After spending the past (lucky) two years hopping between the Maldives, Venice, Amsterdam, Iceland, and the fog-laced cliffs of Scotland, I’ve become intimately familiar with the highs and hells of travel gear. I was a travel editor in my past life, which means I’ve tested luggage that costs more than rent (hi, Rimowa) and duffels that couldn’t survive a TSA pat-down.
There is nothing more humbling than dragging a busted wheel through cobblestone alleys while wearing heels or trying to stuff an overpacked suitcase into an overhead bin as the Brazilian businessman of your dreams watches from First Class. The right bag can make you feel like a globe-trotting god. The wrong one? Like a fool whose tote just ripped open in front of airport security.
Which brings me to Travelpro. If you’ve ever googled “best carry-on suitcase,” you’ve probably seen the name. Travelpro luggage has earned a reputation as the go-to for airline crews and frequent flyers alike. But, frankly, it wasn’t always on my radar — I assumed it was functional but bland. After a deep dive into recent reviews, comparing Travelpro luggage sets and eyeing a sale or two, I took the plunge with their Platinum Elite Hardside Spinner.
And because I’ve swapped jet bridges for hay bales lately, I’ve been testing it not on cobblestone streets in Rome, but on the rugged, muddy pastures in a ranch in Texas.
Not exactly its intended use case. But if this bag can survive oak thickets, horse curiosity, and daily treks to the stables, imagine how it’ll perform on a Delta flight to JFK. Spoiler alert: it’s one of the best Travelpro suitcase options I’ve tried — and I’ve tried a lot. Below, I reviewed the Platinum Elite Hardside Spinner and researched a couple of its siblings, compared them to top competitors, and broke down everything you need to know before taking the plunge yourself.
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The Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Spinner is the brand’s answer to travelers who want the sleek, armor-like protection of a hardshell suitcase without sacrificing the thoughtful design Travelpro is known for. Made with an ultra-strong, impact-absorbing polycarbonate shell, this carry-on features textured finishes that resist scratches and fingerprints, keeping it looking polished trip after trip. Interior features include zippered divider panels, a TSA-compliant removable wet pocket, and built-in accessory pouches, ideal for packing like a grown-up who doesn’t live out of a laundry bag. A discreet external USB port (powered by your own power bank) means you can charge on the go, and the zipper expansion lets you stuff in those last-minute duty-free buys.
From a performance standpoint, the Platinum Elite Hardside moves like a dream. Thanks to Travelpro’s PrecisionGlide System and MagnaTrac self-aligning wheels, it glides smoothly through airport chaos without tipping or wobbling. The adjustable PowerScope Lite handle is sturdy and ergonomic, making it comfortable to steer whether you’re late to a gate or pulling it across an uneven sidewalk. It’s slightly heavier than a softshell, but the trade-off is rugged, structured protection for your most precious cargo — tech, toiletries, or, let’s be honest, four too many pairs of shoes.
Type: Soft shell | Dimensions: 21″ x 14″ x 9″ | Material: High-density nylon with DuraGuard | Weight: 7.8 lbs | Expandable: Yes
At 7.8 pounds, the Platinum Elite Hardside Spinner isn’t the lightest Travelpro carry-on, but it’s remarkably well-balanced. Unlike flimsy featherweights that topple with a laptop in the front pocket, this one feels solid without being bulky. I wouldn’t want to deadlift it into the overhead bin after leg day, but I would trust it to hold my silk dresses, cowboy boots, and multiple TSA-unfriendly beauty items without tipping over.
It’s built like a tactical briefcase disguised as a suitcase. I’ve scraped it across barn floors, rolled it over gravel, and left it sitting in a dust storm. The soft-shell exterior (high-density nylon with a DuraGuard coating) wipes clean shockingly well, and the PrecisionGlide wheels handle rough terrain like they’re auditioning for Top Gear. No scuffs, tears, or tantrums yet.
For a bag that screams “business traveler,” it’s surprisingly chic. The Platinum Elite has leather accents, chrome zippers, and a sleek silhouette that doesn’t scream I’m late for a conference. It comes in subtle colors like Shadow Black and Vintage Grey, which blend in whether you’re wheeling through LaGuardia or the lobby of a Tuscan villa.
More Travelpro luggage to shop
This medium-sized checked spinner blends elegance with endurance, featuring a high-density nylon shell with DuraGuard coating and chrome hardware for a polished look that stands up to rough handling. With zippered panels, built-in suiter, and a tapered expansion design, it keeps everything organized and upright, even when overstuffed with “just-in-case” outfits.
Designed for business travelers and digital nomads alike, the Altitude Backpack offers a padded laptop compartment, expandable main section, and water-resistant zippers wrapped in rugged, recycled fabric. With a breathable back panel and trolley sleeve, it’s a commuter-friendly, carry-on companion built to go from TSA to trail with zero fuss.
This stylish, co-branded duffel features a unique drop-bottom compartment to separate shoes or worn clothes from clean ones — no more plastic bags or post-trip regret. Crafted from durable fabric with vegan leather trim, it’s equal parts form and function, perfect for quick getaways or as your personal items on longer trips.
The obvious match-up here is between Travelpro and Samsonite. Samsonite might win on name recognition and marketing, but Travelpro often edges it out in longevity of performance. The Platinum Elite’s zippers alone are more durable than anything I’ve used from Samsonite’s mid-range.
Compared to Briggs & Riley, Travelpro is slightly less luxurious but significantly more affordable. Versus Away? It doesn’t have the same cult-favorite status, but it’s smarter. The built-in USB port on some Travelpro backpack and carry-on models feels better designed, and the internal organization is less gimmicky, more thank-God-there’s-a-pocket-for-my-retainer-case. While Away gets all the DTC love, Travelpro is the brand your pilot trusts, not your influencer frenemy.
Travelpro is best for frequent flyers, business travelers, and anyone who treats airport navigation like a sport. Originally designed by a pilot, the brand has built a cult following among airline crews and travel pros who need gear that can keep up — think durable wheels, intuitive organization, and size specs that won’t get you gate-checked.
But Travelpro isn’t just for suit-and-tie types. With stylish collabs (like the Travel + Leisure line) and smart features across both hardside and softside models, it’s become a go-to for savvy leisure travelers, digital nomads, and anyone who wants reliability without the influencer markup. Whether you’re packing light for a weekend escape or hauling gear across continents, Travelpro delivers premium performance without trying too hard to be trendy.
Unfortunately, I haven’t taken the Platinum Elite to Paris…yet. But what I did do was subject it to something arguably more brutal: two weeks of daily life on a working ranch in Texas. If that sounds romantic, let me clarify: this bag wasn’t rolling through manicured lavender fields.
It was wheeled across rocky terrain to the horse barn, used as a stool while I tended to the garden, and stuffed with everything from equine supplements to emergency snacks, just to see how it handled uneven shapes and weight.
It’s been kicked, dragged, rained on, and briefly used as a barrier to keep a curious raccoon from breaking into the feed shed. The retractable handle held up through abuse. The zippers didn’t warp in the 98-degree heat. The wheels glided shockingly well over gravel, grass, and the occasional patch of dried horse poo. I even used it as a side table one night, balancing a sweating bottle of Topo Chico on top while FaceTiming a friend in Greece, which felt ironic, given my setting.
This bag proved it can handle dust, dirt, and disarray with the poise of a seasoned traveler. If it can survive rural Texas, I’m confident it could navigate Terminal 5 at JFK.
Yes, and if you’re patient, you can snag a serious deal. Travelpro luggage sales pop up regularly around major holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday, plus events like Amazon Prime Day and Travel Tuesday. Whether you’re eyeing a carry-on or a full Travelpro luggage set, it’s worth waiting for those markdowns. Pro tip: sign up for the brand’s email list or track prices on Amazon to catch limited-time drops.
Absolutely. Most Travelpro carry-on suitcases meet the size restrictions for international airlines, including stricter carriers in Europe and Asia — but always check your specific airline’s guidelines, since a few are notoriously stingy with overhead space. If you’re hopping borders frequently, the Platinum Elite or Maxlite series offers lightweight builds, easy mobility, and enough internal organization to avoid opening your suitcase and seeing absolute chaos.
Think of the Maxlite as Travelpro’s practical little sibling: lighter, simpler, and more affordable. It’s perfect for casual travelers or anyone who prioritizes weight savings above bells and whistles. Platinum Elite, on the other hand, is the business class of the lineup — leather detailing, better wheels, higher-end materials, and thoughtful extras like a fold-out suiter and external USB port. If you travel often, or just want to feel like the most put-together person in the security line, Platinum Elite is worth the upgrade.
They do, and they’re way better than you’d expect from a luggage-first brand. Travelpro backpacks are sleek, office-appropriate, and ridiculously functional, complete with padded laptop sleeves, pass-through trolley straps, and enough interior compartments to satisfy even the most neurotic organizer. As for the Travelpro garment bag, it’s a must-have for destination weddings, work events, or anyone traveling with a suit or dress they don’t want to end up looking like it was balled up in a gym locker.
It depends on what you care about. If you’re after durability, smart design, and a suitcase that won’t give up on you mid-connection in Atlanta, Travelpro often outperforms Samsonite, especially at the mid-range price point. Compared to Away, it’s less trendy but more practical, especially if you’re checking a bag or need something more than just a pretty shell and a phone charger. Travelpro is built for travelers, not TikTok.
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