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Need a Last-Minute Gift? Airport Vending Machines Are Stepping Up Their Games

Aug. 30, 2019
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4 min read
vertical merchandise (Sally Morrow photography)
Need a Last-Minute Gift? Airport Vending Machines Are Stepping Up Their Games
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Souvenir shopping at the airport can be the pits.

Beyond lame shot glasses, T-shirts, over-priced regional food items and sports-team memorabilia, there’s often not much that’s truly new and gift-worthy in stock.

Or that won’t give you away as a last-minute shopper.

That’s where SouveNEAR’s vending machines really come to the rescue.

Like the Best Buy vending units found now in about 50 airports nationwide, SouveNEAR’s vending machines are open 24/7.

But that’s where the similarity ends.

While Best Buy machines sell standard gear you can find anywhere — but gear the forgetful may need right now — SouveNEAR’s vending machines are stocked with carefully curated gift items made by local artists.

Travelers can now shop for souvenirs via vending machines at a growing number of US airports. (Image courtesy of SouveNEAR)

That means you can stock up on unique souvenirs from a trip without letting on that you shopped at the airport.

Until now, SouveNEAR’s art-filled machines could be found at just four airports: Kansas City International Airport (8 locations), Oakland International Airport (3 locations), Newark Liberty International Airport (2 locations) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport ( 4 locations).

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But starting Sept. 6, SouveNEAR is expanding its footprint with an around-the-clock automatic art-shop-in-a-box in the Sacramento International Airport (SMF).

In October, there will be a 24/7 SouveNEAR art-vending machine opening in Terminal C at McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

What’s for sale?

This 'Neon Cactus Vintage' Nevada necklace can be bought at a SouveNEAR vending machine at the Las Vegas airport. (Image courtesy of SouveNEAR)

The handmade items range from jewelry, pins and patches to baby clothing, arty T-shirts and handmade candy and cards. Prices range from $4 to about $50.

"In each city, we work with locals connected within the arts community to scout for truly local goods. We visit local craft fairs, markets, etc.,” said Suzanne Southard, SouveNEAR co-founder. “The stock varies and changes depending upon the location. And we use real-time reporting of inventory levels to stock as needed.”

SouveNEAR’s vending machine at the Sacramento airport will reflect the city’s focus on the Farm-to-Table movement and a commitment to all things local, said Betsy Wolf, SouveNEAR’s West Coast manager.

At SMF, look for products such as Brittle California’s almond brittle made with locally grown California almonds and handmade goat’s milk soap made by Sweet Blossom Company with milk from a local goat farm.

Visitors to Sacramento's airport (SMF) can buy this 'City of Trees' T-shirt from an airport vending machine. (Image courtesy of SouveNEAR)

In Las Vegas, which has seen a rebirth in the local arts scene, Wolf said SouveNEAR’s products will include items that reflect the city’s quirky, unique culture.

The LAS SouveNEAR machine will include handmade necklaces by Neon Cactus Vintage; dark chocolate bars by Happy Ending Chocolate, hand-decorated with edible gold leaf foil; and iconic Las Vegas-style signs recreated in enamel by Battle Born Pins.

A picture map of California is yours for the buying at a SouveNEAR vending machine at the Sacramento airport. (Image courtesy of SouveNEAR)

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  • Intro Offer

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    $325

  • 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.