Holiday shopping is in full swing, and gift lists for frequent flyers can be hard to get right. Travel expert Brian Kelly of The Points Guy has shared ([1])the products he relies on while flying, many of them picked with family travel in mind. His list mixes practical tech, comfort basics, and a few items that simply make a home feel more like a hotel.
Gear that makes the flight easier
Kelly’s top pick is his Bose QuietComfort noise-canceling headphones, which he says he always packs. He describes them as stylish, with strong sound quality and a surround effect he finds impressive, and he calls them his go-to option for flights because they stay comfortable and pair easily over Bluetooth. Bose headphones often drop in price during Amazon’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and he suggests layering those discounts with a card that earns rewards on Amazon purchases.
He also keeps an iPad Pro in his bag. Kelly prefers not to travel with a laptop, so the tablet handles both his work and the movies he loads for his children, which spares them from depending on inflight entertainment. Apple’s one-day promotions can bring larger points opportunities, and shopping portals can add another layer of earnings.
Apple AirTags round out the in-flight and airport picks. Kelly says he uses them most often on checked bags during family trips, though they also work well on backpacks and purses. He notes that several airlines now let passengers share an AirTag’s location if a bag goes missing.
Staying connected and charged abroad
For international trips, Kelly relies on a Maya Mobile eSIM. He says the plan costs $50 per month and includes unlimited international data and calling in more than 165 countries. Shorter trips can be covered by limited-time plans, which the company also offers.
His Anker universal charger is aimed at anyone tired of carrying a drawer full of adapters. It works as an adapter in more than 200 countries and can charge up to four devices from a single socket. Anker typically holds an annual Black Friday sale on its website and on Amazon, and Kelly recommends pairing those savings with a card that rewards Amazon spending.
Safety and luggage for families
Kelly places a high priority on safety when traveling with his children, and that is why he packs a Kidde carbon monoxide detector. He describes it as lightweight, battery-operated, and small enough to fit easily in a bag. He warns travelers to remove the batteries before passing through airport security.
His luggage pick is the CaseSafe trackable suitcase from July, a Melbourne-based brand. Kelly says he has tested it on several trips and likes its spinning double wheels, lightweight polycarbonate shell, and lifetime warranty. The tracking works with both Apple and Google devices, and prices range from $325 to $395 depending on features. July was offering 20% off its full range with no minimum spend, a promotion that ends Nov. 29 according to the guide.
Comfort on long days and the rewards angle
Comfort is a recurring theme in Kelly’s choices. He says he runs warm on planes, so he wears Lululemon Pace Breaker shorts that stay comfortable during sleep on long flights. He also packs Bombas compression socks, which he considers essential on long-haul routes to help reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis, along with regular hydration.
Several picks are meant for the home rather than the road. Kelly burns Hotel Lobby candles, which are made with soy wax and offer a 65-hour burn time, and he hangs plane art from Pop Art Prince and Scout Design Studio in his office. The candles were created by Lindsay Silberman, a travel content creator and friend of Kelly’s.
Kelly’s guide also covers how to stretch a budget through rewards. Shopping portals can add airline miles or points on top of credit card earnings, and Rove currently offers 1,500 miles to new members who sign up through his link. The AAdvantage eShopping portal offers up to 4,000 bonus miles on holiday promotions through Nov. 20, and Clear is offering $40 off a first-year membership through TPG’s special offer.
Kelly’s selections show that the best holiday gifts for travelers often solve a problem the recipient already has. Whether the goal is a quieter flight, a lighter bag, or a safer hotel room, his picks suggest that thoughtful gear can make a long trip noticeably easier.
