General Suitcase & Luggage Warranty Information

General Warranty Information

Each week we receive calls and emails asking us what is covered by suitcase warranties.  Nearly all suitcase manufacturers offer a limited warranty and we will explain what is and isn't covered in 2 sections below: Suitcase Components and Suitcase Shells.  This article is meant as general guidance and manufacturers will inspect the case and reserve the right to reject claims if they feel the damage has not been caused in ‘general wear and tear’.

Suitcase Components

Suitcases manufacturers rigorously their products to meet the needs of modern travellers, but occasionally a component can break such as a zip, a handle, telescopic trolley handle, integrated lock or wheels.  In these instances the manufacturer will inspect the product during the warranty period and either fix or replace the product.

Suitcase Shells

An important aspect of warranties that all travellers should be aware of, especially air travellers, is the suitcase shell (both hard-sided or soft-sided).  Most warranties do not cover damage to the shell of a suitcase unless it is caused by a manufacturing defect.  Manufacturers put their cases through stringent tests, but if a case is subjected to extreme stress during travel, such as coming in contact against a sharp object at force, then cracks and rips can occur. We receive calls from customers in this situation who are unaware of warranty conditions, so we recommend the following steps:

• Check your suitcase when you collect it from the baggage carousel or before you leave the airport. 
• If you discover that your hard-sided suitcase is cracked or your soft-sided suitcase ripped whilst in the care of the airline, then you should go to the airline desk and make a claim for the damage by filling out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). 
• You should also contact the manufacturer of the suitcase and ask them to perform an inspection to find out if the damage has occurred from a manufacturing defect.  This means you are covered if the airline accepts responsibility for the damage or if the manufacturer finds a manufacturing defect.

There are some manufacturers who offer guarantees that include damage caused by airlines, for example Briggs & Riley and certain products by Victorinox.

Your Go Places order confirmation email acts as your proof of purchase for warranty claims.

Which? have written a good article on luggage that has been damage by airlines: https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the-airline-has-lost-or-damaged-my-bag-what-can-i-do

More information on specific manufacturer warranties:

Samsonite: https://www.samsonite.co.uk/our-guarantee/our-guarantee.html

Delsey: http://www.delsey.com/fr/en/c/delsey-warranty

Eastpak: https://www.eastpak.com/uk-en/warranty/

Briggs & Riley: https://www.briggs-riley.com/customer-care/lifetime-guarantee/

Victorinox: https://www.victorinox.com/uk/en/Service/Product-Support/Travel-Gear/Travel-Gear-Warranties/cms/service-travel-gear-warranties

American Tourister: https://www.americantourister.co.uk/our-guarantee.html

Caribee: http://www.caribee.com/warranty-c1znd

Pros and Cons of 2-Wheel and 4-Wheel Suitcases

Pros and Cons of 2-Wheel and 4-Wheel Suitcases

We get many enquiries about whether customers should purchase a 2-wheel or 4-wheel item of luggage.  There are positives and negatives for both options, so here are common considerations and advantages to help you find the most suitable case for your needs:

2-Wheel

Before the introduction of 2-wheel suitcases you had to carry your luggage, so lets raise a glass to celebrate this invention!  While 4-wheel cases have become more popular over recent years, 2-wheelers are still a great option especially for a cabin case.

• More packing space: the design of 2-wheel suitcases means that the wheels are set into bottom of the case.  As a result, 2-wheel suitcases sit lower to the floor and the wheels don't protrude from the bottom of the case like a 4-wheel.  This gives a 2-wheel suitcase greater capacity, which can be a major consideration for cabin cases.
• Less likely to snap off: because the 2- wheels are set into the case you won't find baggage handlers using the wheels as handles when they are getting your bag on of off the aircraft.

You can view our range of 2-wheel cabin cases and suitcases here.

4-Wheel

While you don't get the same capacity as a 2-wheel suitcase, 4-wheel cases are increasingly popular.

• Maneuverability: 4-wheel suitcases offer greater maneuverability when travelling with your case because the wheels rotate 360 degrees.  They can travel along side you or be pulled on 2-wheels behind you.  4-wheel cabin cases can also fit easily down the aisle on an aircraft by pushing it side-on.
• Easy to replace: it has been known that wheels don't arrive at the airport carousel after baggage handlers have used them as handles to pick up your case.  While it is still rare for wheels to come off suitcases, this can happen.  Fortunately, all the brands that Go Places sells have easily replaced wheels, so in the unlikely event of a wheel coming off your suitcase this does have a simple fix.

You can view our range of 4-wheel cabin cases and suitcases here.

Each customer has different needs; some might require easy maneuverability while others need to squeeze those extra few litres of capacity for their weekend city break cabin case.  Whatever you need Go Places will have an option for you and if you need any advice, then please give us a call on 01403 713332 or use our contact form here.