10 Game-Changing Products Every Super Traveler Should Own

10 Game-Changing Products Every Super Traveler Should Own
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There are travelers and there are "super travelers," the savvy ones who are constantly booking new flights and always on the go. These are the frequent flyers who use priority lanes, know exactly which seat to book on each type of aircraft, and essentially feel at home in an airport. For those already at that level, or anyone aspiring to get there, this list will help you reach that super status.

GLOBAL WI-FI: XCOM GLOBAL
When traveling internationally, it's easy to rack up cell phone charges. Instead of paying your wireless carrier to use data while overseas, Xcom Global will rent you a personal wireless hotspot that conveniently fits in your pocket or bag. You can order online, and the personal device is shipped directly to your home or business along with a prepaid return label. Rates are reasonable, and the device will provide hours of Internet access and save you on cell phone bills in the long term.

EXTRA BATTERY LIFE: JACKERY
Cell phones and personal tablets have become part of our daily routines, and one of the worst feelings is when your device dies. With a wide range of battery backups, frequent travelers need something that won't lose charge after one or two uses. Jackery offers that and comes in different sizes and styles. The extra weight in your carryon will be worth recharging multiple times.

SKIP THE LINES: GLOBAL ENTRY
When flying international, coming home is usually a strenuous process, as the lines can be long and tedious. With a fast application and interview process, Global Entry provides travelers with a speedier re-entry into the country with a quick scan and no lines.

LOUNGE IT UP: PRIORITY PASS
The airport doesn't have to be a stressful experience. With the purchase of Priority Pass, you can gain access to hundreds of lounges in airports around the world. It doesn't matter what airline or frequent flyer program you are associated with, Priority Pass will provide you entrance, and with a convenient app for smart phones that offers all the possible options in each airport, it saves time and allows for that extra relaxation period before your flight.

WORK ABOVE THE CLOUDS: GOGO INFLIGHT PASS
Flying domestic? There is no excuse for not working while flying with Gogo Inflight Internet. You can save some money by purchasing a monthly or yearly package, so each time the plane reaches a cruising altitude, you can simply log in and start surfing, working, or playing.

HASSLE FREE LUGGAGE: LUGGAGE FREE
If you are traveling to multiple destinations for extended periods of time, don't drag your luggage around with you from place to place. Luggage Free will pick up your bags from your hotel and have them waiting for you at your final destination, saving time and alleviating the stress of baggage claims.

THE PERFECT PACK: BRENTHAVEN PACK
Go ahead and leave your laptop in your bag. This Brenthaven Broadmore backpack is TSA approved and when unzipped, lies flat like a tray. You just have to undo one zipper, and the scanner's X-ray can see right through the material, allowing you to leave everything inside the bag. The multiple storage compartments and ample space permit heavy-duty packing and storing all of your gadgets.

UNPLUG: SOL REPUBLIC
There's nothing worse than being confined by your headphone wires. Wireless headphones powered by Bluetooth are a great option when traveling, and they filter out all the distracting airplane noise. Sol Republic wireless headphones have a play time of approximately thirteen hours and can be taken apart easily for convenient carryon storage.

PACK IN STYLE: BRIGGS & RILEY/HOOK & ALBERT
Super travelers know investing in good luggage is worth the price. The three-piece hard-shell Torq line by Briggs & Riley comes with a lifetime performance guarantee and is extremely lightweight while still providing that extra comfort of knowing your personal belongings are safely secured. For quick trips, the perfect weekender is a necessity. The Hook & Albert garment weekender is not only stylish, but it's also beyond practical. The weekender unzips and unfolds into a garment bag with strategically placed compartments for easy storage.

TREAT YOURSELF: MALIN + GOETZ
Flying can leave you looking and feeling exhausted. During your flight, take some time to wash your face or lather up on lotion. Malin + Goetz offers a starter kit and many other travel-sized products in their line. Their high quality products are used in the best hotels all around the world.

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Before You Go

Packing tips
(01 of09)
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1. INVEST IN A GOOD CARRY-ON BAG.Well-constructed bags will stand up to hundreds of flights, whether they're stowed in the overhead bin or checked down below. The lighter and more versatile, the better. In my experience, the best overall value is the Travelpro Crew series (pictured), though my personal favorite is the (pricier) Briggs & Riley Baseline bag. But once you commit to spending $200 or more on a rollaboard, the real question that divides luggage partisans is two wheels or four? You’ll need to pick your personal travel style.
(02 of09)
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2. WRINKLES ARE FOR AMATEURS.There are great ways to pack clothes without wrinkling them; I’ve never been any good at most of them. Environmentalists cringe at running a steaming hot shower with the bathroom door closed to get out creases from luggage. So I bring a bottle of Downey Wrinkle Releaser in my liquids bag everywhere I go. A few spritzes and wrinkles come out well. I try not to overpack, or keep clothes packed for too long, and the wrinkles aren’t usually that bad to begin with.
(03 of09)
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3. PACKING IS A LAST-MINUTE EXERCISE.I don’t keep a “go bag” pre-packed. For most people, trips are different enough—length, climate, attire, schedule (day only? Evening?) that one pre-packed bag just doesn’t make sense. I keep the clothing I travel with in one area, along with the electronics I only take on trips (compact power strip, extra cords for charging devices) and my travel-sized liquids, and that lets me pack in under five minutes.
(04 of09)
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4. SIGN UP FOR GLOBAL ENTRY.Once approved, you will also get TSA PreCheck. It costs $100, but several frequent flyer programs and credit cards (such as United MileagePlus for top elites and American Express for its Platinum and Centurion cardholders) will refund the fee for you. It’s $15 more than just signing up for PreCheck and also gets you through immigration and customs quickly when returning to the U.S. (and also when entering Australia). But either program gets you through the security checkpoints quicker.)
(05 of09)
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5. DON’T PAY CHECKED BAG FEES.Most airlines now charge for checked bags—but they don’t charge everyone. An airline’s frequent flyers (and often, the frequent flyers of their airline partners as well) will get fees waived; and so will most airline co-brand credit card holders. If you fly an airline frequently, but not enough to earn status (such as flying 25,000 on that airline and its partners in a year) consider signing up for the airline’s credit card. It may save you money, and also help you board earlier to ensure you have overhead space.
(06 of09)
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6. CHECK YOUR CARRY-ON SIZE (AND YOUR AIRCRAFT BIN SIZE).Most airlines allow 21-inch carry-on bags, but not all 21-inch bags are created equal. You want one that will fit in your airline’s ‘bin sizer’ by the gate so you aren’t forced to check a bag you want to carry on. Many regional aircraft have small bins that won’t fit a rollaboard bag and you’ll have to check it plane-side. You’ll get the bag back plane-side when you land as well, but you don’t want to pack valuable items or sensitive electronics in bags that will have to get checked.
(07 of09)
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7. PACK A FIRST-DAY BAG.If you're connecting, keep everything you need for the first day of your trip in your carry-on. Connections add increased complexity and risk of bag loss. Odds are if your bag is lost, it will make it on the next flight, but you might not have the bag back for a day (or longer, in more remote destinations). Carry key personal items (medicine, basic toiletries, documents) and an immediate change of clothing in your carry-on, if possible.
(08 of09)
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8. CHECK IN ONLINE.If you’re flying an international airline, check in online (or they may make you check your bag). Many international airlines have weight limits on carry-on bags—that they enforce—so the roller bag you take on U.S. domestic flights may get taken and stowed below on an international flight.
(09 of09)
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9. CHECK YOUR BAG AT THE GATE.Airlines are usually enthusiastic to have passengers check bags at the boarding gate rather than having them carry bags onboard. It speeds up the boarding process (since looking futily for overhead bin space on a packed plane eats up time). If you take your bag through the security checkpoint, and you want to check it (or it’s too big to fit), you can likely do so for free. It's a small reward for dragging your luggage through security.

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