Wondering when is the best time to buy luggage? September through November is generally the best window, with January post-holiday clearance as the runner-up. Check shell material and warranty before any deal, because a deep discount on a weak bag saves little.
Timing is only half the decision. For the full routine, see how to choose a product before buying, then use the sections below to match a sale window to a bag worth owning.
Why luggage discounts bunch into a few windows
Premium luggage brands rarely hold sales during the year, according to a Black Friday luggage roundup, so a Black Friday markdown on those brands stands out. A post-Black Friday deals report gives an example: an Away carry-on marked down from its list price, with the note that the brand rarely goes on sale.
Mass-market names behave differently. The same roundup found Amazon running limited-time luggage deals in November 2024 across Samsonite, American Tourister, SwissGear and Travelpro. The practical consequence is simple. If a brand almost never discounts, the sale event is your window and waiting for a random mid-year price cut is a poor bet. If a brand discounts often, you can watch prices and buy when the number suits you.
Sale calendar: when luggage is cheapest
Luggage is cheapest across the autumn run-up to the holidays, with late summer starting the markdowns and January picking up what is left. Black Friday is the sharpest single event for premium brands.
| Window | What to expect | Planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Late summer into early fall | Prime markdown season | Start watching prices here if your trip is months away |
| Labor Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Boxing Day, New Year’s | Holiday periods named as markdown occasions | Set price alerts ahead of each date for the model you want |
| September through November | Generally the best window to buy | Default target for a planned purchase |
| Black Friday | Premium brands rarely discount at other times; one 2024 roundup found discounts as high as 80% off | Best chance at a premium bag; treat 80% as a ceiling seen in one roundup, not a typical saving |
| Nordstrom Rack Clear the Rack events | Extra 25% off clearance items | Check clearance stock if you are flexible on colour and model |
| January | Post-holiday clearance, the runner-up window | Fallback if you missed the autumn sales |
Figures from a luggage brand’s published buying guidance and a Black Friday luggage deals roundup.
Use the calendar to decide how long to wait. If a trip is imminent, buy the best-value bag available now rather than hold out for a window you will miss. If you are planning months ahead, pick the model first, then track it into the autumn window.
Where to find luggage deals
Online marketplaces
Marketplaces suit shoppers who want to compare several mainstream brands at once. Amazon’s limited-time luggage deals in November 2024 spanned Samsonite, American Tourister, SwissGear and Travelpro, as reported by the Black Friday roundup. Because such deals are time-limited, compare the listed price with the same model elsewhere before treating a banner as a bargain.
Outlet and clearance stores
Off-price and outlet retailers suit shoppers who can take last season’s colours. The same roundup notes that Nordstrom Rack’s Clear the Rack events offer an extra 25% off clearance items. Inspect the bag in person for visible wear, zipper action and wheel movement, since clearance stock is where flawed items are most likely to sit.
Tech buyers face the same new-versus-discounted trade-off, which Refurbished vs New: How To Choose The Best Tech Buy In 2026 – Getoku works through for electronics.
Hardshell or softshell: check the material before the discount
A sale price only helps if the bag is built to last, so read the shell and zippers first. A luggage brand’s published guidance names polypropylene, ABS and polycarbonate as strong hardshell materials that can provide better durability.
Storage is where the two styles differ most. Consumer Reports calls hard-sided bags the most unforgiving at home, while structured soft-sided bags give you more room to squeeze them into a closet or under a bed. Choose a hardshell if protection matters most and you have space; choose a softshell if you store bags in tight spots.
Zippers are the next check. Consumer Reports rates YKK zippers as the most reliable, and chain zippers as sturdier than coil zippers. A discounted bag with an unbranded coil zipper has a weak point that no sale price offsets.
Size and airline limits
A bargain bag that fails your airline’s limits is not a bargain, so confirm size before you buy. Consumer Reports gives these reference points for US travel:
- Carry-on: the standard size is 22x14x9 inches (height x width x depth), including the handle and wheels.
- Checked bags: the most common sizes run 24 to 30 inches in height.
- Carry-on weight: limits vary by airline. Hawaiian Airlines caps each carry-on at 25 pounds, while Frontier Airlines allows 35 pounds.
- Checked-bag fees: on major US airlines they can run $30 for one bag, $40 for a second and $150 to $200 for a third.
Those fees make a bag that stays within carry-on limits worth considering for short trips. For longer trips, a single checked bag in the common height range is usually the better fit. Always confirm your own carrier’s rules before you commit to a size.
Warranty checks before you buy
Warranty terms differ widely, so read the cover for the exact model, as part of what to check before buying a product.
At the long end, Briggs & Riley’s lifetime guarantee covers repair of all functional aspects of the bag for life. It does not cover cosmetic wear or cleaning for odors or stains. Repair routes include DIY repair kits for US customers, a Global Repair Network and the B&R Repair Center. If you ship a bag to the repair center you pay the postage there, and the brand ships it back free.
At the shorter end, one reported example is the Delsey Paris Comete 3.0 carry-on, which comes with a 3-year warranty. A repair-for-life promise and a fixed term protect you differently. The lifetime route suits someone who expects to keep one bag through years of heavy use, while a fixed term is enough for a bag you may replace.
Splurge or save
Splurge if you travel often and the bag will take real wear; save if you travel rarely. A luggage brand’s published guidance points out that a very cheap suitcase can seem economical at first, but frequent repairs or replacements can quickly cost more than a durable bag bought up front.
- Frequent travellers: put the money into shell material, zippers and repair cover, and wait for a premium brand’s rare sale event rather than paying full price.
- Occasional travellers: a modest bag bought in a markdown window carries less risk of paying for durability you will not use. Still check the zipper and the warranty terms.
- Anyone tempted by a steep discount: look at the construction first. The highest discounts reported came from premium names and clearance events, so a big percentage off does not by itself show a good bag.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Briggs & Riley guarantee cover airline damage?
The lifetime guarantee covers repair of functional aspects, and the brand suggests filing a claim with the carrier before you leave the airport. It does not cover replacement of lost or stolen bags or their contents.
Are luggage sales still running after Black Friday?
In 2023, a post-Black Friday report found most sales still going strong throughout the weekend. Check each retailer’s end date rather than assuming.
What is the difference between a carry-on and a personal item?
According to Consumer Reports, the standard US carry-on is 22x14x9 inches including handle and wheels, while a typical personal item is 18x14x8 inches. Airlines set their own limits, so check yours.
How heavy should a wheeled suitcase be when empty?
Consumer Reports suggests about 7 pounds or less when empty, in its luggage buying guide. A lighter shell leaves more of an airline’s weight allowance for your belongings.