Holiday gift guide: 9 gifts for the extravagant traveler
You don't need to spend a small fortune to land on the perfect gift for the most discerning travelers in your life — but if you have the means to go all out, it'll definitely help make this year's holiday season one to remember!
We're rounding up some of our favorite high-end, yet practical picks, from the latest and greatest smartphone to an iconic roller bag designed to last you for decades.
IPHONE 11 PRO
I was entirely sold on Samsung's Galaxy Note10 as 2019's traveler-friendly smartphone of the year — until Apple released the iPhone 11 Pro. Starting at $999, the Pro is not cheap, but if you're looking for industry-leading quality in a do-it-all device — that also supports Apple's must-have Messages app — you won't do any better than this. From the extra-long battery life to unmatched image quality, it's truly the best smartphone I've ever used — it even let me capture some truly extraordinary photos of the Northern Lights! Buy: Apple, $999
DJI MAVIC 2 ZOOM
More than a year after its debut, DJI's Mavic 2 Zoom remains my top drone pick, thanks to its versatile 2x lens, excellent photo and video quality, and top-notch flying performance, with far better reliability and range than less expensive alternatives. It's also compact and lightweight — I've managed to bring it along on a handful of trips, even when I opt to leave the rolling bag at home.
APPLE WATCH SERIES 5
The latest Apple Watch starts at $399, but your extravagant traveler commands nothing but the best. They'll look dashing in a Series 5 with the 44mm Ceramic Case and Space Black Link Bracelet, commanding a whopping $1,749 — before tax. All models include the same hardware and software features, like an always-on screen, fitness tracking, an integrated compass and much more. Buy: Apple, $399-$1,749
SONY RX100 VII
For most photography, a top-of-the-line smartphone will usually do the trick, but sometimes you really need a powerful zoom — Sony's RX100 VII is the camera to get, especially if you're after a pocketable form-factor. Despite being small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, Sony's top point-and-shoot offers a 24-200mm zoom lens, a large 1-inch sensor (for top-notch image quality) and exceptional performance, snapping extra-smooth 4K video or full-resolution photos at up to 20 frames-per-second.
BANG & OLUFSEN BEOPLAY H8I
With a perfect 10/10 score, Bang & Olufsen’s H8i offers the best sound quality of the bunch, and the headset looks fantastic, too, with natural, black and pink finish options. You'll get excellent audio quality, industry-leading noise-canceling performance and up to 30 hours of battery life, plus a comfortable, lightweight design. $312 may sound like chump change compared to some of the gear you'll find here, but I honestly wouldn't recommend spending any more for a higher-end set.
SAMSUNG GALAXY FOLD
Samsung's Galaxy Fold is the first smartphone-tablet hybrid, theoretically serving to replace both devices, as long as you're willing to compromise a bit. It isn't the best tablet, and it certainly isn't the best smartphone — with a 4.6-inch display, when folded, you'll have less screen real estate than with any other flagship device on the market — but it's the 7.3-inch panel you'll have after opening up the device that really makes this early-adopter favorite shine. And, as airlines continue to move away from seat-back entertainment, always having a large display at your disposal certainly won't hurt. Buy: Samsung, $1,980
SONOS MOVE
Sonos is synonymous with quality audio, and now the company's sound tech is available in a portable package, complete with a long-overdue compatibility feature: integrated Bluetooth. The internal battery offers 10 hours of portable power in a water-resistant package, and you can seamlessly integrate the speaker with your existing Sonos setup once you bring it home.
RIMOWA ORIGINAL CABIN
We've generally been quite happy with the Away luggage lineup, but if you're really looking for a lavish pick, you can't go wrong with Rimowa. I took the Original Cabin bag on a recent trip to Japan and fell in love. From the buttery-smooth wheels to the intuitive lock mechanisms, the build quality is unlike anything I've seen on another bag. If you can afford the $1,150 price tag, this is the luggage to get. Buy: Rimowa, $1,400
Zero-G Weightless Experience
Looking for a very special gift for the loved one that already has it all? A Zero-G Experience flight is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime splurge. Tickets start at $5,400, but you can also book the entire plane if you prefer — for a cool $165,000, your gift recipient and up to 33 (!) friends can experience weightlessness all alone, with a private flight on the company's modified Boeing 727, G-FORCE ONE. Buy: Zero-G, $5,400
Prices accurate as of publication date. Check out more TPG gift guides here and the TPG guide on the best cards to use for holiday shopping.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.