American Tourister vs Samsonite (2022): Which Is The Better Luggage Brand?

Going for cheaper luggage will save you money now but you might actually end up spending more in the long run. If you want something that will be able to survive the rough handling at the airport and be with you for many years of travel, it’s better to invest in high-quality luggage such as Samsonite or American Tourister.

While they’re not the most affordable options on the market, they’re still reasonably priced and won’t cost you an arm and a leg like the high-end brands out there. To help you decide between these two, here’s an in-depth review that covers their design, features, durability, and warranty.

American Tourister vs Samsonite Comparison Chart

Model	Samsonite	American Tourister
Price	Check Price	Check Price
Built-In TSA Lock	Yes (some models)	No
Spinner Wheels	Yes	Yes
Expandable Zippers	Yes	Yes
Compression Straps	Yes	Yes
Materials	Aluminum, polycarbonate, and nylon	Polycarbonate, ABS, and polyester
Warranty	Limited global, limited three years, and limited ten years	Limited global, limited three years, and limited ten years

Design

Samsonite and American Tourister have very different styles.

If want luggage that’s subtle and will make you look professional on your business trips, you’ll love Samsonite’s designs. Over the years, they’ve stayed pretty consistent with their style, avoiding anything that’s too flashy. Their fabric suitcases tend to sport quite simple and traditional looks while their hard suitcases are sleeker and have a more luxurious and modern vibe.

American Tourister, on the other hand, is a bit more of a wild card. Their suitcases come in a bunch of different designs which sometimes even feature popular characters from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and such. Even their adult suitcases come in various colors and patterns. So if you want luggage that stands out, American Tourister might be more up your alley.

As for storage and organization, both Samsonite and American Tourister’s regular bags have basic structures on the inside. However, their premium suitcases are designed with more slots and some even come with a WetPak.

Features

Samsonite’s luggage comes with more features than American Tourister’s.

While American Tourister’s designs are more out there, their suitcases are actually pretty basic in terms of features. You can expect the standard things like expandable zippers, spinner wheels, compression straps, as well as TSA-approved combination locks for their hard suitcases. As for Samsonite, their luggage comes with more features that aren’t typically found in regular suitcases. Some of their fabric suitcases, for example, are equipped with TSA-approved locks which is something that’s usually reserved for hard suitcases. Quite a few of them even have a cable that runs through all the zippers and through the lock for added security.

If you’re investing in Samsonite’s more premium models, you might be surprised to see a built-in USB port. This feature is quite handy for travellers as you can easily charge your phone if you’re low on juice. Also, Samsonite recently came up with their Right Handle system which gives you eight levels of height adjustment for the handle instead of the usual four. This way, you can have the handle at the height that’s perfect for you. You get to enjoy even more features with Samsonite’s travel line, including water-resistant coating and extra durable spinner wheels.

Durability

Samsonite puts more effort into durability than American Tourister.

Samsonite is the more expensive brand of the two but this is easily justified by the durability of their luggage. They put a lot of effort into researching and picking out the best materials for their zippers, handles, covers, and locks, explaining why Samsonite suitcases are able to last a long time. They’re worth every penny for this reason alone.

As for American Tourister luggage, they’re less heavy on the pocket although their durability doesn’t come close to Samsonite’s. Their hard suitcases are usually made out of polycarbonate or ABS while their fabric suitcases from polyester. These materials are cheaper and not as long-lasting as the premium materials that Samsonite uses such as aluminum, polycarbonate, and nylon. While American Tourister suitcases won’t easily give out on you, it’s better to go for Samsonite if you want longevity.

Warranty

Samsonite and American Tourister offer the same warranty terms.

In case you didn’t know, American Tourister is actually owned by Samsonite so you can expect more or less the same warranty terms from the two brands. They both offer limited global, three-year, and ten-year warranties although these don’t cover improper use, normal wear and tear, or airline damage. If the damage to your luggage isn’t covered by warranty, you can always just purchase replacement parts.

While they’re on the same level warranty-wise, Samsonite has the upper hand when it comes to customer service. They’re known for giving their customers exemplary care and will often go beyond what’s asked of them.

Verdict

Samsonite wins in terms of quality but American Tourister is still a good choice if you want something more affordable.

Samsonite

American Tourister

If money isn’t an issue, definitely go for Samsonite luggage as they will be with you for the long haul. The brand makes it a point to use the best materials around so you can be sure that your suitcase will be just fine even if it gets bumped around during your travels. Not just that but they come with handy features as well that you don’t normally find in other suitcases. Some of their premium models even come with a built-in USB port so that you can charge your phone on the go.

But that’s not to say that American Tourister is a bad choice. It’s just that a little bit of quality had to be sacrificed to keep the prices low. However, their suitcases are still sturdier than the cheap ones out there and you should be able to get plenty of use out of them.

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