easy travel flex

E-ZPass Flex

E-ZPass Flex is an E-ZPass with an additional switchable feature designed specifically for those traveling on Express Lanes. This transponder will specifically benefit those who are traveling with the number of people in their vehicle required to qualify for an HOV discount (2 or 3 depending on the roadway).

When you have the required number of people in your vehicle for that roadway, you can simply slide the switch to the right and the Flex transponder will display "HOV ON." Do this before entering the roadway and you can ride the designated Express Lanes at a discounted toll rate. For those riding with fewer than the required number of people in the vehicle, just slide the switch all the way to the left, covering the words "HOV ON," and travel the designated Express Lanes at the posted toll rate. E-ZPass Flex also works like a standard E-ZPass on all other toll roads wherever E-ZPass is accepted regardless of the position of the switch.

E-ZPass Flex is currently used for discounts on roads in Virginia & North Carolina.  The special transponder can be obtained from the Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland Customer Service Centers. 

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E-ZPass Overview | Miscellaneous | Ordering an E-ZPass | Installing & Using Your E-ZPass | Registering Your New E-ZPass Transponder | Managing Your E-ZPass Account | E-ZPass for Motorcycles and When Towing Trailers | Carpooling with E-ZPass | Using E-ZPass at a Toll Booth | Donations |

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E-ZPass Overview

What is e-zpass.

E-ZPass is an electronic toll collection system. Motorists open a prepaid account and attach a small electronic device called a transponder to their windshield or license plate. As they travel through the toll facilities, tolls are automatically deducted from their pre-paid E-ZPass account.

What is E-ZPass Flex?

The E-ZPass Flex is a switchable E-ZPass transponder that will let you take advantage of toll-free travel on the 64, 66, 95, 395, and 495 Express Lanes in Virginia. The E-ZPass Flex will work on any toll facility where E-ZPass is accepted. E-ZPass Flex Transponders provide additional functionality which allows drivers to identify when their vehicle can be classified as High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) to obtain a discount on those facilities that support the additional Flex functionality. If the required number of people are in the vehicle, and you want to drive on the 64, 66, 95, 395, and 495 Express Lanes for free, you need to switch the E-ZPass Flex to HOV mode before you get on the road. Please note that the number of required people in the vehicle may vary from one toll facility to the next. These toll facilities will not charge your E-ZPass account if you travel with your E-ZPass Flex in HOV mode and have the required number of people in the vehicle. Drivers traveling on any of these express lane toll facilities with less than the required number of people in the vehicle must set their E-ZPass Flex to toll-paying mode and the toll will be electronically debited from their E-ZPass account. You do not need an E-ZPass Flex if you do not plan to travel on the 64, 66, 95, 395, or 495 Express Lanes with the minimum number of people to qualify for the HOV discount.

How do I switch between Toll and HOV modes when using Flex transponders?

Before starting your trip on the High Occupancy Toll (HOT) or the 64, 66, 95, 395, and 495 Express Lanes you must switch your flex transponder to the appropriate Mode, paying (HOV OFF) or not paying (HOV ON). This will depend on whether you have the appropriate number of people in the vehicle before starting your trip.

For paying/HOV mode, simply move the switch to select "HOV ON”, you should hear a beep when you do this.

For toll-paying/HOV OFF mode, simply move the switch to select "HOV OFF."

How does E-ZPass work?

When you open a prepaid account, you receive a small electronic transponder that attaches to the windshield inside your car. Within the transponder is a battery-powered electronic chip encoded with a unique identification code. When you travel through an E-ZPass toll facility, an antenna at the toll plaza reads the information contained in your transponder. The appropriate toll is electronically debited from your prepaid E-ZPass account.

Who runs the E-ZPass program?

The Virginia Department of Transportation runs the program in Virginia.

Where is E-ZPass accepted?

You can use your E-ZPass transponder on all toll roads with specially marked "E-ZPass" lanes. This currently includes roads in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida and Minnesota.

Where is E-ZPass from other states accepted in Virginia?

All Virginia toll roads accept out-of-state E-ZPass.

Where E-ZPass Can Be Used

How much does it cost to open an E-ZPass account?

In order to open an E-ZPass account online or at a Service Center, you need to pre-pay a minimum of $35 in tolls for each transponder you request.

Both Flex and Standard E-ZPass transponders are also available in select Northern Virginia retail stores as E-ZPass On-the-Go Kits. The cost of these transponders includes an up-front cost of $35 which includes $15 of prepaid toll balance for immediate use in Virginia plus an additional $20 prepaid toll balance after the transponder is registered to an account.

Retail transponders can be used immediately in Virginia but should be registered as soon as possible to enable use out-of-state and to claim the full balance. Once a transponder is registered it can take up to 48 hours for the remaining funds to be available outside of Virginia.

Note that the transponders remain the property of the Virginia Department of Transportation and must be returned to the Service Center when the account is closed or the customer will be liable for the lost/stolen fee of $10 for a standard transponder and $20 for a Flex transponder.

If you drive the toll roads frequently, we recommend that you contact us or log into your account to increase your Replenishment threshold (low balance) level and replenishment amount to accommodate your average monthly toll usage.

Is my E-ZPass account information private and secure?

Yes. The Virginia Department of Transportation is committed to protecting your privacy and the security of your account. Please refer to our Privacy Policy and Web Policy statements .

Do I get a discount on tolls if I have an E-ZPass?

Yes. Discounts on tolls are available through some toll facilities.

Can I use cash to pay tolls if I have an E-ZPass transponder in the car?

Not all Virginia toll facilities accept cash at their toll lanes. Visit the E-ZPass website’s Toll Roads page to determine if cash is accepted on the toll road you are traveling. If you are traveling through a toll facility that accepts cash payment and you want to use cash at the tollbooth, the transponder must be removed from your vehicle, wrapped in the original Mylar bag, or wrapped completely in aluminum foil. Otherwise, the toll could be deducted from your E-ZPass account.

Miscellaneous

How many people use e-zpass in virginia.

In Virginia, there are more than 3,000,000 active E-ZPass transponders. There are approximately 20 million electronic toll transactions a month.

Are business accounts available?

Yes. Business accounts are welcome but special rules apply. For assistance, call 1-877-762-7824 or contact your nearest Service Center.

Business Account vs. Personal Account

A Personal E-ZPass account is for personally owned or leased cars, pickup trucks, vans, motorcycles, or RVs.

Business E-ZPass accounts are for those who prefer to hold their account in a business name and could include:

• Those who have vehicles with more than two axles
• Vehicles with greater than 7,000 lbs. maximum gross weight

A business can open an E-ZPass pre-paid toll account by submitting the E-ZPass Business Account Application online , by visiting your nearest Service Center, or by calling 1-877-762-7824. The name of the business and EIN (Employer Identification Number) is required. Please provide the names of two individuals who are authorized to manage the account and their telephone and email contact information. A credit card for initial payment is needed to open an account online. Each account with five or more transponders is required to select automatic replenishment as the replenishment option.

Ordering an E-ZPass

How can i open an e-zpass account.

If you are a Virginia resident, you can open your E-ZPass account in any of these simple ways:

Personal Account Application or Business Account Application

• Apply online
• Call 1-877-762-7824
• Visit one of our Customer Service Centers or DMV partner locations
• Pick up a transponder at an E-ZPass On-the-Go retailer and register online or by phone. Find a list of retail stores here .

If you are a Virginia resident with permanent upper limb mobility impairment, click here for more information . In accordance with Section § 33.2-613 D of the Code of Virginia, you may be eligible for toll-free passage on Virginia toll roads.

Residents of other states should click on their state to apply to their home agency: Delaware, New Jersey, Illinois, New York, Indiana, North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Kentucky and Florida.

Do I need a credit card to open an E-ZPass account?

You can open an E-ZPass account using cash, check or credit card. Personal and Business Accounts with five or more E-ZPass transponders must be set to automatically replenish. This requires a credit card or checking/savings bank routing and account number plus a credit card not linked to the same bank account as a secondary backup payment method.

How long does it take to receive an E-ZPass transponder?

Your transponder is sent out within two business days after contacting our Customer Service Center at 1-877-762-7824 or applying online to open an account or request an additional transponder. For same day service, pick up an On-the-Go transponder at a retail store or visit one of our Service Centers or partner DMV locations.

How do I obtain an additional E-ZPass transponder?

To order an additional transponder to be added to your existing E-ZPass account:

• Log into your account with your username and password
• Click on the Transponder tab and request the additional transponder
• Call 1-877-762-7824 or 1-800-828-1120 for TTY users
• Visit one of our Service Centers or partner DMV locations
• Visit one of our select retail locations to obtain an On-the-Go E-ZPass transponder and then register your new transponder to your already existing E-ZPass account.

Note: The replenishment amount and the low balance level are increased for each additional transponder added to your E-ZPass account.

Mobility Impaired Application

Residents of Virginia with permanent upper limb mobility impairment, in accordance with Section   § 33.2-613 D of the Code of Virginia   may be eligible for toll free passage on Virginia toll roads. Qualifying residents with specially equipped vehicles may receive a restricted use non-revenue transponder for travel within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Please print and complete the Non-Revenue Tag Application: Permanent Upper Limb Mobility Impairment application Parts I, II, and III. Fax or mail the form to the customer service center listed below to submit your application.

The application will be reviewed for completeness and all documents will be submitted to VDOT for approval. When approved, a non-revenue transponder will be issued for use in the vehicle specified in the application.

You must notify the Customer Service Center if there is any change to the information submitted in your original application.

For questions, please contact our Customer Service Center toll free at 877-762-7824, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m, Monday through Friday.

E-ZPass Customer Service Center P.O. Box 1234 Clifton Forge, VA 24422-1234 Phone: 877-762-7824 Fax: 540-302-4773 Hours : Monday-Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Installing & Using Your E-ZPass

How soon can i use my on-the-go transponder.

You can use your OTG transponder immediately in Virginia but will need to register at least 48 hours before using it out-of-state.  Note, in Virginia, prior to registering your transponder you will only be able to access part of your account balance. After your transponder is registered, you will have access to whatever funds are left.

How do I maintain enough funds in my account?

The easiest way to maintain funds in your E-ZPass account is to choose automatic replenishment. When your account balance reaches the low balance level, your replenishment form of payment will be charged for the replenishment amount and the funds will be posted to your account and added to your available balance. Payment options include credit/debit card or checking/savings account electronic funds transfer via ACH and a credit card.  Please note your credit card or bank account must be up to date for the replenishment to be successful.

If you choose manual replenishment, you can add funds to your account by logging in to your account and making a payment from the website. You will need to establish a username and password. You can also call our toll-free automated line, 1-877-762-7824, to make a credit card payment. You will need both your account number and your PIN number to use this automated phone system. You can also make a payment in person at our Service Center locations, partner DMVs, mail payments to the Service Center.

E-ZPass payment examples:

If you have one E-ZPass transponder, you will owe a replenishment amount of your average monthly tolls, or minimum of $35 (whichever is greater) when your account's available balance reaches your low balance level.

If you have three E-ZPass transponders, you will owe a minimum replenishment amount of your average monthly tolls, or minimum of $105 (whichever is greater) when your account's available balance reaches your low balance level.

If you have chosen automatic replenishment, your replenishment amount will be periodically recalculated to ensure you need to replenish approximately only once per month. Your low balance amount will be periodically assessed to ensure you have at least three days of tolls to ensure coverage in the event that there are problems with your replenishment.

What are the benefits of automatic replenishment?

Automatic replenishment is the most convenient way to maintain funds in your account. When you reach your low balance, your selected method of payment is charged automatically to replenish your account. Automatic replenishment eliminates the need to constantly monitor your account balance and spend time authorizing replenishment payments. It saves you time and helps eliminate the possibility of toll violations because of a low or zero account balance. Note that your card and expiration dates must be valid for this process to be successful.

How do I update my credit card or ACH information?

• Log in to your account with your username and password. Then click Payment from the account menu. Select Update Payment Method.
• Call the Customer Service Center at 1-877-762-7824
• Visiting any of our walk-in centers or DMV partner locations

How do I install my E-ZPass transponders?

Each transponder comes with adhesive mounting strips and easy-to-follow instructions. For your transponder to work consistently, it must be mounted properly, so follow the instructions carefully.

• Instructions for mounting to windshield
• Instructions for mounting to license plate

If you believe you have your E-ZPass mounted correctly but it is not reading in the toll lanes, please contact customer service at 877-762-7824 or visit one of our Service Centers to troubleshoot the issue.

Registering Your New E-ZPass Transponder

How do i register my on-the-go transponder.

• Go to the On-the-Go registration page
• Visit any of our walk-in centers or DMV partner locations

NOTE: You will need the transponder number on the front and the code on the back of the transponder to register.

The replenishment amount and the replenishment threshold (low balance) levels are increased for each additional transponder added to your E-ZPass account.

What information do I need to register an On-the-Go transponder?

To register your transponder you will need:

• The transponder number located on the front of the transponder
• The alpha-numeric code located on the back of your transponder
• Driver's license
• The license plate and vehicle information for the vehicle using your E-ZPass
• Payment information to add to your account and/or set up automatic replenishment

Note that you can either register your On-the-Go transponder to your already existing E-ZPass account or you can open a new account and register it there.

Managing Your E-ZPass Account

Do i need to register all my vehicles.

Yes. To ensure seamless use of the E-ZPass transponders in any of your vehicles, you should include the license plate number, state of registration, vehicle type, vehicle make, model, year and color of all your vehicles. You can make changes by logging in to your account , emailing your vehicle changes to [email protected] including your account information, or contacting our Customer Service Center at 1-877-762-7824.

Note: The accuracy of the license plate information is critical. It is very important to keep that information up-to-date and accurate on your E-ZPass account.

What do I do if I buy a new car, move, or change my credit card?

It is important to keep your E-ZPass account information current. Simply login with your username and password on the E-ZPass website to make any changes to your address, vehicle information, or to update your credit card. You may also call 1-877-762-7824 to make these changes through our automated phone system or to speak to a customer service representative. You will be asked for your E-ZPass account number and four-digit PIN number.

How do I use the Automated Phone System?

After dialing 1-877-762-7824, you will be prompted to enter your E-ZPass account number and four-digit PIN number. The automated phone system then allows you to:

• Check your available balance
• Check recent transactions
• Make a payment to your account

Update your credit card number information

What if I forget my PIN number?

Call 1-877-762-7824 and have your personal information ready to give to a customer service representative.

Are the funds in my E-ZPass account assigned to a particular transponder?

No. Regardless of which of your transponders you use, each E-ZPass toll transaction is deducted from your available balance, similar to how it works with cell phone accounts with prepaid phone minutes. All transponders on the account draw from the same available balance.

Can I get a statement to track my E-ZPass toll expenses?

E-ZPass statement options are available to help you track your expenses. Monthly and quarterly summary statements are available online free of charge. Mailed statements are also available starting at $2 per month.

You can also view your transaction history online by logging in to your account.

Can I get a receipt at the tollbooth when I use my E-ZPass?

No. Since E-ZPass is designed to speed up the toll process, receipts will not be available at the lane when using E-ZPass. If you need details of your toll transactions, you can either log into your account online, or elect to receive detailed monthly statements, starting at $2 per month.

Why is my E-ZPass transponder not working?

Some few reasons why your transponder may not be working properly are:

• Your account is out of funds
• Your transponder's battery is running low
• Your transponder is improperly mounted
• Your transponder has not yet been activated at the lane
• A recent payment has not yet been received by the lane
• It can take up to 24 hours for new accounts, payments, and new transponders to be activated and detected at Virginia toll plazas, and up to 48 hours in out-of-state lanes.

Please contact a Service Center for help troubleshooting.

How can I return or exchange my E-ZPass transponder if it is no longer working?

Mail your transponder to: E-ZPass Service Center, PO Box 1234, Clifton Forge, VA 24422-1234 or bring it to a Service Center location. Dedicated E-ZPass Service Centers in Norfolk and Portsmouth have a drop box for your convenience after hours. If you choose to mail your transponder, please wrap the transponder in foil or insert it in the original Mylar bag and enclose a note requesting a replacement. In case of loss, a $10 charge will apply for standard transponders and a $20 charge will apply for Flex transponders.

In addition to these options, some DMV locations will accept transponders for return or exchange during the business hours listed on the website.

Can I switch my E-ZPass transponder to another vehicle?

Yes. You can switch the transponder from one vehicle to another as long as you use it on a vehicle of the same vehicle classification/type. Contact the Service Center at 1-877-762-7824 to request additional mounting strips so that you can move your E-ZPass transponder between vehicles.

Why am I charged if my E-ZPass transponder is lost, damaged or defaced?

When you return your transponder to us, we will either re-issue it to another customer, or send it back to the manufacturer. If it is lost, painted, marked permanently or damaged, we cannot re-issue it and the manufacturer will not take it back. Therefore, we must collect the $10 or $20 lost/stolen fee.

How do I close my E-ZPass account?

You can request to close your account on the E-ZPass website by logging in with your username and password and then clicking on the Close Account tab.

Mail your transponder(s) to E-ZPass Service Center, PO Box 1234, Clifton Forge, VA 24422-1234 or bring it to a Service Center location. If you choose to mail your transponder, please wrap the transponder in aluminum foil or insert it in the original Mylar bag and enclose a note requesting to close your account. In case of loss, a $10 charge will apply for Standard transponders and a $20 charge will apply for Flex transponders. Please note that it is very important that you include your updated address in the note you send us to ensure that we update your records and send any remaining funds to your correct address.

If you have lost your transponder and would like to close your account, provide a credit card number to pay the lost transponder fee. When all transponders on your account are returned or inactive, your account will be closed and a refund of any remaining funds will be processed within 30 days of your request to close your account.

In addition to these options, some DMV locations will accept transponders for return during the business hours listed on the website.

Inactive Account?

If you haven't used your E-ZPass account to pay for a toll in the last 12 months you will receive an inactive account notice. If you want to keep your account open, contact E-ZPass by email or phone.

We use this process to return unused funds to customers who no longer need their account and collect unneeded transponders that belong to the Commonwealth. Please respond to an inactive account notice within 30 days. Failure to respond to the notice may result in account deactivation and initiate the automated closure process.

E-ZPass for Motorcycles and When Towing Trailers

Can i get an e-zpass transponder for my motorcycle.

Yes. The E-ZPass provided for motorcycles is identical to the ones provided for passenger vehicles.  However, it is electronically coded specifically for motorcycle use.  For best performance, the transponder should be installed according to the mounting instructions provided in the packaging.  Not following recommended mounting instructions could result in inconsistent transponder reads. Please call 1-877-762-7824 for additional information and assistance.

Can I use my E-ZPass transponder if I tow a trailer or my boat?

You can switch the transponder from one vehicle to another as long as you use it on a vehicle of the same classification/type. If you tow a trailer or a boat, your vehicle type will change and you will need a different transponder programed with the correct classification/type of your vehicle.

Carpooling with E-ZPass

How do i exchange a standard transponder for a flex transponder.

There are several ways to exchange your standard transponder for a Flex transponder. To request an exchange:

• Log into your account and select the Transponder tab
• Call the Service Center at 1-877-762-7824
• Visit a Service Center

When you receive your Flex transponder, you must then mail your standard transponder to: E-ZPass Service Center, PO Box 1234, Clifton Forge, VA 24422-1234. You may also drop off your standard transponder at one of our Service Centers. Each Service Center has an after-hours drop box for your convenience. If you choose to mail your transponder, please wrap the transponder in foil or insert it in the original Mylar bag. If your transponder is lost or not received, a $10 charge will be applied to your account to cover the cost of the standard transponder.

Please Note: Due to the higher cost of the Flex transponder, users who have not used their Flex transponder for HOV transactions on Express Lanes for a period of twelve months may be asked to exchange their Flex transponder for a standard transponder.

Do I need a Flex transponder?

You will need a Flex transponder only if you plan to travel with 2 or more people in the car on the 64 Express Lanes (Hampton Roads), or with 3 or more people in the car on the 95, 395, and 495 Express Lanes, 66 Outside the Beltway, and 66 Inside the Beltway. Due to the higher cost of the Flex transponder, users who have not used their Flex transponder for HOV transactions on these facilities for any prior twelve-month period may be asked to exchange their Flex transponder for a standard transponder.

Using E-ZPass at a Toll Booth

What do the lights at the tollbooth mean.

Light notifications differ by Toll Facility, but the following are some general descriptions:

Red, blue or white: A red, blue or white light indicates an unpaid toll. If you are in a cash lane, stop and pay the toll. If you are not in a cash lane, for safety reasons, DO NOT stop in the lane. These lights signal that your account is out of funds or there may be something wrong with your transponder or the way it is mounted. Contact the Customer Service Center for assistance.

Yellow: This signals that your account has reached the low balance level and needs to be replenished. If you see this light for more than two consecutive days, contact the Customer Service Center. Please note that if enough toll transactions post to your account simultaneously, you may go directly from seeing a green light to seeing a red, blue or white light. Also note that the yellow light is only available at some toll locations.

Green: Proceed. Your account balance is above the low balance level.

Why are the posted speed limits at the toll booths so low?

The posted speed limits are set to ensure the safety of the toll collectors and the drivers. Toll plazas are very busy places and safety is a major concern.

What should I do if I plan to drive out-of-state?

A trip out-of-state or a change in your driving pattern may have an impact on your E-ZPass account. And if your account is not properly funded at least 48 hours prior to your travel starting, you may be impacted with violations and additional fees.  Please contact the Service Center to check your available balance to be sure you have adequate funds for your tolls. You may also want to make a payment to cover all your anticipated usage and adjust your replenishment amount and low balance level.

It can take up to 24 hours for new accounts, payments, and new transponders to be activated and detected at Virginia toll plazas, and up to 48 hours out-of-state. We recommend you make changes to your account several days in advance of your trip.

What is DRIVE SMART Virginia?

DRIVE SMART Virginia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to raising traffic safety awareness among all road users in order to save lives and reduce injuries on the roadways of Virginia. Their mission is advanced by fostering community partnerships, offering interactive simulator programs, giving workplace and school presentations, attending outreach events, advocating for traffic safety initiatives, and conducting an annual Distracted Driving Summit. DRIVE SMART Virginia also creates, designs, and distributes educational campaigns and materials.

How can I make a donation to DRIVE SMART Virginia Education Fund?

You can donate when making a one-time online payment to your account or every time your account auto replenishes by credit card. For a one-time payment, select the option on the Payment page in your account, enter the amount of the donation and click "Add". To add an automatic donation every time your account replenishes (reaches low balance) visit the Payments page and select Donations.

Will 100% of my donations to stay in Virginia?

Yes. DRIVE SMART Virginia exists solely to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth. The DRIVE SMART Virginia team travels from Wise to Reedville and Fairfax to South Hill to deliver our important programs.

Is my donation to the DRIVE SMART Virginia Education Fund tax-deductible?

DRIVE SMART Virginia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and 100% of your donation is deductible. You will receive an email receipt for each donation amount.

Can I cancel my recurring donation to DRIVE SMART Virginia Education Fund?

Recurring donations can be cancelled at any time by visiting the Payments page in your account.

Is there an administrative fee to collect my donation?

In order to cover costs and ensure that no taxpayer or toll dollars are used to fund this initiative, VDOT collects a small administrative fee from the donation amount. 100% of all funds distributed to DRIVE SMART Virginia are used to provide direct services.

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The Best Travel Bags for Wherever You’re Headed

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best Soft-Shell Bag Travelpro Crew Versapack Read more

Best Hard-Shell Bag Away Bigger Carry-On Flex Read more

Best Budget Bag Travelpro Maxlite 5 Read more

Most Luxurious, Durable Soft Shell Briggs & Riley Baseline CX Read more

Travel bags live a rough life, and good luggage can be expensive. But paying for a decent bag means buying a little peace of mind. A few yards of zippers and either hard plastic or nylon are the only barriers between your bag and the belly of an airliner, the conveyor belt of a baggage claim, and the trunk of a car. In our luggage testing, we put a lot of focus on luggage that's lightweight, rolls easily or fits comfortably on your back, and doesn't split open on the way to your destination.

Whether you're slinging a duffel into a car trunk for a weekend trip or packing for a whirlwind jaunt across Asia, we've got you covered. Need a bag for your passport or groceries? Don't forget to check out our other guides, like the Best Laptop Backpacks and the Best Recycled Bags , for more picks.

Updated November 2023: We’ve updated pricing and retailer availability, as well as added the Land's End Waxed Canvas Duffel, Target Signature Weekender Bag, and Db Ramverk Pro Front-Access Carry.

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Best Soft-Shell Bag

The Travelpro Versapack bag consists of modules that zip into the lid of its main compartment. It comes with a single compartment module that's good for separating dirty laundry and others are available separately. There is one that folds into thirds to keep suits and shirts wrinkle-free and another made of several small compartments. It has a sealed, clear-plastic pocket for toiletries that’s removable if you have to go through a security screening.

The Crew Versapack is heavy at 7.9 pounds for the roll-aboard version. There are lots of pockets, and the handles are nicely padded, securely attached, and … kind of tight. The aluminum handle extensions are solid, smooth, and don’t get hung up. It's heavy but very tough and full-featured.

I also give points to Travelpro for adding a pocket for a battery bank, with a pass-through for a cable. You can buy a portable battery and stuff it in there.

Best Hard-Shell Bag

Away's newest bag is a version of its stalwart hard-sided Bigger Carry-On, with a twist: It has an expandable fabric section between the two polycarbonate clamshells that lets you grow your bag an extra 2.25 inches when you're coming back from a trip with tons of extra trinkets.

Hard-shell bags tend to be unforgiving when you need to cram extra stuff into them, so the flexibility was nice and helpful for wedging it into overhead bins. There's a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, four spinner wheels capable of rotating 360 degrees, and an included laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate from the rest of your stuff.

Best Budget Bag

The Maxlite 5 is good but not perfect. At 5.4 pounds, it's very light for a rolling suitcase. The exterior toiletry pocket is a nice touch for when you go through security and need to take out your liquids and the zippers are also quite strong and don't tend to get stuck, which is a big problem with cheap suitcases. The wheels also rolled nicely on both the spinner and roll-aboard versions. Cheaper suitcase manufacturers will skimp on the wheels and pick ones that have too much rolling resistance.

The aluminum extensions for the handle have a tendency to stick, and the Maxlite 5's main handle is only single-stitched. I also worry about the durability of that handle and the fabric slit at the bottom of the suitcase that replaced the Maxlite 4's bottom-side handle, but we haven't had any issues yet. Despite this, it's made better than most everything else in the $100 - $150 price range.

Most Luxurious, Durable Soft Shell

A Briggs & Riley carry-on was WIRED editor Adrienne So's first and super expensive post-college purchase. Briggs & Riley is one of the few companies with a lifetime unlimited warranty. She recently had to replace a busted zipper, and it was done for free at a nearby B&R retailer within a few days.

Its components are top-of-the-line. The face fabric is a heavy-duty ballistic nylon that’s water-repellent and abrasion-resistant, and Adrienne's is still as gleaming bright red today as when she bought it. The zippers have survived a decade of being yanked on, and the low-profile wheels haven't broken or fallen off. The grab handles are also luxuriously padded. Back when people used to travel, her husband had her carry his suits for him because they'd stay wrinkle-free. The only downside is that at 9.3 pounds, it’s pretty heavy.

Aarian Marshall

Amy Paturel

Parker Hall

Jeremy White

Most Luxurious Hard Shell

Aluminum suitcases usually cost into the four figures. Away's suitcase is not what I'd call affordable, but it is attainable ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ).

The metal is thick, and the fixtures are solid; Away didn't cheap out on the materials. Two organizer panels inside keep your stuff from shifting around, and there's a stowable interior laundry bag to keep dirty clothes off your clean clothes. There's also an option for an integrated power bank that's accessible through a flip-up door near the handle. The battery only costs $20, so you may as well get it if you don't have one.

An aluminum bag will dent and scratch over time, and you should accept that before you splash down big money on one. You may be able to baby it a little more if you never check it, but it's unlikely that you'll make it more than a few trips with it looking minty new. Then again, I agree with Away that a dinged-up and well-traveled bag ends up looking pretty sweet.

Best Duffel Bag

The Big Haul ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is our favorite duffel because it hits the right balance of robust build materials and pockets without being too heavy to lug around all day. The standout feature of the Big Haul series, which comes in 28-liter to 120-liter options, is the ability to easily reposition the carrying straps, which feature plastic fishhook-style ends that slip into fabric loops. You can connect one strap end-to-end or double up on two straps in an H pattern for more stability with heavy loads. Adding and removing the straps isn't super fast, but it's not difficult, either, and six low-profile loops seems less intrusive than six rattling plastic buckles.

Two small interior pockets and an exterior pocket keep small things organized, and its water-resistant fabric is thick and tough without being stiff. All the sewing around the grab handles feels very robust too. Padded backpack straps hide away under a padded pocket on the top of the bag. This means that when you sling the Big Haul over your shoulders to give your arms a rest, your back is against the relatively clean top of the duffel, rather than a wet, dirty bottom side that's been set down on the ground. The current iteration of the Big Haul is also made with recycled nylon. What's not to love?

An Absolutely Rugged Bag

I've been trying to ruin my PR5 for almost a decade. It's my standard traveling bag, whether I'm taking it through an airport for a weekend trip or hauling a bunch of gear to a dirty base camp. I've used it for whitewater paddling trips and to lug mountain climbing equipment from coast to coast. I've tossed pointy, pokey things like ice axes and trekking poles into it and overloaded it beyond a reasonable weight; I still can't find a frayed thread.

Everything about Red Oxx is overbuilt. The zippers are huge, its thick pieces of nylon webbing are robustly sewn, and chunky metal rings hang the detachable carrying strap. All that said, it's not abominably heavy. At 3.4 pounds it's still lighter than many wheeled bags.

A Solid Wheeled Duffel

Wheeled duffels are a bit odd, but if done right, they're the best of both worlds. With this model, you get the ability to cram its soft sides into tight spaces and also have a frame and hardware that can support a heavy load without flopping all over the place.

It weighs only 4 pounds, 14 ounces, making it a lot lighter than any rolling suitcase, but it also has about a quarter less storage space. The Gear Warrior has been going in and out of stock lately, but if you find it sold out, it should become available again soon.

Other Bags We Like

Not every good product can snag a best-in-category title, but there are several more bags we've tested that get our thumbs-up and deserve a mention.

The North Face Base Camp for $129 : Unlike most duffel bags these days, this is a cylindrical duffel bag. If you're a folder, it can be difficult to keep everything straight and wrinkle-free as you pack it into the Base Camp's curved bottom, but those who roll their clothes won't have any problems. I compared the Base Camp ( 6/10, WIRED Reviews ) to a sturdy, old truck, more than competent enough for tough jobs but lacking in finer details of more modern bags. It's a workhorse used often by the outdoors crowd, so while the water-resistant fabric and the handles are durable, they just don't feel as nice to the touch.

Patagonia Black Hole 40L for $159 : This is another great adventure duffel with a water-resistant fabric coating and backpack straps. It's It's 1.5 inches too thick in one dimension for US domestic carry-on requirements and could have a bit more waterproof material. But it's a duffel, so you can squish it to fit in an overhead bin.

Tom Binh Aeronaut 45 Duffel for $330 : It's tough to find a made-in-the-US bag these days, but as long as you're willing to pony up the extra coin, you'll find it in this Seattle-made, carry-on-size duffel. WIRED reviewer Martin Cizmar applauded the sturdiness of the 1050-denier nylon fabric and YKK zippers, which held up well on tough streets and even tougher airlines over the 10 years he's been using it. There are hideaway backpack straps, plus what Martin calls the most comfortable cross-body strap he's ever used.

Gregory Alpaca 40 Duffel for $140 : This one impressed me. It weighs a scant 2.7 pounds, but the water-resistant fabric and extraordinarily beefy (though plastic) buckles make it a solid bag for adventuring. It's not quite as burly as the Base Camp, Big Haul, and Red Oxx bags, and it lacks triple-stitching, but it feels tougher than most, including the Eagle Creek below. There's an exterior pocket for storing shoes or dirty clothes. The backpack straps don't tuck away for storage—you have to unclip them—but might be the most well-padded, comfortable straps I've encountered on a duffel. Exterior daisy chains and an interior zippered pocket round out the impressive features list.

Land's End Waxed Canvas Duffel for $90 $180 : Most duffel bags these days are made of nylon, and while it's tough to call a material that's been popular since the 1940s “modern,” nylon bags don't have the old-school charm that this waxed canvas bag does. Cotton canvas, covered in wax for water resistance, is offset with leather. It feels well-made, with durable stitching, chunky leather handles, and burlier-than-typical zippers. The internal zippered pocket is a nice touch, as well.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler 40L for $149 : Two things jump out about the Cargo Hauler. First, it weighs 1 pound, 13 ounces, which is only slightly heavier than air. Second, it has backpack straps that stow away in a front pocket. It's less heavy-duty than the other duffels in this guide, but it doesn't feel cheap.

Skyway Epic Carry-On for $80 : Bags under $100 are sometimes dodgy. At 7.1 pounds, the Epic is on the lighter end of average. While it's a fair bit cheaper than the Maxlite 5, our favorite budget bag, it's also a couple pounds heavier. The handle is a wee bit more finicky, and the Travelpro's wheels glide a little more nicely. Still, for under $100, the Skyway's zippers and wheels were of fine quality. These are areas cheap bags usually skimp on. If you must spend less than $100 on a bag, the Epic is a solid choice.

Db Ramverk Pro Front-Access Carry for $699 : If you need an absolutely bomber-tough rolling suitcase and don't mind its 9.6-pound weight, the Pro Front-Access Carry will stand up to more abuse than most rolling bags, with its aluminum frame and 70-percent-recycled polycarbonate body. WIRED reviewer Chris Haslam says it's his favorite rolling bag in years, sold on its usefulness by what he calls its brilliantly simple front compartment that gives instant access to your stuff, without having to lay the bag flat. Add in a pull-up toggle that easily lifts your laptop clear without disturbing your other belongings and their multi-compartment camera inserts, and you've got a seriously versatile bag for active travelers.

Target Signature Weekender Bag for $81 : Looking like a cross between a duffel and a handbag, the Weekender has a structure that product reviewer Louryn Strampe says can become overfilled, so keep that in mind if you plan to bring it onto a plane as a carry-on. She appreciates its durability and the many internal pockets for organization, though, and its rather long five-year warranty.

Solgaard Carry-On Closet Plus for $365 : It's a tiny bit over what most airlines list as the maximum dimensions, but the difference is so small that it's accepted 95 percent of the time. WIRED reviewer Louryn Strampe praises its optional clip-in closet clothing organizer, which makes for efficient packing. The built-in TSA lock is easy to use, and there's an internal power-bank pocket. This suitcase is included in our Favorite Upcycled Products guide.

July Checked Bag for $325 : This bag uses a polycarbonate shell with aluminum bumpers, striking a good compromise between weight and durability. It’s lighter than the 16-inch Monos checked bag that WIRED reviewer Adrienne So tested by about a pound, and it showed fewer scratches and rub marks on a trip. However, the Monos’ telescoping handle has a much smoother roll-out, and the surface is smooth, not pebbled.

Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On for $200 : This is a hard-side, four-wheeled spinner carry-on made from an outer shell of durable polypropylene. Standout features include an interior fabric made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles and a “WetPak” storage pocket for keeping damp items separated from the rest of your luggage.

Adidas Defender Duffel for $40 : If you're looking for an inexpensive duffel that'll handle some light-duty traveling, this is a good way to save $100. The fabric is significantly thinner and less sturdy than that of other duffels in this guide, and it lacks backpack straps. If there's a chance you'll have to check it often, I'd look elsewhere. But for taking on the train or tossing into a car trunk, it'll do the trick.

Paravel Aviator International Carry-On for $395 : This carry-on has an interior lining made of recycled plastic bottles, a telescoping handle made of recycled aluminum, and vegan leather trim to help it stand out from all the plain black bags at the airport. Product reviewer Jaina Grey really fell in love with its roomy interior and durable, anti-scuff hard-shell exterior.

Bags We Don't Like

Some bags just aren't worth the asking price, especially with so many good alternatives at all price points.

Peugeot Voyages Carry-On Spinner for $595 : What a price tag for a plastic-case suitcase. You can see where Peugeot tried to imbue the Voyages with some luxury, such as the metal riveting and built-in travel locks, but the case felt no more solid than a budget hardside bag, and the USB charging port felt cheap, like an outlet you'd find built into a seat in an airport terminal. For this kind of money, the telescoping handle felt cheap and flimsy. The wheels rolled particularly smoothly and quietly, and I'll give it a nod for the built-in locks and luxe interior that comes with a zippered clamshell and mesh pocket to keep your belongings from shifting around.

Eagle Creek Caldera Convertible International Carry-On for $469 : At 6 pounds, 2 ounces, this bag is a bit heavy. There's a zip-off 19-liter backpack that you can separate from the rest of the 37-liter bag, but when they're zipped together, the combined size doesn't meet carry-on size restrictions, so you need to separate them and carry them like a conventional duo of luggage and backpack onto the plane. Its soft sides offer little protection for your stuff, too.

Ebags CTS Carry-On Spinner for $200 : This one wasn't awful for the price, but there are much better options for the money. Its hard plastic sides felt more brittle than the hard-sided plastic Away suitcases, so although I didn't break it during my use, I'd worry about its resistance to shattering if checked by an airline. The handle rattles a lot and it didn't roll quite as smoothly as other bags.

A Few Travel Accessories

Once you've got your bag, you'll want to pack it with a few more useful items:

Tripp One-Outlet Surge Protector for $10 protects your devices from power surges. Some countries have less reliable electrical infrastructure, and you never know how well that discount hotel's outlets are wired.

Eagle Creek Specter Pack-It Cubes Three-Pack for $30 keep everything inside your bags organized by allowing you to separate it into different cubes, so you won't ever have to hunt through seven pairs of socks to find your bathing suit again.

UrPower Portable Steamer for $24 (Click the Coupon) beats a travel iron because it's far lighter and you don't need to hunt down an ironing board at your hotel. WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano and I both have been using UrPowers for years. For a tiny thing, it's powerful and effective at steaming practically anything. You just need to refill it often.

Samsonite Manual Luggage Scale for $15 is handy when you're packing a heavy bag for an upcoming trip. Use it to weigh your luggage and make sure it's within the weight limits. International airlines are sticklers for carry-on weight, and even American airlines will be unforgiving about weight for checked bags.

Incase MacBook Sleeves for $50 will keep your laptop from bearing the damage caused by airport security lines. Travel through an airport without a case and it's only a matter of time before a bare laptop or tablet picks up nasty scratches and dents. For tablets, check out the Zugu iPad Case for $50 .

Apple AirTag for $29 is something we have mixed thoughts on , but if you have an iPhone, it's one of the best ways to keep a digital eye on your bags. These Bluetooth trackers utilize the sheer number of smartphones to report their location regularly back to your device. Even if you don't plan on checking your bag, you might end up having to gate-check it on crowded flights. Drop an AirTag into an interior pocket to make sure you and your luggage are reunited at your destination.

How to Pick the Right Size Bag

Every airline sets its own dimensional requirements for carry-on baggage. Broadly, they're split into two categories: domestic and international.

Domestic flights by US airlines (and a few others) have standardized on 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

International carry-on bag sizes tend to be about 21 inches tall and a bit narrower, but they're all over the place. It's tough, because many international airlines will measure your bags at the airport and reject anything even slightly bigger than the allowed size. If you fly outside the US a lot, you may as well buy a bag sized for international flights.

You'll also want to check each airline's weight limits. They vary wildly, but some international airlines restrict you to 15 or 20 pounds, including the weight of the bag itself. There are also East Asian airlines that limit carry-on bags to 11 pounds. Once you subtract 6 or more pounds for the bag, you're not left with much wiggle room to put stuff inside.

Two Wheels or Four?

The other difference is how many wheels a bag has. Two-wheeled roll-aboard bags are lighter than ones with four spinning wheels, have more room inside, and their wheels are larger and more durable than spinners. That could come in handy on cobblestone streets when you're heading to your hotel.

For carry-on sizes, I prefer roll-aboard bags. Any extra space in a carry-on is precious, and suitcases this small tend to be easy enough to maneuver without spinning wheels. Most of the rolling suitcases we recommend are available in either configuration, although spinners tend to cost more.

When to Remove Battery Banks

Battery banks, also known as power banks, are a travel must-have. Whether you're using a tablet to watch movies on your flight or relying on your phone to coordinate rideshares, hotel check-in, and handle your boarding passes, you've got to keep those devices charged and topped up. Many bags offer a removable battery bank that slides into a special pocket or notch of the suitcase.

For carry-on luggage on a flight in the US, you're allowed to bring a lithium-ion battery of 100 watt-hours or less. You don't need to remove it from the suitcase's pocket if you're storing your bag in the overhead bin.

Lithium-ion battery banks are not allowed in checked luggage. If you check your bag or have to gate-check it, make sure to remove the battery bank before you give your suitcase to the gate agent. Slip the battery bank into your purse, backpack, or pocket for the duration of the flight.

Primary testing was done by Matt Jancer. Adrienne So, Louryn Strampe, and Jaina Grey also contributed to this guide.

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4 Things to Know Before Getting the Chase Freedom Flex

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Looking for a $0 -annual fee credit card with rewarding bonus spending categories? Look no further than the Chase Freedom Flex℠ , a solid Chase travel card for beginners that offers up to 5% in bonus reward categories that change every three months.

But before you apply, consider those rotating categories, how to get the most out of your rewards and the all-important Chase 5/24 rule — which limits the number of personal credit cards you can open within a two-year period. Here are a few things you should know before getting the Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card.

About the Chase Freedom Flex℠

This card has a tempting bonus offer for new cardmembers: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

Plus, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in bonus categories each quarter that you activate those categories, 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases, and 1% on everything else.

Combine all that with a $0 annual fee and flexible rewards that don’t expire as long as your account is open. It's a solid card for newbies, which introduces them to Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

» Learn more: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards®

What to know before getting the Chase Freedom Flex℠

Not everyone can make the most of this card’s unique benefits. Here are four things you should know before you apply.

1. How to activate bonus categories every quarter

Chase Freedom Flex℠ features a set earning rate in most spending categories. But there are also bonus spending categories that pay up to 5% cash back — if you activate them in time. These categories change every quarter.

The trick is remembering to manually activate bonus categories before the activation deadline and understanding what bonus categories are open at any given time. Fortunately, Chase publishes a cash-back calendar for this card so you can plan some of your spendings to earn more in each quarter.

For example, the 2021 bonus calendar was:

January–March: Wholesale clubs; internet, cable, and phone services; and select streaming services.

April–June: Gas stations and home improvement stores.

July–August: Select streaming services and grocery stores (not including Walmart and Target).

October–December: Purchases made using PayPal at Walmart.

Again, you have to manually activate each bonus category before the deadline to earn the 5% cash back. There are several ways to do so:

Visit www.chase.com/ultimaterewards or chase.com/freedomflex and follow the steps.

Get notified by email and activate with one click. Ensure the email address associated with your online account is up to date.

Use the Chase Mobile app.

Call the number on the back of your card.

Visit any Chase bank and have a personal banker activate for you.

If you're a Chase checking customer, use an ATM and activate it while making a cash withdrawal.

Some might consider this an annoying extra step, but it's worth it to earn more cash back.

If you have multiple Chase Freedom cards, you'll have to activate bonus categories on each one individually.

2. How to get the most out of your points

There's no minimum when it's time to redeem your cash-back rewards, and you can redeem them for a statement credit or have them deposited into your checking account (points are worth 1 cent apiece).

You can even book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, an option made even more valuable if you also have a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . That’s because you can transfer the rewards you earned with the Chase Freedom Flex℠ to your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card account and use them to book and pay for travel through Chase's travel portal where points are worth 25% more.

Alternatively, you can redeem rewards for gift cards or link your Chase Freedom Flex℠ card to your Amazon account and use rewards to pay for all or part of your purchases. Keep in mind that these are the least valuable redemption options, as your points will be worth about 0.8 cents a piece on Amazon.

» Learn more: 4 best credit card combinations to maximize rewards

3. How to win with the "Chase Trifecta"

If you want to earn the most points and rewards possible, consider using the Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card along with the two other cards that make up the Chase trifecta .

Start by applying for three complementary cards, including one like the Chase Freedom Flex℠ that offers bonus category spending, a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card that offers more earning potential on non-bonus category spending and a card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® that offers a flat 1.5x rewards rate for other purchases.

Then spend strategically. Use the Chase Freedom Flex℠ for bonus category purchases, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for purchases such as travel not booked through Chase's travel portal and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for anything you’d only get 1x rewards for on the other cards.

When it’s time to redeem your rewards, transfer them all to the account that offers a redemption bonus. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , for example, rewards cardmembers with a 25% bonus when you redeem points for travel through Chase.

You might consider upgrading your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . Though the card comes with a $550 annual fee, it gets you a 50% boost on travel booked in the portal.

4. The Chase 5/24 rule

Just be sure to keep in mind Chase's 5/24 rule , which isn't published anywhere on Chase's website but stipulates that Chase credit card applicants must have fewer than five approvals for credit cards within the last 24 months to be approved for another. So if your goal is to apply for multiple cards, space those applications out.

The bottom line

If you don’t mind a card that requires a bit more hands-on attention than a card that offers flat, possibly less lucrative rewards, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ might be a good card for you. Just be sure to activate your bonus spending categories every quarter and consider pairing it with another Chase credit card (or two) for ultimate earning and redeeming potential.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

How to Make Flexible Travel Plans: 5 Tips to Save Time & Money

by  Annie  

Published:  October 28, 2022

Learning how to make flexible travel plans for your flights, lodging, and transportation can save you hundreds (or thousands!) when you have to make unexpected changes to your trip. In this article, you’ll discover how to make your own flexible travel plans. We’ll cover what you need to consider before booking and what to look for before you hand over your credit card!

Once we’ve decided to take a trip, we’re going to make it happen, right? Unfortunately, life may have other ideas. Creating flexible travel plans for your next adventure can keep you from losing the money you’ve already spent on your trip, if your plans need to change!

During the fall of 2022, I found insanely cheap flights to Peru and booked them immediately, knowing I had major life events coming up that could impact my plans. Spoiler -- they did. I canceled my trip to Peru and decided to spend five weeks in Toronto, Canada instead. Because I made flexible travel plans, I didn’t lose a single cent in the process of rearranging my travels.

*** This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase using the link, I receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. This helps me keep the lights on around here. I only recommend products and services I personally use and love. ***

Choosing Flights for Flexible Travel Plans

Making flexible travel plans for your flights can save a bundle!  (Photo by Jerry Zhang on Unsplash )

Making your flights flexible without spending extra can be tricky. Many airlines offer fully refundable tickets, but you’ll usually pay at least double the price of a standard fare. One way to make flexible travel plans without paying more is to choose flights that will give you a credit to use later, should you decide to cancel. This worked well for me when booking my cheap flights to Peru .

Choose an airline you use often when booking tickets that offer a credit. Book directly with the airline instead of using a third party. This makes it much easier to change or cancel your plans. Be sure to read the fine print before you purchase and keep all the emails and receipts you receive, in case you need to reference them when making changes.

Miles and rewards points can also be helpful for making flexible travel plans. When I canceled my trip to Peru, Delta refunded all the SkyMiles I’d used without any penalty!  Again, be sure to check with the specific airline to see what options their rewards plan offers.

How to Make Flexible Travel Plans for Lodging

It’s pretty easy to find rooms with free cancellation these days.  (Photo by Christopher Jolly on Unsplash )

Thankfully, making flexible travel plans for your accommodations is fairly simple. Many hotels and traditional lodging options allow you to cancel for free until a few days before your arrival. There are plenty of places that don’t even collect payment until you get there. 

My two favorite booking sites -- Booking.com and Hostelworld -- make it easy to see the cancellation options when you book. Hostelworld only collects a deposit at the time of booking and gives you the choice to make it fully refundable before you pay. Booking.com will show you the payment options available for each room and you can even filter your search results to only see properties that offer free cancellation!

Making Flexible Travel Plans for Your Transportation

Making flexible travel plans for transportation is pretty easy too!  (Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash )

If your trip is going to include a rental car or train tickets, there are multiple ways to make flexible travel plans. For bus and train tickets, you don’t need to book very far ahead! In many places, train tickets aren’t even available for purchase more than twelve weeks in advance. 

It’s a good idea to pre-book a rental car , if that’s how you’ll be getting around. Traditional rental agencies usually offer a fully refundable option that’s not much more than the standard rate. Local agencies and services like Turo , typically offer generous cancellation policies as well. Just be sure to read the fine print before you book.

If you’re planning to travel by bus or train , you may not need to book until a few days before you travel. Depending on your destination, you may even be able to purchase your ticket at the station, which means you don’t have to solidify your plans until the last minute.* 

Most bus and train companies are run by the local country or individual businesses so their policies will vary. There are usually refundable fares available if you’re purchasing in advance. Simply look for those options when booking and, as always, read the fine print.

How Travel Insurance Can Help With Flexible Travel Plans

The right travel insurance can help you save if your plans change too.  (Photo by Vlad Deep on Unsplash )

Travel insurance is another option that can help you create flexible travel plans. Most policies only cover you in case of a medical emergency or basic mishaps like lost luggage. However, there are plans that offer coverage if you cancel for any reason. 

The “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) options tend to be more expensive than the general coverage. However, if your trip requires the majority of your bookings to be made far in advance or if your pre-booked elements come with a hefty price tag, this may be a good way to ensure you don’t lose your money if you need to change or cancel. 

A simple internet search will give you a long list of insurance companies offering this type of coverage. Every policy is different so be sure to read the details. Though I’ve purchased travel insurance on many trips, I prefer to make flexible travel plans using these other methods so I’ve never chosen a “cancel for any reason” policy. I do know there’s more paperwork involved to get payment from insurance companies so I take the simpler route whenever possible.

What to Do If Your Travel Plans Change

Pretty sure this is how I felt for days before actually canceling my plans to Peru! (Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash )

It can be disappointing and frustrating when you have to change or cancel your trip. The good news is that if you make flexible travel plans using the information in this article, making adjustments is simple! You take care of everything with just a few clicks and not worry about losing your money. 

When canceling my trip to Peru, the Delta app allowed me to cancel all three reservations from my phone. The SkyMiles were immediately put back into my account and the taxes refunded to my credit card. For flights I’d paid for using my credit card, they simply issued a credit to use on future bookings and I received an email with the information for how to redeem them. If you choose this option and aren’t going to use the credit right away, be sure to note the expiration date and save any emails you receive for future reference. 

My accommodations were easy to cancel through the Booking.com app. I simply selected the reservation I wanted to cancel and followed the steps. Because I planned to visit during the shoulder season when there aren’t as many tourists, I was waiting to make transportation arrangements so there was nothing to cancel there. 

Wrapping Up Flexible Travel Plans

Canceling plans might suck, but you never know what’s just around the corner. (Photo by Julian Timmerman on Unsplash )

One of the things I love most about indie travel is the ability to make flexible travel plans any time! It means I can start creating my trip without feeling anxious about losing a pile of money if my situation changes. The peace of mind is worth the few extra dollars it may cost to keep things flexible. 

Here are a handful other articles that you may find helpful for saving money and planning your own epic international adventures:

• 7 Tips for Finding Cheap Flights to Anywhere
• 5 Types of Accommodations and How to Use Them to Save Money
• Types of Transportation To Consider for Your Trip
• How to Plan Your Own Trip to Europe

If you want to learn all the ins and outs of planning your own international trips, have a look at the How to Plan Your Own Unique and Affordable International Trips course . It covers everything from creating an itinerary you’ll love through booking every element you’ll need!

If you don’t have the time or energy to plan every single bit of your trip or would like to get a bit of personalized help with your plans, check out these consulting services created specifically for indie travelers like you. 

Let’s Connect!

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5 Unique & Easy International Travel Destinations for Your Next Trip

How i found cheap flights to peru: see the research, routes, and prices, kotor travel guide: 5 unique things to do, helpful tips, and avoiding crowds.

About the author 

Fun Lover. Food Eater. Bold Explorer. Big Dreamer. Annie is a fiercely independent traveler who loves to create unique and interesting experiences. She thrives on finding the magical moments and hidden gems waiting around every corner. Her passion for helping others make their travel dreams come true fuels her work as a travel planner, consultant, educator, and community builder.

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It is a very useful article..Thanks Annie…!

Thank you, Joseph! I’m glad it was helpful. 🙂

Bummer that you didn’t make it to Peru but amazing that you didn’t lose money! Thanks for sharing your smart money-saving and anxiety-reducing tips!

Yes, I’ll definitely get to Peru! I’m super grateful that it all worked out easily.

Hah, I love your About Me “Fun Lover. Food Eater!” Don’t we all love good food around the world? Great tips on how to be flexible while traveling. We’ve had plans change with canceled flights, a cruise canceled because of Covid…flexibility is the key.

Ha! Yes, I’m the Chief Eating Officer around here! It’s rough when plans change, but I hope it was simple and easy for you too.

It’s great that we seem to have more flexability these days with travel plans!

Yes it is! I’m very happy about it!

Great post! I try to steer clear of making travel plants that *aren’t* flexible because it’s so nice to have the opportunity to change them! I love using Southwest, Booking.com, and National Car Rental because they are all super flexible and don’t charge change fees!

Yes! It makes everything so much easier, and it doesn’t usually cost much more. Happy to hear you do it too!

It's great to know that there are accommodations that will allow your to cancel for free when things happen. We hope to find a place like that in Bathurst 1000 home hire this year, since we just want to be prepared for certain situations. But, hopefully, we won't have to cancel because we definitely want to go on a vacationthis summer.

Yes! There are plenty that will let you cancel for free. Most are very up-front about it, so you can even filter for it. I hope you don’t have to cancel!

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Inside Vodafone

Vodafone easytravel: so surfst und telefonierst du sorgenfrei im ausland.

27. Juli 2023

• Featured Redaktion

Du ver­reist in die USA, Türkei, Schweiz oder nach Kana­da? Dann nimm Deinen  Voda­fone-Tarif doch ein­fach mit! Mit Voda­fone Easy­Trav­el und den Tar­ifen Easy­Trav­el Tag, Woche und Flat tele­fonierst und surf­st Du auch in Nicht-EU-Län­dern wie zuhause.

Ein paar Tage Busi­ness-Trip, eine Woche relax­ter Urlaub oder ein län­ger­er Aufen­thalt: Gute Gründe, um ins Aus­land zu reisen, gibt es genug. Allerd­ings ist der Tarif-Wech­sel in ein fremdes Netz nicht immer unkom­pliziert. Mit den Voda­fone Easy­Trav­el-Ange­boten nimmst Du Deinen Tarif mit allen bekan­nten Vorteilen ganz ein­fach mit, und das für einen Tag, für eine Woche oder für ein ganzes Jahr.

Auch im Ausland surfen und telefonieren wie zuhause

Inner­halb der EU sowie in Nor­we­gen, Liecht­en­stein und Island tele­fonierst und surf­st Du dank des EU-Roam­ings ganz ein­fach wie zuhause. In diesen Län­dern wan­der­st Du vom Voda­fone-Netz ohne Weit­eres in die lokalen Net­ze und kannst dort ohne Zusatzkosten den Mobil­funk nutzen. Auch wenn Du einen Pre­paid Callya-Tarif hast, greift das EU-Roam­ing für Dich. Aber was ist mit anderen beliebten Reisezie­len wie USA, Kana­da, Türkei und der Schweiz?

Hier kannst Du Dich als Vodafone-Kund:in ganz ein­fach und spon­tan für ein passendes Easy­Trav­el-Ange­bot anmelden und Deinen Tarif für die Dauer Deines Aufen­thalts wie zuhause weit­er­nutzen.

Du bist noch kein:e Vodafone-Kund:in oder möcht­est Deinen bish­eri­gen Tarif opti­mieren? Kein Prob­lem, hier find­est Du Dein neues Mobil­funk-Ange­bot!

+++ Hier geht‘s zu den aktuellen Ange­boten im Voda­fone-Shop +++

Die EasyTravel-Tarife

Es geht für Dich in eines der Easy­Trav­el-Län­der Schweiz, Türkei, USA, Kana­da, Andor­ra, Färöer-Inseln, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jer­sey oder Mona­co? Wenn Du einen der Voda­fone-Tar­ife Voda­fone Gig­aMo­bil , Red, Smart 2022, bis Smart 2017 im Smart L, L+, XL, Voda­fone Gig­aMo­bil Young, Voda­fone Young ‚Voda­fone Easy oder eine Fam­i­ly­Card hast, prof­i­tierst Du in diesen Län­dern ganz stress­frei von den Voda­fone Easy­Trav­el-Tar­ifen.

+++ Hier find­est Du alle Easy­Trav­el-Ange­bote in der Über­sicht +++

EasyTravel Tag

Geht es für Dich nur einen Tag mobil in ein Easy­Trav­el-Land außer­halb der EU, reicht das Easy­Trav­el Tag-Ange­bot . Im Aus­land angekom­men, startet Dein Easy­Trav­el Tag automa­tisch, sobald Du surf­st, tele­fonierst oder eine SMS ver­schickst. Für 7,99 Euro pro Tag kannst Du dann flat im Reise­land und nach Deutsch­land tele­fonieren und SMS versenden. Zusät­zlich erhältst Du das Daten­vol­u­men Deines Voda­fone-Tar­ifs auch fürs Aus­land. Der Zeitraum des Easy­Trav­el Tages läuft von 0 bis 24 Uhr deutsch­er Ort­szeit.

+++ Hier find­est Du mehr Infos zum Easy­Trav­el Tag-Ange­bot +++

Du hast einen Smart Tech Tarif für Deine Smart­watch? Dann nimm ihn ein­fach mit ins Aus­land mit Smart Tech Easy­Trav­el Tag !

EasyTravel Woche

Die Easy­Trav­el Woche   funk­tion­iert ganz ähn­lich. Für Deine sor­gen­freie Reise­woche in die oben genan­nten Län­der brauchst Du nur eine SMS mit „Easy7“ an die 70127 senden oder in der Mein­Voda­fone-App die Easy­Trav­el Woche zu aktivieren.

Am besten buchst Du die Option schon am Tag vor Dein­er Abreise und aktivierst das Roam­ing in Deinen Ein­stel­lun­gen. Dann erhältst Du für nur 21,99 Euro ab Ankun­ft eine volle Woche lang Dein gewohntes Daten­vol­u­men und tele­fonierst per Flat nach Deutsch­land und im Reise­land. Die Option ist bis zu sieben Tage und bis um 23:59 deutsch­er Zeit aktiv.

Auch hier sind SMS natür­lich inbe­grif­f­en. Nach Ablauf des Zeitraumes endet das Ange­bot automa­tisch. Wenn Du länger als sieben Tage weg­bleib­st, kannst Du das Ange­bot natür­lich ein­fach für eine weit­ere Woche oder einzelne Tage ver­längern.

+++ Hier find­est Du mehr Infos zur Easy­Trav­el Woche +++

EasyTravel Flat Flex

Du bist länger unter­wegs? Dann ist Easy­Trav­el Flat Flex das Richtige für Dich. Mit diesem flex­i­blen Reise­tarif bist Du ein halbes Jahr lang in den Easy­Trav­el Län­dern abgesichert.

Bei ein­er Ver­tragslaufzeit von sechs Monat­en erhältst Du in Deinem Wun­sch­land für nur 9,99 Euro pro Monat eine schnelle Fla­trate für Smart­phone-Daten­nutzung und Dein bish­eriges Voda­fone-Daten­vol­u­men. Tele­fonie und SMS nach Deutsch­land und ins Reise­land sind natür­lich auch enthal­ten.

Achtung: Die Easy­Trav­el Flat Flex kannst Du nur noch bis zum 01. Novem­ber 2023 buchen.

+++ Hier find­est Du mehr Infos zum Easy­Trav­el Flat Flex +++

Län­der, die nicht zur EU oder den Easy­Trav­el-Län­dern gehören, deckst Du mit den Reisep­a­keten ReiseP­a­ket World oder ReiseP­a­ket Data ab. Anson­sten gel­ten die Voda­fone World Data Tar­ife.

+++ Hier geht’s zu den ReiseP­a­keten ++

+++ Hier geht’s zu den Voda­fone World Data Tar­ifen +++

Internationale:r Vieltelefonierer:in? Check die Minutenpakete von Vodafone!

Du hast Kon­tak­te und Business-Partner:innen in der ganzen Welt? Dann soll­test Du die Voda­fone Minuten­Pakete in Deinem Red Busi­ness Prime-Tarif aktivieren. Mit Minuten­Pakete Inter­na­tion­al tele­fonierst Du von Deutsch­land aus in über 100 Län­der — mit 100 oder 500 Inklu­siv-Minuten pro Monat. Und mit Minuten­Pakete World ruf­st Du sor­gen­frei von jedem Land in die ganze Welt an — mit einem gün­sti­gen Basis­preis und ein­er flex­i­blen Laufzeit von nur drei Monat­en.

+++ Hier geht’s zu den Minuten­Paketen +++

Was sagst Du zu den Easy­Trav­el Tar­ifen von Voda­fone? Schreib uns Deine Mei­n­ung in die Kom­mentare!

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Flexible Dates

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How FlightsFinder Works

1. enter your travel requirements.

Select 'everywhere' or check our flexible calendar to see the cheapest day, month or best time in the year to fly

2. Compare the best search engines

Save up to 20% by comparing multiple flight comparison sites using our intuitive dashboard

3. Book your airline ticket

Find your flexible flight and book with a provider of your choice at the cheapest price possible

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How FlightsFinder finds you the cheapest flexible flights with the world's best comparison sites

We have developed one of the world's most powerful flexible flight search engines here at FlightsFinder. Search 'Everywhere' from your local departure airport or search for particular destinations and view flexible date prices via our calendar. You can select the cheapest flights three days before or after your chosen dates, the whole month or the entire year. You can filter results on our calendar to show direct only flights if you wish. We also have your back if you are looking for flights with no cancellation fees. Select the filter which says 'no change fees' on our primary search engine, and we will show you flexible flights that you can alter without any charge. We also allow you to quickly compare the world's best comparison engines from one dashboard, including KAYAK, Skyscanner, momondo, Kiwi.com, Jetradar, etc.

How to find cheap flexible flights: Questions & Answers

What are the top 5 flexible flight search engines.

The top 5 flexible flight search engines, if you are searching for flexible flight dates, are Skyscanner, KAYAK, momondo, Kiwi.com and Google flights. These are powerful search engines with some form of calendar view showing the cheapest days to book your flight. Here at FlightsFinder, we use data from multiple aggregators to populate our flight calendar, making it one of the most complete you can see online. The difference with our search engine is that once you have identified the cheapest days to fly, you can then go on and compare all of the world's leading search engines from one dashboard, potentially saving you up to 20% off your next airline ticket.

How much can I save with flexible flights?

The number one factor affecting flight prices are the days you choose to fly. The savings can be truly remarkable if you look a month or two either side of your flight times or even check a few days. For example, if you wanted to fly to London from New York in May, It could set you back by about $442. However, our flexible search will tell you that the price will be around $300 in March. If you want to check a few days before or after your travel dates, select our check box in the flexible dates field that says +/- 3 days. To find the cheapest flight in the entire month, select 'whole month' and select' whole year' to find the best possible return flight price across the entire year.

How to find flexible flights that have no cancellation fees?

In a post covid world, it has become necessary to find tickets that you can amend quickly if unexpected events occur. Common issues that may mean you need to change your booking are the travel policies shifting of a country you intend on visiting by requiring you to quarantine on arrival or on your return, which may not be feasible. Or you may become ill, requiring you to change your travel plans. Whatever the case may be, many airlines charge a premium for you to change or amend your booking once made. To get around these exorbitant change fees, it is sometimes wise to look for flexible flights that have no change fees. You can find these 'no change fees' tickets on our site via our first flight search engine results. Select the filter that says 'no change fees', and we will show you the flights via KAYAK with flexible rebooking options for no extra charge. Just check the change fees for a regular booking to see if the price is lower than booking a flexible 'no change fee' flight.

How to use Skyscanner flexible dates?

Skyscanner has one of the world's most comprehensive flexible date flight engines. They offer users the ability to search from entire countries to 'everywhere' - for example, the United States to anywhere in the world. This search shows you the cheapest airports to fly to from your departing country. Moreover, Skyscanner lets you select on their calendar which month you would like to travel in (for a monthly overview) or select the 'cheapest month', which will tell you the cheapest month to fly in the whole year. They have flexible calendars for both one way and return flights. The downside to the Skyscanner flexible dates calendar is that it only shows flights found by users in the last four days, which sometimes mean the results can be outdated. Moreover, less travelled routes contain fewer historical prices and sometimes none. We use Skyscanner data to populate our calendars; the only difference is that we let you compare numerous flight comparison site results alongside Skyscanner results which often lead to savings, sometimes up to 20%.

How to use KAYAK flexible dates?

KAYAK has a handy 'explore' feature which shows you the best flexible flight deals plotted on an interactive global map. All you need is to enter your departure airport, and the map will show you the best domestic and international flight deals found by other KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. You can also refine your results by searching for a particular country, a specific month, direct flights or flights with stops, budget, duration and type of trip. Once again, because it relies on other users' historical usage, you may find that less searched for routes have little data about them. You can play around with their flexible calendar here: KAYAK/explore . Once you have found a deal on KAYAK, we encourage you to use our site to price check against multiple other aggregators on our website as, on occasion, they can beat the prices found on KAYAK.

How to use Google flights flexible dates?

Google flights have the fastest search engine on the planet, results load in seconds, and they have very comprehensive calendars which show you the cheapest days to travel in the entire month. You can see their flexible flight price calendars by selecting the 'date grid' or the 'price graph' buttons. The date grid presents data in a calendar view whilst the price graph shows you flights in bar graph form. The ITA matrix provides the data and is not dependent on previous searchers to populate it, making it some of the most comprehensive flexible flight data on the web. However, it is a fact that Google flights don't always get you the best possible deal due to the limited number of OTA's Google searches. To get the best possible benefit from them, we recommend you get the best dates to fly from their flexible calendars, then come to FlightsFinder.com and compare multiple aggregators on those dates and see if you can save even more. You can often save up to 20% more simply by checking numerous flight aggregators via our easy to use dashboard.

How to use Kiwi.com flexible dates?

Kiwi.com is the Czech Republic's biggest metasearch engine famous for finding cheap flights by virtual interlining, stitching together fares from airlines that traditionally do not work together. You can find their flexible flight calendars on their search results page by selecting the 'pricing table' or to view a bar graph of the lowest priced flights instead, pick 'price trends'. Their flexible flight results are very comprehensive, and you can find data on even the most obscure routes. Once again, we suggest finding the best days to fly by using our Flexi calendars then price checking their live results with our multi aggregator tab based flight dashboard to see if you can pinch a bit more off your ticket.

How to find the cheapest flexible flight 3 days before or after your flight

Sometimes you can find cheaper flights if you look a few days on either side of your travel dates if your schedule permits. Please enter your departure and arrival airports, then select your preferred dates of flying; after that, choose our flexible dates tab and check the box which says +/- 3 days. We will then take you to our flexible dates calendar to quickly look at prices on surrounding dates. Please note that the display prices were found in the last 15 days and may no longer be available - the only way to check live availability is to select a date and click 'show flights' - then compare multiple live prices.

How to find the cheapest flexible flight in the entire month

Our flight finder also allows you to find the cheapest return flight in any particular month. For example, say you wanted to see the most inexpensive return flight from Miami to Toronto or Los Angeles to Mexico City in June. First, enter your departure airport to one of those arrival cities. After that, select some dates in June in our calendar; select the flexible dates tab, and check the box that says 'whole month'. We will then show you the cheapest combination of departure and arrival dates for your search on our calendar in that particular month. Our results are colour coded so that the lowest price will be in blue, whilst lower prices will be in green while the more expensive days will be in red. Once again, prices are rough guides only found by other users in the last 15 days.

How to find the cheapest flexible flight in the entire year?

If you are highly flexible with your travel dates, you may want to know the cheapest flights possible in the entire year between two city destinations. For example - what's the cheapest flight from New York to Las Vegas in the whole year?. Our flight finder allows you to do this in seconds. First of all, enter your departure and arrival cities, then select our flexible dates tab, after that check the box which say 'whole year.' We will then pinpoint the cheapest date combinations to fly in seconds on our calendar in the entire year. This option is also particularly useful in uncovering potential error fares and is the quickest way to find unbelievable flight deals.

How to find the cheapest flexible flights to anywhere?

If you don't have a fixed destination in mind and are looking for inspiration on where to fly next, we recommend using our 'flexible - search everywhere' option. First, enter your departure airport, select 'search everywhere', then enter the dates you are looking to travel or look for the cheapest flights in the entire month or the entire year by checking the relevant box. Once you click search, we will list the most affordable destinations fitting your search parameters leaving from your chosen departure airport. You can also refine flights to see direct options by selecting the 'direct only' check box on our destinations list.

How to find the cheapest flight to a particular country?

To find the cheapest flight to a particular country, we recommend using the search everywhere option in our search engine. You can then select the country you are interested in visiting in the destinations list, and we will show you the cheapest cities in that country to fly to. Another alternate way of seeing the best deals to any country is by using our recent deals carousel engine. You can find this below our main search engine form. To use the recent deals engine, enter your departure airport and enter the country you are interested in visiting; you can refine flights by month or select 'anytime' to show you the cheapest deals we have ever found.

How to find the cheapest flight to a particular city?

To find the cheapest flights to any city, enter your desired destination in our search engine. After that, you choose to see the best deal in the entire year by selecting the year on our flexible dates checklist; this will give you the lowest prices ever found. Select the 'whole month' for costs in a particular month and +/- 3 days to see a few days on different sides of your chosen travel dates.

FlightsFinder in the press

Is this the king of airfare search sites the aggregator of aggregators.

Travel site looks for errors that produce ultra-cheap air fares

Los angeles times, man creates travel website from his hospital bed and it's saving people millions, 'world's first meta-meta flight search' to be better than google, the telegraph, cheap, flexible flight deals to popular cities, trending cities on flightsfinder, san pedro sula, guatemala city, montego bay, port of spain, belize city, cheap, flexible flight deals to popular countries, trending countries on flightsfinder, cayman islands, latest from our blog, news, reviews, tips and fun facts.

Here is a useful infographic design that is packed with information about how wars can affect the cost of flights around the world.

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A quick glance at our Away luggage review and our guides to the best luggage and best carry-on bags will show you that we're big fans of Away luggage. So when the direct-to-consumer startup launches a new product, it grabs our attention.

Most recently, that was the Polycarbonate Flex , Away's line of expandable hard-sided luggage that launched in 2021 in both carry-on and checked sizes. I tried the Medium Flex to see how the new features worked, and whether the expandable option meant this habitual over-packer could fit everything needed without opting for the largest suitcase possible.

Here's what you should know about the Flex line and how mine held up over the course of a cross-country trip, multiple hotel stays, and moving homes.

Design and specs   

The Flex offers the durability of Away's original hard shell combined with a built-in exterior zipper that provides an additional 2.25" for carry-on sizes and 1.75" for checked baggage.

That's pretty cool, but it's important to note that when fully expanded, the carry-on will be too large to fit overhead and must be checked, according to airline baggage guidelines.

These Flex suitcases have all of the same smart features you've come to expect from Away, like a TSA-approved combination lock, 360° spinner wheels, an interior compression system, an underside grab handle, a hidden laundry bag, an eraser for tackling any scuffs, and a removable, washable lining. 

No matter the size you choose, these features come standard with a sleek and durable exterior that looks exactly like the original polycarbonate hard shell bag from Away , just with the addition of the expandable zipper.

In fact, all the basic measurements for every Flex bag are the same as its original counterpart, aside from the expandable feature, which adds a bit of weight.

For example, with the Medium Flex, the exterior and interior measurements are exactly the same as Away's original Medium bag, at 26" x 18.5" x 11" for the exterior and 24" x 17.5" on the inside. 

Both have a capacity of 68.8 liters, too. That is, until the Flex expandable zipper is utilized, which brings the limit to 75.5 liters. As such, the Flex weighs about a pound more, 10.8 pounds compared to 9.9 pounds for the original Medium.

So, whether you choose the Carry-On Flex , the Bigger Carry-On Flex , the Medium Flex , or the Large Flex , you'll have the same dimensions as the original, just with the option to add more room.

What it's like to use

I used the Medium Flex as one of my checked suitcases when I moved cross country with my family. So, as you can imagine, I had a lot to pack.

I used the Flex to pack most of my daughter's belongings, which included clothes, baby towels and burp cloths, toys, books, diapers, and more. It made its way through two airports and multiple hotels where it was packed and unpacked with different items, such as mine and my husband's clothes and toiletries. 

As such, it went through a lot of use and was packed to the brim on more than one occasion. 

I found the interior to be roomy and able to fit a lot, even when I forgot to use my trusty packing cubes. The compression panel helped secure my items, but when I over packed the side with a zipper panel, I struggled to close it.

Had I purchased the original Medium with no expandable option, I'm confident I would not have been able to fit everything I needed or more likely, close the bag at all. The expandable, heavy-duty zipper was what made it possible. 

Once we were on our way, the suitcase was easy to push, pull, and spin the bag as I navigated my airline check-in with multiple bags and a baby stroller in tow.

I really appreciated the soft touch of the handle as well, which had a subtle button feature that felt more sophisticated than a traditional one.

Fully packed to the brim, my suitcase came in around 40ish pounds at check-in. I'm confident that if I used the Large Flex, I would have packed too much with the expansion function leading to an overweight bag and that embarrassing struggle at the airline counter to pull things out and rearrange to avoid a surcharge. 

But since the Medium weighs less and is smaller than the Large, I appreciated the inadvertent safeguard from truly overpacking.

The TSA-approved lock was easy to set and secure and I had no problem locking my bags and dropping them off at security. I did notice that once I reached my destination the locks had been opened by security and not locked again. However, that is likely more a result of the TSA agents' actions as opposed to an issue with the bag itself.

My navy blue shell came out with a few scuffs along the way, including some white marks. I used the provided Magic Eraser-style sponge to buff them out, and while it did lighten them, it did not remove them altogether. But in all, the bag held up extremely well.

What makes the Away Flex stand out

All of the Away Flex bags are functional, thoughtfully designed, and in this case, provide more space than a standard-size suitcase thanks to the expandable zipper. It's the only line of Away hard luggage with this feature.

Signature Away features are also included, such as a TSA-approved combination lock, 360° spinner wheels, an interior compression system, a hidden laundry bag, and a removable, washable lining.

Starting at $260 and $276 for carry-on sizes and $316 and $340 for the Medium and Large Flex sizes respectively, it's similarly priced to other mid-tier premium competitors and designed to last for life. 

All Away bags come with a 100-day trial and free shipping and returns, so long as it's not personalized (which incurs an extra $50 fee), in which case it may not be returned unless there is a defect covered under the lifetime warranty.

The expandable feature comes in handy when you have a lot to pack. However, it may also be a risk if you're flying on a major commercial airline and exceed the weight limit for checked bags. So, keep that in mind when you're throwing everything possible into your Flex. I know that if I had the Large Flex, I absolutely would have gone overweight. This is, of course, less of a problem with smaller bags that weigh less.

Additionally, when fully expanded, carry-on sizes cannot be placed in overhead bins and must be checked. That seems to defeat the purpose of choosing a carry-on unless you don't plan to use it primarily for air travel. 

Away's polycarbonate Flex bag is the suitcase we've been waiting for since day one. Now you can enjoy all the features of their signature hardshell suitcase with the option to expand for more space. 

Just be careful with overpacking the Large, lest you pay overweight airline baggage fees, and know that both carry-ons can't be placed overhead on an airplane when fully expanded.

Pros: Sleek design, expandable feature, adjustable handle, 360 spinner wheels, included laundry bag, option for personalization

Cons: Carry-on Flex must be checked when fully expanded, scuffs easily, Flex suitcases weigh more than original options

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Stanley Just Dropped New Tumblers and Travel Bottles in Spring-ready Colors — Only at Target

Shop the Sunshine Vibes collection before it sells out.

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Travel + Leisure / Daisy Rodriguez

No water bottle has gained the level of fame that Stanley’s 40-ounce Quencher Tumbler has, making it a highly sought-after vessel that sells out quickly. Rightfully so — the stainless steel tumbler keeps water incredibly cold for hours, famously fits in the cup holder of your car, and comes in so many seasonal colors. 

And today, the brand just dropped its exclusive Sunshine Vibes Stanley collection at Target, which includes the shopper-favorite brand in bold, spring- and summer-ready hues. Whether you’re in the market for a new water bottle or want to add some fun new colors to your on-the-go collection, shop the new launch now while products are still in stock.    

Stanley 40-Ounce Quencher Tumbler

The brand’s most popular water bottle, the 40-Ounce Stainless Steel H2.0 Flowstate Quencher Tumbler , now comes in four new colors: amethyst, aqua, sunshine, and summer plaid, a pattern which consists of its other shades. Shoppers love the water bottle for road trips, workout classes, and long flights, and the new one features the same lid that allows you to sip directly from the bottle, use a straw, or secure it closed to prevent splashes. 

Stanley 20-Ounce Stainless Steel IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler

While the larger tumbler is designed to be an on-the-go water bottle, Stanley has multiple travel-friendly bottles that are also included in the new color drop. If a smaller tumbler makes more sense for you, grab the 20-Ounce IceFlow Flip Straw Tumbler in aqua, cobalt, marigold, and poppy. And for a water bottle that can be thrown in your bag without fear of leaking, opt for the 20-Ounce All Day Slim Bottle , which comes in four striped patterns and has two openings at the top to fill it easily with water and ice.

Stanley 20-Ounce Stainless Steel All Day Slim Bottle

In addition to the updated colors, Stanley’s new launch also includes a patio collection featuring pitchers , flasks , coolers , and large-capacity drink dispensers . If summer travel looks like trips to the beach or camping in the mountains, the 16-Quart Easy-Carry Outdoor Cooler is an ideal option to hold up to 21 cans, and it comes in three colors: azure, lilac, and pomelo. 

Stanley 16-Quart Plastic Easy-Carry Outdoor Cooler

If past Stanley collections are any indication, this new launch is likely to sell out while you’re reading this. Keep scrolling through for more color options, and snag your favorites from Stanley’s Sunshine Vibes Collection while they’re still in stock. 

Stanley 10-Ounce Stainless Steel Everyday Go Tumbler

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