price for pristine luggage makes little sense.

Returned items also land in discount sections. Someone bought a suitcase, used it once, and returned it; the retailer cannot sell it as new, so it goes on clearance. These bags are usually in good condition and come with original packaging. Check the return policy before you buy—some retailers will not accept returns on clearance luggage, which means you are stuck with it if the wheels fail in month two.

Luggage specialty stores charge the most but offer longer warranties

Stores like Luggage Pros and local luggage shops mark prices 50 to 100 percent above warehouse clubs. A carry-on that costs $60 at Costco costs $120 to $150 at a specialty store. The reason is warranty length and repair service. Specialty stores often offer lifetime warranties on frames and wheels, and they have repair shops on-site or nearby. If your bag breaks in year three, you can walk in and get it fixed for free or a small fee.

Warehouse clubs and big-box retailers offer one to two year warranties and no repair service. If your bag breaks after two years, you replace it. Over a ten-year period, a $150 bag with a lifetime warranty may cost less than buying three $60 bags, but only if the bag actually breaks and you use the warranty. Most luggage lasts longer than people keep it, so the warranty rarely matters in practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is luggage from Amazon Basics or Walmart safe to check on a plane?

Yes. TSA and airlines do not care about brand or price; they care about size and weight. A $40 Amazon Basics carry-on meets the same size limits as a $200 Samsonite. The wheels and hinges may fail faster, but the bag will not be rejected at the gate because it is cheap.

When should I buy luggage if I have a trip planned?

Buy at least four weeks before your trip. If a sale is happening in the next two weeks, wait for it. If the next sale is more than two weeks away, buy now from a warehouse club or Amazon rather than waiting. Luggage ships in three to five business days, but you want a buffer in case the bag arrives damaged.

Do I need to spend more money for luggage that will last?

Not necessarily. A $70 mid-range carry-on from American Tourister or Samsonite will outlast a $40 house-brand bag, but both will last five to ten years if you travel once or twice per year. Spend more only if you travel frequently or need a warranty you will actually use.

Can I return luggage to a warehouse club if the wheels break?

Yes. Costco and Sam's Club accept returns on luggage for up to two years, even if you have used it. Walmart and Target accept returns for 90 days. Check the receipt or the store's website for the exact policy before you buy.

Is it worth joining a warehouse club just to buy luggage?

Only if you plan to buy at least two pieces of luggage or other items during the membership year. A single carry-on at Costco costs $50 to $70; the membership costs $65. If you buy nothing else, you break even or lose money. If you also buy groceries or household items, the membership pays for itself quickly.