If you're heading to the NATAS Holidays 2026 travel fair this weekend, here's a piece of luggage advice you probably won't expect from a luggage retailer like us: don't buy a suitcase just yet. The 64th NATAS Travel Fair is happening from 21 to 23 August at Singapore EXPO Halls 3B, 4 and 5, with nearly 100 exhibitors offering holiday packages, flights, cruises and destination experiences. Admission is free, and with plenty of travel promotions and booking perks on offer, many Singaporeans will be leaving the fair with their next holiday already booked.
And there's a good chance your holiday package may even come with a complimentary suitcase. Travel fair promotions this year include luggage freebies from participating travel partners, with some offers providing different luggage sizes depending on the promotion and spending requirement. Take it. It's free! But here's where we come in as luggage people: a free suitcase doesn't necessarily mean you're fully equipped for your trip.
Your free suitcase might not be the right suitcase for your holiday
Think about the holiday you are actually booking. A 5-day shopping trip to Taiwan is very different from a 12-day European adventure. A family holiday requires a different luggage strategy from a solo business trip. A European river cruise has different practical considerations again.
The current NATAS fair reflects just how varied today's travel choices have become. Seasonal China tours and lesser-known destinations such as Guizhou are attracting interest, while European river cruises are gaining popularity because travellers can visit multiple cities without constantly changing hotels or spending long hours on buses.
So before accepting the suitcase that comes with your package and assuming you're sorted, ask yourself: Is it the right size? Is it light enough? Does it give me enough packing capacity? Will I need a cabin bag as well? And what happens when I start shopping?
5 questions to ask before your next holiday
1. What airline am I flying with?
Your airline's baggage allowance matters just as much as the physical size of your suitcase. A large suitcase is not particularly useful if you end up paying a hefty excess baggage charge.
2. How long am I travelling?
A short 4D3N getaway probably doesn't require the same luggage capacity as a two-week multi-country trip. Going bigger isn't always better either. A suitcase that is unnecessarily large can encourage overpacking and become cumbersome to move around.
3. Am I changing hotels frequently?
If you're travelling through several cities, you'll probably appreciate luggage that is lightweight, easy to manoeuvre and durable enough to survive being loaded in and out of vehicles repeatedly.
4. Will I be shopping?
Let's be honest. This is Singapore. Many holidays involve coming home with considerably more than we left with. 😄 Leave some capacity for souvenirs, snacks, clothes and the inevitable “but it was cheaper there!” purchase.
5. Do I need more than one piece of luggage?
This is the question many travellers overlook. Your complimentary checked suitcase might be perfectly adequate, but a 20-inch cabin case can be extremely useful for keeping medication, electronics, documents, valuables and an extra change of clothes close to you. For families, having several appropriately sized cases can also make managing baggage allowances much easier.
Don't judge a suitcase by its free price tag
A complimentary suitcase can be a perfectly useful piece of luggage. We're certainly not suggesting you turn down something that's free. Instead, think of it as a starting point.
The right luggage should match the way you travel. Consider its weight before you put anything inside, the amount of usable packing space, wheel performance, handle construction, security features and whether the design suits your airline's baggage requirements. Two suitcases can have the same advertised size but feel completely different once you start packing and moving them through airports, train stations and hotel lobbies.
This is also why we believe luggage should be chosen after you've thought about your journey, rather than simply according to the number printed on the suitcase.
Book the holiday. Then pack for the journey.
NATAS is ultimately about getting people excited about travel, and this year's fair certainly offers plenty to get excited about. With destinations ranging from Asia to Europe, cruises, seasonal experiences and a wide range of travel packages under one roof, there is a good chance you'll walk into Singapore EXPO without a holiday and walk out with one.
So by all means, take the free suitcase if your travel package offers one. Then ask the more important question:
“Is this the luggage that's right for the trip I've just booked?”
If the answer is yes, fantastic. You're ready to go.
If the answer is no, that's where choosing an additional suitcase, cabin case or travel accessory specifically for your journey can make a difference.
Because at the end of the day, the best suitcase isn't necessarily the one that's free. It's the one that works for your journey. 🧳✈️
Planning to visit NATAS Holidays 2026? The fair runs from 21–23 August 2026, 10am–9.30pm, at Singapore EXPO Halls 3B, 4 and 5. Admission is free.
