Sometimes you can find brand new, or nearly brand new items for very little cost. I went to the Goodwill thrift store near me a few weeks ago and I found two brand new, never before used, laptop bags for $1 each. It's worth a shot.

through an outlet called Tuesday Morning. Don't know if they still
have stores--or one near you.

TravelPro makes--or used to make--the luggage used by airline crews.

I've been very happy with mine, and I bought it in bronze. I can
always recognize mine at baggage claim or on the jetway if
the carryon bag has to be checked before boarding the smaller planes.

Sometimes they have incredible deals on luggage.

I traveled so much over the last 10 years, I found the airlines just destroy any piece over time... So, I just started by cheap pieces ... I found little difference in brand quality in recent years.

good things about this luggage

http://www.antlerusa.com/

1. Don't buy black. Everybody buys black. Hard to find your bag on the carousel.
Buy some offbeat color or pattern.

2. Don't look for too many interior compartments or doodads.
You just want a big space to pack clothes and stuff in.

3. Heavy duty ripstop nylon or similar still beats just about anything else.
Do NOT buy hard sided.
You can stuff more stuff into soft or semisoft luggage.
Especially those with the expandable zipper arrangement that lets you increase the suitcase size.

4. Wheels
Gotta have wheels.
But check them out.
Are they somewhat 'protected'?
How likely are they to be ripped off or damaged by the baggage smashers?

Don't have one, but I like the bags with four wheels on the bottom that allow you to move the bag without having to tilt it.
The best ones have four 'ball bearing type wheels that are round and not 'exposed'.

4. Handle
Make sure it's long enough.
And it should be able to be stored well enough to escape damage.

Good luck.

I can always depend on DU.