Travelpro Platinum Elite 21" Expandable Spinner Review

Constructed from high-density ballistic nylon with a DuraGuard coating that resists stains and abrasions, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21" Expandable Spinner has four magnetically aligned spinner wheels and a convenient flip-open design, as well as a plethora of internal and external pockets and handy extra features.

Performance Comparison

Capacity

When it comes to packing extras, the Travelpro Platinum Elite hits the sweet spot. It has numerous pockets that are sure to make even the most careless packer happy. Interior zip pockets are cleverly integrated into the underside of the lid along the back wall of the main compartment. You'll also find them built out of mesh within the compression panels in the main compartment.

However, when compared to the other bags in our lineup, the Platinum Elite's extras do add weight. At 8.1 pounds, this premium spinner isn't the lightest bag on our flight crew, which could slightly limit your payload depending on the airline you're flying with, especially if it is an international flight with more rigid carry-on weight restrictions. Although we loved the Platinum Elite's innovative packing system, we do admit that several cheaper adventure bags, as well as hardshell and softshell models, easily outscored it when we considered our testing measurements for overall weight and main compartment volume. Particularly, the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 40, Cotopaxi Allpa 38L Roller, Samsonite Freeform Spinner, and SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable 21-Inch.

This carry-on's generous 40-liter main compartment is ample enough to stow several days' worth of clothing and necessities. If more space is needed, two front-side pockets are ready to stash away last-minute items or extra clothing. Additionally, a pre-wired battery bank pocket is perfect for a charger and cables. And, if all of these features aren't enough space for you, we've also vetted some of the best checked bags on the market in our luggage review. In particular, we recommend reading up on the full size Travelpro Platinum Elite 29", the larger sibling of the Platinum Elite 21.

Though it appears modest upon visual assessment, the internal capacity of this suitcase is substantial. We easily fit everything we needed for a 7-day summer vacation, which was by no means an easy feat considering the packing list included six distinct outfits, a fancy event dress, pajamas, a swimsuit, jacket, socks and undergarments, two pairs of shoes, a book, toiletries, and a variety of other incidentals. We put the Platinum Elite's great compression system to good use.

Built to deliver well beyond the basics, it has mesh paneling (with zippered pockets) between each of the compression straps, a smart design that increases your overall surface area for compression and allows you to fill the bag to the brim before then creating additional space by cinching it all down. An added external expansion zipper can also be engaged, revealing a tapered opening (running the length of the lid along the front side of the bag) to increase the final capacity of the main compartment. Grab a few additional garments or last-minute souvenirs; this unique expansion design can accommodate it all while simultaneously reducing any likelihood you'll become so front-heavy that the bag will tip over.

One downside to all of these handy frontside pockets (which is true for a surprising number of carry-ons) is that actually using them increases your chances of overstuffing and potentially exceeding the airline's depth restrictions. If your bag looks like it's about to explode, you may well find yourself struggling to squeeze it in the overhead bin — if the airline allows you on board with a bag so stuffed. But if you can limit your pocket-packed items to compact, flat necessities and keep your bulky belongings compressed inside the main compartment during flights, this issue can be minimized. Or, take advantage of the tapered expansion feature and opt to check your bag if you really need to squeeze in a few last reminders from your recent travels.

Ease of Transport

Everything works so smoothly on the Platinum Elite. Zippers glide effortlessly, handles work how and where you want them to, and there's a variety of easily accessible pockets to keep you organized. The telescoping handle is sturdy and comfortable, offering five convenient heights to choose from. A well-crafted load handle is conveniently placed at the top and side of the case to allow for easy pick-up-and-go, designed to pull away from the bag when needed but then retract back into the side of the suitcase to maintain a sleek, streamlined fit once loaded.

Everything about the Platinum Elite exudes easy movement. There's even an extra grab handle on the bottom of the suitcase, just in case you need to move or stabilize it from the base. These thoughtful additions make the transition between streets, cars, stairs, buses, and airplanes a breeze, particularly when complemented by the equally well-designed roller handle to keep the bag in check by your side.

We love the four large double-wheeled spinners upon which this suitcase is built, providing plenty of clearance to tackle even the most challenging terrain. We found they roll along easily, even over loose gravel and fallen leaves, despite not having a thick tread in their design. And we never had issues with the bag tipping over when crossing sidewalk cracks or tall thresholds. But our favorite feature of these wheels is the hidden magnets that hold them together gently in a forward-facing alignment.

The Platinum Elite almost steers itself, staying quietly by your side in motion without any particular exertion on your part. We took advantage of this feature by frequently taking our hands off the bag entirely to do other things like clean our glasses, shift something around in a backpack, or even eat an airport meal on the go, all while the case continued to roll smoothly and efficiently by our sides.

When it comes to how easy this bag is to use, we have very few complaints. Every feature that it does have, we love. We think the only way it could be improved might be by adding a few handy extras, like an “add-a-bag” strap to allow for easily attaching a purse or laptop bag. And, if Travelpro's carry-on designers want to use our ideas, we'd equally love to see a cup holder or a spinner brake feature to account for long waits at crowded gates or those occasions when one must come to a full stop on a slope. However, the absence of these superfluous features in no way takes away from the degree to which we enjoy using the Platinum Elite in its current form.

Construction Quality

Though it's not a hard-sided piece of luggage, the Platinum Elite offers impressive durability. We pushed each carry-on to its limits, dropping them onto concrete, dragging them across sidewalks, stairwells, and gravel, and checking them into our final destinations. And true to form, this bag easily withstood every trial we put it through. Made of high-quality ballistic nylon with DuraGuard coating, the Elite has tough, road-ready design features at every turn. Impressive zippers glide well, are lockable, and don't get caught or stuck no matter how stuffed the bag may become. Large, double-spinner wheels (nested into road-tough housings) show almost no signs of wear or reduction in performance, even after months of intensive testing. All handles are sturdy, secure, and comfortable underhand, inspiring confidence that you'll have an uneventful journey ahead (at least when it comes to your suitcase).

Even small scuffs on the fabric brush off easily with your hand, leaving behind no visible damage. All corners are strengthened and reinforced with leather or thick, pliable plastic to withstand the bumps and scrapes of frequent use. Plastic bumpers are integrated along the bag's backside and bottom edge — vulnerable areas that tend to be laid out or dragged across rough surfaces during travel. During our stairwell tests, these bumper reinforcements, along with the Platinum Elite's ballistic nylon shell, performed exceptionally well, proving to us that this bag is built for the rigors of frequent airline travel. The only bags that bested it during our testing for this metric were the Rimowa Original Cabin and the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Spinner, both of which are premium luggage brands.

In addition to being very rugged, the Platinum Elite's exterior is also quite water-resistant. After being doused with hose water for nearly five minutes, we were pleased to find this bag's interior basically dry. Even the exterior pockets were dry inside.

Design and Functionality

This is another area where the Travelpro Platinum Elite shines brightly. Travelpro has managed to incorporate an astonishing array of features into this spinner without forcing your hand if they're not what you need at that moment. The removable suit/dress keeper enables you to pack delicate fabrics, knowing you can store them in relative safety en route. You can also remove that suiter bag to hang it separately in a closet upon arrival at your final destination, giving you a chance to shake out any wrinkles from the journey. If your current trip doesn't require you to bring a suit or evening gown, no problem. Simply leave the detached packing tool bag at home and save on space. The removable toiletry bag is another nice touch. It zips away cleverly into the side of your bag while you travel but can be easily removed upon arrival for use in the bathroom, saving you the need to buy and pack a separate bag or remember where you packed it as you go through the airport security line.

When zipped shut and on the move, our team of testers unanimously agreed this bag looks sleek and well put-together. It's something you can proudly carry while traveling professionally or equally blend in with the crowds while on vacation. Once again, Travelpro has managed to sneak a surprising number of features onto the exterior of the bag without taking away from its streamlined appearance. A hidden ID tag on the back saves you from having to make a separate purchase to protect your personal information from prying eyes or possible snags. A dedicated power pack pocket lets you plug your phone directly into the back of the suitcase while you are on the move, ensuring your travel days are as hassle-free as possible. We're truly impressed with the versatility and wide appeal of this sophisticated rollaboard.

Our only real complaint about the Travepro Platinum Elite is that it's built over an inch too long to fit the dimension requirements of most U.S. domestic airlines for their overhead bins. So, right out of the gate, you have to know that there's a possibility of being called out at check-in or even once boarding the plane (many airlines have a testing “slot” by the gate before entry to ensure you comply). And, of course, if you employ the frontside pockets with enthusiasm, you may further add to your depth problems. But the good news is that in testing, we never actually encountered any pushback from airlines in transit (not to mention that this case always fits well into the overhead). Some of our testers have been using this bag regularly for years and have never been forced to check it because of this extra inch. So, it seems there may be little to worry about in practice. But since it's technically a requirement, we feel the discrepancy needs to be pointed out.

Should You Buy the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21" Carry On?

Though the standard retail price for this suitcase is on the higher side, it's not nearly as expensive as other options we tested and delivers high quality in structure and performance. It also seems to be perpetually on sale across the internet and in various retail stores. Considering it is, without a doubt, our favorite luggage to use and built to last through years of frequent business travel and epic vacations, we have no doubt it's worth the cost. We would recommend this smart softshell carry-on to anyone who travels regularly or even just to those who want one single case that is reliable, convenient, and keeps them looking good in the process.

What Other Carry-On Luggage Should You Consider?

For the chronic over-packer who doesn't want to have to worry about overstuffing their bag, the unique frame-integrated compression system of the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Spinner takes the pressure off your packing. To take things a step further, consider some of our favorite hard-sided models like the sharp and thoroughly well-designed Away The Carry-On or the premium Rimowa Original Cabin. On the other hand, if you need to save a few bucks while still getting a solid carry-on option, the SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable 21-Inch is a reasonable choice, particularly for less frequent and less intensive travel.