Luggage Buying Mistakes: What Travelers Often Overlook

Did you know that almost 73% of travelers regret buying their luggage within the first year of ownership? If you’re like me, when I first saw that stat, I thought it was outrageously high. I mean, nearly three out of every four travelers who purchase luggage, deeply regret their decision in just a year. It’s maddening! I did some digging to understand why this is a common traveler’s lament.

Here’s what I discovered — the majority of these pricey purchasing errors were not only unnecessary but also completely avoidable if buyers did their homework before opening their wallets. When you purchase the wrong luggage, it’s not as simple as returning it to the store or selling it online. Luggage is something you buy once and live with for years. To make matters worse, there is a lack of “industry standards” in travel bag manufacturing, which makes the process of shopping for luggage particularly daunting and difficult. In the worst-case scenarios, travelers are forced to buy new luggage to replace it mid-trip or even while they’re traveling! That’s no fun.

In this guide, you will find the 11 most common luggage buying mistakes that cause travelers to lose time, money, and sanity. And more importantly, how to avoid them so that you can buy the perfect luggage that checks all the boxes.

Buying Luggage Without Considering Your Travel Style

Buyers make most luggage purchasing mistakes by shopping as if there is a one-size-fits-all luggage that will work for every individual’s need. The best luggage for you is, however, completely dependent on your travel style.

• A person who travels for two business trips per year has a completely different need than another person who backpacks Southeast Asia every summer. However, both end up browsing the same luggage section.

• The business person will be looking for a professional-looking bag that can fit overhead storage and has special compartments for a laptop, among other gadgets. 
• The adventure enthusiast will be on the lookout for sturdier luggage that can withstand rough baggage handling, weather in different environments, and travel by all means of transportation. 
• The weekend get-away travel would, of course, want a light and easy-to-handle bag that will allow her to move from crowded terminals in style.

The frequency of travel also dictates the need, not only the type. If you are a frequent traveler, once a month, it only makes sense to get higher-end luggage that can withstand more wear and tear, as you will get enough mileage out of it. If you travel two times per year, a mid-level luggage may be a more sensible option.

Evaluate your travel style first to determine your needs with these questions:

• How frequently do you travel? 
• What type of travel is more common for you? 
• Do you travel light or heavy? 
• Do you check-in luggage or do you prefer carry-on? 
• Do your travels take you to the city or the wild?

After determining your travel style, then you can zero-in on the luggage features that matter for your type of travel. This also leads right into getting the right luggage size for your type of travel and packing habits.

Overlooking Airline Size and Weight Restrictions

This one trips up 45% of all travelers, and it can easily be the most expensive mistake to make. You buy the perfect bag, use it for your first trip, and then it ends up costing you $200 in oversize or overweight fees at the airport.
Every airline has its own size and weight restrictions for both carry-on and checked luggage, and they all vary widely. A bag that’s perfect for Delta might be oversized for Spirit. Your domestic carry-on might not make the cut for international restrictions.

It’s easy to rack up hidden fees fast. Overweight charges are usually $50-200 per bag, one way. Oversize charges can be even more. And low-cost airlines tend to have the tightest restrictions to watch out for.

Domestic and international flights may have different restrictions, even on the same airline. European airlines are more likely to have weight restrictions. Some Asian airlines have smaller size restrictions.

The kicker is that luggage makers don’t always design their bags to airline specs. Even a suitcase that’s labeled “carry-on size” may be too big for certain airlines.

Buying on Price Alone, Rather Than Value

“I’ll just get the cheapest one that looks alright” – buying cheap is one of the most expensive luggage mistakes in the long run.

Cheap luggage is rarely cheap over time, if you factor in replacement costs. If you buy a $50 suitcase that lasts two years, that’s $25 per year. A $150 suitcase that lasts five years is $30 per year. Basic math, but no one thinks in terms of cost-per-use when shopping.

Bag quality is reflected in better materials, construction, and warranties, and will almost always cost more up front. But not all quality features are created equal. Separating useful features from marketing BS is key to finding the best value.

One way to measure value:

Divide the purchase price by the number of trips you expect to take. A $200 bag you use for 40 trips is $5 per trip. An $80 bag you use for 10 trips is $8 per trip, making the “bargain” option more expensive.

Quality indicators: reinforced stress points, quality zippers (YKK is the standard), strong wheel assemblies. These can cost $30-50 more, but can double or triple luggage life.

Having said that, cheap bags do have their place. If you don’t travel often, or need a “spare” bag, or are buying kids luggage that will likely be outgrown, spending less can be a good decision.

The important thing is making a conscious decision for your situation, rather than reflexively choosing the cheapest.

Ignoring Handle and Wheel Quality

Handle issues are the number one reason for luggage replacements. Yet most people test the handle for 30 seconds before purchase – if they test it at all.
Handles are put under a lot of stress during travel. They must support the full weight of your packed luggage, often while being yanked at strange angles through airports. Cheap handles often have weak connection points that break after moderate use.

Look for handles with multiple attachment points to the rest of the luggage body. The telescoping action should be smooth but with no wobble – wobbly handles are signs of inferior construction. Metal hardware will last longer than plastic in areas of high stress.

Wheel quality is more important to your travel experience than almost any other factor. Bad wheels make even lightweight luggage feel heavy and hard to move around. They also break and fall off, leaving you with luggage in your hands.

Spinner luggage with four wheels provides the most maneuverability but uses more complicated wheel assemblies that are prone to failure. Two-wheel luggage is usually more durable but must be tilted and pulled. Decide according to your priorities – convenience or ruggedness.

Selecting an Unsuitable Material

Material selection is another area where many consumers fall prey to assumptions. Travelers often choose a material because it “looks good” or has a generally positive reputation without considering their own specific travel needs.

Hardshell luggage has a sleek, modern appearance that many people automatically associate with being better. However, hardshell materials can crack, show scratches, and have no external storage options. If you frequently travel with fragile items or require external pockets, a softshell bag may be more suitable.

Softshell luggage is more flexible and offers external organization options but can show signs of wear more quickly and provide less protection for delicate items. It is a matter of matching the material to your travel needs and priorities, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Climate is another factor that travelers often overlook. Fabric bags can retain odors and moisture in humid climates. Hard plastic cases can become brittle in extremely cold temperatures. If you frequently travel to areas with challenging climates, this is another factor you should consider in your material selection.
Different materials have varying maintenance requirements. Leather may look beautiful but needs regular conditioning. Aluminum is highly durable but will show dents. Polycarbonate resists scratches better than ABS plastic but is more expensive.

Think about your typical travel destinations and the conditions the bag is likely to encounter. If you regularly travel by train, bus, or go to places with rough baggage handling, you should prioritize durability over appearance. If you primarily fly directly to business destinations, you can prioritize professional appearance more.

The travel gear blunder in this case is selecting materials based on their in-store appearance instead of their performance in your actual travel scenarios.

Not Reading User Reviews Correctly

Reviews are one of the best ways to evaluate luggage before purchase, yet most people read them incorrectly. Instead of reading the actual reviews, most people focus only on the star rating. Reading the content of the reviews gives much better information about long-term performance.

Fake reviews are also very common in the luggage industry, in particular, with low-cost products attempting to pass as higher quality. The key is to learn to recognize fake reviews: multiple reviews posted on the same dates, overly generic language that could describe any product, or reviews that only focus on how fast the product was shipped rather than its actual performance.

Watch for patterns in reviews over time as well. If a suitcase gets good reviews for the first six months but then complaints start to trickle in about handle failures or wheel problems, that can be very telling about durability issues that may not show up in controlled tests.

Find reviews from people who travel like you. For example, a single parent who takes one vacation a year will have different luggage needs than a business traveler who is on the road frequently. Pay more attention to reviews from travelers whose use cases are similar to yours.

Negative reviews often contain the most useful information. Keep in mind that some negative reviews may be due to unrealistic expectations or abuse.

Buying Without Testing Security Features

Security features are often an afterthought in the buying process. Luggage purchase mistakes in this area will cost you much more than the price of the luggage.

TSA-approved locks are almost completely useless in terms of actual security. Any motivated thief can open them. The only value is to deter honest people and prevent your luggage from accidentally opening during transport. If you’re traveling to places where theft is a concern, you should be looking for luggage with additional security features.

Zipper quality is a direct security concern. If cheap plastic zippers can be easily pried open with a ballpoint pen, then you run the risk of the zipper not closing properly after TSA inspection. Look for self-repairing zippers that properly realign after being opened.

RFID protection is increasingly important as card skimming becomes a more advanced concern. If you travel internationally or to high crime areas frequently, consider luggage with built-in RFID blocking to protect your credit cards and passport.

Security is at odds with convenience. More secure luggage will take longer to open and close, which becomes irritating if you are repeatedly accessing your luggage during transit. You will need to make a trade-off based on the destinations and style of travel you normally have.

Some security features add a significant amount of weight or bulk. If you are trying to keep your luggage weight down to make it easier to stay under airline restrictions, you need to factor these features into your overall weight math.

Security features should be tested where possible before you buy. Locks should work smoothly, zippers should close tightly without binding, and RFID blocking should be properly certified.

Neglecting Storage and Organization Options

Organization features are often an overlooked aspect of luggage that can significantly impact the travel experience. Inadequate internal organization can result in wrinkled clothing, lost items, and overall frustration during packing and unpacking.

Different types of trips may require different organizational strategies. For instance, business travelers might appreciate a dedicated laptop compartment or garment section, while family travelers may need easy access to frequently used items. Adventure travelers may want to keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones.

The design and layout of compartments can affect how efficiently you can pack. A single large compartment may require meticulous packing to prevent shifting, while multiple smaller compartments can keep items more organized but may restrict packing for irregularly shaped items.

Expandable options are often overlooked until you’re desperately trying to fit souvenirs or adapting to weather changes. However, expanded luggage might exceed airline size limits, so consider this potential trade-off.

Accommodating technology is a must for most travelers these days. Look for features like padded laptop compartments, charging cable management, and easy access for security checks. These should be designed to fit your specific devices – if you carry a large laptop instead of a tablet, a small tablet sleeve won’t be helpful.

Failing to Factor in Longevity

Durability evaluation is where most suitcase shopping mistakes occur. People tend to pay attention to obvious features but overlook subtle construction details that indicate longevity.

Warranty is one area with significant differences among manufacturers. A lifetime warranty on wheels and handles signals a company’s confidence in the durability of their product. Compare warranties carefully, as some do not cover normal wear and tear, and others require original receipts for service.

During your evaluation process, look for telltale signs that a suitcase can pass stress tests. Quality luggage will feel substantial when picked up by the handle, the frame should have minimal flex, and panels or stitching should have no obvious gaps or misalignment. In the case of cheap luggage, the quality control can usually be determined through visual inspection.

Availability of replacement parts can become an issue if something breaks during your travels. Some manufacturers have parts service and will repair if something breaks while others will have you buy a new suitcase for what can be an easily replaceable item. Think of how important that might be to you in the long term.

Customer service is variable throughout the luggage industry. Certain companies have a history of taking care of their customers and assisting when issues arise, others make it nearly impossible to make a warranty claim or do so at a high expense to the customer.

Dig up failure reports or reviews for the style of luggage you are considering. Hardshell luggage most often fails at a hinge or corner. Softshell luggage often fails at zippers or fabric stress points. Knowledge of common failure points makes it easier to know what to look for when evaluating a specific suitcase model.

Consider your normal luggage usage to size up your durability needs. Heavy, frequent travelers need built-to-last luggage, while light, occasional travelers can often find moderately durable suitcases at a lower cost.

Failing to Plan for Different Trip Types

The “one perfect suitcase” mentality trips people up. The same suitcase that is ideal for a week of business travel is awful for a weekend trip or an international vacation.

Instead of obsessing over the “perfect suitcase”, most travelers are better off building a luggage wardrobe. For most people, this could mean a carry-on suitcase for trips, a large checked bag for extended vacations, and perhaps a duffel for adventure travel.

Versatility vs. specialization is an important consideration when choosing luggage. Versatile luggage can serve more situations but will not be as good at any one particular trip type. Specialized luggage will work better for specific trip types, but it can restrict your options.

Buying multiple pieces also requires budget planning. Jumping in and buying on an impulse when a need arises is a surefire way to make mistakes. It is usually better to buy one quality suitcase that is good for 80% of trips up front, then gradually add more specialized luggage as the need arises.

Overlooking After-Purchase Support

Customer service is often a very important consideration in the event that something goes wrong with your luggage. However, most people do not research this until after they have a problem with their luggage. At this point, it is impossible for you to make a decision about your purchase.

Support after a sale can vary wildly from one luggage company to another. Some companies have great customer service and make the warranty claim process simple and easy. Other companies make it almost impossible to get assistance or make them actually honor the warranty that you purchased with your bag.

Repair service availability is also something to consider before you buy a bag. Some brands only have repair services available through authorized dealers. Others require you to ship your luggage back to them directly. Learn how both of these processes work before you buy a bag so you will know what to expect.

Return policies also become very important when purchasing luggage, especially online where you cannot try the bag before you buy it. Retailers vary a lot in how generous their return policies are. Some have lengthy windows where you can return the bag and make the return process extremely easy. Other stores charge restocking fees for returns or make you return the bag in its unused condition.

Community and user groups are a great support resource that can be utilized throughout the lifespan of your luggage. There are many active online communities around luggage and they can be a great source of information and recommendations for all kinds of products and accessories.

Online reviews can often be more telling about the quality of customer service than the official company policies. When researching customer service look for patterns in how the company responds to complaints and warranty claims.

Always think about the after-sale support that is available when purchasing luggage while you are traveling. Purchasing luggage abroad might leave you with a lot of difficulty getting warranty service or returns when you return to your home country.

Contact methods and response times are also something to look at when considering a company’s customer service. If the company only has email support and very slow response times, this can become very annoying if you have an issue and need help quickly while traveling.

Feeling ready to buy your next luggage now? Learn more about how to choose luggage in our complete luggage buying guide and consult our luggage size guide to find out if your preferred luggage will fit airline requirements for your travel needs.