Cheap luggage splits at the seams by trip two. Away's polycarbonate shell and lifetime warranty mean one suitcase for your entire travel life.
Why Not Just Buy the Cheap One?
Cheap luggage from Target or Amazon uses fused seams that split the first time you overpack because the plastic doesn't flex—it just cracks. Away's polycarbonate is injection-molded to absorb impact, and the seams are reinforced with nylon tape that actually moves with the load.
The Buy-Once Math
Budget carry-ons fail by trip two and cost $40–80 to replace, meaning you're buying a new suitcase every 1–2 years ($200–400 over five years). One Away Bigger at $245 lasts your entire travel life and comes with a lifetime warranty. You'll take it everywhere for 20+ years—that's $12 per year instead of $80.