Review of the updated Away The Bigger Carry-On: Same great bag, revamped features
Editor's Note
- The Away The Carry-On and the Away The Bigger Carry-On bags offer high-end luggage looks and features.
- Standout features include a handy mesh laundry compartment, fun colors, optional ejectable battery and 360-degree spinner wheels.
- However, the bag does scuff, and there are some elements to be aware of before spending close to $300.
Since it debuted in 2015, Away has become a popular luggage company with bags that are often easy to spot in every corner of an airport, from airline lounges to baggage carousels. It’s almost like the iPhone of carry-on bags — simple, stylish and priced in a way that walks that line of exclusivity while simultaneously feeling affordable enough for many frequent travelers. It likely doesn’t hurt Away’s popularity — and visibility — that a few times a year, it unveils seasonally refreshed colors for its bags, too.
Right now, you can purchase away bags for what is likely the best deal of the year with 20% off for Black Friday. This Black Friday sale drops the price to $236 for the Away The Bigger Carry-On and $220 for the Away The Carry-On. And if someone with an Away bag refers you, that can drop the price an additional 20% as those discounts stack.
Personally, my family now has five Away bags: two child-size bags (that are no longer available) and one adult carry-on size from a limited-edition collection inspired by the northern lights as well as two of the more traditional colors and styles. The northern lights Away bag, which was beautiful when it first arrived at my door, didn't hold up very well.
But the Away The Bigger Carry-On in the coast color that Away provided for product testing a year ago and, more recently, the revamped design in olive, have both held up wonderfully overall.
Now that I've flown more than a dozen flights with the revamped Away The Carry-On in olive and spent a year and about 100,000 miles with the previous version in coast, I'm here to share my review of the Away The Bigger Carry-On bags. I'll also talk about some differences between the most recently released version and previous iterations.
What you should look for in a carry-on bag
The best carry-on bags have a few things in common. Notably, they have a sturdy handle and are easy to roll — not only on smooth airport surfaces but also on some slightly imperfect surfaces. Sometimes, taking that train to the city center and walking the rest of the way to the hotel while pulling your bag is the best course of action, and your bag needs to be able to handle that journey.
Ideally, carry-on luggage has some compartments to help keep your belongings separated and make the act of physically closing and opening the bag a bit easier. No one wants all the items that were so carefully packed exploding everywhere, thanks to gravity during the zipping and unzipping process.
The best carry-on bags don’t waste a ton of weight on the bag itself and fit in airline overhead bins, pushing right up to that maximum limit allowed so you have as much packing space as possible. They’re also built to withstand the harsh realities of frequently flying without becoming the ugly duckling at the baggage carousel shortly after buying them.
Related: Keep calm and carry on: TPG shares its favorite travel carry-on bags
Why we like Away’s The Bigger Carry-On
Spoiler alert: After a year of using Away The Carry-On (often instead of my beloved Rimowa), I’m a fan.
While I still love my Rimowa carry-on bags that I’ve used for almost a decade, there is no question that the Away bag is more functional in a few ways — which is why it is now the primary bag in my rotation.
The mesh, zippered laundry compartment on one side of the bag is one of my favorite components, as it is so useful for keeping things organized and in place. The other side of the bag can then be used for packing cubes and the like, making it easy to pack, unpack and keep everything together.
In fact, the updated carry-on model released in the summer of 2023 has even more pockets and sturdier zips. It also has redesigned handles that are easier to grip and refreshed 360-degree spinner wheels.
Purchase link: Away The Bigger Carry-On
The zippers themselves are strong and easy to move, even when you may have slightly overpacked and are leaning all your weight on the top of the suitcase to get it to close while you zip it up. I absolutely do this all the time and am continually impressed at how much I can cram in there.
The 360-degree spinner wheels have made moving through the airport, along sidewalks and more basically a dream.
As someone who avoids checking a bag as much as possible, I’m particularly fond of the slightly larger size of Away’s standard carry-on bag.
The Bigger Carry-On allows you to add an extra set or two of clothes or one more pair of shoes without drifting into that “must check a bag” situation. We’ll get more into the exact dimensions in a bit, but this little extra room makes a noticeable difference when packing.
Related: Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Rimowa
Things to know about The Bigger Carry-On from Away
While this bag can be thrown in and out of a cab and dragged off a carousel without a worry in terms of functionality, be prepared for some scratches on the shell. (If you really want to see the durability in action, jump to the three-minute mark of the “Kids Away Luggage review video” at the end of this article to see how we tried to destroy that bag.)
Even with normal wear and tear, scuffs can absolutely be seen on the matte material. I found some on my test bag after just the first few flights.
Additionally, I’ve discovered that this coast color is quite popular, as I’ve been in a few situations now where multiple people have had the exact same bag.
Without something clearly identifying the bag as yours, you’re risking bag mix-ups. Consider getting some kind of special identifier (such as a colorful luggage tag) and toss an Apple AirTag in for good measure, just in case. Or, choose a non-traditional or limited-edition color that fewer people will have.
One thing that's no longer an option on the Away carry-on bags is the removable battery, which I think is a good thing as I get stopped frequently when boarding flights to ensure mine is removed on the bags we have that still have that slot. The bag we got over the summer of 2023 does not have that battery slot, which I consider an improvement.
Related: 15 packing hacks for traveling with just a carry-on
How Away’s carry-on measures up
Regularly priced starting at $295, the Away The Bigger Carry-On from Away is currently available in 12 colors (though a few are temporarily sold out or are limited-edition options) and is sized to fit in the overhead bins on most airlines.
Some of the Away bag’s features include:
- Durable polycarbonate shell
- Leather detailing, including a black leather luggage tag
- TSA-approved combination lock for extra safety
- 360-degree spinner wheels that ensure a smooth ride
- Interior compression system
- Hidden laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate
- Underside grab handle (new to the 2023 model)
The Bigger Carry-On that I’ve been trying out has the following measurements:
- Exterior: 22.7 inches by 15.4 inches by 9.6 inches
- Interior: 20.9 inches by 15 inches by 7.9 inches
- Weight: 7.4 pounds
- Capacity: 47.9 liters
For reference, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines all have posted maximum carry-on sizes of 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, which is technically a hair smaller than this bag on all sides.
In practice, on most flights, a bag that is a fraction of an inch over will still fit in the sizer and in the overhead bin. Still, know that there is a possibility that you may need to gate-check your bag.
Southwest Airlines currently has a maximum carry-on size of 24 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches, which means this larger carry-on does officially comply with that carrier’s baggage dimension limits.
Away The Carry-On vs. Away The Bigger Carry-On
The two main differences between the Away The Carry-On and the Away The Bigger Carry-On are price and size.
The standard Away carry-on bag is usually about $20 cheaper than the Bigger version, at $275 instead of $295 (prices vary by color and exact model). Additionally, the traditional Away The Carry-On measures 21.7 inches by 14.4 inches by 9 inches, meaning it is smaller than the maximum carry-on size requirements for all major U.S. airlines, unlike the Bigger version. In the U.S., that difference isn’t likely to cause issues most of the time, though it may be problematic when flying carriers internationally.
As someone who stuffs their carry-on to the brim, the additional capacity in The Bigger Carry-On is worth it.
But if you don’t find yourself needing every square inch in your carry-on, then getting The Carry-On will save you a few dollars and be sure to keep you within the posted airline carry-on size limits.
Related: Carry-on vs. checked bags: Which is the better choice?
Overall impression
Even with the scuff marks that just happen over time, my Away suitcases still look pretty good.
I love the more voluminous Bigger version. I’m also a sucker for the zippered side of the bag that makes organizing — especially in conjunction with packing cubes — a cinch. And in perhaps the best test of all, my kids will pretty much only pull the Away bags on the rare occasion that some of our other bags are in the mix at the airport because they roll so much easier than all of our other luggage brands.
The new version that came out in 2023 is even better, especially with that handy spot to grip when pulling in or out of the overhead bins.
We're pretty much a fully Away bag family at this point, as they are the right balance of quality, style, durability and price. I give it a big thumbs up if you are in the market for a new carry-on bag this year.
Read on for more tips on finding the right piece of travel gear for you:
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- 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.
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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. |
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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.