As Amazon Prime Day continues, I thought I’d outline some travel items that now accompany me on every trip. These Prime Day discounts end at midnight tonight.
I’m trying to be more minimalist. I’ve got a garage full of airline menus and amenity kits that I probably need therapy for in order to throw away. Thus, I do not buy for the sake of buying but only what I feel are both an exceptional value and something I will use regularly.
Headphones
Let’s start with headphones because 1.) I’m in the market for them and 2.) I cannot help but to note what a superb deal the Bose QuietComfort 25 Headphones
But I’m not buying those. I want the Bose QuietComfort35 headphones instead. Why? Because they are wireless. The premium is over $200 fee these versus the QC25. Part of me thinks I am foolish to pay the extra, but I’m still using my QuietComfort2 noise-cancelling headphones from over a decade ago. These are investments and I think the cord is bothersome.
Other wireless headphones I use on a daily basis are my Apple AirPods, which are compact and pair nicely with my iPhone. However if you don’t want to spend over $250, a company called Fovia makes an attractive imitation and charges only $25 (during Prime Day).
Portable Chargers
My biggest nightmare is being on a longhaul flight without working power, so I’ve invested in an AC power bank from Omars. It’s on sale for $55.99 during Prime Day and includes a plug for my laptop as well as two USB ports. I’ve charged my phone and laptop at the same time and it still has not fully depleted the battery pack. Highly recommended.
If you just want a small pocket charger for your phone, I recommend the portable charger from Jackery. It’s very cheap – only $17.99 – and works well for a quick charge. This works for iPhones and Samsung products.
Travel Adapters
I just picked up a new travel adapter and LOVE it. The Saunorch Universal International Travel Power Adapter is on sale for $19.99 and works very well in Europe and Asia. I was using an older one from Brookstone until recently that required changing plates based upon the country. My new one is far easier to use and works just as well. Best of all, it never falls out of an electrical outlet…a huge annoyance with some adapters.
Smartwatches
I picked up my first Apple Watch last year and love it…it’s one of those things that I lived fine without, but now don’t know how I could have lived without it. Almost like a cell phone…
It’s not on sale during Prime Day (cost is $189 for the base model), but I feel my list would be incomplete without it. It certainly spurs me to exercise more and I love being able to answer the phone or responds to text messages on it.
Amazon Echo
I purchased an Amazon Echo for my house and it has really grown on me. I love playing music for Augustine and receiving weather updates and “flash briefings” with the latest news. I have the full-size version, now only $69.99, but the Echo Dot is only $29.99 during Prime Day.
How to Save Even More with American Express
American Express is running a 20% off promotion right now if you have an American Express card earning Membership Rewards points. You can save up to $100. Here’s how to take advantage:
- Choose the “Click to activate” button here
- Go shopping (almost anything sold/shipped by Amazon is eligible)
- Use at least one (and I recommend no more than one) Membership Rewards point to pay for your purchase
If you’ve already taken advantage of this promotion, enter promo code AMEXSWP20PD at check-out and you can take advantage again (and perhaps again).
CONCLUSION
I’m not really trying to push anything on you that you don’t need. Don’t buy something just because it is a great deal. Buy it only if you’ll actually use it. That said, I can vouch for the products above…that’s why there are not many products up there.
Also remember that gift cards are discounted until midnight . When you purchase a $25+ Amazon gift card, enter GCPRIME18 at check-out to receive a $5 credit (on a future purchase).
Did I miss anything? What can’t you leave home without on a trip? Also check out Kyle’s picks here.
Hey Matthew, just want to suggest a minor change, Apple and Samsung are not the only phone manufacturers in the world, you may want to correct it to Apple and Android.
Is the Omars battery acceptable for flying? I’ve almost had a much smaller battery confiscated at security. I looked at the reviews on Amazon and flight clearance was not mentioned.
I always take it with me in my carry-on and never have had an issue.
Good to know. Thank you.
Curious…. many reviews stating that the latest sony nc headphones outclassed bose qc35. We all know that nc tech somehow affect sound quality. While bose may has the best nc tech (as pilot wear them), sony excelled in sound tech (its sony, company that created walkman), thus edging bose in overall delivery of sound in nc headphone class.