The Best Carry-On Luggage: The Travelpro Platinum Elite Collection

I’m about to wax poetic about a piece of luggage of all things, but that’s what I want to do today so strap in! After 5 years of using a $21 40L Foldable Backpack and a free Vanguard Tote, I upgraded my travel luggage. Why? Several not fun reasons 🙂 – basically: Old age, injuries and jealously🤣.

This year the issues with my knee/hip/back from a running overuse injury continue. Going to 8 sessions of PT and continuing to do those exercises is helping a lot, but when looking at my luggage, I suspect that putting my Vanguard tote on one shoulder didn’t help this problem 🙂 .

• My Packing List As A 5 Year, Full-Time Nomad

Almost a year ago I explained how I carried everything when I traveled to my PT and they suggested I change up my luggage. Health comes first so I started looking for another solution. And one presented itself 🙂 .

The jealousy portion of this decision was from my Partner getting a TravelPro Platinum Elite 29″ Spinner a few years ago after seeing the NYTimes say it was the best luggage option (and it is still the reigning champion according to them 🙂 ).  And that ranking seemed true based on my experience because I was always happy to help him with this bag in airports because the wheels feel like they’re floating on air.

During our 5 years as full-time nomads, my Partner traveled with 1 checked bag (the TravelPro one) and 1 carry-on rolly bag, which is much smaller. And I found it easier to roll the much larger TravelPro suitcase despite its additional weight. Interesting 🙂 .

• I Got A Homebase! (But Will Still Travel 1/3 Of The Year)

Well I’ve been using my new TravelPro luggage for 10 months as of February 2026 and I’ve become obsessed. Let’s dive into how I got here. 

The Research

First, I did a ton of research. Like at least 24 hours of research. My Partner actually laughed at me because while he did some googling before buying his bag, he said it wasn’t anything close to how much I did.

What can I say? I’m thorough – definitely not neurotic 🙂 . Thorough. And I’m especially thorough when I’m about to make a decision that will cost hundreds of dollars on something that hopefully lasts a lifetime.

So after all that research, I discovered that what I loved about my Partner’s bag is specific to TravelPro’s Platinum Elite Collection. It turns out that the reason the wheels on his suitcase work so smoothly is because of their “PrecisionGlide System” that does a lot of things you probably don’t care about 🙂 .

The gist is that TravelPro has done specific things to the eight wheels on this luggage to make it roll like a dream. And this system is not available on their less expensive rolly luggage.

So I knew what I wanted: The TravelPro Platinum Elite 21″ Spinner, but I also wanted to replace my Vanguard tote. So I went down another rabbit hole to see which backpack has all of the pockets I need and has a strap to attach to my new rolly bag. And then I found it 🙂 : The TravelPro Platinum Elite Backpack had everything I wanted and was being offered in a set with the rolly I wanted for a discounted price. Perfect!

I thought that these items would also help with my fast travel that was coming up in Summer 2025.  Unpacking and repacking a 40L backpack daily wasn’t the easiest thing to do when moving Airbnbs daily like I did while circumnavigating Iceland in 2024. This new rolly and backpack offer an easier approach since it’s quicker to open and riffle through without having to repack everything.

Now the question of the hour: is this lifestyle inflation? Yep 🙂 . And is it built into my retirement plan? Absolutely!

• Why I’m Comfortable Retiring With $500,000

But I’m also getting older and my PT pointed out that carrying 40+ lbs on my back and shoulder for the last 5 years probably compounded my running injury. So as a part of a doctor’s visit, x-ray, 8 sessions of PT and constant exercise to continue that progress, I also upgraded my luggage. Does that mean this is a medical expense 😉 ? (I’m kidding).

The Cost

I’ve alluded to it, but how many hundreds of dollars is this luggage? Well in April 2025, I paid the below in USD for the Platinum Elite Backpack 1.0 and Platinum Elite 21″ Carry-On Spinner Set in Shadow Black.

Description	Price
Subtotal	$559.98
Shipping	Free
Estimated taxes	$44.80
Total	$604.78 USD

Individually when I was shopping, the spinner cost $429.99 and the backpack cost $269.99 for a total of $699.98 plus tax or $755.98 after tax. So buying these two as a set saved me about $150.

However, I asked my Partner how much he paid for his 25″ Spinner in 2023 and it was $365 USD, but is currently listed as $490 USD. Thanks tariffs and high inflation 🙂 . 

A 10% Discount

Now let me go on a quick aside about discounts so you can learn from my mistakes. I obviously ordered a set from TravelPro, but all first-time customers get 10% off their first order if they follow through with a pop-up on the TravelPro website that asks you to sign up for their newsletter. 

After purchasing my luggage I saw that my 10% code hadn’t been applied so I contacted TravelPro customer service via email to ask why the credit wasn’t applied. They responded the next day (impressive) and actually said that TravelPro sets can’t have a promo applied to them. Good to know!

Strangely, when I then went to my cart and put a set into it and added the promo code it showed as working. So feel free to mess around with that to see if it works for you and don’t forget to grab that 10% code if it’s something you’re interested in.

Delivery

After ordering I excitedly waited for my package to arrive! It was delivered by FedEx and when I saw it I was a bit surprised 🙂 . 

I know this isn’t necessarily TravelPro’s ‘jurisdiction’, but the package I received looked really rough when it arrived – the box was partially opened and there was tape falling off of it. 

So that was a bit weird, but luckily inside the package everything looked as it should. The backpack was packed inside the rolly where it fits perfectly (and I’ve used that fact to store these two items to take up less space). 

Warranty

However, if my luggage was damaged due to a rough ride during mailing, I did have recourse. TravelPro claims to have a 100 Day Satisfaction Guarantee that says if you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can return it for a full refund with return shipping costs covered. 

Registration

In addition to that guarantee, TravelPro had a card in my luggage that said I could register my luggage within 120 days of receiving it to extend warranty coverage to include them covering shipping cost for a repair to their facilities or replacement as well as covering the cost of a repair for damage caused by an airline or other carrier. So I registered my luggage, but luckily haven’t had to test its benefits yet.

The Review

Platinum Elite 21″ Spinner

Time to gush about a rolly bag🤣.

The Wheels

Have I ever learned the official name of pieces of proprietary luggage before? No, but I did and will talk about it with proper names because it is that important to me🤣.

This spinner rolls so smoothly that it literally rolls itself. I’ve let it go down a slight incline and it rolls without me 😉 . This is because of the bag’s PrecisionGlide System, which includes eight MagnaTrac wheels that self-align.

If you watch the wheels when you change direction, the wheels effortlessly correct for your movement and lock in place in the new direction. This is why it was easier for me to roll my Partner’s 50lb TravelPro bag than his smaller 20lb non-TravelPro bag.

It seems like a relatively small thing, but I have never felt a bag roll as effortlessly as this one and the unique wheels are the reason why. In fact, when I showed my Mom my new luggage for the first time, it was on our way to the airport and I was showing her how smoothly the bag glides by dancing with it like I was in Singing In The Rain. It’s ridiculous 🙂 . 

The Handle

Ah yes the handle 🙂 . As you saw at the beginning of the above video, this handle doesn’t just go up and down – you can adjust the handle to 4 different heights. Technically it’s called a PowerScope extension handle with a patented Contour Grip 😉 .

But both of those features are important. The multiple handle levels let me set the bag to different lengths depending on what I’m doing so it’s always easy and comfortable to use. For example, when I put my Platinum Elite Backpack on top of my rolly, I fully extend the handle so I can easily hold the rolly bag handle and the backpack strap while gliding through a transit hub.

However, if I’m wearing my backpack I instead set the handle to a shorter level so I can easily grab the edge of that Contour Grip and easily maneuver the bag using only one hand in front of me to dodge fellow travelers and other obstacles. 

So that is why I love the main handle of this bag, but I also need to talk about the other stationary handles. At the bottom of the bag is a sturdy, curved handle that makes it super easy to lift this rolly into an overhead bin when used with the regular strap at the top. In addition to that, the long, sturdy strap on the side of the bag allows me to easily carry it up stairs horizontally way less awkwardly than other bags I’ve used where I have to carry it vertically from the top strap. It’s like they thought of everything 🙂 . 

Pockets

This bag made me fall in love with pockets 🙂 . It has pockets for everything – a removable quart-sized wet pocket for TSA compliant toiletries, a garment bag (that I removed because I’m all about that wrinkled life 😉 ) and pockets for socks in the lining of the bag. It also has a large pocket that you can see on top of the video below as well as pouches on the tie-down straps within the bag. 

And in addition to all that, it has the standard outside pockets and even a huge pocket that I had no idea existed until I had traveled over a month with this bag. That secret pocket was so big I was able to fit an entire sweater worth of yarn in it! To say this rolly has enough pockets is an understatement. 

Expansion

This bag also expands to give an extra 2″ of depth to the bag. And it also does so in a tapered way so that the bag doesn’t tip over even if it’s stuffed full. Genius 🙂 . 

Durability

And finally, this bag is surprisingly durable. TravelPro touts that it has a DuraGuard Coating on the exterior fabric that resists water and stains, which sounds cool, but I was skeptical if it would make a visual difference since I travel so often and my previous bag definitely showed that wear rather quickly 🙂 . 

However, I was wrong. I’ve taken this bag on 16 flights and 10 trains across 6 countries so far and it still looks brand new! 

Platinum Elite Backpack 1.0

Can I be in love with a backpack? Yes, yes I can. 

Balance

So originally I was skeptical about buying such an expensive (for me) backpack. I didn’t see how it could be 5x better than my previous one based on its price. 

Well allow me to eat my words 🙂 . The first thing that makes this backpack amazing is something I had literally never thought about before: Balance.

This backpack is a gymnast with perfect balance. Because of its construction, it doesn’t tip over, no matter how full it is. That includes when I open it on a couch like the woman in the photo at the beginning of this post, or more importantly when it’s balanced on top of my rolly bag.

And that makes my jaw drop. This bag does have a strap that I could use to secure it to my rolly bag, but I haven’t found it necessary because the bag balances on top of my rolly without it. 

As a contrast, when I’ve put something like a duffle bag or my previous Vanguard tote on top of a rolly in the past, its strap was hooked over the handles and hanging on for dear life. This has led to some unfortunate incidents when it falls off my rolly and gets all tangled while pulling my rolly towards the floor while I try to keep all of us upright. 

None of that happens with this bag. It balances on top of my rolly and stays there. There’s no falling or wrestling or juggling and it feels like magic. 

Not only does that make maneuvering these two pieces of luggage super easy, but it also makes getting all the documents I need throughout an airport visit a breeze. With my backpack balanced on my rolly, I reach in to grab my passport (from the dedicated passport pocket in the front zipper) or my ticket and phone out of the QuickSlip front pocket (that has a magnetic closure 😉 ) after going through security. It makes a low-key stressful experience way less so. 

Sections & Pockets

This backpack has two main sections, four smaller sections and more pockets than I can count. I was surprised when I first saw it because it looks quite slim from the side, but it can hold 23L of stuff. 

One of my tips when fast traveling is always putting everything I might need for the first week or so of a trip in my backpack if I’m checking my other bag. This is a precaution in case my checked bag is lost and they have to get it back to me, which can take days. 

However, I have been very lucky that nothing has happened to my luggage since high school (the airline had to drive it to me in another state 🙂 ), but this precaution has stuck with me. And luckily, that’s no problem with this backpack. It fits everything I would need for a few days including my clothes. Those large backpack sections are that deep. 

But the other thing I love about this backpack is something that I didn’t know was as useful as they are: POCKETS!!! Originally I saw the number of nooks and crannies on this thing and thought it might be overkill, but I was so very wrong. 

The ridiculous amount of pockets inside and outside this backpack means that everything has a place and I can easily access anything without having to basically dump everything out of my bag like I previously did. I can instead just reach into an internal pocket to grab my external charger for example without disturbing the clothes and electronics deeper in the bag. 

I mentioned in passing how I find the passport and QuickSlip pockets very helpful in an airport, but I also love the side pockets. One is the perfect size for my Mini Umbrella and the other fits my Collapsible Water Bottle even when it’s full (and the pocket is unzipped like shown with the water bottle above). 

And finally, this backpack includes two padded sections – one big enough for a laptop and the other that would fit a tablet, but that I use for my Kindle. I really appreciate that the padding is already built into the bag because now I don’t have to carry around a laptop case like I did for years. Win/win!

Worth It?

So are these pieces of luggage worth their price? If it wasn’t clear before, yes – I definitely think so. Let’s get into why. 

Platinum Elite 21″ Spinner

In a shock to no one more than myself, I do think this rolly bag is worth what I paid for it and is definitely worth the $391 it’s currently selling for. I never thought something as silly as a bag would make my life easier, but it does. It makes packing easier and maneuvering through crowded airports a breeze.

At least once a month my Partner laughs at me after seeing me rolling this luggage around our apartment because I love how smooth the wheels are and I find it fun. Jokes on him – I’m having a great time🤣. 

I also appreciate Travelpro’s satisfaction guarantee and warranty as well as its durability that will hopefully make this my travel companion for many years to come. Anecdotally, I think that will be the case since my Partner’s years old TravelPro bag still basically looks brand new despite us being full-time nomads when he got it. 

When I first showed this bag to my Mom, she was really impressed until I told her the price. She was surprised, but after she watched me travel with the bag she said “Ok – I need that”🤣. So now she owns TravelPro bags too. Anyway, I’m all for anything that makes travel easier on my aging body and this was one of my best ‘investments’ towards that, that also turned out to be helpful in more ways than I imagined. 

Platinum Elite Backpack 1.0

This bag is currently selling for $215 and I think it’s definitely worth that and what I paid for it. My Partner makes fun of me that I’m still so excited about this luggage a year after buying it, but it’s improved my life that much because I travel so frequently. 

Luggage to me was always just something with a function, it wasn’t something that could create joy or make me smile just by looking at it, but that’s how this luggage makes me feel. I look forward to packing now because of how much easier it is. Packing used to just be something I had to do every month that didn’t take long (like 15 minutes) that I just locked in and did, but now I actively look forward to it. It’s just so easy and satisfying with all the compartments in this backpack that it’s a fun puzzle instead of a frustration.

And as I mentioned before, this bag’s construction and the fact that it doesn’t fall over is a huge help when navigating airports. And the abundance of pockets makes grabbing absolutely anything in a rush super easy. 

Conclusion

So that has been my experience with TravelPro’s Platinum Elite luggage. I never thought I would become a luggage nerd, but here we are. 

I never thought something as silly as a bag could make something as mundane as packing and trekking around an airport exciting, but I was wrong about that too. This luggage has helped me keep my running injury at bay and also made me a more efficient traveler. I love it so much 🙂 .

Also a heads up that when I went to the TravelPro website before publishing this, they are currently having a Mid-Winter Sale that is “Buy 1, Get 50% Off“, which is wild. I don’t know how long that promo will last, but just a heads up that it exists. I hope this review has been helpful if you’re looking for new luggage or just curious about what’s out there. It’s a wilder world than I imagined 🙂 .