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This international travel necessity is the secret to a better domestic flight

Nov. 22, 2020
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3 min read
Delta A220-300 Zach Griff - 42
This international travel necessity is the secret to a better domestic flight
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Thanksgiving is around the corner.

Despite the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance to stay home this holiday, millions are taking to the air in numbers that we haven't seen since the skies emptied back in March.

If you are one of the ones traveling right now, odds are that you're headed somewhere within the country. With most countries closed to Americans, there simply aren't many international destinations to visit.

But even if you're keeping your passport in the safe this year, there's one international travel necessity you shouldn't forget to pack. And that's an international power converter.

Why?

So you can avoid one of my travel pet peeves — wobbly power sockets.

Universal power outlets on Delta's Airbus A220-300 accept all types of plugs

At this point, most major U.S. airlines offer power outlets across their domestic fleet. But just because they're available doesn't mean your charger is going to stick inside the outlet.

Some domestic planes operate four to five (or more) flights a day. Assuming everyone needs some juice, a charger might be plugged in or removed from a given outlet 10 or more times in a span of 24 hours. Multiply that across a year, and you'll end up with loose power sockets.

For years, I've played Tetris trying to arrange my chargers in the perfect geometric configuration to ensure that it sticks in the airplane outlet. (Check out my Instagram page where I've detailed many of my attempts.) And then, I thought, enough is enough.

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On one trip, I was headed home from Europe with a domestic connection from New York to Florida. My laptop was dying as I boarded the domestic Delta flight, and I desperately needed some juice.

Loose fit with an American duckhead

I tried inserting my power brick in the outlet, and despite my finesse, couldn't get it to stick. I then tried plugging in my European adapter and viola: it fit like a glove.

Snug fit with a European duckhead

Since that flight, I've always traveled with an international power adapter, regardless of my final destination. I can't begin to count how many times it's saved me from a loose power outlet. (Plus, there was one trip that I thought was going to be a quick jaunt to the West Coast, only to find out minutes before boarding the outbound flight that I’d be heading to China instead.)

Since then, I’ve brought either a European or U.K. converter on every trip. Nearly every domestic plane accepts these adapters.

Now, I no longer need to worry about wobbly outlets. Even if Europe is closed for the time being, dust off your power adapter and put it in your bag. Your devices will thank me later.

All photos by Zach Griff/The Points Guy

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

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  • Intro Offer

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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

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  • 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.