American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Luggage Review — Is It Worth It? [Video]

Founded in 1933, American Tourister was built on the idea of creating affordable yet high-quality suitcases for travelers. Over the years, the brand earned a reputation for offering reliable, practical, and trendy luggage that caters to a wide range of travelers, from casual vacationers to frequent flyers.

Some of the American Tourister luggage ranges are bright, bold, and designed to be seen. Some are more understated and utilitarian. The Belle Voyage Hardside we’re reviewing today is somewhere in the middle, with a stylish yet subtle geometric design and bold accents.

American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Softside Luggage

The Belle Voyage collection of hardside bags is small, but it consists of attractive and functional cases that are great for occasional travel, such as an annual vacation. If you’re looking for a case for a weekly work trip, then this is not the range for you, as the materials are not hardy enough.

American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Luggage Review

For this review, we tested the large checked bag in American Tourister’s Belle Voyage range. It’s a handy hard case for anyone who has a lot to pack and wants a spacious bag.

There are definitely stronger cases out there and perhaps cases that are a little easier to maneuver, but it’s a reasonably priced large suitcase for travelers on a budget.

American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Overall Rating

American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Style and Look

The Belle Voyage suitcase from American Tourister stands out with its subtle yet sophisticated design. The geometric pattern adds a layer of visual interest, while its slightly reflective surface gives it depth and texture, making it more eye-catching.

One of its most distinctive features is the gold accents and hardware, a refreshing change from the usual silver and black elements seen on most luggage. This thoughtful design choice enhances the suitcase’s luxurious and stylish appeal, making it look more high-end than its midrange pricing suggests.

Hot Tip:

Check your airline’s checked luggage requirements in our comprehensive guide.

American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Size and Compartments

Measuring 29.25 x 19.5 x 12.5 inches, this large suitcase is within most airlines’ checked size limits. Keep in mind that some smaller craft may charge more for larger bags, so make sure you double-check before booking your tickets.

We didn’t have any trouble packing enough clothing and necessities for a long trip in this suitcase. However, you can make the large Belle Voyage even bigger if you need extra room. Just unzip the expansion zipper for 1.5 extra inches of storage. It’s worth noting that this would cause the case to exceed the standard 62 linear inches usually permitted by airlines.

Hot Tip:

When talking about baggage allowances, many airlines refer to “maximum linear dimensions” or something similar. This is merely the number you get when you add the length, width, and depth of a piece of luggage. For example, if you have a suitcase that’s 26 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 16 inches deep, then its linear dimensions are 62 inches, or right at the maximum for many airlines.

As with many hard-side cases, the Belle Voyage opens like a clamshell, splitting the interior into 2 packing areas.

Half of the suitcase’s interior is dedicated to clothing, with an X-shaped compression strap meant to reduce wrinkles. We did like that this side of the case also has space for small accessories, which can be stored in a little zipped pouch.

The other half of the bag can be sealed via a zippered dividing panel, so it’s perfect for loose items or other miscellaneous travel needs.

The 2 pockets on the divider can help you organize your belongings a little more. There’s 1 mesh and 1 closed pocket, which can be useful for securing small or flat items.

American Tourister decided to use a combination of ABS and polycarbonate plastic for the Belle Voyage cases. While the blend of materials helps keep costs down and maintains some level of durability, it might not be as resistant to rough handling by airlines or frequent travelers who need a sturdier option.

We noticed the pattern on the shell had a little texture to it, which helps prevent and conceal any scuffs or scratches. While you can mostly control what happens to a carry-on, a checked bag can easily be dented or cracked in transit, so keep that in mind. To help protect the checked case, you could use a luggage cover.

The interior of the Belle Voyage is fully lined with a patterned, water-resistant fabric. While we didn’t love the crinkly noise it made, it was an easy material to wipe clean.

American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Wheels

Considering the size of the large checked Belle Voyage case, we were surprised to see that it only has single-spinner wheels. Despite this, the wheels rolled smoothly and quietly on a variety of surfaces and maneuvered pretty well when changing direction. We tested them on a few different surfaces, including uneven terrain, and didn’t have any major issues maneuvering the bag.

The wheels felt securely attached to the case and didn’t rattle around. However, they’re not recessed at all, leaving them exposed to damage if knocked or caught on anything.

American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Handles

We had mixed feelings about the handles on the American Tourister Bon Voyage cases. The telescopic handle was comfortable and adjustable to 2 different height settings. The button used to change the height was responsive, so we didn’t have to play around with the handle to get it to extend and retract.

However, when extended to its highest setting, the telescopic handle rattled around a fair bit.

The lack of cushioning in these handles makes them less comfortable to grip, especially when you’re lifting a fully packed suitcase. Additionally, the handles feel a bit flimsy, and we would be concerned about their durability over time, particularly with repeated use or heavier loads.

American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Locks and Zippers

The zippers on the Belle Voyage aren’t just stylish but incredibly functional as well. The gold-colored zippers are large enough to grip and pull without any problems, and they glide smoothly along the zip track. Even with a fully packed case, we didn’t have issues with the zipper snagging on anything or straining, which we were impressed by.

One downside of the Belle Voyage suitcase is the lack of an integrated lock. While this helps keep the case lightweight, it may be a drawback for travelers who prefer the convenience and security of a built-in TSA-approved lock. Instead, the zipper pulls interlace, allowing you to attach your own luggage lock through the connecting loop.

American Tourister Brand Warranty and Customer Service

American Tourister provides a limited global warranty on all its products, with coverage lasting between 3 to 10 years, depending on the model. This warranty covers manufacturing defects, ensuring that the brand repairs any issues arising from faulty materials or craftsmanship.

While this type of warranty is standard in the luggage industry, many travelers experience difficulties in proving that an issue is the result of a manufacturing defect. Travelers who frequently check their bags may want to consider a luggage brand that includes airline damage in the warranty, such as Briggs & Riley or some Travelpro collections.

Other American Tourister Belle Voyage Hardside Luggage

The Belle Voyage collection offers 3 sizes: a carry-on, a medium checked bag, and a large checked bag, which should cover the needs of most travelers. Whether you’re packing light for a weekend trip or are heading away for longer, these options provide versatility.

Final Thoughts

American Tourister has become a favorite brand when it comes to luggage. From the company’s ability to produce high-quality pieces to its budget-friendly price point, it’s gained a loyal following of clients.

Bags like the Belle Voyage Hardside line perfectly show how the company is able to put out products that fit a variety of needs. Though lacking features some seasoned travelers might come to expect, it covers all the bases a new globetrotter will need.