Luggage Review: Away Kids' Carry-On
Sure, you can probably toss your kids' clothes and travel gear in any old bag and head to the airport, but just as the right stroller or car seat makes the trip easier, having the right piece of luggage does too -- especially when the kids are old enough to take responsibility for their own things through the airport and beyond.
I'd heard of the "cool" direct-to-consumer brand, Away, for years, so roughly six months ago, we decided to try the bags for our family. For our tall 9-year-old daughter, we put the full-size Away Carry-On (in a really cool limited-edition Northern Lights color) under the Christmas tree.
For our 3-year-old daughter, we needed something smaller because she is starting to manage her own things -- like the tiny traveling boss that she is. I'll do a written review here but don't miss the video review above of the Away Kids' Carry-On.
For our youngest traveler, we got the Away Kids' Carry-On that sells for $195 and is smaller and lighter than the adult version. I'll get to the measurements shortly, but here are some other highlights:
- Made of durable polycarbonate
- Has an (easily) ejectable battery that can charge anything with a USB cord
- There are 360-degree spinner wheels, just like our bags
- Hidden laundry bag for those extra-dirty things
- TSA-approved lock (which we've never used)
The kids' version comes in eight colors: blush, brick, navy, (dark) green, black, asphalt, white and sand. Honestly, none of the colors really scream "super fun for kids," so we went with the navy. (I liked our older daughter's Away color better.)
The Away Kids' Carry-On measures: 18 x 12 x 9 inches and weighs 6 pounds.
Compare that to the normal Away Carry-On that is: 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 inches and weighs 7.6 pounds.
If you're curious, Spirit Airlines' maximum dimension for a free carry-on is: 18 x 14 x 8 inches, which means the Away kid version almost fits that standard to come on board at no charge. In other words, it's really small. It didn't fit under the seat in front of us when we tried, but I bet it would on some aircraft.
The Away kids' bag is the right-size spinner bag for a preschooler like ours. She can handle it easily, though wheeling it through a busy airport is a slow process and parents sometimes might need to take over to speed things along. I imagine that, within the year, she will master the process as she gets a little older.
The Away Kids' Carry-On is too small for my 9-year-old, who handles the full-size bag as shown below. Since the price difference isn't significant, pick the kid version for a young (or smaller than average) child in the roughly 3- to 7-year-old range.
The Away Kids' Carry-On is a small bag, but it held all of our daughter's clothes for a three-night Disney Cruise, followed by three nights at Walt Disney World, so the interior space is ample for many trips (and much brighter than the exterior).
My favorite feature of the Kids' Away Luggage is the ejectable battery that can fully charge an iPad or up to five iPhones. During travel you don't always find yourself near a power outlet, and this solves the problem quite well so your kids can stay peacefully entertained with their electronics along the way. The battery is easy to remove with the push of a finger for when you need to check or gate check the bag. (You can't check bags like these with the battery in place, so you have to pop it out.)
While the battery and charging capability is probably my favorite feature of the Away line, the most fun part of our test was trying to destroy the bag. Away says that the kid bag is "durable enough to stand up to anything and last a childhood and beyond." Well, let's just see ...
Not only did we take the bag on some real flights, but we also took things a few steps further. First, I jumped up and down on it -- no problem. Next, I hit it with a hammer. Several times -- no problem. Then, we might have thrown it down the concrete stairs. Still no functional problem.
Finally, it was hit with an (old) car. Believe it or not, it's still fine. (Seriously, watch the review video just for those parts if nothing else!)
Our real bag -- the one that wasn't intentionally thrown or hit -- does have scuffs after a few months of normal use. So durable means won't fall apart, not won't scuff. It likely will scuff. If the bag disappoints you, there is a 100-day money-back guarantee, and a lifetime warranty on the shell, wheels, handles and zippers. The electronic components (like the battery) have a two-year warranty.
Bottom Line
Not every family needs a $195 kid's bag (here are some more budget-friendly options). However, our family travels almost every month, so it is a good investment for us. (And yes, my family and TPG bought bags to try, these were not given to us by Away.) The limiting factor of the Away Kids' Carry-On is that it is really small, so it's not necessary to select this size except for the littlest of travelers. However, by 3 or 4 years old, kids can and should take ownership in their bags, and the Kids' Away Luggage is a great way to speed along that process. Some fun, bright kid colors and a shell that is a little more scuff resistant wouldn't hurt.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.