You are currently viewing 15 deals on travel items during Amazon’s Black Friday event

It’s Black Friday, as you surely know. We obviously won’t encourage you to spend your money on useless stuff — keep your money for travel if you want to travel more; it’s a simple concept (but it’s worth a reminder). However, like every year, there are some very interesting travel items at a discount that we’ll highlight.

The trick to making all your travels more enjoyable and affordable happens to be to simply bring less stuff. But some of our 6 only travel items that are truly essential (and a few more near-essential suggestions) are on sale now!

Don't want to pack light? At least take advantage of the free checked bags benefit on Air Canada to save at least $70 per person per roundtrip!

Here are 15 deals on travel items — and 3 important pro tips for Amazon as a reminder beforehand (to get ≈ 35.5% back on your spending, or even ≈ 41.5%)!

 

3 tips to maximize your rewards at Amazon

If you love to travel, you should make sure you always maximize your rewards on everything you buy to get even more free trips. It works with all major brands.

For Amazon specifically, there are 3 simple tips:

  • Get a ≈ 15% bonus by using shopping portals (on top of your card rewards)
  • Get 20% back on your credit card with a welcome bonus
  • Get at least 5% on your credit card with the gift card trick

 

Get a ≈ 15% bonus by using shopping portals (on top of your card rewards)

It simply doesn’t make sense not to use online shopping portals.

There’s an Aeroplan eStore promotion that gives you a bonus of 10 pts/$ (≈ 15% to UNLIMITED) right now, so don’t miss it if you want free rewards. It’s IN ADDITION to your credit card rewards (either one of the next 2 tips, ideally the first)!

It’s even 15 pts/$ (≈ 22.5% to UNLIMITED) if you pay with an Aeroplan credit card.

Want a ton of Aeroplan points? It happens to be literally the best time to get the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card thanks to an enhanced offer that's not available on the bank's website directly! This offer for Flytrippers readers ends soon and is the highest Aeroplan offer seen in a while!

It’s simple to get a ≈ 15% bonus:

  • You log in to your Aeroplan account
    • Everyone should have one (create one for free if you don’t have one)
  • You go to the Aeroplan eStore instead of going to Amazon directly
    • It’s just a few extra clicks
  • You click on Amazon from there
    • Boom! Bonus of 10 pts/$ in most Amazon categories

If you prefer the more simple cash back (so less lucrative, of course), the Rakuten shopping portal gives you just 1% back at Amazon (a little less than ≈ 15%, right?), but at least you get $30 free with our referral link. To be clear, you should take the $30 for your next purchase at one of the 700+ stores another day, even if you go through the Aeroplan eStore today!

 

Get 20% back on your credit card with a welcome bonus

The best card to use for any purchase is always a card on which you’re unlocking a huge welcome bonus. Plus, it improves your credit score if you follow the 3 rules. It’s that simple. But few people understand it, unfortunately. Read our infographic summarizing the basics of travel rewards to understand everything you need to know.

For example, the brand-new increased welcome bonus on the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card gives you $1025 free if you spend $5,000 in 12 months. That’s 20.5% back on $7,500. A little better than the terrible 1% or 2% rates that most people sadly settle for, don’t you think? It’s over 20%!!!

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card gives you $825 on $7,500, which is 11% back (but the points are simpler)! And so on. You can read our post about the 4 best deals for November 2024.

It’s simple to get 20% back:

  • Simply use all your purchases to unlock welcome bonuses
  • You’ll always get 10%+ on everything (and sometimes 20% like now)
  • In addition to boosting your credit score
  • And getting lots of travel perks

When combining the ≈ 15% back with the portal promo and the 20.5% back with your credit card, that’s ≈ 35.5% back in total! And if you use your Aeroplan points well, you can actually get a lot more value, and it’s easy to get ≈ 41.5% back! You can read the basics of how to earn rewards and the value of Aeroplan points.

 

Get at least 5% on your credit card with the gift card trick

If you can’t earn 20% in credit card rewards because it’s too late to apply for a new credit card and take advantage of Amazon’s Black Friday deals, here’s a tip that’s an alternative to the previous one.

You should always get 5% at the very least on your Amazon purchases if you have one of the must-have cards that earn 5X the points — at least for your Amazon purchases for which you don’t want the extended warranty offered by all credit cards.

Many cards earn at least 5% at the grocery store:

And all these grocery stores sell Amazon gift cards.

It’s simple to get at least 5% back:

  • You buy an Amazon gift card at the grocery store
    • That gives you 5% on your purchase
  • You use the Amazon gift card on Amazon
    • So you got 5% at Amazon

On the other hand, you lose the extended warranty you’d get by paying with your credit card directly. This can still be a useful tip, considering how many people don’t even know their credit card offers an extended warranty and how many people don’t want to make the simple effort of putting in a claim. You can read more about the gift cards trick.

 

15 travel items on sale

Now, here are the travel items.

 

1. Travel packing cubes

Price: $18.98 (was $25.99 — 27% off)

Details ›

Travel packing cubes (image credit: Amazon)

 

I never have any problems traveling light; I’ve taken almost 500 flights and it’s always without taking checked bags, as all flight pros always do. It’s in large part thanks to the packing cubes, and that’s why it’s 1 of only 6 truly essential items.
 

2. Universal adapter

Price: $23.19 (was $28.99 — 20% discount)

Details ›

Universal adapter (image credit: Amazon)

 

Not a huge discount and not the sexiest of the only 6 truly essential items, but an adapter is a must-have when we’re a serious traveler (or want to become one). 

 

3. Portable charger

Price: $23.68 (was $33.99 — 30% off)

Details ›

Portable charger (image credit: Amazon)

 

If you didn’t know about it, you probably liked our pro tip to stop being ripped off by the $15 per day Internet access scam while traveling, so you should have a portable charger too so you can always be connected and be safe — it’s another of the only 6 truly essential items.

 

4. Small backpack that fits under the seat

Price: $31.99 (was $54.54 — 41% off)

Details ›

Small deluxe small backpack anti-theft (image credit: Amazon)

 

Unfortunately, many people don’t know that you’re allowed 2 bags in the cabin (with a few rare exceptions), so a small backpack is 1 of only 6 truly essential items. Pretty much any backpack will do if you want a more affordable one, but this one is on sale and made specifically for electronics (a little less stuff will fit, but it can be handy).  

 

5. Daypack for during the trip

Price: $27.99 (was $39.99 — 30% off)

Details ›

Daypack for during the trip (image credit: Amazon)

 

We love having a little daypack like this, which folds up into a little pouch. It’s 1 of only 6 truly essential items.

 

6. Toiletry kit

Price: $13.58 (was $16.98 — 20% off)

Details ›

Toiletry kit (image credit: Amazon)

 

Just to remind you that pretty much everything you need in terms of products can be bought at your destination, and for the rest you’re entitled to a 1-liter bag with 100-mL bottles that can be in a toiletry bag like this. It’s the 6th item of the only 6 truly essential items, the one on which I’ve cheated and combined with the next to create an item for all those handy little organizational items. 
 

7. Waterproof passport holder

Price: $19.19 (was $29.99 — 36% off)

Details ›

Waterproof passport holder (image credit: Amazon)

 

Keep your passport in a secure holder so you don’t damage it and then complain that a country has refused you entry (almost all countries have an official entry rule that your passport must be completely intact). 

 

8. Tracker to find your luggage

Price: $27.99 (was $34.99 — 20% off)

Details

Tracker to find your luggage (image credit: Amazon)

 

I have this exact model, it’s wonderful. There’s also the Apple AirTag version at 23% off, if you’re part of the Apple cult.

It’s not in the only 6 truly essential items, but it’s in the bonus 4 that are essential for almost everyone. Certainly for all those who bring a checked bag. Airlines will probably lose your checked bag if you have one, so… the tracker is vital. But even for me, who never brings checked baggage, I put it in each of my backpacks and in my wallet so I don’t lose anything (I got 2 packs of 2). 

 

9. Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

Price: $269 (was $479 — 44% off)

Details ›

Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (image credit: Amazon)

 

The newest model of Bose headphones I have (one of the very few expensive items I have). They’re just wonderful to shut out airplane noise, so I included them in the bonuses in addition to the only 6 truly essential items.

 

10. Beats headphones

Price: $179.94 (was $279.95 — 36% off)

Details ›

Beats headphones (image credit: Amazon)

 

If you want to save a bit, Beats headphones are 43% off, but I can’t say if they’re as good as the others. 

 

11. Luxury neck pillow

Price: $55.99 (was $79.99 — 30% discount)

Details ›

Luxury neck pillow (image credit: Amazon)

 

Personally, I don’t want to carry this around, but many travelers can’t do without a neck pillow, and this one is highly rated. I’ve included it in the bonus section of the only 6 truly essential items since many people are more interested in comfort for a few hours than in the inconvenience of carrying it around for weeks. 

 

12. Apple Watch

Price: $439 (was $589 — 25% off)

Details ›

Apple Watch (image credit: Amazon)

 

I don’t have any Apple products, but those who do seem to love the Apple Watch. I do like my Fitbit though, and its 36% off for Black Friday. 

 

13. Waterproof action camera

Price: $50.99 (was $70 – 27% off)

Details ›

Waterproof action camera (image credit: Amazon)

 

It’s not a GoPro, but this camera has very good reviews too.

 

14. Portable luggage scale

Price: $15.18 (was $25.99 — 42% off)

Details ›

Portable luggage scale (image credit: Amazon)

 

I don’t have one, but if you want to check the weight of your bags, this portable scale is the best seller. 

 

15. Selfie stick with tripod

Price: $29.99 (was $53.99 — 44% off)

Details ›

Selfie stick with tripod (image credit: Amazon)

 

If you want to take pictures, this selfie stick kit is practical and doesn’t take up too much space.

 

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Summary

For a limited time only, you can take advantage of great discounts on travel essentials thanks to Amazon Black Friday! And I hope the tips to maximize your rewards at Amazon at all times will have helped you understand the wonderful world of travel rewards.

What would you like to know about travel essentials? Tell us in the comments below.

 

See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights

Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards

Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks: Travel tips

 

Featured image: Landmannalaugar, Iceland (photo credit: Jonatan Pie)

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Andrew D'Amours

Andrew is the co-founder of Flytrippers. He is passionate about traveling the world but also, as a former management consultant, about the travel industry itself. He shares his experiences to help you save money on travel. As a very cost-conscious traveler, he loves finding deals and getting free travel thanks to travel rewards points... to help him visit every country in the world (current count: 71/193 Countries, 47/50 US States & 9/10 Canadian Provinces).

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