Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

Gifts for the Frequent Flier

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This was my year of travel. Countless day trips to New York City, 3 trips to Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco, Montana, Austin, Scottsdale, New Orleans, Miami, Asheville, Detroit, etc. helped me realize the importance of efficient packing, great luggage, and products that could help streamline every part of the trip.  Here are my picks for the frequent flier in your life whether they are traveling for business or using those miles to take the family on a fabulous vacation.
My Kiva rolling bag is a workhorse for $86!
KIVA 26” Rolling Upright ($86, Amazon)— Don’t let the price of this bag fool you.  It’s a work horse that’s my go-to bag for all of my multi-day trips whether for traveling for work or on family vacations.  3 interior pockets plus compression straps keep items organized, a telescoping handle operates with the touch of a button, and outer pockets are great for stashing extra stuff that needs to be readily accessible.  I also love that this bag expands an extra inch, weighs a mere 8.6 pounds, and is tough enough to withstand the rigors of all my travel this year.
Kiva’s Compression cubes save space and organize ($24.95/set of 3)

Kiva Compression Cubes ($24.95 for a set of 3)— Fold your clothes, place in cubes, zip shut, then compress by zipping again.  You’d be amazed at how much less room your clothes take up when compressed!  The see-through mesh compression cubes come in a set of 3- 1 large and 2 medium.  The large one (11.5” x 15”) is big enough to pack t-shirts, skirts, dresses, etc.  The medium ones (7.75” x 11.5”) fits tank tops, lingerie, swim wear, etc.  Compression cubes help me keep my clothes organized and help eliminate the fear that the TSA will be rummaging through my underwear.

Keep devices charged with Belkin’s Mini USB Charger ($12)

Belkin Mini Surge Protector Dual USB Charger ($12, Amazon)— How come when devices are running low on juice, there’s never an outlet around? Or if there is, there is only 1 for the entire boarding area?  Make some friends by packing this handy Belkin charger and recharge your laptop and phone while allowing others to plug in too.  Just be sure to Mabel’s Label your surge protector!  It would be a tragedy for it to get lost en route to your destination!

Keep belongings safe thanks to Travelon’s Anti-theft Bag ($59.95)
Travelon Anti-theft Pocket Hobo Bag ($59.95) —Whether near or far from home, this well designed Travelon bag features built in security measures to keep your belongings safer. A cut proof strap, wire mesh construction, a tamper proof zipper fastener that clips to the strap, and a carabiner to attach the bag to your chair while dining keep your belongings close to you while lots of interior pockets, card slots, and compartments keep everything organized.  Order from FranklinPlanner.com and save 20% on any one full price item! Use code 21242.

Weigh luggage at home to avoid overage charges (Travelon Scale, $24.99)

Economic Digital Scale by Travelon ($24.99)— Sometimes every ounce counts when you’re packing to prevent luggage overage charges when you get to the check-in counter.  Instead of hopping on and off the bathroom scale to figure out the weight of your bag, attach your bag to the hanger and lift with two hands.  The backlit display is easy to read and measures up to two decimal places so you will know exactly how much extra you can pack in that bag! Order from FranklinPlanner.com and save 20% on any one full price item! Use code 21242. 

Keep Your Family Organized. Shop Now

Diaper Dude ($60)— Traveling parents know the importance of having a place for everything yet having items be at their fingertips. Designed for dads, Diaper Dude is a messenger style diaper bag with lots of pockets and organizational features that is versatile enough to be used well after the kids are out of diapers. 
 
Chloe Dao Trolley & Satchel Set is perfect for short trips ($127.99)

Chloe Dao Carry On Trolley 21-in and Satchel 2-Piece Set, Lotus ($127.99)— For short trips, I rely on my gorgeous Chloe Dao Trolley that always turns heads yets provides enough room for toiletries, makeup, the next day’s outfit, jammies, and a pair of shoes. The size fits in the overhead bin making it perfect for carrying on the plane and even when full, it isn’t difficult to lift thanks to lightweight durable materials.  The matching Satchel slips over the trolley’s handle and is designed to carry a laptop but has plenty of extra room for additional items during travel.  Travel is such a breeze with this great set!  Get free shipping and 20% off with the code techsavvymama when purchased directly from Nuo Tech.

Keep that beverage upright so hands stay free with the
Tugo Drink Holder ($14.95)
Tugo Drink & Water Bottle Holder ($12.95)— Juggling bags can make it impossible to get that post-security caffeine fix.  And even if you have a handle on your coffee cup, it’s not always easy to set it down in a clean place where it won’t be knocked over. Tugo keeps your coffee cup or water bottle suspended between the handles of your upright suitcase to keep it handy.  When not in use it can be detached quickly and thrown in your carry on bag for easy stowing.
At Blogalicious in Fresh Produce’s Santa Cruz shirt ($69)
and What it Seams Skirt ($79)
Fresh Produce Clothing— Whether traveling to speak or attend a conference or with my family on vacation, I can always count on clothes from Fresh Produce to look great regardless of what I’m doing.  These comfortable cotton looks can be easily dressed up or down with the right accessories.  I love that I can pack them, hang them upon arrival, and any wrinkles disappear quickly and without the use of the iron!  Here is another great look that Fresh Produce provided me with this fall for my presentation at the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Annual Conference.
 
Wearing Fresh Produce’s Impromptu Dress ($84) with
the Shorefront Cardigan ($34) at NAEYC with @TeachMama

Frequent fliers often accumulate miles and if you’re wanting to take family vacation?  Here are some ideas:

 

Heading to New York City, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Hollywood, Houston, Philly, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California or Toronto?  If so, they are CityPASS cities!  If you’ve never heard of CityPASS it’s a booklet that you purchase for a single price that contains admission to 5-6 of the most popular and famous attractions in the city.  CityPASS can be ordered online and delivered prior to your trip or eTickets for booklets can be exchanged once you arrive at your destination at any one of the many CityPASS ticket windows around the city.  For example, a CityPASS for New York City provides tickets to the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or Circle Line Cruise, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, and Top of the Rock or The Guggenheim all for the price of $79 for adults and $59 for kids ages 6-17.  A truly great deal and one of our favorite ways to explore cities when we travel!

Glamping- glamorous camping at Paws Up
Head to Montana and splurge on glamping at Paws Up.  There’s a reason why Montana is called Big Sky Country and once you get there you’ll understand why.  With wide open spaces and majestic vistas as far as the eye can see, Paws Up is a luxury destination that truly takes care of every visitor.  Enjoy horseback riding, massages, ATVs, white water rafting, and more during the day and then collapse in your well furnished tent (those photos are of where I stayed!) or luxury home.  With furnishings that put some in our home to shame, heated slate floors, and a round the clock tent butler who is on call 24 hours a day (ask for Louis, he’s THAT awesome!), Paws Up provides the ultimate family destination. You can read my review with photos here.  I’m already ready to return.  Sigh.
 
Products were provided for review purposes.  All opinions are my own.  Affiliate links are contained in this post.  Paws Up accommodations were provided by Mercedes as part of a press trip.

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Original post by Tech Savvy Mama
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Comments

  2. Eileen says

    I am getting travel fever now! We are finally taking a family trip, lowscale but that’s OK, for the first time in 7 years! Our kids have only been on true “vacation” once. And I know with a large family we will SAVE money by getting one of those luggage scales. I also think the Belkin charger is ACE and the luggage itself. so premium!

    NOW I need to find a new briefcase for my husband that will not put us (farther) in the poor house. His is shredded almost beyond recognition…and honestly the airlines have had their hands in this. I wish there were a really RUGGED briefcase/laptop case that can take the conveyor crush and still come out of it intact. They are SO expensive to replace!
    Thanks for the great ideas!

    ejrichter60