Updated August 2026.
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The cheapest place to buy a suitcase depends on what you’re actually looking for. If you want the absolute lowest price on a functional carry-on, Amazon has budget hardshells under $40 that work fine for occasional travel. If you want name-brand luggage at discount prices, TJ Maxx and Costco consistently beat everyone else.
Retailers price the same bags very differently. The difference between a $35 Amazon carry-on and a $90 Samsonite from TJ Maxx isn’t just quality, it’s knowing when to spend and when to save. Here’s where to actually find good deals.
Amazon – Best Selection, Best Price Comparison
Amazon is the obvious starting point. The selection is massive, reviews are plentiful, and you can compare prices across dozens of brands without leaving your couch.
The real advantage is the sub-$50 tier. Brands like Rockland, Coolife, and Wrangler sell hardshell carry-ons for $30-50 that consistently get 4+ star ratings from tens of thousands of buyers. We compared six of these in our best carry-on luggage under $100 roundup, and several were genuinely impressive for the price.
The sub-$50 Amazon carry-ons worth a look
These are the three budget lines that keep showing up at the top of that tier.
Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage
Coolife PC+ABS Hardshell Luggage, TSA Lock
Wrangler Smart Spinner Hardside Luggage, 22-Inch Carry-On
Amazon’s prices fluctuate constantly. A bag that’s $45 today might be $35 during Prime Day or $55 next week. If you’re not in a rush, add the bag to your cart and check back in a few days. Amazon also runs Lightning Deals on luggage regularly – especially around Prime Day (July), Black Friday, and the holiday travel season.
The downside: you can’t feel the bag before buying. Zippers, wheels, handles – these matter, and photos don’t tell the whole story. Stick to bags with a long enough review history that the failure modes are well documented, and read the 3-star reviews specifically. The 3-star reviews give you the most honest assessment of what’s good and what’s not.
TJ Maxx and Marshalls – Best for Name Brands at Discount
TJ Maxx is where luggage deals actually live. You’ll find Samsonite, Travelpro, Kenneth Cole, and Delsey at 30-60% below retail. The stock rotates constantly, and every location carries different inventory.
A Samsonite Omni carry-on that sells at full price in a department store regularly shows up at TJ Maxx for close to half that. Shoppers report finding Travelpro Platinum Elite bags, the ones flight crews actually use, at Marshalls for around half the airline crew store price.
The catch: selection is unpredictable. You might find exactly what you want on your first visit, or you might find nothing. TJ Maxx works best if you’re flexible on brand, color, and size. Go looking for “a good carry-on” rather than “a navy blue Samsonite Freeform 21-inch.”
Their online store (tjmaxx.com) carries luggage too, but the in-store selection is usually better and cheaper. If you’ve both a TJ Maxx and a Marshalls nearby, check both – they’re owned by the same company but carry different stock.
Costco – Best for Luggage Sets
Costco sells Samsonite luggage sets, usually 2 or 3 pieces, for roughly what a single piece costs at full retail. The quality is identical to what Samsonite sells elsewhere – same materials, same warranty.
Costco’s luggage selection is limited (usually 3-5 options at any given time), but what they carry is curated well. They also sell their Kirkland Signature branded luggage, which is made by Travelpro and costs about 40% less than the equivalent Travelpro model.
If you need a full set (carry-on + checked bag), Costco is almost impossible to beat on price-per-piece. And their return policy is unmatched – you can return luggage basically anytime if it falls apart.
Sam’s Club runs similar deals on Samsonite and American Tourister sets. Check both if you’ve memberships.
Walmart – Best for Absolute Budget
Walmart carries luggage starting under $25. At that price, you’re getting a bag that’ll survive a few trips – maybe a year of regular use. Their house brand (Protege) and cheap imports fill the ultra-budget space.
Where Walmart gets interesting is the mid-range. They carry American Tourister (Samsonite’s budget line), which sits in the $50-80 range and offers genuine durability. The Stratum XLT is the one worth knowing in that band, a 21 inch hardside carry-on with a 10 year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
$78.79 on Amazon (price may vary)
Walmart.com also offers free shipping on most luggage. And their in-store pickup means you can order online and grab it the same day if your local store has stock.
Target – Decent Mid-Range Selection
Target sits between Walmart and department stores. They carry brands like American Tourister, Calpak, and their own Made By Design and Open Story lines.
Target’s house brands are surprisingly good. Made By Design luggage gets solid reviews and sits in the $60-100 range. It’s not built for 10 years of abuse, but for moderate travel, it works well and looks clean.
Target runs 20-30% off sales on luggage multiple times per year, usually tied to travel seasons (spring break, summer, holidays). Stack a Target Circle deal with a RedCard discount (5% off everything) and the prices become competitive with TJ Maxx.
Outlet Stores – Worth It If You’re Near One
Samsonite, Tumi, and Travelpro all operate outlet stores. Samsonite outlets are the most common and stock carry-ons starting around $60 – similar prices to TJ Maxx but with a guaranteed selection of current and recent models.
The deals are real at outlets. Unlike some brands that manufacture separate “outlet-quality” products, Samsonite outlets carry the same bags you’d find at department stores, plus older models at deeper discounts.
Tumi outlets are worth visiting if you want luxury luggage at 40-50% off. A Tumi Alpha carry-on that runs several hundred dollars at Nordstrom lands closer to half that at a Tumi outlet. Still expensive, but a different league of discount.
Department Store Sales – Only During Events
Don’t buy luggage at Macy’s, Nordstrom, or Dillard’s at full price. Their regular prices are the highest in retail. But during major sale events, the discounts can be competitive.
Macy’s runs aggressive luggage sales (40-60% off) during their One Day Sales, Fourth of July, and Black Friday events. If you combine the sale with a Macy’s coupon code, you can get Samsonite and Travelpro bags at TJ Maxx-level prices.
Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale (July) and Nordstrom Rack are the better bets for premium brands. Nordstrom Rack is essentially the department store version of TJ Maxx – off-price shopping with better brand selection.
Facebook Marketplace and Thrift Stores
Used luggage is one of the best deals in travel. People sell barely-used suitcases on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist constantly. Away and Monos carry-ons turn up listed at $80-120, half the retail price, used once or twice.
Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores stock luggage too, though the selection is random and quality varies wildly. You’re looking for bags with working zippers, smooth wheels, and no cracked shells. Inspect the telescoping handle carefully – that’s the first thing to fail on a suitcase.
Estate sales and garage sales are another source. Older Samsonite and Hartmann bags were built to last decades, and they show up at estate sales for $10-20.
When to Buy (Timing Matters)
Luggage prices follow a seasonal pattern. Buy at the wrong time and you’ll pay 30-40% more than you need to.
Best time to buy: January and February. Post-holiday inventory clearance. Retailers are dumping holiday stock and nobody’s shopping for luggage. The deepest discounts happen here.
Good time to buy: July (Prime Day/Anniversary Sales). Amazon Prime Day and Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale both drop luggage prices significantly. Other retailers run competing sales the same week.
Good time to buy: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Obvious, but real. Amazon, Target, Walmart, and department stores all discount luggage 30-50% during Thanksgiving week.
Worst time to buy: March through June. Spring break and summer travel season. Demand is highest, sales are fewest, and retailers have no incentive to discount. If you’re buying for a summer trip, buy in January or February and store it until you need it.
Reading a Sale Before You Buy
Knowing the window is half the job. The other half is telling a real markdown from a list price that was raised the week before.
- Build a wish list a week before Prime Day. Watching a price hold for seven days is the cheapest way to spot a genuine cut. Hardside spinner sets discount hardest in July.
- Check whether a July deal is new stock or Amazon Warehouse. Both can be good buys, but the return windows differ and Warehouse condition grades run from nearly new to visibly scuffed.
- Expect November to split. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are when the brands’ own stores compete hardest with Amazon. Samsonite and American Tourister have historically cut deepest, while premium brands discount accessories rather than core luggage. Carry-on prices usually bottom out for the year in this window.
- Treat January and February as the checked-bag window. Retailers clear inventory for spring lines, so checked luggage moves at clearance pricing while carry-ons see steadier but smaller cuts.
- Do not wait on the small stuff. Packing cubes, toiletry bags and organizers sit near their floor price all year, so there is no event to hold out for.
Delsey, Specifically
Delsey earns its own note because it discounts on a predictable rhythm. Delsey.com runs seasonal sales roughly four times a year, with the deepest cuts around Black Friday, about 30 to 40 percent sitewide, and end-of-season clearance in January and July that mostly moves seasonal colors. A year-round sale section holds discontinued colors and older models at 20 to 30 percent off, and the email list carries early access and an occasional welcome code.
On Amazon the Chatelet Air 2.0 and Helium Aero lines commonly list 15 to 25 percent under Delsey’s own retail, and the number moves with color, size and stock, so a price alert on one ASIN is more useful than watching the line. TJ Maxx and Marshalls carry Delsey more often than people expect, typically 30 to 50 percent below retail, with unpredictable restocks that reward checking the aisle in person. Macy’s luggage events can reach 40 to 60 percent off, though the deepest numbers usually require a stacked coupon or a spending threshold.
At sale prices the brand comparison shifts. A discounted Chatelet Air 2.0 tends to undercut comparable Samsonite models by $50 to $100, and its brake wheel is a feature neither Samsonite nor Travelpro offers at that tier. Against Away and Monos, a sale-priced Delsey buys similar build quality for 25 to 40 percent less, in more traditional styling.
Brand Deals Worth Waiting For
Three carry-ons that show up discounted often enough to be worth a price alert rather than a full-price purchase.
Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On
Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On
TUMI Alpha Dual Access Carry-On
The Platinum Elite is the softside to buy when Travelpro discounts, since lifetime coverage travels with it. The Freeform is Samsonite’s cleanest budget hardside and carries a 10 year warranty. The TUMI Alpha is the one that only makes sense on sale, where dual access and an expandable 22 inch body stop being a luxury-tax purchase.
Budget Travel Accessories Worth Grabbing
The suitcase is the expensive decision. These are the small pieces that make it work, and none of them needs a sale event to be cheap.
Amazon Essentials Packing Cubes
BAGSMART Puffy Toiletry Bag
FYY Travel Cable Organizer
18-Pack Silicone Travel Bottles
The Amazon Essentials set is the easiest starting point in the category: four cubes, honest stitching, and a price that makes the decision for you. BAGSMART’s padded toiletry bag protects glass bottles better than a rigid case does. The FYY organizer is double layered with a water-resistant shell, so chargers, cables and a power bank can ride in an outer pocket. And eighteen leak-resistant silicone bottles and jars cover every liquid in a kit with enough spares to leave a set in a second bag.
All four come from Amazon Haul, Amazon’s budget storefront. One quirk worth knowing: Haul purchases complete on mobile, so a desktop checkout hands you a QR code to finish on your phone.
The Bottom Line
For most people, the decision comes down to two options. If you want the cheapest possible bag that works, go to Amazon and grab a sub-$50 carry-on from Rockland, Coolife, or Wrangler. If you want a name-brand bag at a discount, check TJ Maxx first, Costco second, and wait for a sale at your preferred retailer third.
Don’t overpay at department stores unless there’s a major sale. Don’t ignore the used market. And don’t buy in April when luggage deals are at their worst.
The Four Budget Carry-Ons Side by Side
FAQ
Is Amazon the cheapest place to buy luggage?
For budget brands (under $50), usually yes. Amazon has the widest selection of affordable carry-ons and checked bags. For name brands like Samsonite and Travelpro, TJ Maxx and Costco often beat Amazon’s prices. Check both before buying.
Is it worth buying luggage at TJ Maxx?
TJ Maxx consistently has Samsonite, Kenneth Cole, Travelpro, and Delsey at 30-60% below retail. The only downside is unpredictable stock – you might not find exactly what you want on a specific visit. Go flexible on brand and color.
When is the best time to buy luggage?
January and February offer the deepest discounts as retailers clear holiday inventory. Amazon Prime Day (July) and Black Friday are also strong. Avoid buying March through June – that’s peak travel season when prices are highest and sales are rare.
Are outlet store luggage deals real?
Yes. Samsonite outlets carry the same products at 30-50% below retail. Tumi outlets offer 40-50% off luxury luggage. Unlike some clothing brands, major luggage manufacturers don’t produce lower-quality “outlet-only” lines – you’re getting the real product.
Should I buy a luggage set or individual pieces?
Sets save money per piece, especially from Costco. A 3-piece Samsonite set at Costco costs roughly what one piece costs at retail. But only buy a set if you’ll actually use every piece. Most travelers need a carry-on and one checked bag – a third piece often sits in a closet.
Is used luggage worth buying?
For premium brands, yes. Away, Monos, Rimowa, and Tumi bags hold up well and sell for 40-60% of retail on Facebook Marketplace. Inspect wheels, zippers, and the telescoping handle before buying. Avoid bags with cracked shells or broken wheel bearings – those aren’t worth repairing.