Last July, I reviewed the TravelPro PLATINUM ELITE Compact Business Plus Carry-On. It’s a superb carry-on that will give me years of use. I recently received the TravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner to review. It has all of the great features that made me a fan of their carry-on, but this checked luggage offers plenty of room for an extended trip.
I received the TravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner some months ago but, thanks to COVID, had not had a chance to test it out. I planned to use it for a trip that should have been ending today. Sadly, the Omicron spike meant we had to postpone that trip until March.
When the trip finally happens, though, this will be the suitcase we bring. Here’s why.
The TravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner is a large suitcase with a volume of 108L. It measures 30” by 18” by 13.5” and weighs just over 12 pounds.
That low weight is the result of TravelPro using an ultra-strong polycarbonate shell. As I have discovered with the carry-on I reviewed, the material looks great and, thanks to a textured finish, doesn’t seem to show scruffs or scratches the way other hard-shell luggage can.
The TravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner uses aluminum corner guards, also found on the carry-on, give the suitcase a more “professional” appearance, but they also help protect the corners from bumps and bruises. The suitcase is large but, at 62 linear inches, it “complies with published check-in size restrictions for all major domestic airlines.”
While the TravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner has cavernous storage already, it can also gain an additional 2” of storage thanks to an expansion zipper that can easily be undone.
It is worth noting that when the zipper is undone the extra 2” of storage may, depending on the airline’s policy, be too large or result in the suitcase being overweight, which will incur additional fees unless your airline offers higher limits for those with the particular status that you hold or the type of ticket you have purchased.
For instance, the published weight limit for American Airlines is 50 pounds with a size limit of 62 linear inches.
If you purchase a business or first-class ticket on American Airlines or you have One World Emerald or Platinum Pro/Executive Platinum status with AA, for instance, they allow you to check luggage weighing up to 70 pounds, but the allowable linear inches for the bag is not raised.
The suitcase has four wheels, and they incorporate TravelPro’s PrecisionGlide System that includes “MagnaTrac self-aligning magnetic spinner wheels.” I’ve wheeled the suitcase all over my house and took it up the street to test out the wheels, and I have been impressed with how smooth they are. And, since this is a TravelPro suitcase, I have no concerns about its durability.
The PrecisionGlide System also includes TravelPro’s Contour Grip handle and PowerScope Lite Handle. Together, the trio makes it easy to wheel the suitcase through the airport or train station. The handle has four stops at 36”, 38”, 40”, and 42.5” so everyone will be able to find a comfortable height when moving the bag.
As TravelPro explains:
Precise control and effortless roll, thanks to the Travelpro exclusive PrecisionGlide System–eight MagnaTrac® self-aligning spinner wheels led by a sturdy, four-stop adjustable PowerScope Lite handle with comfortable Contour Grip.”
I’ve used suitcases where the wheels and telescoping handle feel like an afterthought. Within a few trips, one or the other either fails or simply doesn’t work as smoothly as it initially did. I don’t expect that to be the case with the TravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner.
Most of the time you’ll use the telescoping handle on the suitcase’s top but there will, of course, be times when a side handle is important for lifting or transferring the bag. The side handle sits flat against the suitcase when not in use but expands to allow for a comfortable, secure grip when needed.
Next to the handle, there is a built-in TSA-approved lock. By default it is set to 0-0-0 but, of course, you can change it once you receive the bag.
TheTravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner opens into two halves. The interior of the bag maximizes space and offers some organization. Each side has its own zippered divider panel with low-profile zippered pockets for small, flat items you want to keep separate from the other content.
One of the zippered pockets is water-resistant which is ideal if you need to carry damp items or toiletries.
Finally, inside each side of the suitcase, there are adjustable hold-down straps to help keep items from shifting during travel.
I love the design of the TravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner’s interior. Sure, having built-in compartments for organization is always nice, but choosing to optimize capacity makes sense for a suitcase of this size.
I also appreciate the fact that the items kept on each of the two sides can be separated completely. That means you can keep the clothing for the first half of the trip on one side and then only access the second side when those clothes are needed.
Alternatively, after the first few days of travel, one side can hold clothing that is still “serviceable” while you can use the other side for laundry. Either way, the design lets you organize your travel clothing and gear in the way that works best for you.
For years I purchased discount luggage. It always looked good at first but, within a few trips, it would always show wear; after a few more trips, it would often need to be replaced. In the end, each of the other suitcases I purchased may have cost less, but once you took the short replacement cycle into account, any savings quickly disappeared.
At $469.99, the TravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner is anything but discount luggage. But it is built to withstand the rigors of travel and, thanks to a generous warranty program that covers wheels, zippers, and handles; you can expect this suitcase to last years.
The Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner is available in your choice of Vintage Grey, Dark Sky Blue, Shadow Black, True Navy, and Metallic Sand. This suitcase will let you feel like you are traveling in First Class, even if you are flying in Coach; I’m excited to finally get to use it in March!
The TravelPro Platinum Elite Large Check-In Expandable Hardside Spinner sells for $469.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Huge storage capacity that can be expanded by two additional inches; Tough hard shell resists bumps and scratches, Reinforced aluminum corners add extra protection to vulnerable corners; Wheels are sturdy and roll smoothly; Telescoping handle is comfortable to use; Interior design maximizes capacity but adds just enough organizational touches
What Needs Improvement: Filling the suitcase so much that it requires the use of the 2″ expansion zipper may cause your luggage to be overweight and oversized
seems to hold a lot
Always had good experiences with TravelPro products – so many nice features. This seems like a good option for a larger bag, though at a cost.
seems helpful
I really like the attention to detail in the construction and the ample storage capacity.
Wheels that roll smoothly are a great feature.
I love the overall design and look
It’s ingenious the way they designed this bag to maximize space
If you use the 2″ expansion, then wouldn’t the expansion section not be fully protected by the hard shell? Also, what does the lock lock to? The other half of the hard shell?
This looks very nice!! The best thing about it is that it won’t get dirty and if it does, I can just wipe it down!