Holiday gift guide: TPG’s 22 travel-friendly picks for 2022
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Each year, we curate some of our top gift picks, giving you the perfect guide for the jet setters and road warriors on your list.
Without further ado, here are TPG's 2022 holiday gift picks:
Apple AirTags
APPLE AIRTAGS/AMAZON.COM
If there's one must-have travel item this holiday season, it's an Apple AirTag.
These coin-size item trackers are a lifesaver for those who travel with checked luggage, especially as delayed and misplaced baggage continues to be a global travel issue. Just pop one into each of your bags — I'd recommend adding one to your keychain and backpack, too — and you'll be able to track your bags directly on your iOS device. That way, the next time an airline tells you that your bag is "lost," you'll hopefully have a much clearer picture of where it is.
If you want more than one, you can also take advantage of a sale on Amazon right now for a pack of four.
Apple iPhone 14
APPLE
Apple's smartphone lineup got a big travel-focused upgrade with the introduction of the iPhone 14 family. Pro-level models have a new front-face design with the intuitive and informative Dynamic Island, while across-the-board travel upgrades include an Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, crash detection and better cameras.
Buy: Head to Best Buy to purchase your iPhone 14.
Epicka Universal Travel Adapter
EPICKA UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER/AMAZON.COM
Finding the perfect travel adapter is no easy feat, especially when there are literally thousands to choose from. Recently, I've been a big fan of the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter. It works in more than 150 countries and includes four USB-A ports, as well as a fast-charging USB-C port, which will keep all your devices charged with just one single adapter.
Holy Cow Canvas Push Pin Travel Map
HOLY COW CANVAS/FACEBOOK
Whether the jet setter in your life tracks countries, continents or states, Holy Cow Canvas has a push-pin travel map for them. These maps come in all different colors, styles and sizes, making them the perfect accessory for a living room, office or den. There are even some colorful kid-friendly maps available, too.
Buy: At Holy Cow Canvas.
Authorized credit card user
RGSTUDIO/GETTY IMAGES
This one might be a nontraditional gift, but it's sure to be a fan favorite for travelers.
Many of our top recommended credit cards include a whole host of perks that can be shared with authorized users. Perks like American Airlines Admirals Club access or a complimentary Priority Pass membership might come at little to no cost to you but can make a big difference in the travel life of a close friend or relative.
As guest access for those with The Platinum Card® from American Express will be restricted by Amex starting early next year, giving an authorized user card to your travel companion could be their ticket in.
Read: Credit cards with the greatest value for authorized users
Apple AirPods Pro
APPLE
With an even better sound experience in a portable package, the second-generation AirPods Pro is especially great for travelers.
These wireless earbuds are also better than the entry-level AirPods, which don't offer active noise cancellation — a must-have feature for those who want to zone out when in transit. Other improvements, such as precision finding, redesigned controls and a new adaptive transparency mode, combine to make the AirPods Pro Apple's best travel-friendly earbuds yet.
Buy: At Amazon for around $200.
ExpertFlyer membership
EXPERTFLYER.COM
Want to help a friend or family member fly better next year? Then consider gifting an ExpertFlyer membership.
This pro-level tool will help your loved one snag better seats, find rare award availability and be more informed about the air travel experience. It's an online service I've been using for years, and I can't recommend it enough. (Editor's note: ExpertFlyer is owned by Red Ventures, which also owns The Points Guy.)
Buy: Purchase a gift certificate.
DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI/FACEBOOK
While I've long been a fan of DJI's drones, the new Mini 3 Pro has the broadest appeal, both for travelers and recreational users. Weighing under 249 grams (or less than 8.8 ounces), it's pretty portable. Because the device is just shy of the FAA's 250-gram limit, you can fly it without prior registration.
This drone packs some serious pro-level chops into its small package: a 48 MP photo capability, 4K video, 34 minutes of flight time and up to a 12-kilometer (nearly an 8-mile) range for video transmission. It's a small but mighty drone.
Buy: At Amazon for about $1,150.
Vuori Performance Jogger
PERFORMANCE JOGGER/VUORICLOTHING.COM
I asked my wife for her top travel-themed holiday gift recommendation, and Vuori's Performance Jogger rose to the top of her list. I then asked my editor the same question, and she had the exact same response. "Once someone tries these pants, they will thank you and literally never fly long-haul in anything else," were my editor's exact words.
The joggers are available for both men and women in a variety of colors, so if there's a frequent flyer in your life, here's an easy way to make them more comfortable on their next journey.
Buy: At Nordstrom for $56–$94.
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker
BOSE SOUNDLINK FLEX BLUETOOTH SPEAKER/AMAZON.COM
Bluetooth speakers are a great travel accessory for those who like to stream their audio and video wherever they go. Bose's latest SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker maximizes portability and sound quality while still offering around 12 hours of battery life. Plus, the speaker's durability — it's dustproof and waterproof — makes it a great choice for all travelers.
Buy: At Bost for $149.
Samsonite Stryde 111 Carry-On Spinner
STRYDE CARRY ON SPINNER/SAMSONITE.COM
Finding the perfect carry-on bag isn't easy, but we recently compiled our favorites in a handy guide. Topping the list is this Samsonite bag, which features 360-degree spinner wheels, a curved polycarbonate design, built-in USB charging ports and a TSA-approved keyless lock. Several other innovations, like a LED light to illuminate the bag at night, help make this rollaboard our top pick.
Buy: At Samsonite for about $412.
Apple M2 MacBook Air
APPLE
Including a laptop on a holiday gift guide may be a head-scratcher for some, but hear me out. Apple's latest M2 MacBook Air is one of, if not the, best travel laptops on the market. Introduced earlier this year, the computer's new thin-and-light design, coupled with some impressive performance upgrades and all-day battery life, make it a joy for travelers. As work-from-anywhere becomes more ubiquitous, the full-size keyboard and trackpad will make it even easier to stay connected to your job.
Buy: At Amazon in Space Gray or Midnight for $1,598.
Lonely Planet's 'Where to Go When'
LONELY PLANET'S WHERE TO GO WHEN/AMAZON.COM
Know someone who is seeking some inspiration on where to travel in the new year? Then look no further than the second edition of Lonely Planet's popular "Where to Go When" guidebook. This title is the ultimate trip planner for every month of the year, and it packs some great recommendations that are sure to impress. (Editor's note: Lonely Planet is owned by Red Ventures, which also owns The Points Guy.)
Buy: On Amazon for around $14.
GoPro Hero11 Black
HERO11 BLACK/GOPRO.COM
GoPro's popular action camera got a big boost this year with the introduction of the Hero11 Black. This model is perfect for the era of social media thanks to the new — and much improved — image sensor. The larger size means a single shot can be shared on any platform of your choice, regardless of whether you're looking for a horizontal or vertical crop. Other improvements include a better battery and more powerful stabilization.
Buy: At Amazon for about $399.
Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow
AERIS/AMAZON.COM
Sometimes, simple is better. That's why we're recommending the Aeris Memory Foam Travel Pillow this year. It topped our ranking of the best travel pillows for good reason: It's a basic, comfortable neck pillow that gets the job done. With supportive memory foam, it should help make a long flight a little more comfortable.
Buy: On Amazon for around $25.
Clear membership
CLEAR/FACEBOOK
This past year was full of airline and airport meltdowns. The road warrior in your life can avoid most of the mess by becoming a Clear member. With priority security locations at more than 40 airports, this gift will save your loved one countless hours over the course of the year. Better yet, the membership fee may even be rebated if you're using the right credit card.
Buy: At Clear.
Junior Frequent Flyer logbook
JUNIOR FREQUENT FLYER LOGBOOK/JUNIORFREQUENTFLYER.COM
If you are shopping for kids who are budding aviation enthusiasts, you may want to get them started with their first flight logbook. In it, they can record 20 flights, with details such as aircraft type and flight time.
Buy: AAt Junior Frequent Flyer Logbook.
Supergoop SPF Bestsellers Starter Kit
SUPERGOOP
It's never too early to prepare for long summer days at the beach. I first discovered Supergoop sunscreen in a JetBlue Mint amenity kit, and I've been hooked ever since. The sunscreen comes in a few different finishes — the Unseen Sunscreen is my personal favorite. This bestsellers kit is perfect for travel since each tube is less than 3.4 ounces.
Buy: Buy at Supergoop for $25.
Aesop Departure travel kit
AESOP DEPARTURE TRAVEL KIT/AESOP.COM
Some people go out of their way to book specific hotels because of their in-room toiletries. I haven't done that personally, but if there's a brand that's worth going out of my way for, it's Aesop. While you could splurge for a stay at the Waldorf Astoria to enjoy these toiletries, you could also treat the traveler in your life to the Aesop Departure kit, which includes a collection of travel-size classics from this famed brand.
Anker 535 Power Bank
ANKER 535 POWER BANK/ANKER.COM
We've all been there — your battery dies while you're doing something important. I've long been a fan of Anker's line of portable power banks, and I've recently been using the 535 Power Bank during my travels. With USB-C support, I can charge all my gadgets for hours on end when I'm away from an outlet.
Prices are accurate as of the 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.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.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.