How to Protect Luggage From Damage

Aside from getting to the airport on time and making connections, luggage damage is perhaps the most stressful part of travel. It’s no secret that airport baggage handlers aren’t exactly gentle with suitcases. 

The last thing you want when you touchdown and make your way to baggage claim is to see a hole in your luggage, or worse, a wheel is broken off and now you have to carry a heavy suitcase around. How can I protect my luggage from damage? You’ve come to the right place.

Really, it’s as simple as investing in the best hard-shell luggage in the world, right here at Nobl Travel. Our polycarbonate and aluminum luggage is as strong and impact-resistant as it gets, which is how we’re able to offer a warranty for life.

We’ll share other insights on how to protect luggage from damage, like proper packing, smart handling, and even using protective accessories in some cases. But, damage prevention starts with the right materials - set yourself up for smooth, stress-free travel today!

How Long Does Luggage Last?

It’s important to keep in mind luggage doesn’t last forever. At least, most luggage. Every trip you take adds wear and tear, be it from baggage belts, weather exposure, or simply how often it’s rolled through uneven pavement or loaded into an overhead bin.

But, how long does luggage last on average? It depends on quite a few factors, ranging from materials to usage and storage habits. 

Most luggage gives out at the seams, zippers, wheels, or handles. These are the areas you’ll notice damage on first. The more frequently you travel (or the rougher the environments), the more pressure put on these components.

Cheap materials like thin ABS plastic or canvas break down quickly compared to polypropylene vs polycarbonate luggage. Wheels can start to jam, handles loosen, and before you know it, it’s time to replace your luggage.

But even how you store your luggage influences its lifespan to some extent. Leaving your suitcase in humid garages or forcing it into tight closets weakens its frame and hardware over time.

Cheap luggage may only last a handful of weekend trips. In contrast, well-made luggage can last years or decades even with frequent use. These materials do a far better job resisting impact, flexing rather than cracking, and keeping the stuff inside safe and sound.

All that being said, let’s get into how to protect luggage from damage so you can extend your suitcase’s lifespan as much as possible. 

How Can I Protect My Luggage From Damage?

While some wear is inevitable, there are steps you can take to lighten the toll travel takes on your luggage. It can be the difference between a year or two of useful life and a decade of service. Here’s how to protect luggage from damage.

Choose the Right Luggage Material

Like we said from the start, your luggage material sets the tone for how it ages and how well it protects your belongings while in transit. Choosing between hard or soft luggage for international travel and domestic flights is a no-brainer: hard-shell is the way to go.

Fabric and ABS tend to break down quickly under stress. So even though they’re cheaper upfront, you’ll find yourself paying much more in the long run with frequent replacement.

Polycarbonate has more flex and impact resistance so it can absorb pressure without cracking. Aluminum’s hard exterior is best for resisting crushing, dents, and punctures. You should go with either polycarbonate or aluminum luggage for this reason.

Not to sound like a broken record, but your search for long-lasting luggage with built-in damage resistance ends here at Nobl Travel. Take your next trip with peace of mind by packing in our checked luggage or carry-on luggage.

Pack Your Bag Properly

How you pack affects how your suitcase performs to a certain extent as well. Overstuffing puts strain on zippers and seams, two of the most notoriously weak components on luggage.

Don’t get us wrong, we’ve all been there trying to cram in one more shirt or another pair of shoes. But if you feel like you’re squeezing too much in your bag, chances are, you are!

Evenly distribute weight to prevent sagging or tipping, and use your suitcase’s built-in compression system (if it has one) to stabilize items and avoid bulging.

Delicate items should be cushioned with clothing, shoes should be bagged, and liquids stored in sealed compartments or waterproof pouches. Remember, an internal mess can translate to exterior damage if your belongings shift during transit.

Our blog has more tips on how to pack a carry-on for a week, how to pack dresses in a suitcase without wrinkling, and how to pack shoes in a suitcase if you want more tips on proper packing strategies.

Use Protective Accessories When Needed

Luggage covers can add a layer of scratch protection during air travel, especially on glossy finishes. This form of damage is the easiest to prevent, and also the lowest stakes. Your suitcase will still work just fine with a few scuffs here and there.

Packing cubes help reduce internal friction so heavier items don’t jostle and press against the shell. These are a great investment for any frequent flyer. 

One other accessory you should have is an ID tag for your bag. This won’t prevent damage, but it can help prevent confusion and headaches at baggage claim!

Be Mindful at the Airport

Some damage is avoidable with a bit of awareness. You might want to gate-check your cary-on when possible instead of rushing to stuff it into a full overhead bin. Don’t drag wheels over rough surfaces. Tilt and carry the suitcase in these scenarios if you’re physically able. 

Be vigilant at baggage claim and remove your luggage from the carousel ASAP to avoid it getting crushed by other bags coming down the chute, along with the wear and tear from spinning around on the belt.

All of these tips for how to protect luggage from damage sound small, but they can add up to make a big difference over the course of time. Ultimately, though, the best thing you can do is start with the right luggage - so shop Nobl Travel today!

Enjoy Peace of Mind With Durable Luggage Guaranteed for Life at Nobl Travel

Nobl Travel designs luggage built for the realities of travel. Every suitcase is made with materials that resist cracks, dents, and breakdowns from repeated handling. 

Our aluminum carry-on luggage and aluminum checked luggage are as strong and durable as it gets, but even our polycarbonate luggage is warrantied for life. No matter what specific suitcase you buy at Nobl Travel you are investing in peace of mind.

They flex to absorb impact without splitting, so you won’t have to worry about drops, compression, or rough baggage carousels. We’ve taken steps to reifnroce the wheels as well, so you can continue to glide effortlessly through terminals and parking lots trip after trip.

Other features include dual TSA-approved locks, slow-release handles, and compression interiors that stabilize your contents in transit. We haven’t overlooked a single detail.

If something ever goes wrong, though, you can rest assured we’ll be here to make it right. Our lifetime warranty applies to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, and other functional elements.

Whether you're checking bags across continents or boarding a quick domestic flight, Nobl luggage helps you travel with confidence from start to finish. Browse our catalog and put the stress of damage in the past for good!

How to Claim Luggage Damage if it Occurs

Damage can still happen even with the best luggage. It’s important to understand how to claim luggage damage in these cases so you can improve your chances of compensation. Here’s what you should do when you notice your suitcase scuffed, dented, or broken at baggage claim.

File a Report Immediately With the Airline

Always inspect your luggage before leaving the baggage claim area so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of returning to the airport, finding parking, and all the hassles that come with navigating a busy terminal.

Locate the airline’s baggage service office right away, as most carriers want you to report these issues in person before exiting the airport. Some might let you file after the fact, but that usually shortens the window to 24 hours or less.

You’ll likely need to fill out a Damage Property Report and show your boarding pass and bag tag. Just for your own personal records it’s worth taking photos of the damage from multiple angles.

Include any broken components, like cracked wheels or dented corners. Keep your baggage claim tag, boarding pass, and receipts if you’re asked to get an estimate or replace the item. This will come in handy if you need to escalate the issue. 

What Airlines Typically Cover

Be clear, some airlines are going to hang you out to dry when damage occurs. Many of them only cover loss, not damage. Those that do fulfill damage claims will only cover functional damage, like broken handles, damaged locks, or wheels that no longer roll.

Cosmetic issues, such as minor scratches or scuffs, are almost always excluded. As far as how you’ll be reimbursed for the damage, it could be a repair, a replacement, or travel credit, depending on the carrier’s policy.

But if you take one thing away from this guide on how to protect luggage from damage, it should be to invest in suitcases from a brand that stands behind their products, like Nobl Travel. This way, you can rest assured you’re less at risk of damage from the get-go!

Parting Thoughts on How to Protect Luggage From Damage

That does it for our guide on how to protect luggage from damage. This is a huge source of stress for occasional and frequent travelers alike, but the good news is it doesn’t have to be something lingering in the back of your mind any longer.

While travel wear and tear is unavoidable, investing in high-quality luggage - and treating it with care - can make a meaningful difference in how long it lasts. 

So, set yourself up for smooth adventures, trip after trip, at Nobl Travel today. Discover the carry-ons and checked bags trusted by frequent flyers and warrantied for life now!