Gift Guide: Must Haves for the Frequent Flier

Frequent fliers are road warriors who are pros at racking up miles and points for hotel stays. They are the people to stand behind in the TSA line thanks to security checkpoint friendly luggage and to ask for food recommendations since they know the nation’s airports well. They need gifts to keep their productivity high while traveling but won’t weigh them down.

Here are my favorites for frequent travelers, almost all of which are available through Amazon so put that Prime membership to good use!

Soul SL300 Noise Cancelling Headphones by Ludacris ($299)—  When Tech Savvy Daddy first started traveling for work years ago, I bought him a pair of noise cancelling headphones that were cutting edge at the time but nothing like the Soul SL300s by Ludacris. These luxurious headphones are a traveler’s dream! Not only are they sleek and stylish but I love that they fold up into a hardshell case that makes them even more compact in your carry-on. The padding is plush and feels like pillows over my ears while the top padding features a diamond quilted pattern. Yes, these headphones are a splurge but they are worth every penny thanks to the comfort and the fact that they truly block out annoying noises that interfere with sleep and work.They come in gold (pictured), white and black, and also a Chrome Apple Edition which are the ones I have. I LOVE the Chrome!

3M Privacy Filters ($39.99 and up)—Nothing is worse than being on a plane, train, bus, or meeting space and having people peer at your screen at that blog post, expense report, or movie. 3M Privacy Filters are must-haves for anyone who wants to keep the information on their Mac and PC laptop, iPad, smartphone, or netbook to themselves. Rather than seeing the content on your screen, curious onlookers will see a gold or black screen, depending on if you purchase the Gold Privacy or black out privacy filter. Either way, it’s a great way to keep prying eyes away!

ZaggKeys ProPlus for iPad ($129.99)— I had a ZaggMate case for my original iPad and it’s been a longtime favorite until I had the pleasure of meeting ZaggKeys ProPlus. Made out of the same airplane grade aluminum as the back of the iPad, the ZaggKeys ProPlus fits nicely on top of the iPad thanks to a magnetic closure. Its slim design contains a backlit keyboard that connects to your iPad via Bluetooth and features 7 different color options for keyboard backlighting. Yes, keyboard backlighting! I’m a sucker for a backlit keyboard but also happen to love the design, durability, and functionality of the ZaggKeys ProPlus, making it my new favorite iPad case and keyboard combo.

NetZero Hotspot— You may have GoGo in the air but when you get to your destination, a NetZero Hotspot helps you avoid pricey daily internet charges and provides fast connection and peace of mind that your connection is secure. Read my full review and then enter my giveaway for a NetZero Hotspot and a year of free service worth over $300.

BugLit ($18.99)— Oddly placed lights in hotel rooms can be a traveler’s nightmare. I like to tuck a BugLit into my suitcase just in case I need a little extra light when I’m working or reading. ButLit is a hands-free flashlight that has an adaptable structure so it can be put just about anywhere and the bright LED light provides light wherever you need it. BugLit comes in green, red, or blue.

Is This Seat Taken? Terry by Kate Spade ($248)— Frequent fliers know the importance of a good sense of humor and an attractive, functional, carry on. My pick is this canvas Kate Spade bag that not only serves as a conversation starter but is roomy enough for a laptop in a sleeve, snacks, a copy of the latest InStyle, and whatever else you need to have at your feet during the flight. Especially perfect for anyone who loves their Southwest Rapid Rewards!

RejuvaHealth Compression Couture Knee Highs, Stockings, and Leggings ($39.99 and up)—Being stuck in an airline seat for long periods of time is not only uncomfortable, but it can also increase the risk of developing blood clots or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Compression socks and stockings help increase the blood flow in your legs to reduce your chances of DVT while also reducing post-travel stiffness, soreness, and swelling. Called Compression Couture, RejuvaHealth’s socks and stockings were created for health and fashion. I have the patterned knee highs (perfect with boots and jeans), stockings (super cute under a little black dress), and leggings (to pair with my boots and favorite cotton dresses). They’re not only comfortable enough for all day wear but stylish too. And yes, my feet and legs feel so much better when wearing when flying and once I arrive at my destination and I’m always on the go.

MasterLock TSA Cable Luggage Lock ($8.50)— Sometimes you just have to stash your bag with the bell desk to avoid embarrassment of dragging it to your important meeting. The MasterLock TSA Cable Luggage Lock is an affordable gift that helps keep your stuff secure yet is TSA friendly for those times that you check your bag and they need to rifle through it.

GoGo InFlight WiFi— Frequent fliers might already have Gogo’s Unlimited inflight wifi ($54.95/month) but if they don’t, it’s a necessity. Any time in the air without wifi is a disadvantage because cross country flights can leave you disconnected from email for 5-6 hours. I find that having Gogo inflight wifi is a lifesaver. It not only allows me to keep up with email while it’s coming in but go back and reply to messages while in the air so I don’t feel the crush of having to catch up when arriving at my destination or back home. For anyone traveling for the holidays, GoGo is offering deals for their inflight service until January 3. Get two Gogo All Day Passes for $14.50 or 3 passes for $19.50. Considering that GoGo was $15 when I flew Virgin America cross-country most recently, this is a steal!