My colleague Elizabeth Lilly travels A LOT. Here's what she has to say about the perks of signing up for this membership:
"I put off getting TSA PreCheck and even Global Entry for YEARS despite flying ~10x a year because I'm a person who likes to get to the airport early and has getting through security down to an efficient routine. However, my breaking point was July 2021 when I had to wait soooo long at the airport when coming back to the country from Croatia (I had Mobile Passport at the time, but the machines were broken, so I had to wait in line with everyone else). I went to Italy about a month later after signing up for Global Entry, and coming back to the country was a breeze. I just had to let a machine take my picture, print out a receipt with said picture, and then place it in a nearby TSA agent's open palm. Then, onto baggage claim! I've since used the Global Entry portion six times and the TSA PreCheck about a dozen times since getting it. So I feel as if I've already gotten my money's worth in less than two years."
Apply with the Department of Homeland Security for $100. Once you're approved, you have to do an in-person interview and if approved on the spot, you can have your TSA PreCheck and Global Entry privileges available immediately.
Truffle is a woman-owned small business that specializes in bags and accessories that are TSA-approved or stadium-approved.
Promising review: "I travel for work quite a bit and love to add this to my travel uniform. It’s hard being away from the comforts of home, but when the things you travel with are of the best quality and offer practicality, it can feel special. If you like quality, don’t hesitate! No more plastic bags for me! ;)" —SOFÍA J.
Get it from Truffle for $75+ (available in four sizes and nine colors).
Twelve South is a husband-and-wife-owned small business based in Charleston, South Carolina. They've been designing accessories inspired by and made for Apple products since 2009. It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual.
Promising review: "I love this gadget...I fly a lot, and this works on the majority of wide-body planes I’ve taken over the past six months. It plugs into one of the three-prong outlets (or a single outlet in economy), and you can connect any Bluetooth device. It doesn’t always connect on the first try, as I have multiple devices that my headphones are searching for, but if you turn off all other devices, it seems to connect right away. Once connected, it works for many hours. A few planes I’ve taken recently (Qatar Airways) have USB charge points so close to the headphone jack that you can even plug it in while it's working and never lose the charge. Highly recommend for travelers." —Joseph Britto
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in various styles and two colors).
Read more about compression socks and swelling or long flights at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising review: "These socks have not let me down! I do a lot of cross-country flying and often have pain in my calves or my feet falling asleep through the flights. I’ve worn these socks on a few different trips now, and they’re incredible! They don’t get too hot, and they’re just tight enough to feel like a little hug around my legs. Amazing." —N G
Get them from Amazon for $14.26+ (available in unisex sizes S–XXL and 13 styles).
Check out my colleague's Physix Gear compression socks review for more deets!
Promising review: "I was definitely skeptical about a bar shampoo and conditioner, but I travel a lot and really wanted to cut down the use of plastic products as much as possible. I honestly am in love! I got the Heali Kiwi shampoo bar and the Wonderbar conditioner, as well as one of their eco-friendly bamboo and sugar cane storage containers, and my very long, fine, oily hair, which I do have to wash daily, looks and feels great. I recommend anyone on the fence to definitely give it a try! It works! So wonderful for travel too!" —M.A.
Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in 11 varieties).
The set includes three different size packing cubes, one bra and underwear bag, one shoe bag, and one bag for your toiletries.
Promising review: "I travel for work frequently and, over the years, have become a packing genius, but these have upped my game. I can easily use the large cube to pack an entire week of clothes and put it in my carry-on with room to spare. I’ll use one of the smaller ones for my intimates, and I’m good to go! I have recommended these to lots of people and even bought some as gifts for fellow travelers. Get these if you’re on the go! You won’t regret it." —abel
Get the six-piece set from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 13 colors).
Promising review: "If you travel a lot, buy this!! Even if you don't travel, this phone holder would be useful. My hubby and I fly fairly often, and I'm always tired of holding my phone or figuring out how to set it up during plane rides. This is a game changer for flights. Makes it so easy and convenient to watch movies or shows during trips. A few people even asked me where I got it from. Definitely recommend!" —Alex Norman
Get it from Amazon for $13.97+ (available in three colors and as a two-pack).
Note: This can get flagged with going through security, so you may want to put it in an easily accessible place in your checked bag to be safe.
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work and usually take a lot of measures for extra security, such as keeping the luggage roller in my room all week and rolling it in front of the door. It was large and cumbersome, but with this gadget, it's great! You can use it on almost any door, and it works better than the makeshift 'fork' one. Frequent traveler or not, this item offers peace of mind, which can prove invaluable while away from home. (I can even use it on my door at my house!)" —Deactivated
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
Plus, it comes with a set of earplugs to block out all the noise around you!
Promising review: "I do a lot of traveling and many red-eye flights! Sleep is an important issue! My previous masks let in some light as well as put pressure against my closed eyes! This product has no light seepage, and my eyes are not in contact with the mask, which gives me total comfort! I highly recommend this product to anyone who travels frequently!" —Donna Smolinski
Get the set from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in six colors).
It folds up so small that it was awarded a Guinness World Record in 2014 for the most compact stroller. It can hold kids who weigh up to 55 pounds and only weighs 9.5 pounds.
Promising review: "We are frequent travelers. I've been on 15 flights with my 17-month-old toddler. I wish I would have bought this a long time ago. It's the best purchase we have ever made. It is sturdy, folds very easily, has a great design, and can literally fit in a reusable grocery bag. Highly recommend!" —Kateryna
Get it from Amazon for $219.99+ (available in two colors and three styles).
Plus, the bag is water-resistant and has two exterior zip pockets, two interior shoe pockets, and a padded handle wrap. Yes, this one bag really can do it all.
Promising review: "I travel a lot for work and needed something lightweight and convenient. This fits the bill nicely and allows me to completely jettison a second carry-on. It’s great! Lots of storage. I love that it has room for shoes. No issues with wrinkles. Highly recommend it." —CB
Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in five colors and two sizes).
For more info on how to use acupressure for nausea management, check out this guide from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Promising review: "Simple game changer! My car sickness has been getting worse for years. I often drive with my family back to my hometown, about five hours away. I put these on and was finally able to ride without constantly fighting nausea. They fit comfortably, and I quickly forgot they were on. This feels like a simple, cost-efficient fix." —Breya Porter
Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.85 (available in adult and children's sizes).
Promising review: "I am a very frequent traveler and had lived through many 13+ hour flights prior to purchasing this pillow. After using it for the first time on my 13-hour flight to Tokyo, I will never fly without it again! It was comfortable not only for sleeping while leaning forward but also for leaning against the window on the larger international plane. If you're traveling with a companion, it is also very comfortable being used between two people. I especially love how there are holes for your arms, and they can be used at different angles/positions. It made for a very restful flight overall." —Elizabeth B
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
Promising review: "This is essential for flying! I fly pretty often throughout the year, and after having numerous leakage issues with regular plastic travel containers, I decided to go the silicone route and am so glad I did. I love that this set includes different sizes of bottles and tools to help fill/empty them, so reusing them is a breeze, and there is no wasted product. The variety of colors is great, so I can easily tell apart my toiletries, even without the included labels! Love this set and highly recommend it!" —Hennie S.
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in various combos).
Promising review: "This works out so well for me. I’m a flight attendant, and I’ve had an infinite amount of day trips over the summer. I got tired of carrying around my regular TravelPro spinner, so I finally ordered this. SOOOOO MUCH BETTER FOR ME. It’s light, has enough pockets, and can easily fit under a seat if needed. The ONLY picky thing I can think of is how loud it sounds going across rough concrete. The wheels aren’t as silent as others, but that won’t stop me from buying another in the future." —Kayla T.
Get it from Amazon for $42.51+ (available in four colors).
Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.97.
Promising review: "This stuff is awesome. I take it everywhere! We travel a lot, and it's perfect for all sorts of reasons! It was very useful on our trip to Israel, where I ended up doing laundry in our hotel sink almost every night because of the dust. The packaging is very small, and for as much as I have used this traveling, I haven't run out yet!" —Mia Bauer
Get it from Amazon for $12.95.
Promising review: "You can totally fit three pairs of shoes in this! (Size 6.5 female shoe, fit heels, wedges, and sandals.) I bought two and will absolutely be buying more for my husband. 10/10 would recommend! I travel frequently, and I always overpack; this helped cut down space and stress immensely!" —Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in nine colors and patterns).
Promising review: "I travel a fair amount and am an admitted tech gadget enthusiast and became tired of dragging around a jumbled bag of cables, connectors, adapters, earbuds, thumb drives, card readers, MP3 players, and other necessities that resembled an episode of Hoarders. This little pouch tamed the beast — a place for everything and everything in its place. The other side of the double-sided pouch holds a power pack, a multi-port USB charger, and even a short extension cord. This is a great setup if you're frequently on the road, and you don't have to worry about forgetting that 'critical' connector..." —Snowbound
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors).
Promising review: "I got this for a friend after buying one for myself! I travel frequently and always struggle to organize my jewelry so it won't be in a tangled mess once reaching my destination. This organizer accomplishes that as well as helps me to easily see what I brought with me!" —Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors and patterns).
Reviewers say it's ideal for a suitcase that can roll on four wheels! If you have a suitcase that has to tilt while it rolls, just be careful if the drinks are open at the top.
Promising review: "We travel by air a lot, and this is great for your carry-on luggage when you have no hands. We always get a drink at the airport, so this helps a lot." —Rhonda Bolash
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in 30 colors, patterns, and styles).
Promising review: "This is incredible! I can't believe how well this works! I travel a lot for work and usually take makeup remover wipes because of the liquid restrictions for travel, but they are expensive and heavy. I have been using this cloth all week and LOVE IT! A bit of warm water and everything comes off in a few easy swipes. I am super excited to travel with this. It weighs nothing and rolls up to take very little space. I am ordering another for my mom who also travels. Highly recommend!" —KT
Get it from Amazon for $3.99 (available in four colors).
Promising review: "These are great! I travel around a lot for work, and I also have Invisalign, so I like to keep one in my work bag as well as my travel bag. The best part is the convenience. I used to carry a toothbrush in a case that took up a lot of room in my work bag as well as my travel bag. Now, I just use these. They are small, durable, and easy to use, and the brush is fully covered when it is fully closed, which is what I was a little worried about at first. It was exactly what I was looking for in a travel toothbrush. I highly recommend it, and I will be purchasing it again." —Demetri
Get the two-pack from Amazon for $5.99 (available in two brush stiffnesses).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.