Every summer, the same thing happens in households across Europe: people dig out a hard-shell suitcase bought years ago for one big trip, dust it off, and use it for two weeks. The rest of the year it sits on top of a wardrobe or in a storage closet, while everyone else keeps traveling with a backpack or a worn-out cabin bag because "the big suitcase is just too bulky to keep around."
That's exactly the profile of an ideal peer-to-peer rental item: a mid-to-high purchase price, very low real usage, and demand that spikes hard during a few predictable weeks a year. In this guide, we look at how much you can realistically earn renting out suitcases and travel bags, who actually looks for them, and how to write a listing that converts.
Why luggage is a high-potential rental category
A good-quality hard-shell checked suitcase (360° spinner wheels, polycarbonate shell) typically costs between €90 and €250. The average household uses it 1 to 3 times a year: the summer holiday, maybe one long weekend, an occasional work trip. The rest of the time it just takes up space.
🧳 The luggage paradox: you buy it thinking "I'll use this all the time," but most households use a large suitcase fewer than 10 days a year. That low utilization rate is exactly what makes an item great for peer-to-peer rental.
Unlike other seasonal categories like skis or beach gear, luggage has one extra advantage: demand isn't tied to a single window. There's a strong summer peak, but also spring long weekends, holiday-season travel, out-of-town weddings in autumn, and impromptu weekend trips all year round.
How much you can earn renting out your suitcases
Rental prices vary by size, brand and type, but peer-to-peer listings tend to cluster around these ranges:
| Item | Price/day | Price/week | Earnings, 6 days/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin trolley (55 cm) | €4–7 | €18–28 | €24–42 |
| Medium suitcase (65-70 cm) | €6–10 | €28–42 | €36–60 |
| Large / checked suitcase (75-80 cm) | €8–14 | €35–55 | €48–84 |
| Matching 2-3 piece set | €15–25 | €60–95 | €90–150 |
| Travel duffel bag | €5–9 | €20–32 | €30–54 |
| 40-60L travel backpack | €6–10 | €25–38 | €36–60 |
The per-day numbers look small on their own, but luggage has one edge that makes up for it: turnover. Suitcases are light and easy to hand off, quick to inspect for damage, and see very strong demand exactly when your own is sitting idle anyway.
A lender who owns a matching set of 2-3 suitcases in different sizes and lists them during the peak months (July, August, December) can realistically cover the full purchase cost of the set in a single summer season.
Who actually rents a suitcase
The borrower profile for this category is broader than you'd expect:
- Budget-airline flyers who need a checked suitcase for one trip only and don't want to buy one they'll use just once
- Families heading on holiday who need extra suitcases beyond what they already own, often in different sizes for kids
- Guests attending a wedding or event out of town who want a smart, matching suitcase for a single weekend without buying a new one
- Exchange students and group travelers who need to move a lot of luggage for a limited period
- People relocating temporarily or on a short-term work assignment who only need large bags for that window
What's worth listing
Cabin trolleys
The most consistently requested category year-round, because many budget airlines enforce strict cabin-bag dimensions included in the base fare. A cabin trolley that meets standard size limits (roughly 55x40x20 cm) tends to have the highest turnover of any luggage listing.
Large checked suitcases
Lower turnover but a higher price per day. Useful for long holidays, relocations, or large families. Empty weight matters here: the lighter the shell, the more allowance a borrower has left for their own belongings — and experienced travelers check this before booking.
Matching sets
A 2-3 piece set from the same brand and design is one of the most effective listings you can offer: a family heading on holiday often needs several pieces at once, and renting "the set" instead of two separate items simplifies both the search and the handover.
Duffel bags and travel backpacks
Less seasonal than hard-shell suitcases, these work well year-round for weekend trips, gym use, train travel or interrailing. The audience skews younger and leans toward 40-60L backpacks with a rigid frame for city treks or bike and scooter commutes.
How to write a listing that converts
Luggage gets judged visually more than almost any other rental category: wheels, zippers and handles are the three things a borrower checks first in the photos. Photograph the item both open and closed, show the wheels up close, and always list the exact external dimensions and empty weight — the two pieces of information budget-flight travelers look for before anything else.
💚 Practical tip: always mention whether the suitcase has a built-in TSA lock. It's a small detail, but it reassures anyone flying outside the EU, where customs inspections may require opening the bag without your personal lock.
On hygiene, the minimum is wiping down the interior with a damp cloth and letting it air out for a few hours before each handover. Many lenders add a small wardrobe deodorizer sachet inside — a small touch borrowers notice, and one that often shows up in reviews.
Seasonality: when you earn the most
Demand follows a fairly predictable pattern:
- July-August: the absolute peak, especially for large suitcases and matching sets for summer holidays
- December: a second peak tied to holiday-season travel, mostly on cabin trolleys for people heading home for the holidays
- Spring long weekends: moderate, steady demand
- The rest of the year: lower but consistent demand, mostly cabin trolleys for work trips or last-minute weekends
If your suitcases sit idle the rest of the year, it's worth keeping a competitive off-season price: a €5/day rental in October beats an empty storage closet.
"I had two hard-shell suitcases bought for our honeymoon, used once and then never again. I listed them in April, and by August they were already booked solid for three weeks straight. I didn't expect that from something so ordinary."
The winning bundle: suitcases plus travel accessories
One of the most effective strategies among luggage lenders is bundling: instead of renting out just the suitcase, add a small kit of accessories that boosts perceived value without much extra effort.
- Digital luggage scale — prevents airport overweight fees, costs very little, and borrowers love it
- Packing cubes — small compressible organizers that help borrowers use the space more efficiently
- Universal travel adapter — especially useful for trips outside the EU
- Neck pillow and sleep mask — a cheap add-on that makes the listing feel "complete" to travelers looking for extra comfort
A ready-to-go kit — a suitcase plus these small accessories — can justify a daily price 20-30% higher than the bare suitcase alone, for a one-time cost of just a few euros on the lender's side.
Frequently asked questions about renting luggage peer-to-peer
Is it worth renting a suitcase instead of buying one for a single trip?
Usually yes, especially for large suitcases or models you'd rarely use again: a few days' rental typically costs less than even the cheapest new suitcase, with none of the storage headache afterward.
Who pays if the suitcase gets damaged during the rental?
The deposit held at booking covers damage that wasn't disclosed upfront. That's why it's important to document the item's condition with photos before and after every handover, on both sides.
How far in advance should I book luggage during peak season?
During peak weeks (late July and August), the most in-demand listings — cabin trolleys and matching sets especially — tend to get booked 2-3 weeks ahead. Last-minute renters can usually still find something, just with less choice of brand and size.
Watch for weight, damage and wheels
Suitcases have two classic weak points: wheels (which wear down on pavement) and zippers (which can fail under overpacking). Before every handover, check that all wheels spin freely and zippers move without forcing. If you notice wear, disclose it openly in the description — transparency about minor imperfections dramatically cuts down on disputes at return.
As with any item on Lendmates, the deposit held at booking covers undisclosed damage, but the real protection is always photo documentation before and after every exchange.
🎯 The rule of thumb: a lender who lists a matching 2-3 piece set, well photographed, with dimensions and empty weight clearly stated, can cover the full cost of the set in a single summer season.
If you have suitcases or travel bags gathering dust, the advice from lenders who've done this is simple: list them before the next peak season, not during it. Demand builds fast once August approaches, and early listings are the ones that get found first.
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