2014 Gift Guide: Gifts for Frequent Fliers

Frequent fliers breeze through security with their TSA PreCheck or Global Entry with their carry-ons neatly packed, making a quick stop at their regular airport eatery to grab a bite for the flight, before walking up to the gate and boarding. They have travel down to a science and make it seem absolutely effortless. But I can tell you with the abundant travel that I do for work that having the right gear makes it so much easier to get from Point A to Point B. Here are some of the products that are beneficial to frequent fliers and road warriors.

Cargo Travel Organizer by Built NY ($24.99)— My regular readers know that I’m totally Type A but my Type A tendencies definitely come in handy on the road where I find that keeping my devices organized helps ensure that I always have everything I need in one place. My Built NY Cargo Travel Organizer is the place where I put my laptop charger, phone charging cable, micro USB for my camera, Belkin Surge Plus with Dual USB Ports (under $20 from Amazon), and stash a pair of earbuds. I love that this stretchy case made of neoprene fits everything I need. Despite me stuffing it, it’s compact enough to live in my carry on. After all, you never know what flight delays you might encounter and never want to pay premiums on charging cables at the airport tech shop when your devices run out of power.

Kaebo Sync & Charge Cables for Apple Lightning Devices by Juno Power ($21.99)— Stop wasting money on those cheap sync cables whose cords kink and then stop working when it’s most inconvenient! The 3’ Kaebo Sync & Charge Cable features aluminum connectors (not plastic!) and a fabric covered cable that is far more weighty than others on the market. I love that I can wrap it around my hand to coil it nicely or just shove it in my bag and it resists tangling and always works well. Kaebo retails for $49.99 but do yourself a favor and purchase it from Amazon for $21.99 where it’s still may seem like an investment but it’s a worthwhile one that you’ll appreciate having for all of your Apple Lightning devices.

MonkeyOh Dock & Stand ($9.99)— Add a bit of whimsy to those cookie-cutter hotel rooms and give your iPhone a place to live in your home away from home. MonkeyOh is a versatile dock, stand, and cord wrap that holds your phone in landscape or portrait mode. It also helps keep your space tidy and your iPhone off the bathroom counter and away from water when charging. Just know MonkeyOh might not work with huge bulky cases!

JunoJumpr by Juno Power ($99 from Amazon, $134.99 retail)— Have you ever stepped off the plane, gone to your car, and tried to start it up only to find a dead battery when you’re most looking forward to going home? If so, you understand the need for JunoJumpr that is a pocket size car battery jump starter and portable external charger for smartphones. This sleek packaged 7 ounce device contains 6000 mAh that can jump a dead car battery in seconds or charge your phone, camera, or tablet too.

Keys-To-Go Portable iPad Keyboard by Logitech ($69.99)— There’s an art to packing light and business travelers who can get away with it, often choose to travel with a tablet rather than their laptop. But if you feel you’re suffering functionality with your tablet, get a good Bluetooth keyboard like the Keys-To-Go Portable iPad Keyboard from Logitech. Designed for use with iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, and more, this slim keyboard is portable enough to go anywhere. The fully sealed keyboard ensures that any drinks spilled during turbulent flights don’t hamper your productivity plus well spaced keys are a dream to type without worry of cramping fingers and hands.

Charger Leash ($9.99 on Amazon, $34.99 retail)— If you’ve ever been traveling and unplugged you mobile phone and left your charger in your hotel room, at the airport, or in a conference room while working on-site, Charger Leash can help ensure your devices are never left behind. Charger Leash works to charge and sync phones, tablets, cameras, and other devices but when your device is disconnected, ChargerLeash emits a loud alarm so you don’t forget your cable. It also doubles as a security device, sounding an alarm when someone tries to walk away with your smartphone but leaves the charger behind.

Piper ($199)— At first glance, you may think of Piper as a webcam that will alert you when something changes at home but it’s far more than a webcam. An impressive collection of sensors and technology packed into this sleek little unit allow you to monitor your house, dorm room, rental apartment, summer cottage, or vacation home through rules you set up. When the rule is triggered for motion, noise, or a change in temperature, Piper contacts you via push notifications on your mobile device, text message, phone call, or email. Piper is a great tool for home monitoring especially since it doesn’t come with monthly fees like other devices currently on the market. For more detailed reviews, read Why Piper is More Than A Home Security System: Exciting Platform, Different Functions, Attractive Package & Affordably Priced and My Family’s Experiences with Piper as a Tool for Home Automation and Security.

Powerslayer Wall Charger Kit for Mobile Phones & Tablets by VelvetWire ($79)— Frequent fliers who travel light have to balance the desire to have a heavy external battery with a high mAh that can recharge their devices 2-3 times or a lighter one that will get them just what they need in a smaller and more portable package. I personally love the tiny size of the 200 mAh of the Powerslayer and appreciate the compact nature and wonderful design of the Wall Charger Kit that allows me to keep everything on one place (the charger and cord store in one nicely travel case) when traveling to and from. Available from Amazon or get 20% off your entire Velvetwire store purchase with the code TURKEY20 between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

20W Dual-Port USB Wall Charger by Anker ($19.99)— Since there are never enough USB outlets in a hotel room and they can be few and far between in airports, bring your own. The Anker Dual-Port USB Wall Charger features a foldable plug as part of its compact design so it’s portable enough to fit comfortably into a small purse, backpack, or pocket to charge two phones or two tablets together at top speed. It’s more compact than the Belkin one mentioned above because it only features USBs, not outlets, but since USBs are harder to find, this might be just what you need.

Inspiration Lite Headphones by Monster ($229.95)— If you’re saying that these headphones were on my teen list, you’re right but they’re so great, they’re worth mentioning again! Lightweight, comfortable (as in pillows-on-the-ear comfortable!), and great sound makes these my pick for my Frequent Fliers Gift Guide too. I also love built-in noise cancelling feature that blocks out external noise and the sound of the jet engines for a more restful sleep or the ability to concentrate on work rather than be distracted by snippets of conversation.

PS210 Wireless Noise Cancelling Earphones by Phiaton ($99 on Amazon, $159 retail)— Not everyone loves headphones and if on-ear or over-the-ear styles don’t work for you, a good pair of noise cancelling earbuds should be on your must-have list. Phiaton’s Noise Blocker Active Noise Cancellation technology blocks out up to 95% of ambient background noise for a quieter flight with less crying baby, guy next to you snoring, and chatter from the rows behind you. When you’re off the plane, the earphones work just as well to block out distractions when making calls or listening to music. Phiaton’s Wireless Noise Cancelling Earphones are nicely priced and far more compact than a pair of headphones for travelers who like to stick to carry-on only.

Resurgence Power Case for iPhone by OtterBox ($99.95)— My OtterBox Resurgence Power Case is my favorite charging case when I know I’ll be needing extra power because the streamlined design delivers tough protection from drops and shock and two extra charges for my phone when I’m on the go. Not only does it ensure that I’m never in the red for long, but it fully protects my phone with military-rated drop protection but it’s green, meaning that it automatically stops charging my phone once it’s fully charged, preserving more power for later.

The MediaShair Wireless Media Hub w/Built-in Power Station by IOGear ($99.99)— When I reviewed this last month, I called it the Road Warrior’s version of a Swiss Army Knife for the ability to do so much in a small package. In short, MediaShair is a travel sized battery powered WiFi router, external battery for charging USB devices, and media server. It’s a pretty cool device that is pretty handy. Read my full review here to learn more.

SeaShell Wireless Outdoor Speaker ($39.99)— Built for portable sound, the SeaShell Wireless Outdoor Speaker goes where you do to provide cord-free high quality sound and great bass performance thanks to a 50 foot Bluetooth transmission range.. This water resistant, portable, dust-proof, and shock proof device is perfect for those who commute by bike since it fits into a water bottle holder on a bike frame. It’s also great for camping trips, outdoor winter fun, or warm weather trips to the pool.

TripIt Pro ($49/year)— Give fans of the free TripIt the gift of an upgrade to TripIt Pro. If your frequent flier already relies on TripIt, they’ll love the Pro version that still allows them to do all the things they love plus receiving real-time flight alerts, locating alternating flights, finding better seats as they become available, receiving flight refund notifications, and sharing travel plans with select individuals.

Amazon Affiliate links included in this post. All images courtesy of the companies. Samples were received for testing purposes but no compensation was received for featuring any of the products in my gift guide. All opinions are my own.