Is my damaged luggage under warranty?
This question comes up quite a bit, so let me start by explaining what a warranty covers and what it doesn't.
A luggage warranty usually covers manufacturing faults, not “life happened to my suitcase” damage.
In plain English, it generally covers things that were wrong with the bag because of how it was made, not how it was used.
Don't panic, I created the image above in AI! That's not to say it doesn't happen in real life though ;)
What a luggage warranty usually covers
Most luggage warranties cover defects such as:
Broken or faulty zips
Especially if the zip track separates, the pull breaks under normal use, or the zipper was poorly stitched in.
Faulty wheels
For example a spinner wheel that collapses, seizes, falls off, or was not properly attached.
Handle problems
A telescopic handle that jams, won’t lock, won’t retract, or breaks due to a manufacturing defect.
Cracked shells or faulty fabric
If the hard shell cracks under normal use (i.e. not when you pick it up after it was handled by airline staff), or fabric tears because of poor stitching or weak material.
Stitching and seam defects
Loose seams, handles pulling away, lining coming apart, or poor finishing.
Locks and hardware faults
Built-in TSA locks, buckles, clips, hinges, or other fittings that fail through normal use.
This RFID money belt below was replaced under warranty when the strap frayed and pulled away from the material
In the pic below, the repair to the zip that came off its tracks was under warranty.
What a luggage warranty usually does not cover
This is the important bit, and why I always recommend taking out travel insurance. Most warranties do not cover:
Airline or transport damage
If the airline cracks the shell, snaps a wheel, crushes the corner, rips a handle off, or plays football with it on the tarmac, that is an airline claim, not a luggage warranty claim.
Normal wear and tear
Scuffs, scratches, dents, fading, fraying, worn wheels, marked fabric, and general “I’ve been to Europe and back” ageing.
Overpacking damage
Burst zips, broken seams, bent frames, or strained handles caused by stuffing the case beyond capacity.
Misuse or accidents
Dropping it down stairs, sitting on it, using it as a step ladder, dragging it over rough ground, or forcing jammed handles/zips.
Cosmetic damage
Scratches, marks, stains, dents, colour changes, or surface wear that doesn’t affect function.
Lost or stolen luggage
That’s for travel insurance, not a product warranty.
Damage from liquids, heat, chemicals, mould or pets
Leaking toiletries, wine explosions, sunscreen spills, damp storage, dog chewing, melted wheels, etc.
Unauthorised repairs or modifications
If someone else repairs it badly or replaces parts with non-approved bits, the warranty can be voided.
In the pic below, the crack was caused by the airline as it was recovered from the luggage carousel with the crack in it.
The simple way to explain it
A luggage warranty covers faults in the way the bag was made, such as defective wheels, handles, zips, seams or locks. It does not cover airline damage, accidental damage, misuse, overpacking, normal wear and tear, cosmetic marks, theft or lost luggage.
Think of it like this: you wouldn't take your new car back to the dealership to get them to repair damage from a supermarket trolley collision, but you would take it in if it had a rattle somewhere that drove you nuts.
This is super important: Airline damage should be reported to the airline before leaving the airport, and accidental loss or damage may be covered by travel insurance.
If your bag is in worse condition when you pick it up off the baggage carousel than it was when you checked it in, take a photo of it there and then, and go and seek out an airline rep.
Airlines often won’t accept claims once passengers have left the terminal.
The photo below was a tricky one. We can see it has a scuff mark implying rough wear, but offered a refund in this instance as it was so close to the handle.
