travel plus luggage company

The Best Luggage Brands to Buy in 2024

These are the top-tested suitcases for all of your travel needs.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our top picks

Best Overall Luggage

Best Value Luggage

American tourister.

Best Carry-On Luggage

Best Luggage for International Travel

Briggs & riley.

Best Under-$100 Luggage

Amazon basics.

Best Luggage for Frequent Flyers

Best Viral Luggage

Best Luggage for Flight Crews

Best Printed Luggage

Best Fashion Luggage

Each piece of luggage is evaluated by experts in the Lab as well as consumer testers on the go. In the Lab, we look at factors like durability, ease of use and more. We also pack each suitcase with a standard load to see how much it can hold and how easy the compartments are to access. Consumer testers come into the Lab to use the luggage in an obstacle course, where they weigh in on handle comfort, wheel performance, maneuverability and more. Finally, we send luggage out with travelers into the real world for firsthand feedback.

You can learn more about how we test luggage and what to consider as you shop — including how to decide between hardside and softside luggage — but first, here's everything you need to know about our top-tested luggage brands.

Samsonite earns our top spot for the best luggage brand because it has a wide assortment for every preference — from business travelers to vacationers — and has continuously proven to be high quality as we've tested it over the years.

In particular, it stands out for its durability and ease-of-use features: There's been no struggling to open and close the cases, and packing them has been a breeze , thanks to the functional compartments that maximize space. It's certainly not inexpensive, but as direct-to-consumer luggage brand prices have skyrocketed, Samsonite's have remained fairly consistent.

Both hardside and softside styles from the brand have excelled in our tests. We've also been impressed by each of the sizes, including carry-ons, checked bags and underseat luggage. Some of our favorite models include the Freeform hardside (pictured here), the Solyte DLX softside and the Stryde Glyder , which is a checked case that's wide instead of tall so it's less likely to tip over.

A consumer tester rolling the Samsonite Freeform carry-on through an obstacle course at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

If you're on a budget or you don’t use luggage regularly — i.e., it doesn’t need to be the most durable and you don’t need all the bells and whistles — American Tourister offers competitive pricing and an excellent variety to choose from . There are a lot of options if you prefer bright colors and fun prints, plus there are cases for the entire family, including a Disney collection . Between the designs and versatile offerings, the models are fun, functional and especially ideal for vacationers.

Just note that while luxury hardside cases are usually made of polycarbonate, American Tourister typically uses ABS plastic, which is more affordable but more prone to scratches. Still, it gets high ratings from online reviewers who note that the bags are surprisingly spacious. Another perk: The brand offers luggage sets for an even better value, especially if you need to purchase multiple pieces. Pictured here is the Pop Max Softside set , which at $150 for a set of three, is less than other single cases.

Away is one of the most popular luggage brands on the market, and our testing shows it actually lives up to its hype. Though the brand has a wide range of offerings, we especially love the hardside carry-on.

It's made of 100% polycarbonate that proved to be durable and lightweight in our evaluations — even lighter than some fabric bags we’ve tested. It was also surprisingly spacious and held a full packing load in our review. The company offers a 100-day return policy on unused items; it also offers a lifetime limited warranty on its suitcases that covers any "functional damage."

Besides the main Carry-On model , it comes in variations like a Bigger Carry-On (which the brand says can hold 20% more) and a Carry-On Flex (which has an expandable zipper). We also love the brand's Everywhere Bag , which is a stylish and surprisingly spacious weekender.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: We Tested Away's Trendy Carry-On to See If It's Worth The Price

An inside view of Away's The Carry On.

Briggs & Riley

Briggs & Riley bags are pricey — a carry-on can cost over $600 — but they come with a lifetime guarantee that will cover all repairs if the luggage ever gets broken or damaged. They also come with innovative features, such as the brand's signature compression packing system. Bags that have this feature expand to let you pack and then compress down after they're filled. In fact, one of our testers said she packed a week's worth of summer clothes for two people into a compact carry-on, and it easily fit into an airline's overhead bin.

The suitcases also use top-notch construction and timeless designs in a range of styles, including hardside, softside, carry-ons and checked bags. The Baseline Global Carry-On Spinner (pictured here in the 21-inch version) has been a selected as GH Family Travel Award winner for the past two years after travel testers gave it perfect scores across the board. Its nylon fabric also aced our Lab's abrasion tests.

The interior compartment of Briggs & Riley's Baseline Carry-On, including its easy-to-use expansion button.

It’s hard to find good luggage for under $100, but Amazon’s luggage does not disappoint. There are softside and hardside styles to choose from, plus garment bags , duffels and more. Amazon also boasts extensive testing to make sure their products will hold up, and though the luggage might not the absolute best quality out there, the price can’t be beat.

We were impressed with its hardside 20-inch spinner carry-on (pictured here) when we tested it on our Lab. Our analysts found it to be exceptionally easy to pack, though the ABS material wasn't as scratch-resistant as other models in our tests. Still, consumer testers liked the maneuverability and wheel performance. This style also comes in two other sizes (24 and 28 inches) and can be purchased as a two- or three-piece set.

This luxury brand is on the pricey side but has timeless designs — from hardside to tweed fabric — that never go out of style. In fact, the brand’s marketing and aesthetics are focused heavily on its heritage. It has been a top performer in our tests, thanks to its spacious interior that's easy to pack and its wheels and handles that make it smooth and comfortable to maneuver.

The hardside cases have earned high scores in our tests — especially standing out for being scratch-resistant, lightweight and spacious — but we also love the softside Legend collection (pictured here), which is made of durable tweed fabric and leather trim.

This fashionable yet functional travel brand was founded by actress Shay Mitchell and incorporates smart features designed to make traveling easier. It also has a stunning aesthetic, including monochromatic color schemes in which the handles and hardware match the case.

Pictured here is the Carry-On Roller, its best-selling case that comes in a range of neutral and fun hues. It was spacious for packing and easy to maneuver in our tests, and though it did scuff during use, it resisted dents well during our Lab's drop tests. Another popular style is its Mini Weekender , which can be used as a personal item that fits underneath the airplane seat in front of you.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Experts Weigh In on Buzzy Travel Brand Béis

The Béis carry-on and compact weekender bag being used as a travel set.

This company was founded by a pilot, and it makes luggage specifically for airline personnel who travel for a living. Still, it's just as functional for business and leisure travelers.

The brand primarily sells softside luggage, though it does have some hardside options available. There’s excellent attention to detail that makes frequent flying easier, like cushioning around the handles for comfort, self-aligning wheels that let you roll the luggage in any direction and abrasion-resistant nylon fabric.

The Platinum Elite softside luggage (pictured here) stood out in our Lab tests. Not only was it durable, but it was also spacious enough to hold our entire load with room to spare. The downside was that it was heavier than others, but it's a fair tradeoff for the top-of-the-line features.

This brand increases the fun factor and makes it easier to spot your luggage in a sea of solid colors. There are adorable animal sets for kids' luggage , animal prints for adults and more. There are also options for licensed teams and art (like Britto, shown here), making your suitcase a playful yet functional accessory.

When it comes to materials, most Heys suitcases are hardside and made of polycarbonate and ABS composite. This means it's mostly ABS plastic but has a polycarbonate coating on the outside for added protection. The brand wasn't the most durable in our tests, it but earned high ease-of-use scores.

Style is certainly important when it comes to luggage — it's an accessory, after all — but you don't want to sacrifice quality and functionality. Calpak's cases are both well-made and have unique designs. Though its assortment is tailored with fewer models than some of the big brands, Calpak still has a wide range of materials to choose from, including sleek hardside polycarbonate, printed ABS/polycarbonate blends and ripstop polyester.

Calpak's Ambeur carry-on (pictured here) was one of our testers' favorites; they especially loved the easy-to-use telescopic handle and metallic color. We also found it to be easy to pack and though it wasn't as scratch-resistant as some others we tested (which is expected for ABS composites), it still withstood dents and damage from our durability drop test.

Rolling TUMI luggage through the airport is like a status symbol; the brand is highly recognized for its upscale products for both business and leisure travelers.

In addition to its suitcases , it makes accessories like briefcases and backpacks and has components that make traveling easier, like an anti-slip strap on carrying bags and an extra hook on rolling bags so you can wheel multiple items at once. On top of that, the brand stands out for its unique service offerings, like repairs and luggage registration to help you find lost bags.

We especially love Tumi's Alpha collection (pictured here is the Alpha carry-on ) with its durable materials and removable garment sleeve. One GH analyst who has been using a backpack in this collection appreciates that it fits more than you'd expect and has a versatile design for travel, work and beyond.

If you’re going away for weeks or just have lots to pack, L.L.Bean’s duffels are roomy enough to stuff in everything you need. There are options with or without wheels and lots of sizes to choose from (the Adventure Rolling Duffel , shown here, is incredibly durable and one of our go-to picks for vacations with kids).

The flexible shape of the duffel also allows it to store easily under your bed, so it’s perfect for college students or anyone tight on storage space. It’s also made of sturdy, water-resistant nylon fabric that's made to last no matter where your travels take you — in fact, one of our experts says it's lasted for years without signs of wear. She does note that it's a little more cumbersome to pull than four-wheel spinner luggage and it's spaciousness makes it easy to go over the 50-pound weight limit for airlines, but says it's perfect for packing for two kids.

Monos says its design philosophy is "less is more," — meaning the bags are made to be simple and timeless to avoid passing trends and high quality so they can stand the test of time. Most of its hardside bags are entirely polycarbonate, though some combine polycarbonate and aluminum for increased durability. They also have useful packing features like wide compression straps to help you fit more in the case.

The Check-In Large was a winner of last year's GH Family Travel Awards because of its spacious interior and maneuverability. Testers said it was easy to roll and they loved the sleek appearance. It's also worth noting that the brand has a 100-day return period so you can get a refund if it's not a good fit.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Here's Why Travelers Love the Monos Luggage Collection

Monos luggage shown in three sizes: Check-in Large, Check-in Medium and Carry-on

Eagle Creek

Whether you’re backpacking internationally or exploring a national park, Eagle Creek gives you both the convenience and durability you need in a bag. Some have various compartments so you can stay organized (or store shoes and dirty laundry separately), and some bags have backpack straps if you need to be hands-free.

We especially love the Cargo Hauler Duffel for shorter trips: It’s affordable, spacious, lightweight and folds up into a small pouch for easy storage. For longer getaways, the Migrate Wheeled Duffel (pictured here) is larger and has two wheels with a telescopic handle. It also opens wide so you can easily access the contents.

Eagle Creek's Migrate Wheeled Duffel, left, being checked in at an airport terminal.

Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.

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The 14 best luggage brands of 2024.

These brands offer suitcases and travel gear with standout features and proven reliability.

The Best Luggage Brands

Courtesy of Travelpro

While you can't control everything on your journeys, embarking with the right luggage for your type of adventure certainly makes things go more smoothly. But with the variety of brands, styles and types of bags available, making a choice on what to purchase can feel overwhelming.

To make it easier to find your perfect travel companion, U.S. News compiled this list of the best luggage brands for carry-ons, checked luggage, weekender bags, backpacks and more. Based on testing by our editors and consumer reviews, these brands are consistent traveler favorites.

The Top Luggage Brands for 2024

Best overall: travelpro.

• Jump to features and expert insights ↓

Best Hard-sided: Away

Best soft-sided: samsonite, best lightweight: july, best customizable: roam, best for organization: solgaard, best for fashionable function: béis, best affordable: amazon basics, best for international travel: delsey paris, best for business travel: tumi.

• Best Expandable: Briggs & Riley

Best Luxury: Carl Friedrik

Best for style: calpak, best for minimalists: monos.

(Note: Styles, return policies and warranty information were accurate at the time this article was published; they may fluctuate due to supply chain issues, retailer policies and other factors.)

Price range: $130 to $695 Return policy: 100 days Warranty: Lifetime limited

Founded by a commercial airline pilot, Travelpro invented the Original Rollaboard – a two-wheeled upright suitcase with an extendable handle. For more than 30 years, this brand has continued to bring innovation to its entire collection of luggage, which includes carry-on bags, rollaboards, totes and checked suitcases – as well as accessories like packing cubes , luggage tags and toiletry bags .

Travelpro has become a perennial favorite among airline crew members worldwide, with employees from more than 90 airlines using Travelpro luggage, according to the brand's website. Combining durability and functionality with elements like exterior organizational pockets, the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Hardside Spinner (one of U.S. News' top carry-on luggage picks) is popular with travelers, who say they appreciate the spinner wheels and extendable handle for easy maneuverability through airports.

What our editors say:

I'm a big fan of the Travelpro Maxlite Air Medium Check-In Hardside Spinner . I purchased the suitcase in 2022 and have used it for multiple trips. It is incredibly light, fits an impressive amount of clothing and is easy to maneuver with super smooth spinner wheels that you can pull or push. The textured, wavy design also makes it less likely to see scratches or scuffs, and the slate blue version I got (Ensign Blue) is a color that's easy to pick out off the luggage belt. – Erin Evans, Managing Editor

Courtesy of Away

Price range: $295 to $745 Return policy: 100 days Warranty: Limited; ranges from 1-year to lifetime

Designed for travelers by travelers, Away is an online retailer that offers suitcases, bags and accessories. Created to make journeys easier and inspire more travel, Away suitcases are constructed with high-performing and lightweight materials, with a focus on intentional and functional details that matter, like double buckle compression pads and color-matched leather luggage tags. The Carry-On is highly rated by travelers and was chosen as the best hard-sided carry-on by the editors at U.S. News.

I always recommend Away luggage to fellow travelers. The Carry-On has been with me on countless trips over the past few years, and it's still in great shape. For checked luggage, The Medium is my go-to because it's big without being bulky and holds plenty for a long trip. You don't need anything larger or more expensive than this. – Amanda Norcross, Content and SEO Strategist

Read: The Best Hard-Sided Luggage

Courtesy of Samsonite

Price range: $63 to $1,150 Return policy: 90 days Warranty: Limited; ranges from 3-year to lifetime

Offering a range of travel bags, luggage and accessories for business and leisure travelers, Samsonite has been a leading luggage brand for more than 100 years. Samsonite is known for focusing on durability and innovative design, and today's travelers can find a range of hard- and soft-sided luggage along with a variety of travel accessories.

I love traveling with Samsonite's SoLyte DLX Carry-On Spinner . I'm a big fan of soft-sided luggage in general, and this suitcase feels particularly well made and durable. I've found it to be more spacious than it looks, even when I don't use the expansion zipper. The brand's organizational features are my favorite part — especially the wet pocket and the buckle system that keeps the tie-down straps out of my way when packing. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

Courtesy of July

Price range: $245 to $595 Return policy: 100 days Warranty: Lifetime limited

Inspired to create well-built luggage that combines form and function, July has hard-sided luggage as well as a range of totes and bags. Constructed using aerospace-grade German polycarbonate, the suitcases feature an eggshell design to optimize function and durability. There are anodized aluminum bumpers on the corners of the suitcases (except for the light designs), and the brand offers expandable and trunk luggage as well.

For travelers seeking lightweight options, the July Carry-on Light is the U.S. News pick for best lightweight carry-on. In addition to suitcases, July makes a variety of bags, including the Carry All Weekender Plus with a clamshell design for easy packing as well as the machine-washable Everyday Large Tote .

I am extremely impressed by the quality and craftsmanship of July luggage and bags. The Carry-on Light is truly lightweight, and the construction exceeds any of the other lightweight designs I've tried. I also appreciate that the cotton canvas Everyday Totes are machine-washable (and they fold up to save space when you're not traveling). – Rachael Hood, Senior Editor

Courtesy of ROAM

Price range: $550 to $695 Return policy: 100 days Warranty: Lifetime limited

Created with an emphasis on the journey, each piece of Roam luggage is hand-finished in the U.S. From the front and back colors to the zippers and the wheel color, purchasers can choose from a variety of options to create a custom hard-sided carry-on or checked bag. The interiors of the luggage include compression panels with mesh pocket insets, and there are expandable and front pocket designs offered.

The quality construction, customization and attention to detail made the ROAM Carry-On Front Pocket the U.S. News winner for best overall carry-on for 2024. In addition to suitcases, the brand offers customizable backpacks, duffels and tote bags, including the Everyday Tote .

The front pocket details, extremely smooth wheels and the option to choose the colors of every aspect of the carry-on really set ROAM luggage apart from other brands. I also love the multiple zippered compartments in the Everyday Tote, which can be customized to coordinate with a ROAM suitcase. – Rachael Hood

Courtesy of Solgaard

Price range: $265 to $375 Return policy: 30 days Warranty: Lifetime

Launched in 2016 with the Lifepack – a solar-powered anti-theft laptop bag with Bluetooth speakers – Solgaard has revolutionized luggage with its innovative approach to bag and suitcase design. In 2017, the brand launched its award-winning Solgaard Carry-On Closet Original . This piece became a traveler favorite for its patented built-in shelves, which eliminate the need to unpack while traveling, yet keep clothes and essentials in place. The brand continues to add to its offerings with checked luggage, weekender bags and backpacks outfitted with Solgaard's built-in closet system.

Courtesy of BÉIS

Price range: $218 to $348 Return policy: 45 days Warranty: Lifetime limited

Inspired by her own travels, actress Shay Mitchell started BÉIS to make travel bags and accessories that are both fashionable and functional at attractive prices. BÉIS'  The Weekender  is U.S. News'  top weekender bag  pick, and the brand offers fashion-forward hard-sided luggage sets, backpacks, duffels and travel accessories. Travelers can choose to pair luggage like  The Carry-On Roller  with coordinating bags and totes for a chic coordinated look.

BEIS is worthy of all the hype it gets. I'm impressed with the overall quality and design of the luggage, and The Weekender is my go-to bag for short trips. − Amanda Norcross

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Price range: $36 to $150 Return policy: 30 days Warranty: 1-year limited

This brand of luggage by Amazon is designed to offer exceptional value. Amazon Basics luggage options include hard- and soft-sided rolling luggage and underseat bags. What's more, Amazon Basics sells a variety of travel accessories, including packing cubes, waist and neck wallets, and toiletry bags.

I love how budget-friendly and durable the Amazon Basics brand is. I have both the 20-inch Hardside Spinner and the Expandable Softside Spinner carry-on bags. If you need a cheap, lasting carry-on, you can't go wrong with one of these pieces of carry-on luggage – both are less than $100. Plus, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these shipped straight to your house within one to two days. – Erin Evans

Courtesy of DELSEY PARIS

Price range: $100 to $545 Return policy: 30 days Warranty: Limited; ranges from 2-year to lifetime

Founded in 1946, DELSEY PARIS began creating suitcases for travelers after the postwar birth of tourism. Combining French elegance and style with quality construction, this 75-years-and-counting heritage brand produces iconic luggage styles like the Chatelet collection in carry-on and checked sizes. Owners of the Chatelet luggage like the vintage-inspired styling and ease of use. In addition to luggage that combines fashion and function, the brand continuously adds travel must-haves like duffel bags , backpacks , weekender bags and more.

DELSEY makes some quality, good-looking luggage. The DELSEY PARIS Helium Aero International Carry-On is one of my go-to pieces. The bag's interior is spacious and has many different compartments for organization, and the double-spinner wheels make sure it easily glides across various surfaces. – Erin Evans

Courtesy of TUMI

Price range: $518 to $4,500 Return policy: Items must be unused and returned in original packaging Warranty: 5-year limited

TUMI is an iconic international brand offering high-end luggage, bags and a variety of travel accessories, including passport holders, toiletry bags, portfolios and eyewear. The brand focuses on high performance and quality materials in its luggage offerings. Along with luggage, other TUMI travel products and accessories include wallets, travel purses and luggage tags.

I really appreciate the feel and quality of TUMI's nylon travel bags and purses. My go-to crossbody for trips is from the Voyageur collection that I've had for several years. The sleek black nylon construction with gold hardware looks like the day I got it, and the style can be dressed up or dressed down depending on my needs. When I need additional room, I toss the Just In Case Tote in my carry-on – I packed an Irish sweater and wool throw, along with several other finds on my trip to Ireland! – Rachael Hood

Best Expandable: Briggs & Riley

Courtesy of Briggs & Riley

Price range: $419 to $1,049 Return policy: 30 days Warranty: Lifetime

Focused on creating innovative luggage and bags to make the journey easier, Briggs & Riley is a high-quality luggage brand with a lifetime warranty. The brand's "simple as that" exclusive guarantee covers all repairs and functional damage to Briggs & Riley luggage with no receipt needed or questions asked.

By learning from customer feedback and research, Briggs & Riley offers luggage and travel gear with innovative features like CX Expansion, which allows you to expand your bag to pack and then compress it to fit the carry-on into the plane's overhead compartment. The unique technology landed the Briggs & Riley Essential 22" Carry-On Expandable Spinner on the U.S. News' best carry-on luggage list in the category of best expandability.

There's a reason Briggs & Riley luggage doesn't come cheap. In terms of overall quality and features – expandability, in particular – it's the best luggage I've ever tested. – Amanda Norcross

Courtesy of Carl Friedrik

Price range: $495 to $745 Return policy: 100 days Warranty: Lifetime

Based in London, Carl Friedrik was founded in 2013 by two brothers. Blending functionality with high-quality construction and premium materials, the brand offers luggage, wallets, bags and travel essentials. Carl Friedrik products are designed for durability and practicality, then constructed with time-honored methods and bespoke finishings. Take The Carry-on as an example, with its polycarbonate hard-shell exterior and Italian leather accents. In addition to luggage, the brand has an extensive collection of fine leather briefcases , weekender bags, backpacks and more.

I love the refined elegance and craftsmanship of Carl Friedrik luggage and travel goods. There are smart and functional details throughout each piece, and the feel of the materials is sleek and sophisticated. – Rachael Hood

Courtesy of CALPAK

Price range: $165 to $275 Return policy: 30 days Warranty: Limited; ranges from 1- to 5-year

California Pack, which started as a handbag and wallet company in Los Angeles in 1989, evolved into CALPAK – a top-selling luggage and accessories brand. Designed to be both functional and affordable, CALPAK is a destination for hard- and soft-sided suitcases, the iconic Luka Duffel , packable tote bags, and a variety of accessories. Selected by U.S. News as the top underseat option , the CALPAK Luka Soft-Sided Mini Carry-On has a laptop sleeve, a front pocket and a luggage trolley strap.

When I'm packing for a short trip, CALPAK's Mini Carry-ons are my go-to. I always pack a tech organizer, and the Luka Duffel and Luka Mini Backpack are perfect for traveling or running around town. – Rachael Hood

Courtesy of Monos

Price range: $255 to $455 Return policy: 100 days Warranty: Lifetime

Valuing simplicity with an emphasis on sustainability , Monos luggage and travel bags are created to be timeless. The brand's premium suitcases like the Carry-On are constructed with lightweight, aerospace-grade German Makrolon polycarbonate to withstand the demands of travel. There are a variety of nylon and vegan leather bags and accessories, including the Metro Duffel and the Metro Backpack , with a unique modular system where kits can be removed or changed depending on travel needs.

The durability and sleek styling of Monos luggage are incredible. I appreciate the focus on sustainability, and I find the brand's modular system to really be a standout feature. – Rachael Hood

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Rachael Hood is a senior travel editor with a passion for luggage. Always shopping for luggage and testing different suitcases for various needs, she rarely checks a bag. Having traveled the world with top finds from CALPAK, TUMI and ROAM, she used her traveling experience along with her retail merchandising background to curate this list of the top luggage brands.

You might also be interested in:

• Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline
• What to Pack in a Carry-on Bag
• The Top Luggage Sets
• The Top Travel Accessories, Chosen by Our Editors
• The Best International Travel Insurance

Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

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18 Travel Experts Share Their Tried-and-True Favorite Luggage Brands

By Nila Do Simon

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The joys of travel can be interrupted by unforeseen curves in the road, but how your luggage holds up doesn’t have to be one of them. A reliable suitcase that performs well in every type of travel situation is the stuff of legend. Whether you're packing for a road trip , multi-leg airport journey , or a leisurely cruise , bringing the right luggage can make the experience even more rewarding (and a touch less stressful).

With countless suitcase options on the market, we’ve enlisted the help of industry professionals and frequent travelers to help you wade through the selections—and share a bit of their own luggage strategy. Veteran Delta Air Lines flight attendant Andrea Davis has logged countless trips around the globe, and the biggest suitcase advice she has is to bring a hard-shell option because it “usually receives less damage, and the maneuverability with four wheels is unbeatable.”

From sturdy checked bags to flexible carry-ons , these tried-and-tested pieces of luggage have gotten our experts through their travels with ease, functionality, and in most cases, style. Let’s dig through their picks for the best luggage brands.

This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s first-ever Luggage Week , for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.

Briggs & Riley

“I am in love with my Briggs & Riley Baseline spinner. The CX compression and expansion allows me to adjust to my travel needs. It’s lightweight for a bag of its size, plus I love the colors—my bright blue allows me to spot my suitcase quickly amongst the sea of black bags. For a carry-on, I love my It Luggage replicating cabin roller bag. It’s sleek, light, and very reasonably priced.” —Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts

“I often have to cart my suitcase around to meetings; my Rimowa is sleek enough to sit in boardrooms, durable enough to get banged around, and lightweight so that lugging it isn’t a chore.” —Tom Marchant, owner and co-founder, Black Tomato

Shown in silver

Shown in matte black

SteamLine Luggage

“Airports can be a bleak setting, but seeing my SteamLine luggage is a reminder of romantic travel days past. It always brings a smile to my face. Travel is amazing, but the process of getting places can be stressful. With SteamLine Luggage, I can take a bit of that control back and add some beauty to the process of getting away.” —Leora Novick, founder of Persephone Social , a hospitality-focused social media agency

Shown in hunter green

“ Paravel has a wide selection and a core focus on producing sustainable, carbon-neutral luggage. I particularly like the Aviator collection, which is made from recycled materials yet feels luxurious and timeless. Paravel offsets all emissions in the production process from sourcing to delivery, so I like knowing that I’m contributing to a good cause when buying its products.” —Joan Roca, CEO and co-founder of Essentialist , a members-only travel service

Shown in scout tan

Shown in safari green

“Within the last month I was in Santa Fe , New Mexico, biking in Norway, and now in route to Dallas , Texas,” says Myron “Mylo” Fowler, a National Geographic photographer, mountain biker , and an activist for Navajo Nation. “The Thule Aion allows me to pack gear, clothes, laptops, battery banks, and my water bottle much more efficiently with the layout of the bag, and it is incredibly comfortable. From the heat, rain, or the travel shuffle, the Thule Aion is my favorite travel bag for various assignments. And, the materials it is made of are absolutely durable.” Another perk: Thule's Aion collection is Bluesign certified and made from 100 percent recycled materials.

“For smaller items, I really like Tumi . My backpack and carry-on trolleys are all Tumi. For larger suitcases, you can’t go wrong with a Samsonite lightweight hard-top. Their customer service is exceptional—they replaced my two-year-old suitcase recently because the airline ripped off one of the wheels, no questions asked. Checked-in bags get pounded and beaten up and I would not want to spend a lot of money on an item that has to be replaced after a few years (if you travel frequently).” — Gary Portuesi , president and owner, Authentic Italy

“I always like Victorinox,” says Navin Sawhney, CEO, Americas at Ponant . The company's hard-sided luggage is especially sturdy, not to mention sleek: Pieces in the Lexicon collection, for example, feature polycarbonate shells, puncture-resistant zippers, and a combination lock.

Shown in black

The North Face

“I don’t have just one [kind of bag]. My Patagonia roller duffel is handy. I almost always have my North Face duffel, since you can make it big or small with straps, and reduce it to a carry-on. We recommend unusual colors so that you can find your bag easily. Having one that’s waterproof is super handy, since we can go from plane to boat to kayak. And with active travel, it’s nice to have two bags—one for more formal, clean stuff, and the other for shoes or gear or dirty clothes. It’s very important to have good bag tags so that on arrival, staff can make sure that the right bags get into the right room. Always helpful to have a lock as well!” — Cari Gray , founder, Gray & Co.

“My pick goes to Away , though of course I’d love a Globe-Trotter suitcase —they’re so chic,” says Martin Brudnizki , founder of the eponymous design studio. The New York –based luggage brand's high-profile collaborations, which have featured the likes of tennis player Serena Williams and photographer Gray Malin, keep its inventory feeling fresh and covetable.

Eagle Creek

“My current bag has survived more than 200 safaris ,” says Nicky Fitzgerald, founder and CEO of Kenya's Angama Mara . Bonus: The sustainably-minded company also touts its own in-house repair center to help keep your gear in tip-top shape—and out of a landfill.

“I love my tiny, lightweight carry-on from Lipault. It has wheels, is soft-sided, and can squeeze into most overhead compartments.” —Mary Celeste Beall, owner, Blackberry Farm

Métier London

“You can’t beat Rimowa for checked-in suitcases. I also like Métier London for travel and day bags and pouches.” —Jannes Soerensen, general manager, The Beaumont

“I’m a fan of Arc’teryx, especially its rolling duffel,” says Landed co-founder John Montgomery . Founded in Canada, the sporting goods company's slick gear, from anoraks and insulated jackets to backpacks and harnesses, is smart and tough.

“Delsey’s suitcases are inexpensive, lightweight, and have great wheels. They’re also French—and all that implies.” — Richard Bruce Turen , owner and managing director, Churchill & Turen LTD

“I love the Tumi carry-on, the largest model—it expands or shrinks, depending. There’s also the Rimowa aluminum , which I love. It’s the trunk suitcase on wheels.” — Mary Jean Tully , founder and CEO, Tully Luxury Travel

“I love Ghurka luggage, which is made in the US. Beautiful, simple, and by now, part of me.” — Francis Ford Coppola , director and hotelier

“I think it’s important while traveling to blend in and not call attention with jewelry, dress, or accessories—so I stick with basic suitcases like Travelpro . I’m also a fan of Baggallini; my go-to travel tote, backpack, and purse are all Baggallini. I also always have my passport in a RFID-blocking passport holder.” — Linda Allen-Speer , owner, Cruises by Linda

“I love my Head travel bags. They are huge and fit a lot of stuff—not just my tennis racquets—in special compartments for my long trips.” — Taylor Fritz , top-ranked US men’s tennis player

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

American Tourister

Briggs & riley, bric's, luggage faqs, the 11 best luggage brands of 2024, tested by experts.

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The best suitcases let you roll through the airport quickly and confidently, with assurance that your items are well-protected and sturdily organized within.

We selected our picks for the best luggage brands based on years of hands-on testing by several travel editors who regularly take up to 50 flights a year. Since the size of luggage you'll need will depend on your specific travel plans, we focused on the best brands rather than specific pieces. Our top picks are known for making sturdy and reliable luggage, with smart extras to make packing and traveling a breeze. 

Read on for our top choices for the best luggage brands at various price points to consider. If you're specifically looking for hand-luggage, check out our guide to the best carry-on bags . 

Our top picks for the best luggage brands

Shop all luggage at Samsonite

When it comes to value, Samsonite makes excellent luggage at some of the best prices, which is why we named it our top overall pick for the best carry-on . Samsonite offers numerous options for roller bags, including both hard-side and soft-side carry-ons and checked luggage, as well as wheeled underseat bags and even roller duffels. 

Samsonite also sells several two- and three-piece sets if you want to pair small, medium, and large roller bags together. In addition to traditional roller luggage, Samsonite also offers classic backpacks, wheeled backpacks, duffels, briefcases, wallets, dop kits, and more. There are even some cool wheeled garment bags that can fit under your seat and will fit far more than your typical folding or hanging garment bag. I've owned a Samsonite bag for over three years now and it's held up incredibly well.

You can read our full Samsonite Centric Carry-On review for more info.

Worth a look:

Shop all luggage at Away

Away has multiple options for roller luggage, including hard-sided, expandable, and aluminum. Bags are available in both neutral hues and bright, eye-catching colors.

Away's stand-out feature used to be the removable battery pack for charging your electronics on the go, which was previously available as an add-on to its carry-on bags. While the brand retired that feature, we still think its bags have thoughtful extras like in-bag compression, built-in TSA-approved locks, and a removable washable lining. 

In addition to roller bags, the brand also a range of other bags and travel accessories, including backpacks, duffels, pet carriers, totes, packing cubes, and more. I've personally owned Away luggage for years and can attest to its durability and practicality. 

Read our full Away luggage review and Away Carry-On review for more.

Shop all luggage at Travelpro

Travelpro mostly makes soft-side luggage and rightfully earned its spot as our top pick for the best soft-sided carry-on . I personally love the clear attention to detail that comes with a Travelpro bag, from the whisper-quiet spinner wheels to the tear-resistant material and sturdy buckles.

In addition to rolling luggage, Travelpro has options for underseat bags (rolling and not), toiletry bags, backpacks, foldable duffels, garment bags (which often come included with a carry-on), luggage tags, laptop bags, and more.

Read our full Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On review for more.

Shop all luggage at Monos

Monos is a newer start-up that doesn't have as many suitcase options as the other luggage brands on our list, but it's worth mentioning since it's one of the best suitcases on the market with a hard front pocket that gives you an easy place to safely store laptops and extras. Monos suitcases are durable, come in an array of colors, and are well-priced. Plus, all of the luggage comes with a 100-day trial period and a limited lifetime warranty. The same brand also makes some of our favorite durable packing cubes .

Currently, Monos has two sizes of carry-on that either come with a front pocket or not depending on your preferences, plus a medium-sized roller bag and a checked luggage option. Monos also make a backpack, duffel, and folio kit.

You can read our full Monos luggage review for more.

Shop all luggage at American Tourister

Many of American Tourister's carry-ons start under $100, and while they may not last you a lifetime, they certainly won't break down anytime soon either. The hard-sided bags are made from a sturdy ABS material, and the spinner wheels aren't quite as high-end as premium options but still easily roll on most surfaces. While these suitcases don't come with tons of extras (be aware that some don't come with built-in TSA locks), the interiors are still thoughtfully designed for easy packing. 

American Tourister has numerous roller bag options in varying sizes, including both hard-sided and soft-sided suitcases. There is also a line of Disney luggage that kids especially might love. While there are also some nice wheeled underseat bags, American Tourister hasn't branched out much from classic roller bags, so you'll want to look elsewhere if a duffel or weekender bag is more your aim.

Shop all luggage at Rimowa

When it comes to high-end luggage, Rimowa is a consistent standout that uses premium materials to create long-lasting and recognizable pieces. Its ribbed aluminum luggage, which comes in every color from simple silver to a cherry red, is particularly popular — though it will cost you upwards of $1,000. However, thanks to heavy-duty construction that still manages to be lightweight, the rollers might be worth it if budget isn't an issue for you.

For a slightly more cost-effective (though still pricey) option, I particularly love the Essential Lite collection, which I named the best high-end hard-side carry-on thanks to the fact that it's incredibly durable but weighs less than five pounds. Unfortunately, if you're a fan of soft-sided suitcases, Rimowa is not the brand for you, and there aren't as many accessories available as some other brands. 

Read our full Rimowa Essential Lite carry-on review .

Shop all luggage at Briggs & Riley

We named Briggs & Riley our top pick for the best high-end soft-side carry-on. I particularly like the super-smart interior features that truly elevate these suitcases, from a special CX compression-expansion system that increases packing capacity by 25%, to making sure the adjustable handle is entirely on the outside of the bag so no packing room is lost to the poles. These suitcases are certainly investment pieces, but they're built to last and also come with a lifetime warranty.

While I find the soft-sided bags to be some of Briggs & Riley's best options, there are also some nice hard-sided carry-ons and checked bags for those who prefer to go that route. In addition to roller bags, Briggs & Riley also makes backpacks, duffels, weekends, laptop bags, and travel accessories of all types, including packing cubes, bag ID tags, laundry bags, and more.

Shop all luggage at Bric's

Bric's is probably best known for its high-end Bellagio collection of luggage, both recognizable and revered for its durable, but ultra-light polycarbonate exterior with leather trim that gives it a nostalgic trunk feel. It's the little details that set this Italian brand apart, including Hinomoto wheels, matching interior linings, and premium zippers. That's why you've likely seen a luxury travel guru wheeling this bag through the airport, or, if you're an eagle-eyed "Schitt's Creek" fan, may have caught Alexis Rose using this collection to pack up her belongings. 

However, for those not ready to spend $600 on a carry-on, Bric's also has several more affordable suitcases in both hard-sided and soft-sided options. The Capri collection features striking exterior detailing in a wide range of colors at a mid-tier price point, while B/Y Zeus will appear to soft-sided fans.

The brand also has a sale section where you can sometimes score premium collections that typically start at $650 or more for under $200. 

Read our full Bric's Capri luggage review .     

Shop all luggage at Tumi

Like Rimowa, Tumi luggage pieces are an investment. But they're a worthy one since these suitcases will likely last you years, if not decades. With numerous options of all sizes for both hard-sided and soft-sided suitcases, Tumi has bags to suit just about all tastes. 

Its well-thought-out suitcases include premium spinner wheels, heavy-duty zippers, scratch- and tear-resistant exteriors, and well-designed interiors that help travelers maximize every last inch of space. In addition to roller luggage, Tumi is also well known for its premium totes and briefcases, and also makes travel wallets, backpacks, duffels, care kits, travel umbrellas, and more. 

Shop all luggage at Victorinox

Victorinox luggage falls in the mid- to high-tier of pricing but its durability makes it a good value choice. The brand also frequently has luggage on sale during big shopping holidays when you can score suitcases for less. As you might expect from a Swiss Army company, the interiors of most suitcases are also thoughtfully designed to maximize packing space. 

Victorinox offers both hard-sided and soft-sided roller bags of numerous sizes including classic carry-ons, checked bags, medium-sized suitcases, and smaller wheeled underseat bags that can fit laptops and accessories. Beyond roller bags, Victorinox also offers briefcases, duffels, backpacks, totes, toiletry kits, garment bags, and more.

Shop all luggage at Delsey

If you like the look of Bric's cream suitcases with leather trim, you may also want to consider Delsey's Chatelet line of hard-sided luggage. While these suitcases start around the same price as Bric's, they can be found on sale more frequently, often for half the price. Delsey's Titanium suitcases are also a fan-favorite option since they are ultra-lightweight but incredibly durable. 

Delsey has numerous options for roller bags for domestic and international travel in both hard-sided and soft-sided variations (though more hard-sided), as well as several luggage sets. It even has an eco-friendly line of laptop bags and duffels using recycled materials.  

Is hard-sided or soft-sided luggage better?

There are pros and cons to each. In general, hard-sided luggage offers more protection for your belongings than soft-sided luggage.

For checked bags, you're best bet is hard-sided luggage, since it can withstand tough handling and having other items stacked on top. Soft-sided luggage may be a good option if you want more flexibility, since fabric-made suitcases have a lot more give. Soft-sided pieces are a good option for carry-ons because they can flex and compress to fit into tight overhead bins.  

What size luggage should I buy?

We think it's best to start with a carry-on size, since it offers the most flexibility, whether you want to keep it in the cabin or check it. Most US airlines cap carry-on size at 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high, including handles and wheels.

When it comes to buying a checked bag, you'll want something between 25 and 29 inches long. Airlines typically charge a fixed fee for checked bags up to a certain weight, so it may be tempting to think a bigger suitcase is always better. However, bigger pieces of luggage come with more weight of their own, don't protect your items well when they're underpacked, and encourage overpacking, which can lead to higher baggage fees (or the dreaded airport floor repacking). 

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The 15 Best Luggage Brands for Any Traveler [2023]

Amar Hussain

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Kenneth cole, final thoughts.

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Whether you are the kind of traveler who lives their life out of a carry-on , or an over-packer who delights in squeezing your entire wardrobe into a super-size suitcase , there are tons of great luggage brands out there to help you find your perfect pieces.

From budget options that will see you right on your annual vacation to investment pieces that scream style and sophistication, here are some of the best luggage brands you can buy today.

The Best Luggage Brands

If you love luggage as much as we do, you may already know which brands are best to buy, but here is our rundown of the 15 best luggage brands in the world.

Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer, providing customers with a huge array of products and services that are all delivered quickly to their front door or downloaded to their tablet, phone, or laptop. As you can buy pretty much anything on Amazon, it should come as no surprise that it offers its very own private label brand selling brilliant luggage basics — AmazonBasics.

As a label that focuses on offering “everyday items at affordable prices,” AmazonBasics can sell you pretty much most of the practical travel items you will need for your next trip , with its suitcases, bags, and other travel accessories proving to be a big hit with savvy travelers.

While its luggage range may be somewhat limited in terms of collections, buyers can choose chooser from a variety of standard sizes in a choice of textured hardside spinner, shiny hardside spinner, or soft-sided suitcases, or you can add 2 or 3 pieces to make a useful matching set. There is also a cute under-seat carrier for easy access on the plane.

Available in a selection of colors, and with most pieces offering spinner wheels, telescopic handles, expansion zippers, and 2 good size packing compartments, the AmazonBasics brand really does offer a lot of baggage for your buck.

With a 3-year warranty on all suitcases and a 1-year warranty on the under-seat storage bag, AmazonBasics perfectly bridges the gap between expensive high-end luggage that will make a sharp dent in your wallet and bargain-basement cases that may not last the return journey .

Bottom Line: AmazonBasics offers brilliant basic luggage at an affordable price that will take you where you want to go.

Owned by global luggage giant Samsonite, American Tourister offers a wide range of luggage that is designed to attract a younger, funkier global traveler. Offering suitcases, backpacks, and other luggage solutions in a selection of sizes, fashionable colors, and designs, American Tourister is a highly desirable brand that offers upscale features at affordable prices .

With very distinctive designs that include textured ABS hard-sided suitcases and the occasional celebrity collaboration, their unique looks and Instagrammable qualities make them a hit with modern-day globe trotters.

Cases are cleverly crafted to not only look awesome but also offer the same levels of practicality you would expect from a more traditional and expensive brand. They are also incredibly lightweight with innovative touches.

From brightly colored backpacks to retro-flavored rolling cases, there is a lot of luggage to choose from. Telescopic handles, spinner wheels, and TSA-approved locks add value, comfort, and convenience, while Disney designs and bold colors make it easy to identify your case on the carousel.

Thoroughly tested for strength and durability, American Tourister cases are much more than just great looking luggage. Most products come with a 10-year global limited warranty, and an American Tourister suitcase should see you through many years of adventures.

Bottom Line: This fun diffusion range offers funky textures, bold designs, and bright colors, all with affordable price tags for every kind of traveler.

Sleek, stylish, and perfect for modern travelers, the Away brand brings you luggage collections that offer far more than just bags and cases. Carefully-crafted designs promise to provide your belongings with a home between homes, with the strength and durability to always last the journey and the innovation to keep you connected, even on the go.

By using celebrity collaborations to capture the attention of the Instagram generation, the Away brand has become lusted after by many a jet-setting millennial.

Its online cachet extends way beyond the hype, too, with every piece in its collection offering handsome looks, impressive durability, and thoughtful designs , all available for a moderate cost.

The brainchild of 2 former Warby Parker execs, Away has been supplying the cool and trendy with cases since 2015. Hardsided suitcases, rolling duffels, and occasional special celebrity editions add kudos and desirability, but it is its sought-after Smart Luggage that really sets Away apart from the competition.

Carry-on cases come with built-in batteries that can be used to charge your phone or other devices . Imagine the thrill of power on the go, simply by charging your suitcase overnight!

Better still, all batteries are TSA-compliant and can easily be removed upon request. With a lifetime guarantee on most pieces and a range of gorgeous colors to choose from, it’s not hard to see why Away is one of the coolest brands out there.

Bottom Line: Uber-cool cases for the Instagram generation, Away’s built-in batteries make them as practical as they are beautiful.

Founded in New York in 1993, Briggs & Riley claims that its luggage collections are “engineered for reality,” and that it listens to the requirements of its loyal fanbase to truly understand exactly what the modern-day traveler needs when it comes to luggage.

By addressing the real-world wants and needs of its target market, it has created a range of luggage that offers more room and practical storage space, making Briggs & Riley an easy choice for frequent flyers .

Its expansion system adds even more extra inches of space when you need it the most, and the compression system holds your belongings firmly in place. Brigg & Riley also claim to have revolutionized the travel industry by being the first to offer a no questions asked, “Simple as That” lifetime warranty that even covers damage caused by the airline during transit.

Offering everything from backpacks to expandable travel trunks, each collection is available in a wide range of colors and sizes, with all pieces being manufactured using only the best, high-quality materials.

Featuring innovations such as trolley handles that don’t take up any room inside the suitcase and check-point friendly laptop bags, its clever real-world designs and extensive testing results in practical pieces that are built to last.

With great looking bags and cases with lots of well thought out storage solutions, the price tags may initially make you balk, but with a lifetime warranty, incredible build quality, and sharp, upscale looks , you’ll be glad you made the investment.

Bottom Line: Briggs & Riley offers practical statement pieces that have been engineered for the reality of air travel, attracting discerning travelers the world over.

This French luggage brand offers premium collections designed with plenty of European flair for travelers who like their luggage to be as well dressed as they are.

From small beginnings as a company that specializes in leather camera cases and typewriter boxes, the brand is now one of the most instantly recognizable in the world, offering an array of suitcases, travel bags, and other accessories.

As one of the first companies to offer hard-shelled suitcases that could be pulled around on their own wheels, Delsey has always been at the forefront of innovation and design . With unmistakably French good looks and a certain je ne sais quoi , Delsey is also dedicated to offering innovative solutions using state-of-the-art technology to enhance the overall travel experience.

With many design awards under its belt, Delsey continues to push the boundaries of both form and function by offering such innovations as an easily removable wheel system, a fiberglass structure with shape memory, cases and bags that can charge your phone on the go, and security zippers that are 3 times more resistant to intrusion than regular ones.

Travelers can choose from wet bags and backpacks right up to extra large suitcases and everything in between, all available in a wide range of colors, materials, and designs. All pieces benefit from a warranty of 2, 3, 5, or 10 years depending on the individual components.

Bottom Line: Delsey is a premium French luggage brand offering European style and sophistication in every piece.

Eagle Creek began life as a small retail store in the San Jacinto Mountains, where Steve and Nona Barker sold custom mountain packs for trail trekking adventurers. In 1975 the couple opened a 1,500 square foot warehouse in Solana Beach, California, and Eagle Creek was born.

With innovation, durability, and craftsmanship at the forefront of the brands’ identity since the beginning, it is no wonder that Eagle Creek is one of the most popular brands for outdoor adventurers in the U.S. today .

Offering a full spectrum of travel and luggage solutions, Eagle Creek can supply you with everything from a tiny money belt through to a giant wheeled duffel, ensuring that this brand absolutely has you covered on the go.

Ultralight daypacks will rest easy on your back as you take to 2 wheels, while compression sacks, packing cubes, and water-resistant wallets will keep your gear safe and organized on the go.

As you would expect from a brand that is all about the great outdoors, Eagle Creek luggage is made with environmental conditions in mind. The water-repellent RPVB coating on its premium Migrate and Wayfinder collections, for example, has been developed using windshield plastic from landfills in Asia .

Eagle Creek also promises that every item it produces is manufactured without toxic PVC plastics that contaminate the environment.

As one of the most ecologically thoughtful brands on the market, Eagle Creek is also ardently against increasing landfill. This is why its “No Matter What” warranty allows for the replacement or repair of its products in most situations. From wheeled duffels to gear bags, Eagle Creek has everything the outdoor adventurer could need.

Bottom Line: With superior organization and featherweight designs, bags from Eagle Creek are designed for you to grab your gear and get out there.

Famous for its distinctive looks and impressive durability, Hartmann has traditional All-American retro styling and offers exquisitely-crafted collections for affluent travelers.

Designing and manufacturing high-quality luggage for over 140 years , the Hartmann brand is synonymous with only offering the very highest levels of craftsmanship and bags and cases that really are designed to last a lifetime.

Initially specializing in sturdy trunks for upper-class travelers, the brand has managed to keep its authentic style while still being able to keep up with every kind of modern innovation.

With hard-sided suitcases made from ultra-light and protective titanium with metallic colorings and soft-sided travel bags woven in the finest tweed, there is an air of luxury and sophistication that permeates every piece in its collections .

With sumptuous leather handles and accents set against state of the art and intelligent functions such as the smooth-spinning wheel, retractable handles, and TSA-approved locks, Hartmann offers the perfect blend of classic good looks and modern practicality.

Not cheap to buy, but incredibly pleasing to own, Hartmann bags and cases are all rigorously tested to ensure that all of its travel products meet stringent standards. That said, should something happen to your beloved Hartmann pieces, they do also come with a 10-year limited warranty.

Bottom Line: Hartmann offers All-American style and quality for the affluent and the enlightened.

Kenneth Cole is a fashion designer from New York who began his career designing and making women’s shoes. As his success grew, he turned his talents to creating bags, clothing, and accessories, and then the Kenneth Cole Reaction Line dedicated to creating fashion-conscious luggage and travel accessories.

Designed to capture the fast-paced spirit of modern city living, his luggage range has a playful urban aesthetic and a designer price tag to match .

Available in a range of practical sizes, beautiful colors, and uber-stylish exteriors, all Kenneth Cole cases and bags have been designed to feature practical and well-organized storage compartments, with every little detail considered in the final design.

The Reaction range is very well thought of by discerning travelers, and cases offer luxury styling and innovative touches, including 8-wheel construction and a molded, reinforced ABS hardside construction.

Designer looks aren’t all that’s on offer here either, as on the inside the fully lined interiors complete with garment restraints and hanger attachments add to the high-end feel, while the additional laptop or tablet holders in the sealed lid compartment make these cases as practical for business trips as they are on vacation .

With sleek designs, a trendy designer label, and lots of clever interior features, Kenneth Cole cases make a real statement at the airport terminal. Customers can also be reassured that their cases will last the journey with most pieces coming complete with a lifetime limited warranty.

Bottom Line: With designer looks and urban chic at every turn, cool people can’t get enough of Kenneth Cole.

Osprey is dedicated to designing high-quality backpacks and gear haulers for adventurers who love to experience life in the great outdoors . The Californian brand has been creating innovative backpacks and rucksacks since 1974, and the cornerstone of the brand is that its high-quality products are built to last for a really long time.

From child carriers to wet bags, daypacks to hiking packs , Osprey offers everything you could need to carry your gear (and your infant too!). Available in a huge variety of sizes, styles, colors, and designs, every piece of Osprey luggage has been designed with practicality in mind.

Osprey also firmly believes in maintaining the lowest environmental impact in its products. Designed to last for many years, it uses high-quality materials in order to reduce wastage. It is solely driven by practicality and not the whims of disposable fashion.

Each Osprey bag, backpack, or rucksack comes with its impressive “All Mighty Guarantee” that promises to repair any defects in the materials or craftsmanship . As a brand, its mantra is very much to repair, not replace, in order to reduce waste. While Osprey is by no means the cheapest purveyor of outdoor gear on the market, it is most definitely one of the very best.

Bottom Line: Famous for super tough rucksacks and backpacks that will carry you across many miles of country terrain, Osprey continues to be the outdoor enthusiast’s favorite.

You can spot a Rimowa suitcase from a mile away with its distinctive parallel aluminum grooves that are inspired by the golden age of aviation . Upscale looks come with high-end price tags, though, but its loyal fanbase seems to think that they are worth every cent.

The German-born company has been making its signature aluminum cases for over 70 years now, but has kept up to date with all the latest innovations that modern-day travelers need.

Its most recent hybrid collection, for example, unites the resilience of its aluminum-magnesium alloy with the supremely lightweight quality of polycarbonate, creating German-engineered quality that is light to the touch.

Super-smooth spinner wheels, single grab handles, and integrated TSA-approved locks add practicality and sharp looks to its design format, and on the inside, lined pockets and deep storage spaces offer all the space you need to house your designer outfits.

Designed with the demands of the most discerning travelers in mind, Rimowa offers customized services, including hotel repairs should your suitcase suffer a mishap on the go — every piece also comes with a 5-year guarantee .

You may need deep pockets to travel the Rimowa way, but every admiring glance at the airport and the sheer joy of owning one will make it feel well worth the money.

Bottom Line: Rimowa’s distinctive looks and German design attract first-class travelers who really like to travel in style.

Originally founded in Denver, Colorado, in 1910, Samsonite International S.A. is now one of the biggest luggage manufacturers in the world. Offering a huge selection of leisure luggage, business cases, handbags, travel accessories, and casual and outdoor bags, you would be hard pushed to find any luggage and leisure retailer that doesn’t feature pieces from this leading brand.

With upmarket branding and superior quality ranges, Samsonite is best known for offering high-end luggage for business travelers and sophisticated adventurers , all of which come with a price tag to match. At the forefront of innovation, Samsonite continues to manufacture great-looking luggage that combines the very best quality materials with cleverly created design concepts.

The company is also known to invest extraordinary amounts of money into researching the materials it uses, meaning that everything from the exterior of the suitcase through to the handles, zippers, and even the wheels are able to outperform the competition for extended periods of time.

It was its vulcanized fiber cases of the 1940s that gained the attention of a small but upwardly mobile market of travelers, and to this day, it is both its hard and soft-sided suitcases that are the brand’s most popular products. Trusted for its incredible durability and sleek designs , the cases are also incredibly lightweight and available in a range of standard sizes.

Samsonite is also keen to recognize its responsibility to operate efficiently as possible in order to produce products with a lower environmental impact. Low-impact designs feature highly in its most recent collections, and as you would expect from such an upscale brand, lifetime warranties come as standard across many of its ranges.

Bottom Line: The biggest and still the best, Samsonite continues to outsell the competition with clever designs and highly capable cases.

As another brand that is famous for creating high-quality army knives, you can be sure that SWISSGEAR luggage  will always be finely-crafted and honed to perfection . Offering European good looks and incredible versatility, this Swiss brand offers a range of affordable suitcases, bags , and other travel accessories .

Travelers can choose from its budget-friendly entry-level collections for occasional travel or splash a bit more cash for its premium collections.

SWISSGEAR luggage products offer a range of innovative features, including integrated USB ports to keep your tech charged on the go, as well as ScanSmart technology that allows you to speed through security — your laptop will be protected from X-ray belts while still allowing transparency for TSA agents.

With sleek looks and sophisticated styling, every collection comes complete with cleverly thought-out storage spaces that include additional pockets, retractable or adjustable handles, and suitcases with smooth-rolling spinner wheels.

There is a wide range of colors and sizes to choose from, and some cases offer extra inches of space using its straightforward expansion system. Hardside cases are rugged and capable, while their soft-sided counterparts are made from hard-wearing and durable materials .

Most SWISSGEAR cases, bags, and travel accessories come with a 5-year limited warranty.

Bottom Line: Swiss charm and ScanSmart technology make SWISSGEAR’s style and innovation within the reach of everyone.

Founded in 1987 by a Northwest Airlines 747 pilot, Travelpro is the preferred brand for airline crew and frequent flyers who really want to maximize storage space on the go.

Offering a wide range of stylish wheeled luggage, Travelpro aficionados can invest in entire sets that work together seamlessly to adapt to your ever-changing travel needs. From business trips to family vacations, Travelpro offers everything from backpacks and garment carriers to super-sized rolling duffel bags and suitcases.

Because the range has been designed by people who truly understand the rigors of frequent flying, all of its collections are subjected to rigorous testing before they hit the market.

Suitcases are tested above the maximum weight for checked baggage, and every element of the case, including the fabrics, wheels, zippers, and handles, is put through its paces to ensure almost a lifetime of use.

Available in a wide range of colors, sizes, and styles, the Travelpro ranges are affordable enough to be attractive to vacationers and leisure travelers , while still offering the type of quality demanded by airline professionals. Well made, good looking, and incredibly durable, all Travelpro luggage also comes with either a 5- or 10-year warranty.

Bottom Line: The professional’s choice finds its way into the mainstream, delighting frequent flyers and vacationers alike.

Founded in 1975, Tumi prides itself on offering upscale and innovative luggage to discerning travelers the world over. With a name taken from a Peruvian Peace Corp icon, it is no wonder that Tumi collections offer incredible versatility and extensive levels of durability.

Known in the 1980s for its signature black-on-black ballistic nylon styling, the brand has evolved to now offer an array of cases, bags, and travel accessories.

Claiming to be “obsessed” with offering superior quality and exquisite designs , the Tumi team believes in testing all of its pieces to the extreme. Each product is put through an impressive series of 30 individual tests before being released into the real world for performance testing.

This rigorous approach to testing, compared with unrivaled attention to detail, makes Tumi luggage well worth its high-end price tag.

Technical innovation is also one of the cornerstones of the brand, with most pieces being fitted with a world-beating tracking system, meaning you will know where your luggage is at even if you are unlucky enough to get separated from it.

Using state-of-the-art components, some Tumi collections also offer on-the-go charging and clever storage options for laptops, tablets, and other high-value tech.

Each piece it manufactures offers the brand’s signature good looks and clever design features . Pushing standard-size storage space to the max, travel solutions from Tumi are built to last. But just in case something goes wrong, it also offers between 2- to 5-year warranties on most of its collections.

Bottom Line: Collections by Tumi feature design excellence and technical innovation wrapped up in stunning suitcases that are kept close by your side using in-built tracking devices.

Best known as a Swiss knife manufacturer and luxury watchmaker, Victorinox brings its European class and style to the luggage business with a range of upscale bags and cases. With just a few select options to choose from, travelers who like sleek lines and practical design will love the simple yet finely crafted range on offer from Victorinox.

Using decades of engineering expertise, Victorinox combines cutting-edge, high-tech materials with forward-thinking designs to produce lightweight suitcases that are able to effortlessly maximize the storage space available. Only available in sleek black, travelers can choose from ultra-light shockproof polycarbonate hard-sided cases, or nylon soft-sided options.

With a simple choice of small, medium, large, or extra-large suitcases, you can easily accommodate everything you need for your next trip. Victorinox focuses on keeping its cases as light as possible in order to ensure that travelers can use those all-important extra ounces for their own belongings.

All Victorinox luggage comes with a lifetime warranty, and as a well-renowned brand famous for quality and style , its luggage should be just as popular as its world-famous army knives.

Bottom Line: Driven by design, Swiss brand Victorinox builds precision-engineered upscale suitcases , perfect for the minimalist in all of us.

From daypacks for bike rides to statement suitcases for the summer season, the luggage you choose needs to look not only good but also be practical enough to meet all your needs.

Smart technology, tracking devices, and TSA-approved additions make modern-day suitcases even more practical and desirable forever. Invest well, and you and your suitcase can spend many happy years traveling the world together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best quality luggage brand.

Anyone looking for high-quality luggage has a range of great brands to choose from. For the best quality luggage you can consider:

What brand of luggage do pilots use?

While pilots are free to choose from a range of luggage types, Travelpro is one of the more popular types of luggage used by airline pilots. In fact, the brand was founded in 1987 by a Northwest Airlines 747 pilot.

Who is the largest luggage brand in the world?

Samsonite is arguably the biggest luggage brand in the world, or more specifically, its parent company, Samsonite International S.A. The company owns several brands, including Samsonite, Tumi, American Tourister, Hartmann, Gregory, and High Sierra.

What is the best lightweight luggage for international travel?

The likes of American Tourister, Rimowa, Samsonite, and Victorinox produce lightweight carry-on and checked luggage. Carry-on bags such as the Travelpro Maxlite 5 and Osprey Ozone come in at less than 5 pounds. 

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The Best Carry-On Luggage

Traveling well is not always easy. Keeping your suitcase with you when you fly not only protects your belongings from loss or damage but may help you avoid extra fees as well.

If you decide to do so, you need a good carry-on bag.

Over the past 10 years, we’ve handled, tested, and traveled with 67 bags from more than 35 brands, and we remain convinced that the Travelpro Platinum Elite offers the best balance of value and quality for most travelers. It packs five days’ worth of clothes into standard US carry-on dimensions 1 and has premium touches you might expect from a $600 bag at about half the price. It’s a bag that you can rely on for life, even if it’s damaged by airlines —a rarity at any price.

Everything we recommend

Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner

The best soft-sided carry-on.

This spinner carry-on offers the best balance of size, value, reliability, and durability, plus high-end details. It’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

Buying Options

Travelpro Platinum Elite 22″ Carry-On Rollaboard

A bit more capacity and extra wheel durability.

This two-wheeled carry-on bag isn’t as maneuverable, but it offers slightly more space, a garment folder, and larger, more durable wheels.

Away The Carry-On

The best hard-sided carry-on.

This great-looking and relatively resilient piece of hard-sided luggage has top-of-the-line components—including wheels as smooth-rolling as any we’ve tested.

Away The Bigger Carry-On

Slightly more room, but you might get checked.

With more capacity than Away’s standard carry-on, this suitcase is sized appropriately for most flights. On smaller planes, though, you may get gate-checked.

Budget pick

Travelpro Maxlite 5 21″ Carry-On Spinner

Lightweight and appealingly inexpensive.

Remarkably well priced for a reputable brand, this is an ideal lightweight pick and provides many features of luggage costing nearly twice as much.

Upgrade pick

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

A soft-sided carry-on that fits more in less.

This carry-on bag offers superlative build quality, plenty of expandable room, and a uniquely effective compression system. It’s a buy-it-for-life suitcase.

Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ 2-Wheel Expandable Carry-On

More room, bigger wheels, less maneuverability.

If you’re willing to give up maneuverability for more space and bigger wheels, this is also a great option.

Carl Friedrik The Carry-On

A more luxe hard-sided carry-on.

Luxury touches and a strong polycarbonate and aluminum design give this bag a standout look with exceptional feel and performance. It does cost nearly $200 more than the comparably sized Away bag, though.

Yeti Crossroads 22″/35L Wheeled Luggage

A bag built for tough conditions.

A polycarbonate back and rugged wheels make this design suited for rougher travel over difficult surfaces. However, it has a limited warranty, and it’s somewhat unwieldy to handle.

What to consider

Four-wheel bags, aka spinners, are easier to maneuver down tight airplane aisles, but two-wheel bags will always be more durable .

Hard-sided looks better to most people, but soft-sided luggage withstands the bumps and knocks of travel for longer .

Plenty of reputable brands offer lifetime warranties; it’s generally worth paying a little extra for the peace of mind .

Depending on where you travel, you might need to look for specialty luggage sizes .

We’ve also included picks that stood out for their form and individual functionality: an upgrade with best-in-class compression, a pick made of polycarbonate , an upgraded hard-sided case with latch closures and an aluminum frame, a rolling soft-top hybrid , and a budget pick that’s also the best ultra-light suitcase we can find.

Travelpro’s Platinum Elite line of luggage is still our top pick after 10 years of testing. It addresses the concerns of most travelers for an affordable price while offering the best warranty against potential airline damage in the industry (as long as you register the luggage within 120 days of purchase, which you can do in minutes).

The Platinum Elite features smooth-rolling, replaceable wheels, as well as solid and comfortable telescoping handles and a hard-wearing nylon exterior propped up by a solid internal chassis. Travelpro also provides a full catalog of other replaceable parts . Instead of chasing the smart-bag moment, Travelpro added an exterior pocket with a USB pass-through extension that lets you insert your own battery pack for charging your phone. And weighing less than 8 pounds when empty, the Platinum Elite is dead in the center of average weight for bags this size.

In our view, soft-sided luggage lasts longer and shows less wear, but if you prefer the look of a hard-sided bag, Away’s The Carry-On is our choice. Like our other picks, this bag stands out for its high-end components: YKK zippers, smooth-running wheels, and a well-braced handle. Its strong but flexible polycarbonate shell shows scratches—however, after seven years of using the Away Carry-On, our testers have found that it is capable of enduring most of the trials of travel with fewer knocks than other similar models we’ve tested.

Away also makes a slightly larger version of the same model: The Bigger Carry-On . It conforms to carry-on size for most major airliners, but you might be asked to gate-check it on smaller planes.

Similar to our soft-sided picks, this Away bag is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. And though the coverage doesn’t explicitly protect against airline damage, it does apply to any damage that an airline could possibly dish out—specifically, but not limited to, the shell cracking or wheels breaking off.

Some companies have tried to shave off a few pounds from their standard luggage designs to make so-called ultra-light luggage. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 21″ Carry-On Spinner is the best of these bags we’ve seen, and it comes with the pedigree of our top pick but not quite as strong a warranty.

The Maxlite 5 is just over 2 pounds lighter than our top pick—that’s the weight of two or three pairs of jeans. It’s not a huge difference, but if you have trouble lifting luggage over your head and prefer an easier-to-manage suitcase, the Maxlite 5 may be your choice. This bag is also the best one we’ve found under $200, with almost all the benefits of luggage nearly twice the price.

For the more frequent flyer who is willing to invest in a higher-quality bag, we recommend the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Carry-On . Every detail of this bag, from the zippers to the wheels to the wrinkle-resistant suit compartment, is made to the highest standards, and it has a higher proportion of usable space than any other spinner bag we tested.

Briggs & Riley boosts this extra capacity with a ratcheting compression system that easily presses an entire extra outfit (if not more) into the same external dimensions as most other carry-ons. It’s simple, impressive, and unmatched by any other brand’s compression system.

The Expandable Spinner version is also the only spinner luggage model we tested with a built-in garment folder, which helps shirts and pants stay wrinkle-free if you pack them well. If things go awry, Briggs & Riley has a catalog of replaceable parts and a global network of repair centers , as well as a reliable lifetime warranty covering repairs for airline damage.

For some people, Carl Friedrik’s The Carry-On may be worth the extra cost. Behind the maturity of Italian leather accents and polish of higher-end Hinomoto wheels, the Carl Friedrik Carry-On bypasses the biggest compromise in most polycarbonate designs: the stitched-in zipper. Incorporating an aluminum frame around the center of the case and two latch locks, it feels comfortingly secure and well structured where other luggage tends to sag or bend away.

There’s a potential catch, however: The flex in a polycarbonate design (and most luggage, incidentally) is its strength. The more robust a piece of luggage becomes—by replacing, for instance, a zipper with an aluminum frame—the greater the chance that if something hits the case hard enough, the frame can bend or break. That said, you need to hit a frame like this with an extreme amount of focused force for that to happen. And Carl Friedrik provides a lifetime warranty that appears to cover airline damage in the event that an airline doesn’t compensate you within 14 days.

The Yeti Crossroads 22”/35L Wheeled Luggage represents the best of a relatively niche type of luggage design. Call it a hybrid model—a blend of a soft-sided luggage on top and hard-sided luggage on the back—that lends itself to fairly specific circumstances. It’s ideal for tough roads, broken streets, and slamming your luggage into uneven curbs with abandon. Do most people need this kind of luggage for their day-to-day travel? Absolutely not, and it can feel heavier than it really is. But if you do, this is the best there is—at least for the moment.

The Yeti Crossroads has everything you might expect from a brand that has built its reputation for over-the-top toughness and durability. The two heavy-duty wheels are among the largest and broadest that we’ve seen. Externally, Yeti blends a polycarbonate shell back with a water-resistant 700-denier nylon front and waterproof zippers. However, Yeti backs its luggage with only a three-year warranty and no mention of airline damage. That’s very limited protection, especially for the conditions this bag was designed for and definitely in comparison with the standards that our other picks set.

The research

Why you should trust us, how we picked and tested, our pick for the best carry-on luggage: travelpro platinum elite, our pick for the best hard-sided carry-on luggage: away the carry-on, budget pick: travelpro maxlite 5 carry-on spinner, upgrade pick for the best carry-on: briggs & riley baseline essential, upgrade pick for the best hard-sided carry-on: carl friedrik the carry-on, also great for tough conditions: yeti crossroads 35l wheeled luggage, other good carry-on luggage, what to look forward to, the competition.

I’ve been covering luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade and have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. Over the years we’ve also spoken with plenty of experts: flight attendants for major airlines, product designers and creative directors for luggage and gear companies, and travel and gear writers. My conversations with these people have helped shape our coverage, and we owe much to their collective knowledge.

In the 10 years we’ve been covering this category, luggage has evolved, and so has our thinking about what makes the best carry-on for most people. After spending well over 200 hours doing research and interviews and easily twice that time conducting hands-on testing, we’ve seen a few truths become clear. First, at a certain threshold—roughly over $200—most luggage is fine. It will more than likely get you from point A to point B without incident many times a year for many years. What distinguishes great luggage from everything else is mostly an attention to detail—the quality of a bag’s handle, its wheels, the frame, and stitching—and a company’s guarantee that it will stand behind its product.

Every year we try to refine our testing and find new ways to consider what it means to be the best luggage. We’ve weighed and measured suitcases, comparing our results with company claims. We’ve calculated true internal capacity with hundreds of Ping-Pong balls 2 and some decently complex math for a writer to scratch out. We’ve packed and unpacked more bags than I care to remember. We’ve studied and compared wheel bearings, wheel sizes, pocket counts, pocket quality, the curious subtleties of garment bags that will (or more often won’t) keep your clothes wrinkle-free, the strength of warranties, and repairability.

We believe that any maximally sized carry-on should be capable of holding enough clothes to last you five days with room to spare for miscellaneous necessities. Most years we aim to have two testers, one male and one female, pack two bags individually as if headed to the same wedding. 3 What we included isn’t representative of a family traveling or a couple splitting a bag, but we erred on the side of bulky, and we hope it gives you a clear idea of how much of your own stuff these bags will hold.

We looked at how each bag loaded. Was there an easy way to keep smaller items (such as socks and underwear) organized? Did it have compression straps to keep things in place? Were the straps thick enough to avoid creasing the clothes? Just how much would the bag compress? How much room was left over? Once packed, was the bag prone to tipping over?

Over the years I’ve torn bags apart to see how the frames were put together, taken apart wheels, dismantled handles, and more or less treated luggage as poorly as one person could. I’ve wheeled loaded bags around many neighborhoods, looking at how well each bag rolled and how well it handled broken sidewalks, uneven pavement, grass, bricks, dirt, and curbs. I’ve dragged bags up and down two flights of concrete stairs, noting how easy this task was and how much damage the bags sustained. For our finalists, I’ve repeated the torture test along a second, even rougher route because I like the sound that polycarbonate luggage makes when it bounces down cavernous stairwells.

In fall 2023, we asked a panel of paid testers with a wide range of body types, dexterities, and mobilities to examine our picks and share their perspectives. We’ve incorporated their feedback in this review.

The Travelpro Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner is our pick for a soft-sided carry-on; if you need a little more room, we also recommend the Travelpro Platinum Elite 22″ Carry-On Rollaboard .

It has a history of great performance. Travelpro’s Platinum Elite line has been our top pick for almost every iteration of this guide because it addresses the concerns of most travelers for an affordable price: In addition to smooth-rolling, replaceable wheels, it features solid and comfortable telescoping handles and a hard-wearing nylon exterior propped up by a solid 7.8-pound internal chassis. Travelpro backs it all with a lifetime warranty that covers airline damage and shipping to the repair facility (as long as you register the luggage within 120 days of purchase). Additionally, Travelpro supplies a full catalog of other replaceable parts .

It moves well across most surfaces and through most situations. The spinner bag’s configuration stands out in particular because of its MagnaTrac wheels, which magnetically snap into a forward position when the bag is moving. The small tracking assistance makes a large difference when you’re navigating the Platinum Elite through a crowded airport or down a busy street. It also has an easy-to-use, removable garment bag. After years of testing, we think the superior maneuverability of spinner luggage, along with improvements in manufacturing processes, makes four-wheel bags a better choice for most people. However, if you prefer slightly more packing capacity (the equivalent of squeezing in two more sweatshirts), larger wheels that run more smoothly over rough terrain, and a more protective built-in garment folder, 4 you may appreciate the two-wheeled 22-inch version of the Platinum Elite. One of our paid testers, who’s 6-foot-6, told us that although he could see the appeal of a spinner, “I would still choose the two-wheeler. It has a little more space, and when you’re my size, packing is just so horrible.”

It’s sized to maximize your space, but you have options. Measuring 23 by 13.5 by 9 inches, the Platinum Elite carry-on bag (in either wheel configuration) hits the upper margins of actual carry-on size limits and could get you gate-checked by an overzealous agent. However, it fits into most standard-size baggage caddies at check-in, including that of American Airlines and United Airlines. I’ve personally traveled with Travelpro carry-ons this size for more than 45,000 miles spread across 50 flights, from regional to long-haul to international routes, and I’ve never had an issue fitting within gate-side luggage sizers. If you’re nervous about getting caught at the gate or often fly in very small regional planes, Travelpro makes a 20-inch Platinum Elite as well as a slimmer international size, but they hold less (naturally) and lack a suiter insert.

It keeps clothes compacted but not creased. Inside, the Platinum Elite has a pair of tie-down straps and two broad panels with pockets that cinch down, similar in design and function to what you’d find in much more expensive Briggs & Riley luggage . Compared with the simple tie-down straps you often find in cheaper luggage, the panels do a great job of keeping things compacted without creasing clothes—a problem we’ve encountered in numerous other bags we’ve tested. Beyond that, the Platinum Elite’s internal organization system is about average. It will be familiar to anyone who has used a suitcase before, which means there’s no learning curve for optimizing the storage capacity. One long mesh pocket sits on one of the bag’s sides, and a smaller removable transparent plastic bag sits on the other side for easy TSA inspection of toiletries.

It’s tough yet flexible. The exterior is made of a hard-wearing nylon fabric, a key feature of all the bags we’ve tested. It hides scuffs and scratches, and it’s much more versatile than hard-sided bags. An expansion zipper lets you increase storage by about 30% in a pinch—although the bag is no longer carry-on compliant at that point. We prefer to use the expansion zipper as something of an ad-hoc compression system: We unzip the expansion zipper while packing the bag and then zip it at the end, tamping everything down tight. The Platinum Elite carry-on also has a variety of convenient exterior pockets, including two in the front, suitable for a sleep mask and other small miscellaneous items, and one on the side for a battery, though it can fit a bit more if necessary. It also has an accordion pocket on the front for magazines and electronic tablets.

It’s well balanced and spacious. This luggage has an 1,856-cubic-inch interior, which we measured using hundreds of Ping-Pong balls . In real-world terms (the needs of Ping-Pong champions notwithstanding), the Platinum Elite swallowed up five days’ worth of clothes with no problem and had a good deal of room to spare—and that’s without our resorting to the expansion zipper.

It has an excellent warranty. Should anything go wrong, you can take advantage of Travelpro’s generous lifetime warranty, which covers airline damage . The sole other company we’ve seen offering this extensive a warranty is Briggs & Riley, whose carry-on suitcases start at about $500. Travelpro bags have owner-serviceable parts and multiple repair centers . To get repair service, you can either drop the bag off at a repair center or ship the bag to Travelpro, the cost of which the company will cover. Keep in mind that the warranty doesn’t cover cosmetic wear.

Travelpro has a history of fixing production errors remarkably quickly. In 2019, we noticed a small uptick in Wirecutter reader complaints about zipper tabs breaking. We reached out to Travelpro, and a representative told us that a production error expanded the capacity of the front pocket of the Platinum Elite; this allowed travelers to overpack the pocket, which put excessive strain on the zipper. Travelpro identified and fixed the issue before it had reached the threshold of more than a few comments online.

Dimensions: 23.5 by 14.5 by 9 inches (HWD) Weight: 7.8 pounds Volume: 46 liters

How the Platinum Elite has held up

After nearly a decade of testing the Platinum Elite line of bags from Travelpro, we have yet to encounter a single serious issue. The fabric exterior brushes off scrapes and is easy enough to clean. Simply, it is a remarkably built bag that continues to travel well, year after year.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Though the Platinum Elite rolled well in general, we are still concerned when dragging the bag up stairs. Some of the other bags we tested had long plastic bumper strips running most of the way up the length of the bag; this Travelpro model’s skid plate isn’t as big or as protective. I haven’t had an issue, but if you’re particularly rough on your luggage or uncomfortable lifting the bag over curbs or up stairs, it’s something to be aware of.

• In 2018, Travelpro added a USB-A pass-through cable to the Platinum Elite as a way to compete with so-called smart bags. We like the battery pocket, but the built-in cable itself, which routes from the pocket to a USB port less than 6 inches away, is an unnecessary item, which at best adds a potential point of failure to the bag—USB cables do not last forever. Does it ruin the bag? No. Is it a feature? Not really.

If you prefer the look of hard-sided luggage or the security of knowing that you can’t overpack your suitcase, Away’s The Carry-On is the carry-on we recommend. If you want to maximize your available carry-on space, it also comes in a slightly larger size: The Bigger Carry-On .

It can take wear and tear. Most travelers are still better off with one of our soft-sided picks than a hard-sided carry-on; soft-sided luggage shows less wear and typically lasts longer than hard-sided luggage. But the Away Carry-On’s wheels and zipper are as well made as those of our soft-sided picks, and its polycarbonate showed fewer scratches than that of hard-sided competitors.

We’ve tested the Away Carry-On for six years, traveling with it ourselves across the country and lending several units to testers and frequent travelers to see how they enjoyed using the bag. Its polycarbonate feels similar to that used on more high-end (and significantly pricier) suitcases such as the Rimowa Essential Cabin , which is more than three times as expensive.

You have options if you need extra space. Away makes a similar model of suitcase with an expandable zipper, The Carry-On Flex . The Flex is the same bag as the standard Carry-On except for the expanding center zipper and the price (it’s about $50 more). Personally, I’m not a fan of expanding zippers on suitcases. It feels like just one more thing to break. But some people may prefer having the extra flexibility.

It feels great to use. The bag itself feels good in the hands, and the wheels are noticeably better than those on any of the hard-sided competitors we tried. Away also uses YKK zippers, outclassing our top pick in that regard (Travelpro moved to Supra zippers in 2015). At this point, we’re pretty comfortable saying that years of debate over the best zipper are largely redundant, but YKK still sets the standard.

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Away has sparked more imitators and outright duplicates than any other brand in the past decade, in part due to its appeal with younger travelers. I’ve thought about why, and as best as I can guess, a simple polycarbonate cube dripped in limited-edition soft hues does exude a certain calm; the fact that some of those same colors also coat the exteriors of pills ending in suffixes -ax and -il is not, one assumes, accidental.

It has a great warranty. The Away Carry-On is backed by a limited lifetime warranty that protects against defects and parts breaking. Though the warranty doesn’t specifically mention airline damage, the damages it does list—cracks or breaks in the shell, wheels or handles becoming unusable, zippers that don’t work, fabric tears that render any pocket unusable—basically outline anything an airline could possibly dish out.

Dimensions (for The Carry-On): 21.7 by 14.4 by 9 inches (HWD) Weight: 7.5 pounds Volume: 40 liters

• The Carry-On’s sleek style comes at a cost: Its polycarbonate shell is ultimately more likely to break than the nylon fabric of our other picks.
• It lacks certain amenities, such as external pockets and a suiter, that our top picks have.
• The clamshell design, which splits down the middle and opens into two parts, can make the bag frustrating to pack and unpack. Packing cubes help, but after years of packing and unpacking soft-sided luggage with a single lid, I personally find a clamshell design to be more finicky when packing.

The Travelpro Maxlite 5 21″ Carry-On Spinner is one of the lightest pieces of luggage we’ve tested, at a great price.

It’s lightweight. We have a hard time imagining how anyone could make a suitcase much lighter than this without breaking certain laws of physics. A few years ago, I took apart a Maxlite suitcase to see how the internal frame was built. What I found beneath the fabric was a clever lattice of plastic supporting the frame, which offered the best balance between weight-saving and structure.

For some people, especially those with limited upper-body strength, a lighter bag—even by just a few pounds—may be easier to lift or manage. That said, most people don’t need extremely light luggage, but just to pack less. For all the innovative design, the Maxlite 5 shaves only 2.4 pounds off the weight of our top pick. That’s the equivalent of a couple of pairs of jeans.

It’s inexpensive. My general advice to friends is to spend more than $200 but less than $500 to get good, if not great, luggage. The Maxlite 5 is the one piece of luggage I’ve found that breaks that rule. You can usually find it for about $150 or less, which is a remarkable price considering the bag’s quality.

Simple is good. This model doesn’t have any real bells or whistles—no battery pass-throughs or magnetically tracked wheels, as with our other Travelpro picks. Instead you’ll find two simple front pockets, a few well-placed handles, and a cavernous main compartment with a couple of pockets and two light straps to hold your stuff in place.

It comes from a trusted brand. We haven’t covered, examined, and interrogated a single luggage brand at Wirecutter for as long as we have Travelpro. For a decade, Travelpro has done a premier job of maintaining trust with its customers and with us—we’ve watched the company make small changes in design, catch flaws quickly, and address warranty concerns promptly. This is not something we say lightly: Travelpro is a name you can trust.

Dimensions: 23 by 14.5 by 9 inches (HWD) Weight: 5.4 pounds Volume: 46 liters

• The Maxlite 5’s warranty isn’t as robust as that of our top pick: Manufacturing defects in the wheels, zippers, and handles are covered for as long as you own the bag, but airline damage and shipping to a Travelpro repair center are covered only for the first year. (And you do need to register the bag.) Considering that this bag costs half the price of the Platinum Elite, this makes sense, but it’s something to be aware of.

If you’re a frequent flyer and willing to invest in higher-quality gear, we recommend the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner (also available in a two-wheeled version with more capacity).

It’s the best of the best. Every detail of this top-rated bag, from the zippers to the wheels to the wrinkle-resistant suit compartment, is made to the highest standards, and we found that it had a higher proportion of usable space than any other spinner bag we tested. Briggs & Riley keeps its design consistent, adding, at most, small improvements such as this year’s upgraded lifting handle. Our 6-foot-6 paid tester pointed out that the Baseline Essential’s handle extended an inch and a half farther than that of the Travelpro Platinum Elite, which made it less likely to hit his heels as he pulled it.

Although the wheels don’t snap into alignment, they are exceptionally smooth-rolling and easy to maneuver. If you fly more than 25,000 miles per year, it’s worthwhile to invest in luggage that goes beyond merely being sturdy and actually improves your overall travel experience. That’s why we’ve been recommending it since we first covered this topic in 2014. The Baseline Essential is one of the best carry-on luggage options available today.

Its compression system is truly a marvel. The most ingenious part of the Baseline Essential bag is its CX expansion and compression system. Pull upward on two plastic handles inside the bag, and you can extend its depth a full 2.5 inches. Load the bag as full as you need to, and zip it closed. Then you push down on the bag, which compresses it as a clip mechanism secures it in place. Unlike other expansion systems, which are either open or closed, this one locks into incremental positions. It’s a unique design and very satisfying to use.

It’s the easiest to pack. Briggs & Riley placed the tracks for the Baseline Essential handles on the outside of the bag, which allows for a flat surface in the interior of the bag, with no small crevices to work around for simple packing. And in our tests, after packing 10 bags and trying to figure out strategies for each nook and cranny, packing on a broad flat surface felt like a luxury. According to our measurements, the bag, unexpanded, offers 1,905 cubic inches of storage room (and that accounts for the space occupied by the wheel wells and such). Expanded, it can stow 2,110 cubic inches. That’s remarkably efficient for a bag that does so much. All of these features add up to a carry-on that is easier to pack than any other bag we tested.

The Baseline Essential spinner is also the only spinner luggage model we tested with a built-in garment folder. It’s similar to the folder in Travelpro’s two-wheeled Platinum Elite bag, and that’s a good thing. It’s easy to pack and has an anchor point for hangers. Each of the three folds has a bit of padding that helps to keep a suit from pinching onto itself and creasing, though much of that depends on how well you pack. You can fit a week’s worth of clothes in the Baseline Essential, including some puffy gear for colder weather. A wide, wrinkle-free tie-down system completes the package.

It’s understated. On the outside, the Baseline Essential is pretty unremarkable. There’s nothing eye-grabbing about the bag, which is good if you’re trying to avoid being gate-checked (or having it stolen). Its outer, nylon fabric seems to be of a tighter weave than that used on the other bags we’ve tested. We also noticed a robust feel to the zippers, which are a self-repairing type made by YKK.

Similar to our top pick, the Baseline Essential includes a charging pocket. However, Briggs & Riley skipped the internal USB wiring, instead opting for a simple pocket arrangement (video) on the back of the bag for discreetly storing a charge pack and your phone. It’s an elegant solution.

It comes with an excellent warranty. All Briggs & Riley bags come with a lifetime warranty that covers any damage to the “functional aspects” of the bag, even if caused by an airline (like Travelpro, Briggs & Riley does not cover cosmetic wear or cleaning). Although Briggs & Riley handles warranty-covered repairs at no extra cost, you do have to pay to ship the bag to the company to carry out any repairs; it will ship your bag back to you for free. Or you can drop off the bag at one of the many repair centers . Briggs & Riley emphasizes that returning your bag to you in its original condition, even after repairs, is not always possible. The bags are easy to service and repair, so you can also order the parts you need and replace them yourself at home.

We’ve put in the miles, and the Baseline Essential is in a separate league. Over a five-year period before the pandemic, Wirecutter founder Brian Lam carried a two-wheeled Baseline Essential carry-on while traveling 150,000 miles and farther. After considering all the bags in our test and logging an additional 40,000 miles with a similarly priced bag by Tumi, he was convinced that this model is the best for anyone who’s always on the move. “I love this bag. It carries so much,” Brian said. “Sometimes I check it. Sometimes I carry it. It always fits.”

Dimensions: 22 by 14 by 9 (expands to 11.5) inches (HWD) Weight: 10 pounds Volume: 37 liters (expands to 48 liters)

• Despite the plastic shielding, the exposed rails on the exterior could use more protection. While dragging the bag up stairs (which we don’t advise doing), we felt more scraping than we’d like.
• At first glance, the handle feels too loose for a roughly $700 bag. We spoke to Briggs & Riley representatives, and they explained that this is a deliberate choice: The looser tolerances allow for the handle to retract by itself when you click its button, without your having to force it down. In practice, this is very helpful for scaling stairs and could save you some hassle in tight quarters, such as in the aisle of an airplane.
• At 10 pounds, the Baseline Essential is the heaviest bag we recommend. In this price range, weight often equals durability, which equals quality. But if you’re uncomfortable with a heavier bag, this isn’t the best pick for you.

Carl Friedrik’s The Carry-On is an impressive polycarbonate case that improves in areas where most other companies tend to cut corners.

It’s robust and durable. It improves the usual hard-case design primarily by replacing the zipper with an aluminum frame sealed with two metal latches incorporating TSA locks. This trim makes the case feel far more robust, which is a very satisfying feeling when you’re wheeling luggage around an airport.

Clasping shut an aluminum frame with a metal lock is pleasing—it feels like closing a safe and locking it tight. The polycarbonate shell has an equally rigid feeling but exhibits plenty of flexibility under strain. Although it’s difficult to compare polycarbonates between brands, higher-end polycarbonate feels dense to the touch even as the material flexes; in this piece of luggage, Carl Friedrik offers impressive quality.

Additionally, the Carl Friedrik Carry-On has YKK zippers internally and Hinomoto spinner wheels from Japan—both considered the top of their class.

It’s thoughtfully styled. The soft leather accents and bolted frame all have a certain maturity that’s often lacking in other, competing cases. This look carries to the inside of the luggage as well. A simple gray polyester lining accompanies two sets of compression straps and a removable compression pad, which has a zippered pocket.

It has an excellent warranty. As you might expect for the price, Carl Friedrik backs up its luggage with a lifetime warranty that protects against airline damage (assuming the airline hasn’t responded to your request for compensation within 14 days).

Dimensions: 21.6 by 14.5 by 9 inches (HWD) Weight: 8.6 pounds Volume: 40 liters

• This is a brand-new pick—so far we haven’t found any flaws, but we’re keeping an eye on the latches. Luggage latches are small, complicated mechanical devices that have a myriad of ways to fail.
• The handle feels just a touch loose, which, as with our upgrade pick from Briggs & Riley , can be a benefit. It can also sometimes be a hazard. Again, we’ll continue testing it.

Hybrid designs like the Yeti Crossroads 22″/35L Wheeled Luggage aren’t for everyone, but if you like the flexibility of a soft-sided luggage with the hard-hitting ruggedness of a polycarbonate back and two large fixed wheels, then this bag is just right.

It’s made from tough materials and easy-to-repair parts. Yeti has a reputation for using tough, sometimes cutting-edge, materials in all its gear. The Crossroads is no exception. The 700-denier nylon is one of the better nylons we’ve tested—tightly woven and exceptionally durable. (Denier is a measure of the fiber thickness in a fabric.)

The Crossroads comes in only a two-wheeled design, which is usually able to withstand more damage than a four-wheeled design. The wheels are also easier to service on the road and often replaceable. 5

It’s well organized. It includes a front panel organizer, similar to that of modern laptop backpacks, with two slots for your laptop and tablet plus a mesh pocket for spare gear. Fully packed, it still has room for a few magazines as well, if you like. Internally, the soft top has a zippered main compartment with a decent amount of packing space, as well as two mesh organizing pockets.

It’s a pleasure to pack. As the Crossroads is built around a molded polycarbonate base, the entire suitcase becomes, in essence, a large tray to pack and then zip shut. It’s a very satisfying design—easier to manage than many of the clamshell designs that are currently popular. Yeti’s packing cubes are designed to fit snugly in the Crossroads’s main compartment, and the bag does come with one small cube. But if you choose these, you’re spending a premium for additional packing cubes when almost any packing cube will work.

Dimensions: 22 by 14 by 9 inches (HWD) Weight: 8 pounds Volume: 40 liters

• We’d love to see a better warranty. Three years is very limited when compared with other luggage brands selling similarly priced suitcases—especially for a bag that claims to be as tough as the brand’s reputation.
• Occasionally, Yeti’s tough-gear reputation veers almost into absurdity, as with the inclusion here of self-sealing zippers on a bag that isn’t actually waterproof—merely weather resistant. They’re top-of-the-line zippers. But self-sealing zippers can be hard to operate and require regular lubrication, which most people aren’t used to providing.
• The front-facing laptop organizer is woefully unshielded. If you’re traveling with a laptop, place it deep within the bag if you want it properly protected.
• The bag feels heavy—by our measurements, it weighs about a half pound more than Yeti’s 7.5-pound estimation. It’s not the heaviest of our picks, but something about the weight distribution and shape of the bag makes it feel heavier when you’re swinging it around.

If you need a hard-sided budget bag: Look at the Gregory Quadro Hardcase 22″ , an unexpectedly high-quality suitcase from an outdoor-gear company. Gregory offers a lifetime warranty with service and repair. Although the warranty doesn’t explicitly mention airline damage, Gregory’s good reputation speaks for itself in this matter. However, the Quadro Hardcase is a pound heavier (at 6.5 pounds) and about $60 more than our budget pick.

If the Away Carry-On is sold out: Consider the Monos Carry-On Plus . Picking between these two models came down to splitting some very fine hairs. Both use YKK zippers. Both have lifetime warranties. The handles and interiors are almost identical. Monos even hides the stitching that attaches the zipper to the polycarbonate frame, which is a nice aesthetic touch. The difference came down to the Away Carry-On’s wheels, which spun just that much more freely in our testing, and the underside handle, which made it easier to pull out of overhead bins. And we’ve tested the Away Carry-On for longer. However, if it’s unavailable, the Monos model is a good, nearly identical substitute.

If you want a bag made of recycled materials: We suggest the Paravel Aviator Carry-On . Paravel is attempting to design luggage with recycled materials and some environmentally minded transparency to the company’s production methods. However, you pay a premium for the effort. Quality-wise, the bag is similar to our other hard-sided picks, for about a hundred more dollars. And much of the Paravel branding is built on carbon offsets, which we are deeply skeptical of (though we wish they worked).

If you’re an infrequent adventurer: Try the Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Roller , which could almost be an also-great pick under our hybrid pick . It’s cheaper, has a better warranty (but no explicit coverage for airline damage), and is made from recycled materials. However, the overall build quality is wanting. For example, the polycarbonate shell doesn’t fully cover the tubes for the extendable handle as it does with our hybrid pick. It seems an oversight for bags that are built to knock around.

If the best possible suit-packing experience is all you want, and money is no object: The Vocier C38 Carry-On Luggage is worth a look, despite a few flaws and an $800 price tag. The C38 takes a unique, fold-free approach to packing clothes. Rather than folding garments in on themselves to fit in the bag, it bends the suit around the outside of the luggage frame in a U shape. This packing method creates no creases and therefore no wrinkles. The case is protected by a limited lifetime warranty that doesn’t cover airline damage.

We hope to take a look at the European brand Floyd , which is currently popular on Instagram. At first glance, it’s another piece of luggage looking to appeal to a younger mass audience. But the easy-to-replace polyurethane wheels and bearings—similar to skateboard wheels—do have “user-serviceable parts inside” curb appeal.

We’re currently testing Level8’s Voyageur series of luggage, which features an extra-wide handle. It’s a design trend we’re starting to track with a few lesser-known brands (and, incidentally, a Louis Vuitton case costing several thousand dollars). A wide handle should do two things: It should free up a little more space inside the luggage, and it should improve handling.

Lastly, we’re considering expanding our coverage to include equipment cases like those made by Pelican . Though their appropriate use is very specific, when you need to travel with high-end gear or fragile valuables, Pelican cases more or less set the standard.

Soft-sided carry-on luggage

Cotopaxi Allpa 38L Roller Bag : We’re generally fans of Cotopaxi’s Allpa line, but this two-wheeled bag falls short. Specifically, the bottom of the bag is split by the zipper, which gives the bag an unstable feeling when it’s standing upright.

Eagle Creek Tarmac XE 4-Wheel 22″ Carry On Luggage : If this bag were about $150 cheaper, it would be a good price for the quality. We like the recycled materials, but the bag lacks framing.

Solo Re:Treat Carry-On Spinner : I appreciate any bag made entirely out of recycled materials, but this model (from a brand owned by the same company that manages Briggs & Riley) felt awfully flimsy. Even with its five-year warranty, I just don’t trust that this bag can go the distance.

Thule Subterra : The clamshell design—similar to the ones you find on hard-sided bags—makes this bag difficult to close if you’re trying to fill it to its full capacity. It just isn’t as easy to use as our soft-sided picks.

Timbuk2 Copilot Luggage Roller : The balance on this bag was decent, and it stood up well unloaded or loaded. Its wheels had a cheap ball-bearing rhythmic chatter, though, and the abundance of zippers and internal compartments made it tedious to pack.

Tumi Aerotour International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On : At about half the price, this would be a great bag. But paying nearly $700 for a five-year warranty and a bag that doesn’t do nearly as much as a Briggs & Riley suitcase seems a bit silly.

Hard-sided carry-on luggage

Amazon Basics 24-Inch Hardside Spinner : This bag is a surprisingly good carry-on for about $90. However, its ABS plastic shell is not as tough as a polycarbonate shell. It’s worth investing more in your luggage—the bag you choose will last longer and work better.

Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-On : The Arlo Skye carry-on is a decent piece of luggage, but it’s hard to square the bag with its cost: $200 more than our pick from Away .

Away The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition : 10 pounds! At this weight, you’ve lost a quarter of your allowable luggage weight to the suitcase alone, unpacked. And it’s nearly as expensive as our upgrade pick, with a much less satisfying compression system.

Briggs & Riley Torq and Sympatico : Though these collections seek to solve a different problem, neither is as impressive as the Baseline series.

Calpak Ambeur Carry-On Luggage : We preferred sturdier polycarbonate shells over Calpak’s blended ABS polycarbonate shell. Also, the bag’s handling felt jittery against normal airport floor surfaces.

Delsey Rempart Expandable Spinner Carry-On : At just around $200, the Rempart is a decent budget option. However, the external styling (like layers of pressed sheet pans) is an odd choice. It has some practicality, but only if you’re stacking identical Delsey cases one on top of another, which might happen, I suppose, at some point … maybe.

July Carry On : In the lineup between July, Monos, and Away, July falls just short. We appreciate the lifetime warranty, YKK zippers, and flexible but dense-feeling polycarbonate. But the overall design doesn’t do much to improve on the category (as the Monos bag subtly does).

Level8 Road Runner Pro Carry-On 20″ : This is potentially a decent budget pick at just around $200. But the one-year warranty and the somewhat fiddly TSA lock and front latching panel give us pause.

Lojel Cubo Medium : Although we liked the uncommon top-loading design, the internal organization of the lid made packing this carry-on difficult. We also weren’t impressed by the zippered expansion system, which made the suitcase feel bulkier than our picks.

Lojel Voja Medium : An odd suitcase, this would be a great children’s suitcase or a budget pick—especially if it were under $200. But its current price is steep for a polypropylene blend with a couple of latches.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Chris Ryan.

Airline policies vary, but a general rule is that the bag must be under 45 linear inches—the total sum of the bag’s length, width, and depth. Here’s the current sizing breakdown among the major US airlines:

• Alaska Airlines: 22 by 14 by 9 inches
• Allegiant Air: 22 by 14 by 9 inches
• American Airlines: 22 by 14 by 9 inches (the dimensions of soft-sided garment bags are allowed to add up to 51 inches)
• Delta Air Lines: 22 by 14 by 9 inches
• Frontier Airlines: 24 by 16 by 10 inches (and less than 35 pounds)
• Hawaiian Airlines: 22 by 14 by 9 inches
• JetBlue Airways: 22 by 14 by 9 inches
• Southwest Airlines: 24 by 16 by 10 inches
• Spirit Airlines: 22 by 18 by 10 inches
• Sun Country Airlines: 24 by 16 by 11 inches
• United Airlines: 22 by 14 by 9 inches

We double-checked the measurable packable space of our top picks against the manufacturers’ listed volumes by filling each piece of luggage with hundreds of Ping-Pong balls: 144 Ping-Pong balls weigh exactly 0.5 pound, and each Ping-Pong ball represents approximately 2 cubic inches (PDF) . After weighing each piece of luggage three times to establish an average empty weight, we filled the bags as full as we could with Ping-Pong balls and measured the change in weight. For every half-pound increase in weight we estimated 288 cubic inches of packable space.

His five-day travel kit included the following:

• 1 two-piece linen suit on a hanger
• 1 dress shirt on a hanger
• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 pair of khakis
• 5 medium-weight to lightweight shirts
• 1 heavy sweater
• 2 flannel shirts
• 5 pairs of boxer briefs
• 5 pairs of sport socks

Her five-day travel kit included the following:

• 1 dress on a hanger
• 1 blazer on a hanger
• 1 blouse on a hanger
• 1 pair of heels
• 2 pairs of jeans
• 1 pair of light sneakers
• 5 pairs of underwear and 3 bras
• 1 pair of yoga pants
• 1 flannel shirt
• 1 hair dryer
• 1 curling iron
• 1 jewelry/makeup kit
• 3 pairs of sport socks
• 4 lightweight shirts

You use a garment folder by laying a suit or dress across the panels, folding them into themselves, and zipping up the inner compartment. A folder should be wide enough that a suit isn’t cramped, and it should include hanger straps (which should fit around everything, even larger plastic hangers) to keep things from shifting around too much. Some folding boards have 0.75-inch-diameter foam rolls in them to help prevent creases along the packed clothes’ fold lines. When you aren’t traveling with fancy clothes, you can take the whole apparatus apart and use it as luggage dividers in the main bag itself, or leave it at home, converting the suit/dress compartment into an extra packing cube.

Yeti doesn’t seem to have an easy way to order replaceable wheels. But the 3.5-by-1-inch wheels are fairly common, and we’re looking at the best possible alternatives.

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

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Apache Plus Carry-On: Perfect carry on by Andrea H.

I did a lot of research as I haven’t bought a hard case before and wanted to make sure it would fit on all airlines that I would typically fly. This adheres to the size I needed and it honestly feels large. I was able to pack more than I needed for a quick out of country vacation, multiple pairs of shoes, outfits and a full makeup/vanity kit. It seems well made and had no issues with dents or any defects. It features a hidden pocket for easy access to a laptop or tablet. Good price point as well, couldn’t be more satisfied with the purchase. Oh and the maneuverability was great!

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 travel almost 1/4 of the year due to the nature of my career, and I’ve been through so many suitcases (expensive to inexpensive). As a frequent traveler, I try to pack light and efficient. The reason I’m writing my first review on luggage is because this luggage has made my travel experience much easier and lighter! And so far the best I’ve tried. Expandable hidden pocket: This is the key feature of this bag. In the picture seemed like a laptop compartment, and couldn’t tell how it works but I decided to give it a try. And guess what! this pocket made me get rid of my backpack that I travel with all times.

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11 Best Luggage Brands (2023 Reviews)

Looking for luggage can seem daunting when you see how many brands are competing for your attention. Some are household brand names, and others you may be hearing about for the first time. Either way, we went through extensive research to determine the top ten best luggage brands. Below you’ll find the 11 best luggage brands for travelers of all budgets for this year:

Best Luggage Brands Top 11 Guide

1. samsonite.

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Founded: 1910 Headquarters: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg (Originally Denver, CO) Carry-on price range: $80-$500

Does Samsonite deserve the coveted top spot for best luggage brand ? The short answer: Yes. Samsonite comes as the most highly-rated luggage brand when considering an average budget , which is why we consider it to be the best luggage brand for most people. This brand has a vast catalogue of luggage that includes luggage sets and carry-ons with hard and soft cases, bags with wheels or over-the-shoulder straps and almost any other bag category imaginable. We’ve gone ahead and written about Samsonite luggage reviews for all the top luggage types.

Although Amazon customer reviews prove that Samsonite has a lot to offer the luggage shopper, Samsonite can be beat if you are looking for the best quality and are willing to spend more money. However, if you ask someone with limited knowledge about luggage to name a brand, he or she will almost always come up with Samsonite first. This is a testament to the brand’s longevity and reputation of continuing to put out exceptional products for the price.

Our Favorite Samsonite Suitcase:

Cosmolite –  Samsonite is the luggage brand with the widest range of products for a wide range of budgets. Samsonite offers luggage for as little as $80 as well as more high-end suitcases to compete with Tumi, mainly the Cosmolite. The Cosmolite is offered in the 3 standard sizes: small (20″), medium (25″), and large (28″).

What stands out with the cosmolite is the same reason why we love it so much, because it is insanely light-weight! The Cosmolite just feels different than the typical Samsonite bag because of the high-end quality of the hard case. The carry on only weighs 4.5 lbs, so if you have the money – we’re certain you’ll love the Cosmolite as much as we do.

If cost truly is not an issue, our hands-down favorite luggage brand is Tumi . Tumi suitcases are a step above Samsonite when it comes to overall quality, but also price – which may put them out of reach for the average luggage shopper. Tumi manufactures a wide range of suitcases and bags, giving them quite the catalog. Shoppers with a larger budget will really like what they get from Tumi. All in all, Samsonite and Tumi really are the best luggage brands.

Founded: 1975 Headquarters: South Plainfield, NJ Carry on price range: $500-$2,100 (yes, really.)

Read our Best Tumi Luggage of the year post.

‘Tumi or not Tumi?, that is the question!’ Is Tumi the best luxury luggage brand ? We absolutely think so! And so do thousands of owners who write reviews all over the Internet. Tumi owners are extremely brand loyal and we typically find Tumi luggage owners who are going on 20+ years of being a loyal Tumi customer. Tumi is widely considered to be a luxury luggage brand, which is why it’s listed on our top luxury luggage brands article. Depending where you live, there are Tumi stores in some moderate to high-end shopping areas and malls, which is great if you want to go and see the lineup in person.

Yes, Tumi luggage is quite expensive compared to the other brands listed on this page, however, you can expect a longer life from Tumi over other brands. Tumi luggage owners time and time again rave about how long their bags last, sometimes through generations! Tumi suitcases typically start at around $500 and can go all the way up to $1,000 just for one suitcase. This may seem expensive at first, but if you are a frequent traveler, you know that luggage durability is important.

A $100 suitcase may experience some wear and tear much faster than a high-end Tumi bag. In 20 years, you may have bought several bags, when you could have just bought a Tumi bag once that would last you the entire 20 years. You’ll note that the Tumi luggage HQ is located in New Jersey; however, their luggage is actually manufactured outside of the US in various factory locations. This can also be said for the rest of the brands on our list. It’s tough to find an entire luggage line that is actually made in the U.S. We consider Tumi to be one of the best luggage brands if you have the money to spend.

Our Favorite Tumi Suitcase:

Tegra-lite  – Tumi is our favorite brand, and the Tegra-lite is our favorite model. The Tegra line has that quintessential Tumi look and helps make Tumi one of the most recognizable luggage brands because of the elegant styling and features. The Tegra line has the carbon fiber look and feel that we love, and each year the suitcase seems to be offered in different color options to help keep the look fresh.

Aside from looking amazing, the Tegra is famous for being one of the most lightweight luggage offered by Tumi, if not the lightest. Add in the fact that there is a built-in TSA luggage lock and Tumi Tracer location service and you’ve got yourself one of the best suitcases available today.

UPDATE: Tumi has officially been acquired by rival Samsonite to the tune of 1.8 billion dollars, which was officially announced August 1, 2016. This will most likely not mean much to the consumer. Samsonite knows that Tumi is a great brand on its own, and Samsonite will not try to step in and ruin that. In fact, Tumi sales are forecasted to double by end of next year. Samsonite may be on the hunt to acquire even more luggage brands, so stay tuned to see how it all unfolds.

3. Briggs & Riley

Founded: 1993 Headquarters: Hauppauge, NY Carry on price range: $300-$700

Briggs & Riley stands out from the other luggage brands because of their lifetime warranty repair guarantee on all their bags! This lifetime repair guarantee covers the life of a bag for all functional aspects, and many customers think that spending more for these high-quality bags is worth that peace of mind. The guarantee aligns with the company philosophy that customers are family, and to look out for one another and have integrity.

Briggs & Riley listens to their customers, retail partners, and repair experts to engineer their products for the real-world. The brand has pieces and lines that focus on different traveling needs ranging from bags with innovative technology to modern smart backpacks. Briggs and Riley is one of the best luggage brands for frequent flyers who don’t have time to deal with luggage issues and malfunctions- these bags are built to last!

Our Favorite Briggs & Riley Suitcase:

Torq  – This was a tough one, because Briggs & Riley offers a lot of amazing, luxury luggage. We believe the best hard-sided Briggs & Riley bag is the Torq, and the best soft-sided suitcase they offer is the Baseline. Having said that, go with the style that you prefer, but we will give the slight edge to the Torq suitcase.

We’ve heard that not everyone is a fan of the looks of the Torq, as it looks a little boxy and rugged, but we think it looks great. The hard shell is extremely durable, and if you go with one of the bright colors, you’ll never have a hard time seeing your bag come down the luggage carousel.

Many owners have said that this will be the last piece of luggage they will buy and would buy again if asked. This luggage brand comes highly recommended based on excellent quality, design, and volume capacity, and its interior features allow you to securely manage all your items. Definitely check out the Baseline luggage line that they offer if you want a soft-side, and the Torq if you’re looking for a hard-sided carry-on.

Founded: 2012 Headquarters: Carlsbad, CA Carry on price range: $275-$295

Vessel is the latest addition to our constantly evolving list of best luggage brands. Vessel didn’t always make luggage, they began making specific bags like golf bags and then totes and backpacks. We were huge fans of their duffels and were super excited to see them enter the luggage space.

Not only are vessel bags super nice, but they have a wonderful mission that they stand behind. For every Vessel bag purchased, they buy a backpack for a child in need. We don’t see this much in the luggage space so it’s very encouraging to support a brand with a mission like that.

Our Favorite Vessel Suitcase:

Signature 2.0 luggage – The Vessel Signature 2.0 carry on is an exceptional suitcase. The faux-leather feels and looks like the real thing and comes in a nice array of colors. There’s a front laptop compartment that’s a nice touch for people who want easy access to their computer.

The zippers are very high quality and feature the Vessel logo on them. The zippers for the main compartments allow for a luggage lock for added security. We’ve seen cheap zippers and they tend to be one of the first parts to break on a suitcase, but these are extremely sturdy and will last you a long time. For our full review, check our Vessel Signature 2.0 luggage review post.

Overall we’re big fans of the Signature 2.0 soft-sided carry on. We’ve loved everything we’ve reviewed from Vessel and hope they continue making new and exciting products, further solidifying themselves as one of the best luggage brands.

5. Travelpro

Founded: 1987 Headquarters: Paris, France Carry on price range: $70-$340

Travelpro is one of the best luggage brands to revolutionize modern-day travel. The inventor of the Original Rollaboard, Robert Plath, was a pilot who placed two wheels and a handle on a suitcase. He started Travelpro International, and the brand has been a leader in the travel industry.

Travelpro has received many accolades over the past twenty years. 2014 marked the second year in a row that the brand was voted World’s Best Luggage by Premier Traveler Magazine . The brand claims to be used by more than 500,000 flight crews and frequent travelers worldwide, more than all other brands combined.

Our Favorite Travelpro Suitcase:

Maxlite  – If you want something traditional and affordable, go with the famously well-reviewed Maxlite line offered by Travelpro. Maxlite is the signature line of the Travelpro brand and finds itself being updated and refreshed every so often. Currently the Maxlite series is in its 4th iteration and has never been better.

The Maxlite series is a bit unique in that it is offered in both wheel types: spinner and inline. Not many suitcases are offered in inline since most people think that they prefer the 4 spinner wheel setup, however anyone who has ever experienced a broken spinner wheel would be happy to learn that inline wheels are much more durable. Go with the style you prefer and you won’t be disappointed.

Look to this brand if you are looking for garment bags, suitcases, computer bags, totes, backpacks, and rolling duffel bags that are durable, functional, and lightweight. These bags undergo rigorous testing protocols that replicate real-world conditions to ensure they meet quality standards for zippers, fabric, extension handles, wheels, temperature, and water repellency.

Founded: 1946 (began luggage production in 1970) Headquarters: Paris, France Carry on price range: $75-$400

Delsey was founded over 70 years in Paris, and its history tells of the brand’s ability to adapt to the changing world. With over 50 awards and patents, Delsey should not be overlooked. We have found Delsey to be extremely reliable, resilient, and functional while also being very high-quality as well. Delsey luggage designs feature clean lines, vintage selections, and urban inspirations.

Before selling great luggage, Delsey was a manufacturer of small cameras and typewriter cases in Paris in 1946 before becoming one of the best luggage brands. In a famously successful business pivot, they were able to adapt to the changing world to make travelling cases and suitcases. The name Delsey was created thanks to the merging of the Delhaye company and Seynhaeve brothers to manufacture luggage after seeing an increase in people travelling.

You may be surprised to hear that Delsey is the second largest luggage company in the world with its distribution network covering over 110 countries. When we think of Delsey, the words that the brand exudes are hope, optimism, craftsmanship, and expertise. So again, we ask… Why is Delsey one of the best luggage brands? Because they have amassed over 50 awards and patents, in addition to many innovations including the world’s first “Trolley System”, “Zip Securi-tech” Over weight indicator” “Brake system”, Shell in Technical Lin, “Front pocket on hardside” and more.

Our Favorite Delsey Suitcase:

Helium Aero  – After amassing more than 475+ reviews and counting, the Helium Aero luggage line by Delsey is easily their most well liked suitcase and also our favorite of any that they offer. Desley is a great brand and our favorite piece of luggage they offer is the Helium Aero for many reasons.

Helium Aero suitcases come in fun and unique colors to match your personal style. The hardsided material is quite light and the spinner wheels are some of the smoothest we’ve ever seen, making it a breeze to roll around the airport. The price is also quite fair as well, you can usually find a Helium Aero carry on very close to the $100 price point that a lot of people prefer to stick to.

Features of some Delsey suitcases include surface treatment “Easy-Wash”, updated looks, handmade bags, and soft-touch finishing. Form meets function meets flair is the best way to describe it all together.

7. Victorinox

Founded: 1884 (began luggage production in 1999) Headquarters: New York City, NY Carry on price range: $220-$860

You may have seen Victorinox’s logo before, but not on a suitcase. Rather, you may have seen it on a pocketknife. Victorinox is the parent company of the manufacturers of the famous Swiss Army Knife. There’s a lot of confusion around Victorinox because people see the same logo being used for Swiss Gear and also Wenger. The short answer is that Victorinox is the overall, parent company. Victorinox owns Wenger, and Wenger manufacturers Swiss Gear.

All three of those companies technically manufacture luggage under their respective names. Wenger and Swiss Gear are good brands if you have a moderate budget. However, if you’re looking for the best luggage brand of the three, we suggest going with Victorinox.

Victorinox is not cheap, as a typical suitcase will run you around $300 or more. What you are paying for is the meticulous quality and durability that is synonymous with the Victorinox name. Victorinox is one of the best luggage brands that offers a healthy mix of hard-sided and soft-sided luggage as well as duffels, backpacks, and various totes.

Our Favorite Victorinox Suitcase:

Werks Traveler  – The Werks has not been around as long as a lot of our top picks from other brands, but you will fall in love with their new premier Werks line. Like most Victorinox luggage, the Werks Traveler does not come cheap, however it will last you a long time. “Packs more, Weighs less” is the official motto of the Werks line, according to Victorinox.

The Werks line hearkens back to the original Swiss Army Knife and all it’s unique capabilities. Victorinox Werks Traveler suitcases come with a removable suit carrier as well as a divider to help your organize your clothes better. Victorinox is a brand that we’ve trusted for a long time, and we’re so happy that they make great luggage like the Werks.

You could probably guess that Victorinox has a long and storied history , and you’d be right. Although they only started making luggage in 1999, they have quickly caught up to some of the giants in the luggage industry.

8. Kenneth Cole

Founded: 1982 (began luggage production in 1996) Headquarters: New York City, NY Carry on price range: $50-$120

On the surface, Kenneth Cole may seem like one of those luggage brands that sells way too many different types of products to actually make any of them well. You’ll be pleased to know that that is not the case with their affordable luggage line.

Kenneth Cole is an American designer based out of New York who originally made and sold shoes. Through the years, he added more products to the line, including the “Reaction” line of luggage and other accessories. Kenneth Cole may sound like the name of some fancy and expensive designer’s items; however, the Kenneth Cole Reaction luggage line might be the most affordable luggage on our entire list.

We’ve written a great post covering several different Kenneth Cole luggage reviews Just about every KC suitcase can be purchased for less than $100, some even around the $50 price point! From a cost and real durability standpoint, they make our best luggage brands list.

Our Favorite Kenneth Cole Suitcase:

Reaction  – The Kenneth Cole Reaction is one of our favorite suitcases of all time for many reasons. For one, the price point is virtually impossible to beat for the quality that you are getting. A Reaction carry on will never run you more than $100, yet so many reviewers all over the Internet are infatuated with this little suitcase.

There aren’t any crazy features that will blow your mind, simply put this is a bargain pick that offers you the quality of a more expensive suitcase. Buying a Reaction might be your best sub-$100 carry on purchase. Also, don’t worry, the Reaction comes in many colors other than pink : )

The majority of Kenneth Cole luggage is hard-sided, which is great for a less-expensive suitcase because it ensures that you’ll still get the benefits of added durability. If you have a small budget, Kenneth Cole is a shoe-in for our best luggage brands list.

9. American Tourister

Founded: 1995 Headquarters: Commerce, CA Carry on price range: $70-$180

Aside from Samsonite, American Tourister might be the most popular brand you’ll find looking around at an airport. Much like Samsonite, American Tourister is an excellent brand for a moderate budget, and can be purchased in most department stores or online. What you may not know though is that American Tourister is owned by Samsonite .

Our Favorite American Tourister Suitcase:

ILite Xtreme  – There really isn’t anything “Xtreme” about this particular suitcase but we love it anyway. Much like the Reaction above, don’t be scared away by the bold teal color, the ILite Xtreme is available in many bold colors as well as traditional, even some patterns from time to time depending on inventory! Any time you can get a great spinner suitcase for under $100 we are curious.

There are a lot of defective wheels on cheap spinner suitcases but those found on the ILite Xtreme are some of the strongest we’ve seen and other reviewers seem to agree with us. The built-in fabric handle on the top AND the side accompany the telescoping handle making it a breeze to carry any which way you prefer. American Tourister is one of those flagship brands that you see all over the airport, and the ILite Xtreme is the best of the lot for your money.

American Tourister is not the same quality as Samsonite, but you will find it to be slightly cheaper in price than Samsonite- making it a great pick for our best luggage brands list. Another advantage to the American Tourister selection is all the great luggage for kids. The key is that they have licensing rights to print Disney designs. You’ll find a lot of the classic Disney characters and movies as well as Star Wars and Marvel designs for kids. American Tourister is a luggage brand that has great suitcases for the entire family.

10. Traveler’s Choice

Founded: 1984 Headquarters: Pomona, CA Carry on price range: $40-$160

Another great choice is Traveler’s Choice, which is one of the best luggage brands we’ve come across. They are one of the best brands because they offer such a wide range of luggage that will appeal to any traveler with any budget.

Their luggage is offered in single pieces, but also in sets of 2, 3, 4, and even more than that. Offering a healthy mix of hard-sided and soft-sided luggage options, Traveler’s Choice comes well-reviewed by owners all over the Internet.

Traveler’s Choice offers one of the most unique things we’ve seen in the luggage industry: custom print suitcases . With this option, you are able to upload any custom image that you own the rights to, and it will be printed on a 22” carry on suitcase. Make sure you have a high-resolution version of the image that you fully own the rights to.

While some people think that buying a bright color suitcase will help them identify their bag at the airport carousel, the best way to be unique is to put your own custom photo on your suitcase to really make it your own. We are huge fans of luggage innovation, which is why we love Traveler’s Choice.

Our Favorite Traveler’s Choice Suitcase:

Tasmania  – Maybe we’re partial to luggage named after places in and around Australia, but like the Melbourne, the Tasmania is an excellent option if you’re looking for reasonably priced hard-sided luggage. Many of Traveler’s Choice luggage is offered in sets, including the Tasmania suitcase. The poly-carbonate shell allows for “flexing” which helps the suitcase not to crack under extreme wear and tear or extreme climate conditions.

The shell is also diamond cut and abrasion resisting, making it an awesome pick if your top priority is durability. One of our favorite features is when a brand offers a suitcase offers an expandable hard-sided suitcase at a reasonable price. Traveler’s Choice is one of the best luggage brands for that reason among so many others. If you’re looking for a new brand to try out, and have durability as a priority, take a peek at the Tasmania offered by Traveler’s Choice.

11. AmazonBasics

Founded: 2009 Headquarters: Seattle, WA Carry on price range: $40-$70

You may have seen the AmazonBasics brand before in a different iteration. AmazonBasics was created by Amazon when they saw opportunities in certain categories being sold on their website. They began selling electronic accessories like cords and chargers in 2009, and have since branched out to hundreds of different categories. They made our list because they have decided to enter the luggage market, and make a very affordable suitcase.

The affordability combined with the good quality standard we’ve come to get from AmazonBasics products instantly makes them one of the best luggage brands. Because they can control the supply chain, they are able to offer decent luggage at very affordable prices. They don’t have the same vast offering as Samsonite, but with the models they do sell, you can’t really go wrong for the price.

AmazonBasics offers luggage options such as hard or soft shell, single or sets, as well as various sizes from carry on to over-sized. We’re guessing that Amazon will keep expanding their luggage line, but for now we’ve got them sneaking it at #11. We hope to see more from them in the future as well as a little more improvement in the current line. However if you only have around $50 to spend on a suitcase, AmazonBasics is a great budget-friendly choice.

What’s in a brand name?

Buying luggage is like buying anything else; you can easily get lost in a sea of brand names, not knowing if there is truly any correlation between the price and the quality. There are certain brands that we personally feel are overrated and overpriced for the quality.

Those brands were not include them on our list and will not mention them here. Each of the 10 best luggage brands on our list above will not disappoint you, and you can count on that.

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The 12 Best Luxury Luggage Brands for International Travel, According to Pros

Don’t splurge on a suitcase until you’ve read this expert shopping advice.

"Sturdiness is the most important quality for long, international travel because a dense suitcase will ensure that it comes off the scanning belt without major damage," Marchant says. "Durability and a lifetime warranty are also important because you never know what can happen while traveling, who is handling your bag, or what kind of weather it has to wheel through. In the unpredictable realm of international travel, a sturdy and resilient suitcase is a traveler’s best friend."

Here, the best pieces of luggage for international travel, straight from the pros.

Paravel Weekender

Paravel is one of Schroeder’s go-to brands for personal luggage due to its quality craftsmanship, stylish aesthetic, and still-attainable price point. The Weekender is a favorite piece (Schroder calls it her “ Mary Poppins bag”), as it easily slides over the handle of any suitcase for streamlining speedy layovers.

Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-on Bag

"Large, heavy suitcases are popular because they offer more packing space, but they are cumbersome to bring around the airport and may result in additional fees when checking in," Marchant says. "I recommend travelers prioritize finding a balance between capacity and portability and ensure that their luggage is both functional and practical."

A favorite of Marchant’s (and many seasoned travel pros, for that matter), Rimowa’s aluminum suitcases are all about longevity, while boasting one of the most iconic luggage designs of the modern day. “The best quality luggage is Rimowa, without hesitation, because of its durability, capacity, design, and style,” she says. “The suitcases are an investment, but a guaranteed piece for life,” he says.

Globe Trotter Safari XL Trunk

This heritage British luggage brand was founded in 1897 and truly offers something for everyone, whether you’re a watch collector or particular enough to seek out fully customizable luggage (or both!). Globe Trotter boasts a host of unique collections, from the eternally chic safari line to collabs with luxury accessories brand Casablanca and James Bond.

The brand’s items are made from vulcanized fiberboard, which boasts being as strong as leather yet light as aluminum for seamless travel. Plus, old-school jet-setters will love Globe Trotter’s chic trunks that are suited for your next Grand Tour.

Carl Friedrik Palissy Weekend

If you’re looking for a bag that can go from office to plane to drinks and back again, look no further than Carl Friedrik's weekender bag. This heritage luggage brand focuses on premium materials, thoughtful design to improve functionality and reduce waste, and innovation that will have you hooked for life. The brand is also a go-to destination for travel accessories made from vegetable-tanned vachetta leather that will patina beautifully over the years.

AWAY The Bigger Carry-On

This Instagram-adored brand is also a personal favorite of Schroder’s, as the brand’s Bigger Carry On is her-go to when jet-setting for a variety of trips. This top-rated luggage retailer is beloved for cleverly designed products with unique features such as laundry bags, underside grab handles, lightweight yet durable shells, and array of color options for every type of aesthete.

“In my opinion, the products are well-made and available at a price point that balances both luxury and accessibility,” says Schroeder. “Most of my clients appreciate this, as they are looking for both functionality and a level of style in their luggage.”

Bric's Bellagio Pocket Spinner Trunk

The celeb-adored Italian luggage brand features a range of leather goods that appeal to a variety of styles, whether you prefer vintage-inspired designs, sleek lines, or punchy colorways. Bric’s is all about showcasing Italian craftsmanship and design innovation, from the Tuscan leather trim on the Firenze bags to the steamer trunk-inspired design of the Bellagio collection and seaside hues of the Positano collection.

Bric’s offers a five-year warranty on all wheeled products and a two-year warranty on other bags and accessories. Warning: You'll be scheming up your next trip to Italy as soon as your purchase arrives.

Hartmann Tweed Legend Medium Journey

Iconic luggage brand Hartmann first gained notoriety in 1908 with its namesake trunk winning first prize at the California exposition. It’s been serving discerning travelers ever since (think: James Bond in Ian Flemming’s novels, as well as IRL with Halston and Gloria Vanderbilt).

Schroeder is fan of both their carry-on and checked luggage options that feature American-made vegetable-tanned leather, signature tweed, and other high-performance materials to travel as far and wide as you do for decades to come. It’s a top pick for those who love soft luggage without having to sacrifice on durability or style.

Monos Check-In Large

Monos has quickly become a must-have brand for the jet-set needing Instagram-worthy luggage. But the brand is much more than a pretty face (though we do love the number of colorways offered): Monos luggage has received more than 10,000 five-star reviews and is centered around creating timeless modern heirlooms you'll treasure for years to come.

They back that up with lifetime warranties on all luggage, even if purchased from an authorized third-party retailer, along with two-year warranties for the Metro collection and packing cubes. Plus, adults and kids alike will love the stylish alphabet stickers for personalizing suitcases and more.

TUMI Extended Trip Expandable 4-Wheeled Packing Case

“My husband has all things TUMI, which is a brand we often recommend to our clients,” Schroder says.

The comprehensive travel brand is a great pick for enthusiasts of all kinds, as the brand’s portfolio ranges from suitcases in six different sizes, active backpacks, and even a host of golf accessories (the brand just became the official luggage of the PGA Tour and LPGA). This also makes TUMI an excellent option for those who are seeking a full matching set of travel goodies, as Marchant says he swears by matching family sets of luggage to help keep track of everyone’s belongings as best as possible.

The brand features a slew of valuable amenities, from the TUMI Tracer product recovery program to repair and personalization services, as well a five-year-luggage warranty (two for wallets and accessories). Plus, there are more than 300 TUMI stores around the world to test out their suite of products in person with ease.

Royce & Rocket

The youngest brand on our list, Royce & Rocket was created by two well-traveled friends in 2022 who were looking to make packing (and unpacking upon arrival) as smooth as possible, allowing people to make the most of their vacations. Their suitcases, offered in three sizes feature built-in shelving systems (in chic colors, might we add) to help you stay organized with ease, no matter how much city-hopping is on your itinerary. Don’t miss out on the brand’s catchall travel pouches for keeping your suitcase mess-free and your beauty routine a breeze while abroad.

Delsey TURENNE Medium Trunk Spinner

Since 1946, Delsey has been bridging the gap between luxury and accessibility in the luggage market. No matter what kind of traveler you are or style of luggage you prefer, the brand has something well-designed, eco-friendly, and innovative to offer. The brand created the first luggage on wheels, after all! Delsey features an authorized repair center to ensure proper upkeep for those who travel hard. The brand is available for purchase through many major retailers around the world, so it’s a great pick if you prefer to shop IRL.

BÉIS The Convertible Mini Weekender

Schroder loves BÉIS for its lightweight carryon options that can keep you organized, no matter the itinerary. This is a great brand to know for families looking for chic, kid-friendly travel gear, hard-working totes, and clever carry ons in a slew of appealing colors.

“I own the Weekender and the Backpack, and I use both on different trips, depending on the type,” she says. “For example, when traveling to Africa, the Backpack helps to keep me most organized. When traveling to Europe and I need something to hold what doesn’t fit in my carry on, the Weekender is my go-to!"

Meet the Experts

Emma Schroder is a luxury travel advisor and founder of Major Traveler .

Tom Marchant is the co-founder and owner of Black Tomato .

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Lauren Wicks is a freelance writer and editor based in Birmingham, Alabama. Before going on her own, Lauren worked for brands such as VERANDA, EatingWell, and Cooking Light , and she covers all things lifestyle from interior design and luxury travel to wine and wellness.

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The best travel insurance policies and providers

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
• You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

• The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
• You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
• Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

• You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
• You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
• You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
• On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
• Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
• Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
• For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

• You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
• You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
• Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
• Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
• American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

• GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
• GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

• Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
• iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
• All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
• The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
• Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
• Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
• For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
• You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
• You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
• Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
• You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
• Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

• World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
• World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

• Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
• Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
• Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
• Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
• Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
• Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
• Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

The best carry-on luggage of 2024, tested and reviewed

Posted: January 19, 2024 | Last updated: January 22, 2024

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The internet is filled with stories of travel nightmares, but imagine a scenario where you're strolling through the airport confidently and easily with your suitcase gliding by your side; everything you wanted to pack has fit neatly into one bag, and you don't have a care in the world about squeezing it into the overhead bin. The best carry-on suitcases are reliable, durable, easy to pack, hold plenty of clothes, and fit on both domestic and international planes of all sizes.   

As travel editors who take more than 50 flights a year, we practically live out of our carry-ons at times. Our picks for the best carry-on bag are based on years of hands-on testing using objective tests and real-life travel. Our top pick for a hard-sided suitcase is the Samsonite Centric Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels , which has proved to be durable, spacious, and easy to maneuver. If you prefer a soft-sided bag, we also recommend the Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On Spinner , a bag designed by an airline pilot with thoughtful features like well-placed pockets and leather detailing.

If you're in the market for checked luggage, be sure also to check out our guide to the best luggage , which details all our favorite travel brands.

Our top picks for carry-on luggage

Best hard-sided overall: Samsonite Centric Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels - See at Amazon Form, function, durability, and an excellent price all meet to make the Samsonite Centric Hardside Expandable Luggage a winner.

Best soft-sided overall: Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On Spinner - See at Travelpro The Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On holds everything you need and then some, but its attention to detail makes it stand out from the competition. 

Best budget: AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner - See at Amazon For the casual weekend traveler, the AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Carry-On is an attractive bag that does the job at an extremely affordable price.

Best high-end hard-sided: Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin - See at Rimowa True to its name, the Rimowa Essential Lite sets itself apart with its under 5-pound weight without compromising on durability or quality. 

Best high-end soft-sided: Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner - See at Briggs & Riley The Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On is worth the investment thanks to its impressive compression feature and high-end materials that stand the test of time.

Best for extra space: Monos Carry-On Pro Plus - See at Monos If you're not restricted to smaller overhead bins, the Monos Carry-On Pro Plus is a sleek suitcase with extra room inside and a smart front pocket for easily stowing accessories.  

Best aluminum: Away The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition - See at Away Away's heavy-duty aluminum carry-on is as sleek and eye-catching as it is durable.

Best hard-sided overall: Samsonite Centric Hardside

• Dimensions: 22.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 inches
• Weight: 7.5 lbs
• Volume: 45 liters
• Material: Polycarbonate

Pros: Excellent price for the quality, durable, scratch-resistant, wheels easily, expandable, 10 year warranty

Cons: Handle wiggles a decent amount when fully extended, may be too big for some budget airlines outside the US 

I've used this bag consistently for years, and while it has a couple of very small marks upon close inspection, it has remained in remarkably good shape — especially compared to other hard-side cases I've tried. 

It's easy to lift into overhead bins and a rubberized grip under the top and side handles adds extra comfort for handling. The zippers run smoothly and the expansion zipper even has a finger hole for extra ease and agility. There is also a TSA-approved lock on the right side.

Despite its small size, I can fit a week's worth of clothes inside, and the 1.5-inch expansion capability comes in especially handy if you often return from a trip with more than you originally packed. While there aren't any fancy extras when it comes to interior storage, it's more than sufficient with a mesh zip close on one side and a strong buckle to keep clothes packed in tight on the other. 

The bag's one downside is that the handle is a little bit wobbly when fully extended. As is the case with most suitcases, the handle poles also take up some space in the interior compartment, making it harder to lay items completely flat on that side. 

Read our full Samsonite Centric Hardside Expandable Carry-On review .

Best soft-sided overall: Travelpro Platinum Elite

• Dimensions: 23.5 x 14.5 x 9 inches
• Weight: 7.8 lbs
• Volume: 46 liters
• Material: High-density nylon with DuraGuard coating

Pros: Durable and high-quality materials, leather detailing, doesn't tip forward even when fully packed

Cons : Easy to overpack, may be too big for some budget airlines outside the US 

Travelpro is well-regarded among serious travelers for a reason. The high-density nylon fabric is durable, stain-resistant, and has not torn or ripped in the time I've used it. Leather detailing not only adds a sophisticated look but also makes the top lifting handle extremely comfortable. However, the additional handle on the side is a little bit tight, even for my small hands.

With an expansion option of two full inches, this bag holds a ton. There are three front pockets of varying sizes, including one that can hold a laptop. The main compartment has the standard layout of a soft-side bag with one deep side and a smaller zipper compartment on the other side.

Large chrome zippers are easy to maneuver and the four large wheels made this bag one of the easiest to wheel on every surface, including carpet. The adjustable handle is very sturdy and has a contoured grip, making it extra comfortable.

The bag also comes with several handy extras, including a garment bag, a built-in USB port (battery pack not included), and a removable clear plastic bag attached to the inside for holding toiletries and liquids.

However, I did find that with so many front pockets, the bag was very easy to overpack, especially when fully expanded, which defeats the purpose of having a carry-on if you end up having to check it after all. 

Read our full Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On review .

Best budget: AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner

• Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.9 x 10 inches
• Weight: 7.3 lbs
• Volume: 39 liters
• Material: Extra-thick ABS

Pros: Very affordable, durable for the price, solid adjustable handle that doesn't wobble

Cons: Marks up easily, may not hold up well over time, no lock

For a bag that costs much less than our top picks, I was thoroughly impressed by the quality and look of this carry-on. It was sturdier than I was expecting and the material only had a little bit of give when I pressed on the top and sides.

Though it is expandable up to 15% for additional packing room, I found that it held less overall than the similar Samsonite suitcase we recommend in this guide, making it a good option for shorter or weekend trips.

The interior has one mesh zip side and one side with a buckle. The buckle isn't too sturdy, but it will do the trick of keeping clothes in place. The adjustable handle is comfortable and didn't wobble very much. The wheels also glided smoothly on nearly every surface (thick carpet gave it a bit of trouble), though they were just a little bit louder than others I tested. 

The zippers ran smoothly and for the most part, the bag held up throughout my tests, though it did get marks relatively after just one use. That said, some reviewers have complained that after about five or six trips the bag starts to break down, with complaints of broken handles, wheels, and zippers.

Best high-end hard-sided: Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin

• Dimensions: 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 inches
• Weight: 4.9 lbs
• Volume: 38 liters

Pros: Incredibly lightweight, durable

Cons: Not as good for organization, expensive

Rimowa is best known for its distinctive aluminum suitcases frequently spotted on celebrity Instagram accounts. While those bags will set you back a cool grand, the luxury travel brand has alternative high-quality options that won't cost more than your monthly rent.

I was particularly impressed with the newer Essential Lite bag, which weighs less than five pounds — an especially great option for chronic overpackers who worry about their bag being overweight. Shockingly, the Lite suitcase actually holds slightly more than Rinowa's classic aluminum suitcase, too.

The brand didn't sacrifice when it comes to the quality of the materials. Although the bag has some give at the top when pressed, the suitcase is plenty sturdy. Its thicker glossy coating also keeps it from scratching or marking up as easily as matte-finished suitcases. I tossed it around several times and it survived the back of a moving truck with no dents, scratches, or marks. 

The bag has a TSA-approved lock on top, a rubberized top handle that's comfortable to grip, and a sturdy telescopic handle. The wheels are whisper quiet thanks to cushioned axles and worked beautifully on every surface from hardwood to carpet. I also liked that both sides of the interior had a mesh zipper, which I found made keeping everything organized and in place easier than the typical one-sided buckle system. 

One added bonus of owning a Rimowa bag is the 5-year warranty, and the company works with a network of hotels to do repairs onsite should anything happen to your bag while you're traveling.

Read our full Rimowa Essential Lite carry-on review .

Best high-end soft-sided: Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-on Expandable Spinner

• Dimensions:  22 x 14 x 9 inches
• Weight:  9.3 lbs
• Volume:  46 liters
• Material:  Ballistic nylon

Pros:  Durable, high-quality materials, smart and unique features to help fit more in 

Cons:  Pricey, heavy

With a hybrid fiberglass frame, ballistic nylon exterior, reinforced corners, and smooth YKK zippers, this Briggs & Riley bag is made to withstand the test of time. 

This suitcase is also full of ingenious tricks that make packing it a breeze and help you sneak in those extra outfits. For starters, the bag has a CX compression-expansion system that increases packing capacity by 25% before compressing back down to fit carry-on size regulations. Another smart feature that adds packable room to this bag is a fold-out divider in the smaller zippered compartment so you can stack clothes, fold it in, and then stack more clothes before zipping it all up.  

Unlike other bags we tested, the adjustable handle is entirely on the outside of this bag, so no packing room is lost to the poles. That said, it does mean that the poles are visible on the outside the bag and may make it slightly harder to slide the bag into the overhead compartment.

The wheels expertly navigated every surface, and the handle is sturdy and easy to grip. Two outer pockets on the front add additional space, but I found they didn't expand quite as much as the Travelpro front pockets. There's also a small zippered pocket on the back ideal for keeping your phone (especially when going through security).

The biggest downside: it's heavier than the other bags I tried and could be hard for some people to lift into the overhead, especially when fully packed. 

Best for extra space: Monos Carry-On Pro Plus

• Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 9.5 inches
• Weight: 8.4 lbs
• Volume: 47 liters
• Material: Aerospace-grade polycarbonate

Pros: Significantly more packable space, smart front pocket that doesn't protrude when packed

Cons: Doesn't meet all carry-on size requirements, marks up easily

At 23 inches, the Monos Pro Plus is just a hair too big for some smaller planes or budget airlines. However, if you mainly take larger cross-country or transatlantic flights where overhead bins are bigger and space isn't usually an issue and relish every last ounce of packable space, this carry-on is worth a look. 

It offers more packable space than any other bag on this list. It features one side with a zippered mesh compartment and an alternative side that has a fold-out mesh pocket and two wide and sturdy buckles that seriously compress clothes when pulled tight. 

What really sets this bag apart is the front pocket space, which is unusual for a hard-sided suitcase. The padded pocket holds a 15-inch laptop and has additional space for organizing everything from your phone to headphones. 

The bag itself has a simple and chic look and comes in an array of attractive colors like pale pink and royal blue. However, my bag did get several small scuffs rather quickly. The adjustable handle is sturdy and doesn't wobble, the YKK zippers didn't catch, and the wheels glided smoothly on all surfaces. 

As an additional bonus, the bag is guaranteed for life and has a 100-day trial period. 

For those who want to ensure their carry-on fits on all flights, Monos recently launched a smaller carry-on option with a pocket, the Carry-On Pro . However, you do lose 10 liters of packable space, so the Pro is best for shorter trips.   

Read our full Monos carry-on luggage review .

Best aluminum: Away The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition

• Dimensions: 21.5 x 13.5 x 9 inches
• Weight: 10.7 lbs
• Volume: 35 liters
• Material: Aluminum

Pros: Durable, sleek look, dual locks, ample packing space

Cons: Heavy, expensive

Aluminum suitcases are more expensive than standard polycarbonate options. However, they're supremely durable and built to seriously last. They also have a sleek and shiny look that stands out from the crowd at the airport.  

This one from Away has quickly become one of my favorites. I was worried it wouldn't easily fit into all overhead bins because it has a bulkier look, but I was even able to fit it on a small regional plane recently. 

As for that shiny look, I receive compliments every time I take this bag out. And on durability, this carry-on has held up remarkably well so far, with no scratches, dings, or dents to speak of, even after I also threw it around on my rooftop to simulate the wear and tear that comes with typical plane travel. 

Its 360-degree spinner wheels are a breeze to roll on numerous surface types. Rather than a typical zipper, this aluminum suitcase features two sturdy TSA-approved locks that easily click into place.

What most impressed me was the huge amount of packing space. I took this bag on a weekend ski trip and was able to fit my long underwear, sweaters, ski pants, gloves, and a light jacket on just one side. I easily fit a weekend's worth of everyday clothes on the other side. 

At just under 11 pounds, this bag is heavy. While that isn't too big of an issue on car trips, train trips, or some flights, with airlines that have stricter weight limits I would hesitate to use this carry-on.

Read our full Away Carry-On review .

How we test carry-on luggage

For this guide, I narrowed down the field to the 10 top contenders based on my own considerable travel experience and knowledge as a travel editor, as well as additional research and user reviews. While some of these bags I've personally owned and used for several years, others I tested extensively specifically for this guide.

I put all 10 of the bags through the same tests, which considered packability, maneuverability, and durability. I also took into account the price point, style, quality of materials, and any extra features the bags included. 

Packability: I paced the same set of clothing in each bag (enough for a five-day trip), noting both ease of packing and how much the bag could actually hold.

Maneuverability: Due to the pandemic, I have not been flying recently, but I still mimicked the conditions carry-ons would typically go through in a number of ways. I packed each bag to capacity, rolled them for several blocks on the street, tested the wheels on wood floors, thick carpet, and concrete, stress-tested the zippers, and lifted each bag onto a high closet shelf roughly the same height as an overhead bin.

Durability: I used all of the bags in a recent move where they were thrown around the back of a moving van in a similar fashion to how they might be tossed around on and off a plane by bag handlers to test durability. 

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U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

9 Best Travel Insurance Companies of April 2024

According to our analysis of more than 50 travel insurance companies and hundreds of different travel insurance plans, the best travel insurance company is Travelex Insurance Services. In our best travel insurance ratings, we take into account traveler reviews, credit ratings and industry awards. The best travel insurance companies offer robust coverage and excellent customer service, and many offer customizable add-ons.

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

HTH Travel Insurance »

Tin Leg »

AIG Travel Guard »

Nationwide Insurance »

Seven Corners »

Generali Global Assistance »

Berkshire hathaway travel protection ».

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance Companies.

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can help you protect the financial investment you made in your vacation when unexpected issues arise. Find the best travel insurance for the type of trip(s) you're taking and the coverages that matter most to you – from interruptions and misplaced belongings to illness and injury.

• Travelex Insurance Services: Best Overall
• Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Trip Interruptions
• HTH Travel Insurance: Best for Groups
• Tin Leg: Best Cost
• AIG Travel Guard: Best for Families
• Nationwide Insurance: Best for Last-Minute Travel Insurance
• Seven Corners: Best for 24/7 Support When Traveling
• Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection: Best for Specialized Coverage

Customizable upgrades are available, including car rental coverage, additional medical insurance and adventure sports coverage

Medical and trip cancellation maximum are not as high as some other companies

• 100% of the insured trip cost for trip cancellation; 150% for trip interruption
• Up to $1,000 in coverage for lost, damaged or stolen bags and personal items; $200 for luggage delays
• $750 in missed connection coverage
• $50,000 in emergency medical and dental coverage
• Up to $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Annual and multitrip policies are available

Distinguishing between the company's 10 travel insurance plans can be challenging

• Up to $200,000 in trip cancellation coverage; $300,000 in trip interruption coverage
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal effects; $600 for bag delays
• Up to $1,600 for travel delays
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $75,000
• Epidemic coverage

Generous coverage at the mid- and high-tier levels, and great group discounts

Preexisting conditions coverage is only available at mid- and high-tier plans

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to $50,000); 200% trip interruption coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects; $400 in baggage delay coverage
• Up to $2,000 in coverage for trip delays; $1,000 for missed connections
• $500,000 in coverage per person for sickness and accidents

Variety of plans to choose from, including two budget-friendly policies and several more premium options

More limited coverage for baggage issues than other companies

• 100% trip cancellation protection; 150% trip interruption
• $500 per person for lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items
• Up to $2,000 per person in travel delay coverage ($150 per day); $100 per person for missed connections
• $100,000 per person in emergency medical coverage, including issues related to COVID-19

Travel insurance policy coverage is tailored to your specific trip

Information about policy coverage inclusions is not readily available without first obtaining a quote

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of your trip's cost; trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Up to $2,500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage; $500 related to luggage delays
• Up to $1,000 in missed connection and trip delay coverage
• $100,000 in emergency medical coverage

Variety of plans to choose from and coverage available up to a day before you leave on your trip

Limited trip cancellation coverage even at the highest tier

• Trip cancellation coverage up to $30,000; trip interruption coverage worth up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000)
• $2,000 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage; $600 for baggage delays
• Up to $2,000 for trip delays; missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each
• $150,000 for emergency medical and dental issues

Customer service available 24/7 via text, Whatsapp, email and phone

Cancel for any reason coverage costs extra

• 100% trip cancellation coverage (up to between $30,000 and $100,000 depending on your state of residence); interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost 
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500; up to $600 for luggage delays
• Trip delay and missed connection coverage worth up to $1,500
• Emergency medical coverage worth up to between $250,000 and $500,000 (depending on where you live)

Generous emergency medical and emergency evacuation coverage

Coverage for those with preexisting conditions is only available on the Premium plan

• 100% reimbursement for trip cancellation; 175% reimbursement for trip interruption
• $2,000 in coverage for loss of baggage per person
• $1,000 per person in travel delay and missed connection coverage
• $250,000 in medical and dental coverage per person

In addition to single-trip plans, company offers specific road trip, adventure travel, flight and cruise insurance coverage

Coverage for missed connections or accidental death and dismemberment is not part of the most basic plan

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of the trip cost; interruption coverage worth up to 150% of the trip cost
• $500 in coverage for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal items; bag delay coverage worth $200
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $1,000; missed connection coverage worth up to $100
• Medical coverage worth up to $50,000

To help you better understand the costs associated with travel insurance, we requested quotes for a weeklong June 2024 trip to Spain for a solo traveler, a couple and a family. These rates should help you get a rough estimate for about how much you can expect to spend on travel insurance. For additional details on specific coverage from each travel insurance plan and to input your trip information for a quote, see our comparison table below.

Travel Insurance Types: Which One Is Right for You?

There are several types of travel insurance you'll want to evaluate before choosing the policy that's right for you. A few of the most popular types of travel insurance include:

COVID travel insurance Select insurance plans offer some or a combination of the following COVID-19-related protections: coverage for rapid or PCR testing; accommodations if you're required to quarantine during your trip if you test positive for coronavirus; health care; and trip cancellations due to you or a family member testing positive for COVID-19. Read more about the best COVID-19 travel insurance options .

Cancel for any reason insurance Cancel for any reason travel insurance works exactly how it sounds. This type of travel insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason you want – even if your reason is that you simply decide you no longer want to go. Cancel for any reason travel insurance is typically an add-on you can purchase to go along with other types of travel insurance. For that reason, you will pay more to have this kind of coverage added to your policy.

Also note that this type of coverage typically only reimburses 50% to 80% of your nonrefundable prepaid travel expenses. You'll want to make sure you know exactly how much reimbursement you could qualify for before you invest in this type of policy. Compare the best cancel for any reason travel insurance options here .

International travel insurance Travel insurance is especially useful when traveling internationally, as it can provide medical coverage for emergencies (in some cases for COVID-19) when you're far from home. Depending which international travel insurance plan you choose, this type of travel insurance can also cover lost or delayed luggage, rental cars, travel interruptions or cancellations, and more.

Cheap travel insurance If you want travel insurance but don't want to spend a lot of money, there are plenty of cheap travel insurance options that will offer at least some protections (and peace of mind). These are typically called a company's basic or standard plan; many travel insurance companies even allow you to customize your coverage, spending as little or as much as you want. Explore your options for the cheapest travel insurance here .

Trip cancellation, interruption and delay insurance Trip cancellation coverage can help you get reimbursement for prepaid travel expenses, such as your airfare and cruise fare, if your trip is ultimately canceled for a covered reason. Trip interruption insurance, on the other hand, kicks in to reimburse you if your trip is derailed after it starts. For instance, if you arrived at your destination and became gravely ill, it would cover the cost if you had to cut your trip short.

Trip delay insurance can help you qualify for reimbursement of any unexpected expenses you incur (think: lodging, transportation and food) in the event your trip is delayed for reasons beyond your control, such as your flight being canceled and rebooked for the next day. You will want to save your receipts to substantiate your claim if you have this coverage.

Lost, damaged, delayed or stolen bags or personal belongings Coverage for lost or stolen bags can come in handy if your checked luggage is lost by your airline or your luggage is delayed so long that you have to buy clothing and toiletries for your trip. This type of coverage can kick in to cover the cost to replace lost or stolen items you brought on your trip. It can also provide coverage for the baggage itself. It's even possible that your travel insurance policy will pay for your flight home if damages are caused to your residence and your belongings while you're away, forcing you to return home immediately.

Travel medical insurance If you find yourself sick or injured while you are on vacation, emergency medical coverage can pay for your medical expenses. With that in mind, however, you will need to find out whether the travel medical insurance you buy is primary or secondary. Where a primary policy can be used right away to cover medical bills incurred while you travel, secondary coverage only provides reimbursement after you have exhausted other medical policies you have.

You will also need to know how the travel medical coverage you purchase deals with any preexisting conditions you have, including whether you will have any coverage for preexisting conditions at all. Read more about the best travel medical insurance plans .

Evacuation insurance Imagine you break your leg while on the side of a mountain in some far-flung land without quality health care. Not only would you need travel medical insurance coverage in that case, but you would also need coverage for the exorbitant expense involved in getting you off the side of a mountain and flying you home where you can receive appropriate medical care.

Evacuation coverage can come in handy if you need it, but you will want to make sure any coverage you buy comes with incredibly high limits. According to Squaremouth, an emergency evacuation can easily cost $25,000 in North America and up to $50,000 in Europe, so the site typically suggests customers buy policies with $50,000 to $100,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.

Cruise insurance Travel delays; missed connections, tours or excursions; and cruise ship disablement (when a ship encounters a mechanical issue and is unable to continue on in the journey) are just a few examples why cruise insurance can be a useful protection if you've booked a cruise vacation. Learn more about the top cruise insurance plans here .

Credit card travel insurance It is not uncommon to find credit cards that include trip cancellation and interruption coverage , trip delay insurance, lost or delayed baggage coverage, travel accident insurance, and more. Cards that offer this coverage include popular options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card , the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and The Platinum Card from American Express . 

Note that owning a credit card with travel insurance protection is not enough for your coverage to count: To take advantage of credit card travel insurance, you must pay for prepaid travel expenses like your airfare, hotel stay or cruise with that specific credit card. Also, note that credit cards with travel insurance have their own list of exclusions to watch out for. Many also require cardholders to pay an annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to buy travel insurance is normally within a few weeks of booking your trip since you may qualify for lower pricing if you book early. Keep in mind, some travel insurance providers allow you to purchase plans until the day before you depart.

Many times, you are given the option to purchase travel insurance when you book your airfare, accommodations or vacation package. Travel insurance and travel protection are frequently offered as add-ons for your trip, meaning you can pay for your vacation and some level of travel insurance at the same time.

However, many people choose to wait to buy travel insurance until after their entire vacation is booked and paid for. This helps travelers tally up all the underlying costs associated with a trip, and then choose their travel insurance provider and the level of coverage they want.

Figuring out where to buy travel insurance may be confusing but you can easily research and purchase travel insurance online these days. Some consumers prefer to shop around with a specific provider, such as Allianz or Travelex, but you can also shop and compare policies with a travel insurance platform. Popular options include:

• TravelInsurance.com: TravelInsurance.com offers travel insurance options from more than a dozen vetted insurance providers. Users can read reviews on the various travel insurance providers to find out more about previous travelers' experiences with them. Squaremouth: With Squaremouth, you can enter your trip details and compare more than 90 travel insurance plans from 20-plus providers.
• InsureMyTrip: InsureMyTrip works similarly, letting you shop around and compare plans from more than 20 travel insurance providers in one place. InsureMyTrip also offers several guarantees, including a Best Price Guarantee, a Best Plan Guarantee and a Money-Back Guarantee that promises a full refund if you decide you no longer need the plan you purchased.

Protect your trip: Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance plans for the lowest price. Get a quote .

When you need to file a travel insurance claim, you should plan on explaining to your provider what happened to your trip and why you think your policy applies. If you planned to go on a Caribbean cruise, but your husband fell gravely ill the night before you were set to depart, you would need to explain that situation to your travel insurance company. Information you should share with your provider includes the details of why you're making a claim, who was involved and the exact circumstances of your loss.

Documentation is important, and your travel insurance provider will ask for proof of what happened. Required documentation for travel insurance typically includes any proof of a delay, receipts, copies of medical bills and more.

Most travel insurance companies let you file a claim using an online form, but some also allow you to file a claim by phone or via fax. Some travel insurance providers, such as Allianz and Travel Insured International, offer their own mobile apps you can use to buy policies and upload information or documents that substantiate your claim. In any case, you will need to provide the company with proof of your claim and the circumstances that caused it.

If your claim is initially denied, you may also need to answer some questions or submit some additional information that can highlight why you do, in fact, qualify.

Whatever you do, be honest and forthcoming with all the information in your claim. Also, be willing to provide more information or answer any questions when asked.

Travel insurance claims typically take four to six weeks to process once you file with your insurance company. However, with various flight delays and cancellations due to things like extreme weather and pilot shortages, more travelers have begun purchasing travel insurance, encountering trip issues and having to submit claims. The higher volume of claims submitted has resulted in slower turnaround times at some insurance companies.

The longer you take to file your travel insurance claim after a loss, the longer you will be waiting for reimbursement. Also note that, with many travel insurance providers, there is a time limit on how long you can submit claims after a trip. For example, with Allianz Travel Insurance and Travelex Insurance Services, you have 90 days from the date of your loss to file a claim.

You may be able to expedite the claim if you provide all the required information upfront, whereas the process could drag on longer than it needs to if you delay filing a claim or the company has to follow up with you to get more information.

Travel insurance is never required, and only you can decide whether or not it's right for you. Check out Is Travel Insurance Worth It? to see some common situations where it does (and doesn't) make sense.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning content creator who has been writing about travel insurance and travel for more than a decade. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world, and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. In fact, she has successfully filed several travel insurance claims for trip delays and trip cancellations over the years. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg, who has been licensed to sell travel insurance in 50 states, in their family media business.

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More From Forbes

Expert: here’s what you should do about airline luggage fee increases.

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Sasha Gainullin, CEO of the travel insurance company battleface.

Since the beginning of the year, most of the major U.S. airlines have raised their baggage fees. It now costs an average of $35 to check your bag on a domestic flight.

In the travel industry, charging separately for luggage is called unbundling. And it turns out there are experts who specialize in unbundling and have a deep knowledge of what's happening behind the scenes.

Sasha Gainullin, CEO of the travel insurance company battleface , is one of the world's leading authorities on unbundling. I asked him for his thoughts on the latest airline baggage fee increases — and what passengers should do about it.

Here's our interview.

What do you think of the way airlines have unbundled their product, and specifically luggage fees?

I think unbundling is necessary for any customer-driven industry. But as an airline customer, making things more expensive without transparency is something I generally disagree with. While unbundling allows airlines to become more profitable, they should also be more transparent with customers.

How would you make it more transparent?

In general, airfares are being promoted across multiple comparison sites, and travelers aren't loyal to one specific airline. They will more than likely choose a ticket based on the actual flight cost without factoring in the additional costs that will be presented to them in an online purchase experience.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid travel insurance plans.

Unbundling ancillary additions like bags, seats and meals potentially lowers the base price for an airline ticket, so there’s an opportunity to present negatively viewed fees into something positive.

Unbundling allows choice and the ability to pay for what you want, which is a positive for the customer. I think they’ve done a good job rolling out “basic economy” seats. There’s definitely a market out there for people who just want cheap airfare without the bells and whistles.

So how would you handle it?

There is so much about airfare costs that the general public doesn’t understand. Why is the J fare more expensive than the L fare? Why does seat 10D cost $85, but seat 11D costs $40?

I'd invest heavily in teams that have a full understanding of the products being offered, including product, data and marketing. Then, through extensive testing, I'd focus on optimizing the e-commerce information architecture to improve customer experience, which in turn leads to loyalty and repeat customers.

Finally, I'd look to using the data obtained to build out AI models to help guide customers by giving them recommendations based on their profile, leading to an exceptional experience, because choice can also be overwhelming when trying to make decisions.

What's your advice to air travelers on dealing with these new fees?

My advice would be to choose what you — and your wallet — feel comfortable with in the most direct route possible.

With travel back to or at times exceeding pre-COVID levels, extra fees don’t seem to be a deal-breaker for customers. The hard reality is that most low-cost airlines have multiple unbundled charges, except for Southwest, which still offers the first two checked bags for free and does not charge any change fees.

Many airlines are also starting to add value items back into the fare. JetBlue is unique in that it does not charge for Wi-Fi, and Delta has recently moved in that direction for domestic flights if you are a member of SkyMiles rewards, which is free to join.

So fly the right airline. Beyond that, what would you do with these fees?

Buy what you need and read each step of the buying process thoroughly. Also, packing light to fit everything into a carry-on and a personal item is important, too. This, of course, will not save you money when flying on an airline like Frontier, which probably has the most unbundled add-ons in the airline industry. This includes paying for a carry-on, or, if you don’t, you’re subjected to boarding the plane last, with limited to no room for overhead storage.

I wanted to ask you about hotels, since they've had some interesting fees, too. You get charged extra for a lot of things now, but perhaps most notably, you often have to pay a mandatory resort fee that covers items like pool towels and free Wi-Fi. Any thoughts on hotel fees?

I don't think mandatory resort fees are a choice. Therefore, they can't be considered unbundling. Although it seems transparent now, it is still an imposed fee and should remain in that category, like taxes.

You've been one of the innovators in unbundling travel insurance. How does the way you've unbundled insurance compare to the way airlines have unbundled their products?

Very similar. Giving choice back to the customer and making it specific to their actual needs and travel type.

The more items you add to your cart, the more expensive your airfare or travel insurance is going to be. I think customers get this by now and are willing to pay for it if it makes sense to them based on what they are looking for.

But you're doing more than just unbundling here — you're doing demand-based pricing, just like the airlines, right?

When you think about the process of buying a seat on a flight, the rates will vary depending on a myriad of factors like day of travel, destination, departure time, plane capacity, or where the seat is on the plane. A short flight may not be worth $80 to sit in a seat with extra legroom. But a six-hour flight may be worth premium economy or business class.

These rating factors are different with travel insurance, but they are similar in that the pricing can vary based on other factors. Our rates are dependent on multiple risk factors, including age of travelers, trip length, benefits selected, and trip cost.

Customization of your travel insurance policy should be based on your destination and the type of trip you’re on. For example, when traveling domestically, many do not need travel medical insurance, so why include that in your policy?

How do you sell travel insurance? How is it different from traditional travel insurance?

The travel insurance industry is extremely fragmented, with several independent parties responsible for technology, underwriting, product creation, customer service, claims, and emergency assistance. Often, none of them speak or connect to each other. Our vision for battleface is to change that and to support the travel insurance industry globally.

We have diversified our distribution channels in a big way since 2022. When we first launched in the U.S., we leaned into a direct-to-customer approach, selling travel insurance to build our brand.

An unbundled approach gave us an opportunity to be transparent about what each benefit costs, allowing customers to weigh the importance of each benefit to purchase — a self-assessment, in a way, while also allowing us to test our theory that unbundling increases the likelihood that customers will buy more travel insurance when presented with choice. Now we’ve taken the same model to our partners, who create their own products that are relevant and make the most sense to their customers.

You have a highly regarded business-to-business product called Robin Assist that provides claims handling and assistance services. So I wanted to ask you about the role of technology in unbundling. Is there a way that technology can make this process better — in other words, to give travelers what they want without making them overpay?

The unbundled philosophy is firmly ingrained in everything we do on the platform, from our travel insurance offerings to our assistance and claims services. Without tech, none of this would be possible.

We’re fortunate to have highly skilled product and engineering teams that helped us build the platform and continually update it for faster and faster feature development releases. This rapid release cycle has allowed us to move into an unbundled platform powering API-led distribution, product creation, policy administration, travel assistance services, and claims automation.

Which extras do you buy when you travel? And how has that changed since the beginning of the year?

It all depends on where I’m traveling and how long my flight is. For longer flights, I would buy Wi-Fi. When selecting my preferred seat, I’d pay extra. In addition, I’ve started to opt for more flexible fares in case of changes and cancellations. I also continue to travel with the same airline as much as possible to take advantage of the extra perks.

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Moscow - Vnukovo Airport (VKO) transfer to Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)

Complete the search form to find the best transport prices in moscow - sheremetyevo airport (svo).

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Our wide selection of carefully selected local companies offer a wide variety of transport options suitable for all budgets from economical shared bus rides to chauffeur services.

Prices includes fixed fares, taxes & gratuity with no hidden costs. You will receive confirmation of your booking via email confirming your trip details.

The day of your trip, your transport will be waiting for you for a simple, stress-free journey to your destination.

Moscow - Vnukovo Airport (VKO) transfer to Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) map

Moscow - vnukovo airport (vko) to moscow - sheremetyevo airport (svo) transfer time.

51 minutes approximately

Moscow - Vnukovo Airport (VKO) to Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) distance

35 Miles approximately

57 Kilometres approximately

This map and route are for information purposes only, with no guarantee of accuracy or completeness. The transport company retains absolute discretion to choose the route to your destination. Distance and travel times are only indicative between origin and destination points.

In and around Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)

• Moscow - Domodedovo Airport (DME)
• Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)
• Moscow - Vnukovo Airport (VKO)

Transport to Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)

• Wheelchair adapted
• Airport transfer
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• Cruise transportation

Fastest way to get from Moscow - Vnukovo Airport (VKO) to Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)

The fastest way to get to Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) will be with a pre-booked taxi or minibus waiting to whisk you off on arrival.

Cheapest way from Moscow - Vnukovo Airport (VKO) to Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)

The most economical way to travel to Moscow - Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) is by bus. Shared transport options will be more budget friendly as you will be sharing the travel with other passengers.

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Moscow Travel Guide

• Guide to Russia
• Russian Destination Guide

Why travel to Moscow

Contrasts: 12th century monasteries and some of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe can be found side-by-side in this complex and captivating city. The diversity of this mega-city is astounding. Only a few steps away from the solemn red facade of the Kremlin and the sounds of righteous church bells, a buzzing night scene and alternative-fashion boutiques can be found.

Culture: In Moscow only the best goes. Be it a theatre, restaurant or gallery, the standards are certain to be world-class. The Bolshoi ballet company is reputed to be even better than the Mariinsky’s and “MMOMA” (Moscow’s museum of modern art) exhibits works of art as profound as any that could be found in the famed MOMA.

Convenience: Unlike the rest of Russia, it’s easy enough to get by with just English in Moscow and, driving excepted, it is surprisingly safe: the murder rate is lower than in some of America’s major cities.

Top Sights in Moscow

St. Basil’s

Novodevichy Convent

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• Moscow Fact File
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FEATURED MOSCOW TOURS

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CLASSIC MOSCOW

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Why visit Moscow

It would take more than two days to walk around the perimeter of the biggest city in Europe, Moscow. Many of its inhabitants barely know what’s beyond the few blocks around their flat and there are so many attractions that it’s almost impossible to know where to start. If there is such a thing as an antidote to boredom, Moscow City is it. The mind-boggling range and diversity of things to do, places to eat, parks, historical monuments and more means that a vacation in Moscow has a wealth of activities to offer for every type of traveler, from young families to retirees.

Reasons to Vacation in Moscow in 2022

The Bolshoi theatre is familiar to almost everyone as Russia’s grandest theatre, but what people don’t know is that there are many more bolshoi (big) sites in Moscow that are worth travelling all the way to Moscow to see. For more than 100 years, the world’s biggest bell has been hidden behind the Kremlin’s walls and inside Moscow’s main park (which is bigger than some countries!) there is the world’s largest outdoor ice-rink. Travelers that visit Moscow can stay at the Izmailovo, Europe’s biggest hotel, then eat at the largest and most historic McDonald’s in Europe and after that have fun at the largest European indoor theme park!

Ancient Past & Stunning Architecture:

As those who travel to Moscow will see, just because Moscow is a city of record-breaking, glitzy high-rises doesn’t mean that there is no history. On the famous Arbat street, time-worn, wooden storehouses and century-old churches are squashed up against grey, soviet blocks which are then towered over by 21st century office-blocks. Unlike its much younger sibling, St Petersburg, Moscow’s roots stretch way back to the 12th century. Within the walls of the Kremlin, the city’s oldest building the Cathedral of Assumption can be admired in all its 500+ years of age.

Culture & Convenience

For a foreigner who has never visited Russia, Moscow is the perfect stepping stone into this great land of mystery. From the country’s best classical ballet troupes to snow-white troikas trotting through the parks, all the highlights of Russian culture can be had in Moscow without any of the complications that would be expected in other, less developed regions of Russia.

Cheap as Caviar

In Moscow, everything is bargain when with the current foreign exchange rates being what they are. Even caviar doesn’t seem so dear when the exchange rate is at 60rub to the dollar, so go on indulge yourself! Take your 2022 vacation in Moscow and have the best of both worlds, with European luxury at very affordable prices.

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

We had a great time both in Moscow and St Petersburg. Your travel agency was excellent in coordinating the whole trip. Everything worked like clockwork. The guides assigned to us were very nice and friendly. They had a great knowledge of their subjects. The cars and the drivers were great. The hotels were good and the itinerary was good. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. It was nice dealing with you and your company. Thank you very much for a great Russian experience. Have a great future ahead

• 31 reviews of Express to Russia Moscow Tours in Moscow

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We Found Black Friday-Level Prices on Luggage, Crossbody Bags, and Comfy Sneakers — Save Up to 66%

From brands like Steve Madden, Samsonite, and Coach.

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Travel + Leisure / Daisy Rodriguez

Between spring break, summer vacations, and out-of-town weddings, the next few months are typically packed with travel. While buying resort-ready clothes and accessories can be fun, planning for a trip also means making sure you’re prepared with the essentials like sturdy luggage and comfortable shoes. 

If you’ve found yourself in need of either, Macy’s marked down luggage, shoes, and designer handbags up to 66 percent off during its huge VIP sale . Get up to 50 percent off Samsonite luggage and an additional 30 percent off select shoes and designer handbags with code VIP . This sale ends on Sunday, April 7, but we recommend shopping early before styles and sizes sell out. Below, we rounded up our top luggage and shoe deals. 

Luggage and Shoe Deals at Macy’s 

• Calvin Klein Lyam Lace-Up Round Toe Casual Sneakers , $70 (originally $99)
• Steve Madden Campo Retro Lace-Up Jogger Sneakers , $63 (originally $89)
• Easy Spirit Merci Round Toe Casual Lace-Up Sneakers , $45 (originally $79)
• Easy Spirit Barbeau Round Toe Lace-Up Sneakers, $50 (originally $89)
• Coach Runner "C" Lace Up Jogger Sneakers , $137 (originally $195)
• Nine West Bask Round Toe Lace-Up Casual Sneakers , $60 (originally $85)
• Samsonite Silhouette 17 Split Case Duffel , $149 (originally $440)
• Samsonite Elevation Plus Destination Backpack , $90 (originally $240)
• Samsonite Silhouette 17 25-Inch Check-in Expandable Hardside Spinner , $237 (originally $700)
• Samsonite Spin Tech 5 29-Inch Check-In Spinner , $162 (originally $480)
• Karl Lagerfeld Paris Maybelle Crossbody , $106 (originally $178)

Steve Madden Campo Retro Lace-Up Jogger Sneakers

Shoes can take up a lot of packing space, so having a pair that can be worn with dresses, athleisure, or jeans that are also comfortable enough to walk around in all day can make a huge difference. One shopper said these Steve Madden sneakers are “super comfortable” and “very dressy at the same time,” while another person shared that they’ve “received so many compliments” on them. 

Samsonite Spin Tech 5 29-Inch Check-In Spinner

This Samsonite 29-inch suitcase has eight spinner wheels, a TSA-approved lock, an expander zipper, and an easy hook to easily transport a carry-on bag. Shoppers say this bag is “extremely resistant,” “holds a very large volume of clothes,” and is “easy to maneuver” in the airport. It’s available in five colors and TK percent off during Macy’s VIP sale.

Karl Lagerfeld Paris Maybelle Crossbody

Designer bags are also included in the sale, and this Karl Lagerfeld Paris Maybelle Crossbody is a must-have style for travel. Shoppers agree, with one customer saying that the “strap is comfortable” on their “shoulder and neck” after wearing the bag “all day.” They also added that it “holds a lot more” than “expected.” If you’re looking for a new purse that can hold all of your essentials while still being compact enough for travel, this 40 percent-off Karl Lagerfeld crossbody is an ideal option. 

For more luggage and sneaker styles, keep scrolling to shop on-sale pieces from Macy’s VIP sale .

Samsonite Elevation Plus Destination Backpack

Calvin klein lyam lace-up round toe casual sneakers, samsonite silhouette 17 25-inch check-in expandable hardside spinner.

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