Summer has slipped away and fall is flying in fast — which means two things: October Prime Day is here, and so is your next chance to upgrade your travel essentials.

If there’s ever a time to stock up on that new suitcase you’ve been eyeing or the gear you’ll need to survive a long flight, it’s now. October Prime Day 2026 runs Oct. 6 through 7, giving shoppers just two days to score the best travel deals of the year on top-rated brands. Plus, Prime members can score free same-day and two-day shipping on select items.

I spent my early 20s hopping around the globe to study abroad and chase every opportunity that came my way. Now, I spend much of my time traveling with a newborn-turned-toddler in tow. Needless to say, I know a thing or two about the durable, versatile luggage you’ll want by your side — and the travel accessories that can help keep your sanity intact.

Below, you’ll find our team’s expert-tested (and by that, I mean actually traveled with) picks, from suitcases by top brands like Samsonite and Travelpro to lifesaving portable chargers and e-readers to keep you entertained along the way.

These deals won’t last forever, so stock up while you can. Bon voyage!

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October Prime Day Luggage Deals

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Luggage 2-Piece Set

Sleek, strikingly modern and available in a sea of colors, the Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Luggage 2-Piece Set pairs bold design with serious functionality. Lightweight construction, smooth 360-degree spinner wheels and roomy expandable interiors make it an easy choice for travelers who want style without sacrificing convenience — especially at this Prime Day price. Jacqueline Goldstein, The Post’s VP of commerce, is a longtime Samsonite fan. “I am obsessed with it and how easy it is to move around because of the wheels that can move in all directions and the lightweight feel of gliding it,” she says. “I have maneuvered through crowded areas like Bangkok or Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter with ease.”

Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Expandable Checked Luggage

If you want a truly hard-core suitcase, Travelpro is the brand to consider. The Platinum Elite Hardside features a PrecisionGlide System with MagnaTrac self-aligning spinner wheels, a four-stop PowerScope Handle and Contour Grip for smooth, effortless handling. “The Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Expandable Luggage is my absolute favorite suitcase,” explained former Commerce Editor Kendall Cornish, who put it to the test on her Texas farm — giving it the ultimate beating on gravel, mud and more rugged terrain. “It’s smooth, spacious, and tough enough to handle baggage claim chaos. It’s got TSA locks, a zippered expansion and premium finishes that make it feel first-class even when you’re not.”

Amazon Basics Hardside Carry-On

The Amazon Basics Hardside Carry-On is affordable without sacrificing durability or thoughtful design. At just 6.7 pounds, it’s also among the lightest bags we’ve tested. Sr. Social Media Manager Michelle Moezam has also been a longtime fan of the brand, using an Amazon Basics suitcase for the last eight years. She loves how easy it is to pack, thanks to its spacious interior, zippered compartment and clothing-compression bands. “It has a very wide opening,” she pointed out. “And the bands holding the clothing together are always helpful, with the one-side compartment completely closing so shoes don’t mingle with clothes.” Maneuvering is a breeze thanks to the lightweight design, though Moezam finds it a bit shaky on rough terrain — a minor flaw that hasn’t swayed her loyalty to the brand.

TUMI 19 Degree Expandable Carry-On

Commerce Partnerships Associate Brooke Parker was blown away by the Tumi Carry-on. At under 8 pounds, she was impressed by how lightweight yet sturdy it felt, smoothly gliding across all types of terrain. “So easy and smooth on all terrain,” she noted. “Even on the bumpy sidewalks, the suitcase would glide without getting caught on cracks or rocks or rattling my hand as I pulled it.” Parker also praised its intuitive compartments, sturdy construction, shoe strap, built-in USB-C charging port and of course, the expandable design. And, above all, she loves the look of the case — “The glossy, sleek look is very nice to look at, and I really like the zigzag-ridged design of the outside of the suitcase.”

Away The Carry-On (Amazon exclusive colorways)

Away rarely marks down its iconic hardside suitcases on its own site, but its official Amazon storefront is quietly clearing out premium stock for Prime Day. For Commerce Editor Will Kenton, the thoughtful compression system is a standout feature. “The compartments and dividers are made of mesh and conveniently hold oddly shaped and bulky items. We filled it with shoes and clothes, and it took the pile like a champ.” He did notice a few scuffs after taking it around NYC streets and on the subway, but given the rest of the intuitive packing features, it’s a worthwhile pick — especially at this price. Bonus: it’s available in some very bright colors that are easy to spot on the carousel.

Travel Accessories

ANKER 621 MagGo Power Bank

Anker’s MagGo Charger is perfect for anyone looking for a compact, ultra-portable way to power up. It’s equipped with ultra-strong magnets and securely attaches to the back of your iPhone, making it easy to take selfies, make calls and more with one hand. It also works with a USB-C to USB-C cable for convenient charging. Commerce Streaming Reporter Angela Tricarico takes hers everywhere — “Anker’s MagSafe chargers are the best to throw in my bag and go, whether I’m on a trip or just spending a full day away from any other chargers. It’s brought my phone back from the dead countless times and gives the battery a significant boost that buys me a few more hours (rather than some I’ve tried where it charges so slowly that the percentage only goes up a few ticks). It’s also super lightweight, so it’s not a hassle to carry it around all day.”

Apple AirTag 4 Pack

Tired of losing your stuff? Grab a pack of Apple AirTags. They work with the Find My app to help keep tabs on your valuables, while a built-in speaker and Siri make it even easier to track down misplaced items. Setup takes just a single tap, too. Former Commerce Reporter Emma Sutton Williams even used hers to track down her lost dog, Lucy: “The Apple AirTag is 100% worth it in my experience. It’s become one of those small but essential tools I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. The peace of mind it gives me when Lucy’s off-leash or when I’m trying to locate my missing keys is worth every penny.” If it works for dogs — it can certainly work for luggage, too!

Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet

Did I ever think I’d be the mom handing my three-year-old a tablet? Nope. Did I become that mom? Absolutely. In an emergency situation (and by “emergency,” I mean solo traveling with my daughter and being trapped on a flight after we’ve exhausted every other option), I whip this guy out. And thanks to the endless selection of educational shows, games and learning activities, I feel a little less guilty about it. Considering the price tag, I’d say it’s a pretty worthwhile investment.

Trtl Travel Pillow

A Prime Day deal every frequent traveler should consider. The Trtl Travel Pillow is a revolutionary take on the traditional travel pillow, designed to provide superior neck support in a compact, lightweight package. It’s also a favorite of Cornish, who says it’s seriously helped her sleep on long journeys. “Unlike conventional U-shaped pillows, the Trtl resembles a soft, fleece scarf with a hidden internal plastic support system. This unique structure cradles the head and neck, preventing the dreaded “head bob” during travel while maintaining proper alignment,” she writes in her full review.

BrüMate Era 40 ounce Tumbler

Another great addition to your packing list: The BrüMate Era 40 ounce Tumbler rarely goes on sale, making this a fantastic time to grab one. We put it through the ultimate water bottle spill test — which is especially important considering when tossing a tumbler into your carry-on or travel bag). And, thanks to its unique magnetic straw cap and locking feature, it passed with flying colors. I also personally love its sleek, curveless design and smooth finish, making it comfortable to carry and stylish enough that you’ll actually want to bring it with you.

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

Tricarico brings her beloved Kindle Paperwhite everywhere, travel included. It’s a great travel companion for reading on the plane, and it’s bright and durable enough to take poolside or to the beach once you’ve arrived. “As I noted in my review, the Kindle Paperwhite is the best Kindle for most people. It’s my own go-to thanks to its larger screen, adjustable brightness and warmth, and unrivaled battery life, plus I love that it has a sleeker flush-front design (when compared to the basic Kindle), and it’s waterproof so I can read in the pool all summer long (and I sure have been this year — no water damage to be found!).

Your Prime Big Deal Days FAQs, answered

What is Prime Big Deal Days and when is it?

Prime Big Deal Days — fondly known as October Prime Day — is Amazon’s biggest fall sale, offering massive discounts before the holiday rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. October Prime Day runs from Tuesday, Oct. 6 to Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.

Prime Day vs. Prime Big Deal Days

Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days are both Prime member-exclusive seasonal sales with massive discounts on rotating bestsellers. Unlike July’s Prime Day, Prime Big Deal Days runs every October as a precursor to the busy holiday season, allowing shoppers to start saving on gift shopping early.

Do you have to be an Amazon Prime member to shop?

October Prime Day is exclusively available to Prime members. However interested shoppers can grab a 30-day free trial to try Prime, and its many benefits with no strings attached, and gain access to exclusive deals and the convenience of fast, free shipping.

What are the best deals?

From reporting on Amazon sales for years, we can tell you for certain that Amazon’s October Prime Day is the ideal time to save on big-ticket tech, Amazon devices, gift-worthy clothing and beauty and skincare staples, household essentials and many more Amazon best-sellers.

Is it worth it?

Every Prime Day sale is a great chance to score deals on thousands of best-sellers, top tech and appliances and every day essentials, but Amazon’s October event also has great pre-holiday discounts on gifts. Our team diligently sorts through all the offers to find the very best items to grab on sale.

When is the next Prime Day?

Already wondering when Amazon’s next Prime Day is? We expect Prime Day to return in summer 2027, but anticipate just-as-good (if not better) deals coming this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Follow Post Wanted’s around-the-clock coverage, and you’ll be the first to know about headline-worthy sales. Click here to find all of the best deals.

For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.