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This Smart Suitcase is Designed to Climb Up and Down Stairs

June 10, 2016
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2 min read
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This Smart Suitcase is Designed to Climb Up and Down Stairs
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When it comes to choosing the best piece of luggage for any type of trip, wheels are pretty much essential. While a rolling suitcase can do wonders in lessening the stress you put on your body when you’re forced to drag your luggage from Point A to Point B, there’s one place where all the wheels in the world won’t help you: a steep staircase (or worse: a broken escalator). This is where TraxPack comes in.

The brainchild of longtime friends Naisha Joseph and Richard Braddock, this smart carry-on is being billed as the “world’s first stair climbing suitcase,” which makes it sound like a traveling Transformer, but the idea is much simpler: the roller bag has a dual track system (“similar to a tank’s,” according to its creators) built into the back of the bag, which allows you to pull it up and down stairs with relatively little effort.

“The tracks are not motorized, so the bag won't do all the work for you,” says Mashable of the bag, which is in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign, “but the weight of the packed suitcase creates friction against the edges of the stairs, turning what would otherwise be a heavy lift into a smooth one.” But that may not even be the bag’s smartest feature.

In addition to the track system, TraxPack — which can be pre-ordered with a $198 pledge — features a tilting handle that gives you total control of the bag’s maneuverability. There’s also a built-in scale, so you know just how much you’ve packed and won’t be surprised by additional “special handling” fees at the airport. Just below the handle, there’s a removable dual battery charger (complete with LED flashlight), so that your devices will always be fully charged — the handle even tilts in such a way that it works as a mobile device stand for your phone or tablet.

And if you lose track of this state-of-the-art suitcase? A baggage positioning system will alert your smartphone if your TraxPack happens to wander. If only it could make that security line disappear!

H/T: Mashable

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.