If you ask me, a flight attendant’s greatest superpower isn’t the ability to evacuate an aircraft in 90 seconds or less (though that’s pretty awesome too). Instead, it’s how we manage to so efficiently pack a single carry-on bag to get us through long trips that could take us from the warm Puerto Rican beaches one day to snowy Boston the next, all while keeping the bag light enough to lug through airports and lift into overhead bins.
Flight attendants quickly learn what’s essential to bring on a trip and exactly how to pack it away, so if you’re looking for gift ideas for the traveler in your life, there’s really no one better to point you in the right direction!
Travel gifts like wall art or jewelry are sweet, and can absolutely be meaningful. However, the best gifts for travelers are practical gifts — ones that allow people who travel the freedom to go where they want, when they want without being burdensome or taking up too much space.
Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas for travelers at price points that won’t shock your bank account (and, uh, don’t forget to gift yourself as well!).
1. Outsite membership
$249/year
Outsite Hawaii // Photo: @whereintheworldismydrink
The solo traveler or remote worker in your life will appreciate an Outsite membership, which will allow them full access to Outsite’s co-living and co-working locations all over the world. Outsite’s spaces offer the community that one might find staying in a hostel, but with a more laid-back, homey feel.
While you don’t need to be a member to stay at an Outsite location, members do receive a lot of perks like lower rates, access to Members-only spaces, and deals from Outsite partners. Not to mention $50 credit toward the first stay!
Check out my Outsite Hawaii review for a more in-depth look at what a stay at an Outsite location might be like.
2. Dollar Flight Club membership
$69/year for premium, or $99/year for premium plus
By far the biggest perk of being a flight attendant is the travel benefits. We get to fly on our own airline for free, and on many other airlines for a fraction of the regular cost.
But what if I told you discounted flights aren’t only an aviation industry perk?
With a Dollar Flight Club membership, the traveler in your life will get access to both domestic and international flight deals that’ve saved members an average of $550 per flight. For example, one of the recent deals that landed in my inbox was a nonstop round-trip flight to London for $319 — which is, I might add, cheaper than it would be on my flight attendant benefits!
Oh, and it gets better.
If you’ve ever dreamed of flying Business or First Class, Dollar Flight Club recently released its Premium Plus membership, which offers up to 60% off those coveted luxury seats — which means an average savings of $3,000 to fly in complete style.
3. Madera hammock
Starting at $69.95
A hammock is one of the best gifts for travelers who favor outdoorsy trips like camping and hiking. Madera’s hammocks stand out because they’re extremely packable, so whether you’re flying or driving to your destination, you don’t have to worry about trying to stuff a huge hammock somewhere.
Plus, when you purchase a Madera hammock, you’re giving to more than just the person you’re gifting to. Madera plants two trees for every hammock sold. In fact, they’ve planted over 60,000 trees since October 2019!
Use code zayneisawesome at checkout for 20% off your entire Madera order.
4. Carry-on backpack
Check Amazon for prices
Depending on which airline you fly, baggage fees can get a little excessive. Seasoned travelers know that packing one carry-on sized bag is key to keeping travel costs low, and this backpack on Amazon makes doing so incredibly simple.
While traditional backpacks fit most airline carry-on specifications, it can be frustrating to get things out once you’ve put them in. This Hynes Eagle backpack opens like a suitcase and also has pockets on the front for easy access to things like your wallet, phone, and laptop while in flight.
5. Travel photo album
$16.99
When I travel, I keep little souvenirs from my trips: coasters, polaroids, and even parking tickets (hey, a memory is a memory!). I can’t stress how incredible it is to have all the small things you’ve collected over the years in one place to look back on, and the traveler you love won’t be able to thank you enough!
While a regular photo album will certainly do, this particular album from Michael’s not only has inserts for memories, but also space to write things down so you can remember the specifics of each journey.
6. Hydro Flask
Price varies by bottle
Flight attendants wouldn’t survive without coffee, and need to drink extra water because of how dry it is 35,000 feet in the air. I bring my Hydro Flask on every trip, and whether it’s filled with coffee or ice water it keeps everything at the perfect temperature (no lie I’ve burnt my entire esophagus on hot tea that had already been in my Hydro Flask for hours, so you know it works).
35 Likes, 0 Comments - Micki Spollen (@whereintheworldismydrink) on Instagram: "Indialantic, FL // Have not had NEARLY enough beach days this summer which is sad considering it's..."
Don’t let the VSCO girl turn you off of Hydro Flasks. These bottles are great for travelers from all walks of life. Those who fly will find it useful to have a reusable bottle on hand to fill at the airport and stay hydrated without buying plastic water bottles over and over again, while hikers can keep their water cold throughout even the longest hike.
Of course, there are tons of different brands out there with similar products, but I’m partial to Hydro Flask for their large range of bottles and tumblers that fit your choice of drink, whether it be water, coffee, or even beer and wine.
7. Bluetooth selfie stick + tripod
Check Amazon for prices
Okay, fine. It can be a little embarrassing to take a photo with a selfie stick in front of people. But when you’re out exploring on your own, you can’t just not take pictures! Plus, this particular selfie stick also folds out into a tripod so you can get the perfect shot every time. I keep this compact selfie stick / tripod duo in my bag at all times.
8. Portable charger
Check Amazon for prices
As a traveler, when you’re out exploring all day, there’s not always the time or place to stop for a charge. I received a portable charger as a gift years ago, and it’s come in handy so many times on my travels since then.
Enter the perfect gift idea: one of the highest-rated portable chargers on Amazon, which provides speedy charging on the go.
9. Packable rain jacket
Check Amazon for prices
We can’t control the weather. Many a traveler’s days have been ruined by not being prepared for rain that sometimes hits unexpectedly.
Of course, an umbrella is always an option. But a fun fact about me: I lose everything, all the time. I don’t know why I’m so forgetful, but the truth of the matter is I’m always misplacing things (which, as a flight attendant who is often in multiple different cities in one day, can be challenging). I would leave an umbrella somewhere the first day I used it, which is why a rain jacket is the better choice.
As I’m sure I’ve made clear by now, packability is everything. Skip the bulky rain jacket and go with this pick from Amazon, that folds up into its own little pouch when not in use.
10. Airplane blanket
Check Amazon for prices
One of the top questions I get asked onboard is: do you have blankets?
Flight attendants keep the aircraft cool to avoid stuffiness and keep people from getting sick. And while there was a time that all airlines had blankets for passengers to use in the event the aircraft became a little too cool, to keep costs down most airlines reserve blankets for those in business and first-class seats.
I still use a genuine airplane blanket from JetBlue that, I um… borrowed long-term almost 10 years ago now. I like it because it fits over my whole body while still folding up small and is lightweight but still keep me warm.
This high-rated travel blanket on Amazon folds up into a tiny pouch, making it easy to keep in your bag for whenever you might need it and a great gift idea for travelers.
11. Moment lens
Price varies by lens
Did you even travel somewhere if you didn’t post about it on Instagram?
I love sharing my travel photos on Instagram, but it’s not always feasible for me to bring a big ol’ DSLR and all of its lenses on trips. Not only do they take up space, but they’re heavy! And honestly, my Pixel 4 takes better quality photos.
But you can still get that professional look without all of the gear.
Whether you’re a photography novice or seasoned videographer, Moment lenses will bring your mobile photos and videos to the next level.
12. Universal power adaptor
Check Amazon for prices
Different countries use different outlets — a fact you don’t want to get stuck learning the hard way. Do the traveler in your life a favor and help them skip the pressure of having to research outlets and purchase multiple adaptors. Get them a universal power adaptor — one piece that works in over 150 different countries.
Travel challenge: find the countries it doesn’t work in!
13. Spotify premium membership
$99/year
Anyone can use Spotify. But unless you have Spotify premium, once you’re out of internet range, your music is gone! You can gift a Spotify premium membership so the traveler you love can download playlists and listen to podcasts — all ad-free — no matter where they are in the world.
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