CYBER SALES

BEIS – 20% off with the code: HAPPY20

QUINCE – use the code: INFG-KATWALK10

TUMI – up to 51% off at The Rack

scroll down for a little storytime 

featuring how not one but four away bags have busted during travel

before that, I polled my audience for the BEST carryon bags and this is what was shared ->

CALPAK

Béis

Briggs & Riley 

iFLY by Walmart

Lo & Sons 

Tumi Luggage

Victorinox

and if you are STILL interested in Away luggage ->  save $20 on your first suitcase or bag

* trigger warning: AWFUL customer service *

Away Luggage Review

I’ve shared a couple of quick Away luggage reviews on my Instagram stories over the past couple of months, but I finally had the time to give you the proper Away luggage review that you deserve and need.

It all started on September 9, 2020.

AWAY launched their first-ever online sale and I snagged an Away Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition for 50% off! I was oh-so excited because I had a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the books and I was ready to take my shiny gold suitcase for a spin.

Flash forward to October 1, 2020. I extended my time in Jackson Hole (because Jackson Hole is amazing) but it was time to return home to San Francisco. There are very few direct flights from Jackson Hole to San Francisco, so I had to connect at O’Hare to get home. The flight from Jackson Hole to Chicago was short and sweet. I popped out of my seat in my new suede fringe jacket that I scored in Jackson Hole to find that my new Away Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition had BUSTED open in the overhead bin like an overstuffed burrito! This is where the Away Luggage Review gets good…My personal belongings were popping out of the overhead bin and I started to sweat and immediately regret wearing the suede fringe jacket.

Now I want you to close your eyes and picture me walking through O’Hare wearing a suede fringe jacket and holding my BUSTED Away Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition like a baby across one of the world’s largest airports. That’s right my friends I was cradling that bag between terminals and doing my best to not lose any of my personal belongings.

I finally made it to my new gate with enough time to slam a glass of sauvy b and write to Away about my BUSTED Away Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition PROBLEMS.

I share my busted carry-on story with Away and this is what I get back ->

Hi there,

Thanks so much for getting in touch. For the past few weeks, we’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude by the response to our sale. Because of this, it will take up to 14 business days for us to get back to you. We know this isn’t fast enough and we’re doing everything we can to speed up the response time.

Needless to say the up to 14 business days wait for a response wasn’t going to work for me. I was FIRED up and sitting at a Maggiano’s drinking white wine out of a plastic cup. I needed a response and I needed it now…

So I went to the Twitter (something I usually try to avoid) and got the immediate response that I wanted. They were very apologetic and offered to send me a FREE shipping label to exchange the bag.

Trust and believe me when I tell you that I did NOT want to exchange the bag. The BUSTED dual locks on the side of the Away Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition have a SERIOUS design flaw and this was not the bag for me. I am an avid traveler and this bag was made for the gram NOT the overhead bin! The team behind the Away stayed strong and only offered me an exchange. They did however make an exception and allowed me to exchange the bag at the San Francisco store due to the fact that I was only home for two days and then heading to Utah.

So I exchange the BUSTED Away Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition for a new Away Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition and head to Utah.

Did it BUST again?

YES

I’ll save you the story (you get the picture by now).

I return home to San Francisco and after nearly a hundred DMs and emails, Away lets me keep the 2nd busted Away Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition (why?) and decides to send me the Expandable Bigger Carry-On pictured below.

The Expandable Bigger Carry-On is fine, but honestly, nothing to write home about. I prefer my current replacement set that has never let me down and won’t bust open mid-flight. Away really let me down and I can honestly say that every time I look at my Away bag I flashback to me cradling that bag across O’Hare and I immediately get fired up!

Stay away, my friends. Stay far far away!

the one item from Away that you don’t need to stay away from is the

The Everywhere Bag

This water-resistant nylon travel bag is made to keep you organized. With thoughtful compartments, including a 15″ laptop pocket, a zippered waterproof umbrella pocket, and a roomy interior, it can fit anything from an extra pair of clothes to in-flight essentials. It’s designed with a trolley sleeve that perfectly secures to any suitcase and fits overhead or under the seat in front of you.

[I have the black nylon Everywhere Bag]

Now that you know why you should  stay AWAY from Away Luggage 

stay away from the toptote too <- only buy this if you want to lose your hat in the middle of an airport

Here’s a list of my travel must-haves -> that won’t let you down

• amazon packing cubes 
• travel nipple covers (they have their own case)
• Cuyana travel set – (splurge) the BEST gift -> love this affordable cosmetic case from amazon too
• 3 Piece Set Suitcase Spinner <- top-rated Amazon set
• travel steamer – this is actually the only steamer I own! buy this steamer -> it will NEVER let you down!
• the BRÜUSH comes with a travel case and seriously TURNS ME ON. the BEST toothbrush
• I use this brush 24/7 and love to travel with it because it barely takes up any space
• an easy case to safely store all of your sunglasses | this amazon option is genius too

Did you enjoy my Away Luggage Review? Let me know in the comments.