Travelpro

The flight-crew favorite — durable, value-driven softside luggage that rolls better than bags twice its price

Worth It

Founded: 1987
Country: United States
Warranty: "Built For A Lifetime" limited Worry-Free warranty covering functional defects in wheels, zippers, and handles for the life of the bag; the Trusted Companion Promise adds airline and common-carrier damage and shipping coverage if registered within 120 days (professional flight-crew use is capped at 3 years).
Support: US-based support with a repair network and a 100-day trial; DuraGuard-coated fabrics and self-aligning MagnaTrac wheels are built to be serviced and to last through heavy travel.

Overview

Travelpro, founded in 1987 by airline pilot Bob Plath (who invented the modern rollaboard), is the flight-crew favorite — durable, well-organized softside luggage that prioritizes rolling performance and value over luxury looks. Its Platinum Elite line is a perennial critics' pick for checked bags.

Is it worth it?

Travelpro is worth it for frequent travelers who want field-proven durability, the best wheels in the class, and lifetime coverage without paying luxury prices — the smart-money checked bag. Those who want a hardshell, or the most generous warranty (airline damage, no registration), may prefer Away or Briggs & Riley.

Travelpro reports

All reports

Best for Frequent Flyers

8.4

Travelpro

Travelpro Platinum Elite 29-inch

The Travelpro Platinum Elite is the critics’ favorite checked bag and the smart-money pick — a flight-crew staple (the brand was founded by an airline pilot) that out-rolls and out-organizes bags costing twice as much. Its MagnaTrac self-aligning wheels are the best spinners in softside luggage, the DuraGuard ballistic nylon shrugs off water and stains, and a fold-out suiter and 2-inch expansion handle real trips — all for about $485 with a lifetime warranty that covers airline damage once registered. The honest catches: at 66.75 linear inches it can trip airlines’ 62-inch oversize limit, and the look is pure function, not fashion.

$485Read report