The High Price of Packing: Why Luggage Costs Are Skyrocketing

I almost bought a suitcase that (almost) cost more than my rent. I was on Prince Street in SoHo, New York, staring at a shiny Rimowa suitcase that was way out of my budget but, for some reason, felt like the key to a more glamorous life. 

I lived just a short walk from Rimowa, which is two storefronts away from Lure Fishbar where my mom and I brunch every Sunday like clockwork. One Sunday, after our usual lunch order — mashed potatoes, tempura shrimp, fries (why not a second starch), bok choy, a ginger ale to share, and sometimes if we are feeling really hungry– lobster mac and cheese — I found myself strolling into Rimowa, fully prepared to make what I thought would be a solid “investment.”

Now, here’s the thing: I’d been under the influence—TikTok influence, to be exact. My feed was flooded with people showing off their luxury suitcases, and the brand name that kept coming up was Rimowa. The travel essential for the chic jet-setter, they said. So naturally, I had to see for myself. 
 

@amelia.liana am I a Rimowa girlie now… #rimowa #rimowatrunk #rimowaunboxing #rimowasuitcase @RIMOWA ♬ „The Four Seasons" - Winter - part 1 60" (Vivaldi) - Orchestra of Classical Music

I wandered through the store, glancing at the carry-on first. It was a sleek metallic silver, practically begging to be rolled through JFK in first class. But as soon as I touched the handle, the sales assistant glided over and introduced me to the bigger suitcase options. Each one seemed like a step closer to luxury, and I couldn’t help noticing how the different colors had wildly different prices. The carry-on I liked was $1,200, but the larger checked luggage in a deep burgundy? $1,540. What was it made of? Diamonds? I thought to myself. Still, I played along, nodding politely and saying, “I’ll come back to decide.” (Spoiler: I never did.)

Before I left, I decided on a whim to snap a passport photo in the store, because why not? I figured, if I wasn’t going to drop $1,500 on a suitcase, at least I could get a freebie. Unfortunately, the lighting was terrible—harsh fluorescent, completely unforgiving on darker skin tones like mine. My passport photo came out a hot mess, and let’s just say, I wasn’t rushing to print it.

Feeling defeated (and still suitcase-less), I wandered home and did what any sensible zillennial would do: I opened my laptop and started browsing online. First stop? Away. Their ads had been stalking me for weeks, and honestly, I was intrigued. The Bigger Carry-On in clay pink was calling my name—it was $295, which, compared to Rimowa, felt like a steal. But every time I added it to my cart, I hesitated. Was I really about to spend almost $300 on a carry-on plus New York sales tax? I removed it from my cart. Then, ten minutes later, I added it back. This went on for a solid hour – adding and removing– before I gave up and closed the tab.

But wait, the scroll saga wasn’t over. Enter Beis—the brand that practically owns Instagram and TikTok with their gorgeous neutral-colored suitcases. I fell down a rabbit hole of influencers unboxing their Beis Weekender bags, praising its functionality. $128 for the Convertible Weekender bag and $328 for the Large Check-in Roller. Not bad, I thought, but will it change my life? I added both to my cart, stared at them for a minute, then removed them. It was becoming a pattern.

The deeper I went into the world of luxury luggage, the more I realized I was spiraling into a status game. Did I really need a high-end suitcase to justify my travel? Was I convincing myself that a thousand-dollar suitcase or even a few hundred dollars would make my gate-waiting time shorter? Probably. However my budget-friendly, practical side (let’s call her Cheap Al) was screaming at me to stop.

In the end, I went the practical route. I pulled up Amazon and found a perfectly functional 3-piece luggage set for a fraction of the price. The whole set? $189. It wasn’t fancy, it didn’t promise to change my life, but it had wheels and could carry my stuff from point A to point B, and that was good enough for me. 

Two days later, my Amazon luggage arrived. It wasn’t Instagram-worthy, but you know what? This set has been with me on over 10 flights, and I have the passport stamps to prove it. Sure, it’s got a few scratches now, but so would any suitcase after being tossed around by baggage handlers.

Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t cave to influencer pressure. Sure, those luxury suitcases are gorgeous, but for most of us they’re totally unnecessary. A suitcase is just a vessel for your stuff, no matter how expensive it is. And let’s be real: no amount of high-end luggage will make you immune to that dreaded “please remove your shoes” announcement at security.

I didn’t want you to read this story just because there is a purpose.. so stay with me and continue to read.

Not even just more than (almost) my rent, I almost bought a suitcase that cost more than an AirFrance plane ticket from Paris to New York. 

Yup, that’s the reality of today’s “airport culture,” where luggage isn’t just a necessity but an Instagrammable accessory, a status symbol, and sometimes even a fashion statement. Before I knew it, I was this close to splurging on a designer suitcase that I knew, without a doubt, would be dragged across dirty tarmacs, tossed into cargo holds, and scratched up by the baggage carousel. Yet, the allure was undeniable. And I’m not the only one feeling it.

It seems like everywhere you look—especially on social media—there’s a growing obsession with high-end luggage brands. From Rimowa to Beis, these suitcases are being sold as if they’re more than just containers for your clothes and travel essentials. Instead, they’re being marketed as lifestyle upgrades, status symbols, and “must-have” accessories for the modern jet setter.

But why are we suddenly so obsessed with suitcases? And more importantly, why are we willing to pay so much for them? Welcome to the world of luxury luggage, where the cost of packing is skyrocketing.

Status Unpacked: Why We're Obsessed with Expensive Suitcases!

Now, let’s talk about what’s fueling this luggage obsession: prestige. High-end luggage is no joke. Rimowa suitcases can set you back upwards of $1,500, while Louis Vuitton’s Horizon Business carry-on doesn’t even bother listing a price—because if you have to ask, well, you know. But here’s the thing: are these suitcases truly better, or are they just status symbols? In a world where we constantly curate our lives for public consumption, even luggage is part of the performance.
 

Social media certainly plays a role. TikTok and Instagram are flooded with influencers parading their luggage like they’re the latest designer handbags. And let’s be honest—brands like Rimowa, Away, and Beis are no strangers to this. They’ve mastered the art of selling not just a product, but a lifestyle. If you own one of these suitcases, you’re part of the elite—a frequent flyer, a business-class traveler, the kind of person who never worries about overweight baggage fees.

But does owning one really change the way we travel? High-end brands often justify their prices with claims of durability and craftsmanship. Rimowa’s lightweight aluminum shell and Samsonite’s built-in chargers are impressive, sure, but most of us aren’t living in airports. 

Still, luxury luggage has become another way to flaunt wealth, creating a subtle class divide at the airport. Business-class travelers with their Rimowa bags inhabit a different world from those of us in economy with our beaten-up carry-ons. It’s subtle, but the message is clear: status matters, even in how you pack your bags.

At the end of the day, most of us don’t need a $1,500 suitcase to get from point A to point B. Sure, it’s nice, but it won’t revolutionize your travel experience. A functional, affordable suitcase will do just fine—and still leave room in your budget for that extra checked bag.