Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-Inch Checked Suitcase Review

For several years, the Travelpro Platinum Elite collection has been at the forefront of premium softside luggage. The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch suitcase is the one that stands out the most – it’s packed with features on the outside and inside, it meets all international restrictions, and it rolls around effortlessly.

In this Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch review, we’ll focus on everything that makes this bag such a hit, from the incredible “MagnaTrac” wheels to its beautiful design. But, we’ll also look at the shortcomings of this model as well as how it compares to similar suitcases.

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The Good

• The MagnaTrac wheels roll effortlessly
• Solid build quality
• Professional looks for business travelers

The Bad

• The zippers need to be improved
• Travelpro’s customer support isn’t the best when it comes to warranty claims

Quick Take

While the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch has below-par zippers, and Travelpro’s customer support has received some criticism in the past few years regarding warranty claims, the bag is a fantastic choice.

It’s on the pricier side, but not by a considerable margin. And, at the end of the day, the extra few bucks that you’ll spend on it will be worth it when you consider the incredible durability that you get. On top of all that, you’ll be rolling the Platinum Elite around with ease because of the extraordinary MagnaTrac wheels it comes with.

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Full Review

Dimensions & Weight (8/10)

Despite being marketed as a 25-inch suitcase, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch checked suitcase measures 28 x 18.5 x 11.75 inches (71 x 47 x 30 cm) once the wheels and the handles are included. While this won’t be an issue concerning luggage restrictions, the suitcase looks a bit bulkier than other medium-checked bags we’ve reviewed.

The Platinum Elite 25-inch weighs 9.8 lbs (4.4kg) which is a bit over the average weight of a medium-checked suitcase. But given the 50 lbs (22.6 kg) weight restriction for checked luggage, you’ll have more than enough weight left for all of your belongings.

Something worth noting is that the suitcase is expandable, despite the interior being fairly spacious on its own. But, many customers complained that the additional volume is non-existent.

Materials & Water-Resistance (12/15)

The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch is made from “high-density nylon”. While this isn’t as durable as ballistic nylon, which is used in suitcases at this price point, it has the best balance between durability and lightness.  The case of the bag is also coated with DuraGuard, which adds extra protection from stains and abrasions.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the DuraGuard coating on the bottom of the suitcase is not as effective. Some owners of the Platinum Elite said that the bottom is prone to scratches and any stains are not the easiest to remove. Apart from that, DuraGuard also offers some much-needed water-resistance to the suitcase. So, in case of light rain, your belongings should stay dry and clean.

Every other part of the suitcase is also made from premium materials.

• All the handles have leather accents so that carrying the bag around doesn’t become a hassle.
• The retractable handle on the top of the Platinum Elite is made from airline-grade aluminum, which is a given for most suitcases nowadays.

Durability (17/20)

The durability of a suitcase is always an essential aspect that you’ll need to consider. Thankfully, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch is very durable for the most part. But, there are a few parts that have been reported to be more flimsy than others.

More specifically, the zippers on the Platinum Elite are far from the best on the market. This is especially true for the front-pocket zipper; we came across several complaints about it being broken after the first trip. While the rest of the zippers aren’t durable either, there weren’t as heavily criticized, meaning that they weren’t that prone to breaking.

Apart from that, the rest of the bag is reasonably durable. Its fabric is one of the best options on the market, as mentioned previously, and the same goes for the wheels, which are extremely durable and received very few complaints across hundreds of reviews. The retractable handle is really sturdy compared to other luggage, so that’s also a plus; nobody likes a wobbly handle.

On top of all that, Travelpro has added small black bumpers on the back and side of the Platinum Elite, which only adds to its durability against abrasions.

Read Next: Travelpro Crew Expert 20-Inch Carry-On Review

Moveability (13/15)

The Platinum Elite 25-inch is one of the best suitcases when it comes to its moveability. Apart from having arguably the best double spinner wheels on the market, the bag has a couple of handles (top and side) and a very durable retractable handle. On top of that, there’s an extra handle on the bottom so that you can pull the bag out of the overhead bin.

The wheels on the Platinum Elite require a very detailed explanation because they’re a bit controversial. The patented “MagnaTrac” wheels roll around very easily. At points, you’ll find yourself not even holding the suitcase, and it’ll still be rolling straight.

This is where an issue arises. While it’s safe to say that most people will love how easy it is to roll the Platinum Elite, some have said that it is incredibly frustrating to try dodging the people at the airport or at stores. The wheels have magnets between them so that they’re always facing forwards, which means that you’ll have to fight with the bag to maneuver it at a different angle.

Other than that, the maneuverability of the Platinum Elite can only be matched by very few suitcases.

Additional Features (7/10)

It was very nice to see that Travelpro has included several cool features on the Platinum Elite collection. While the Platinum Elite 25-inch doesn’t have the USB port that’s present on the carry-on (for obvious reasons), there are still several other features that explain why the bag costs around $300.

Most of the features are located on the inside of the bag, but it’s worth noting that it has an integrated TSA lock. These are starting to come in more and more softside bags, which is great to see considering that they were only present in hardside luggage a few years ago. Also, as with nearly every fabric suitcase from Travelpro, the Platinum Elite features an outside pocket along with the main compartment. Some customers said that you could fit a couple of books in the pocket, but it’s not big enough for a laptop.

Once you take a look inside, you’ll be happily surprised. The Platinum Elite 25-inch features a suiter (unfortunately, it’s not removable), a removable toiletries bag, and amazing compartmentalization. Along with the main compartment, there are a few mesh pockets so that you can separate your accessories from your clothes.

Design (8/10)

Compared to other business luggage, the Travelpro Platinum Elite can be considered minimalistic and stylish enough for leisure travelers. We really liked the fact that, despite Travelpro not really offering many color options on its luggage, the Platinum Elite has six color variations. We personally love the “Intrigue Black” because of its gold accents on the zippers. But, if you’re more into brighter colors, you could choose the “Bordeaux” or even the “Rich Espresso”.

Design-wise, the bag seems a bit bulky. It features the classic rectangular shape, which is classy enough for business travelers and aircrew but also not too professional so that you can still roll it around on your 7-day trip in Italy.

Warranty (8/10)

The Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch is covered by Travelpro’s limited lifetime warranty, just like every other Travelpro suitcase. But, if you register the product in the first 4 months (120 days), then you’ll get a “Worry-Free Enhancement”, which covers the shipping costs to and from their repair centers. You’ll also need the receipt as a means to prove you purchased the suitcase.

While this might sound great on paper, it’s not the best warranty out there. Yes, if you register the suitcase, you’ll be able to get a replacement for most parts on it, and you’ll have the ability to get a replacement if an airline damages your suitcase. But, the warranty doesn’t cover any normal wear or dents on the bag. And on top of that, several customers mentioned that it’s a huge hassle to get a replacement, noting that the customer support was abysmal.

Value (6/10)

Whether you’re buying a $50 suitcase or a $500 suitcase, its value is a crucial aspect to keep in mind. When it comes to the Platinum Elite 25-inch, there’s definitely a lot of value offered by Travelpro.

While it’s not the absolute best value for your money, the Platinum Elite is a perfect choice. With this suitcase, you’ll be getting premium quality at half the price of brands like Briggs & Riley or Tumi. The bag is also very well-reviewed, and the complaints are mostly focused on the zippers, which are generally faulty in most suitcases.

So, while it might not get a 10 out of 10, the Platinum Elite 25-inch has enough features and durability for it to be a great value at its price point. If Travelpro improves its zipper quality, then we can safely say that this suitcase will be a top choice.

How Does the Platinum Elite Compare to Similar Suitcases?

When comparing the Platinum Elite to other suitcases, we noticed that it often outranked similarly-priced suitcases in almost every aspect. The two Travelpro suitcases that come close to the Platinum Elite are the Crew Versapack and the Platinum Magna 2. Both bags can be found at a lower price point than the Platinum Elite, but they come with some downgrades.

For example, the Crew Versapack doesn’t have the “Worry-Free Warranty” that both the Platinum Elite and Platinum Magna 2 have. But, the Crew Versapack is a bit lighter than the other two, albeit it only being 0.4 pounds (0.18kg), and it’s made of ballistic nylon, which is more durable than regular nylon. The Magna 2, on the other hand, is basically the same as the Platinum Elite, but it’s cheaper because it’s a bit smaller.

The Platinum Elite can also be compared to Samsonite’s Pro Travel and the Briggs & Riley Baseline. The Pro Travel is a bit better than the Platinum Elite since it’s made from ballistic nylon and the suiter is removable. But, it only comes with Samsonite’s 10-year warranty. The Baseline, on the other hand, beats both bags in all aspects, but it also costs twice as much.

So, if you don’t really care about the warranty, the Travelpro Crew Versapack and the Samsonite Pro Travel are fantastic alternatives to the Platinum Elite.

Our Verdict

Overall, the Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-inch is undoubtedly one of the best checked suitcases on the market. The plethora of features, the next-level MagnaTrac wheels, and the superb warranty make the Platinum Elite 25-inch a suitcase that you don’t want to skip on.

Obviously, just like any other suitcase, the Platinum Elite has its flaws, which mainly concern the zippers and especially the front-pocket zipper. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the bag is durable all-around and looks beautiful.

The Platinum Elite 25-inch will be a fantastic choice for business travelers as well as leisure travelers who don’t mind a minimalistic look. On a similar note, if you don’t really care about warranties, you should also take a look at the Travelpro Crew Versapack and the Samsonite Pro Travel, which are more durable at a lower price point.

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