Our Favorite Travel Gear (Black Friday Edition)

In this episode of the Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down their all-time favorite travel gear—just in time for Black Friday. After years of testing backpacks, carry-ons, tech essentials, and outfit must-haves on real trips, they’re sharing only the items they truly can’t travel without. No random Amazon finds here—these picks are battle-tested. They also highlight some exclusive Black Friday discounts on top award travel tools, including Seats.aero, Roame, and CardPointers, with all the codes and links waiting in the show notes. From choosing the perfect backpack and staying organized with a dedicated travel wallet, to packing smarter with toiletry kits, versatile clothing, and go-to airport outfits, this episode is packed with practical tips you can use on your next trip. Whether you’re a carry-on-only traveler or gearing up for a long-haul flight, Chris and Katie share clever, experience-driven advice that makes traveling smoother, lighter, and a whole lot easier. If you like saving money and traveling smarter, this episode is for you. Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app, and send your questions to podcast@upgradedpoints.com 00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 33 01:00 Black Friday Sales: Seats.aero, Roame, and CardPointers 02:15 Favorite Travel Gear 09:27 Carry-on Luggage Tips 13:32 Travel Wallets 17:10 Toiletry Bag 21:54 Travel Wardrobe 32:55 Packing Cubes 36:00 Travel Tech We Love 41:46 Black Friday Shopping Tips 44:43 Listener Q&A Black Friday Deals (Good through December 1, 2025) Save 30% on Seats.aero with code Friday2530: upgradedpoints.com/go/SeatsAero Save 40% on Roame with code UPGRADED40: upgradedpoints.com/go/Roame Save 50% on CardPointers:- upgradedpoints.com/go/CardPointers Backpacks and Weekender Bags: The Everywhere Bag - Away: upgradedpoints.com/go/AwayEverywhere Tumi Voyageur Atlanta Backpack: upgradedpoints.com/go/SaksTumiVoyageurAtlantaBackpack Lululemon City Essentials Duffle Bag 28L: upgradedpoints.com/go/lululemonCityEssentialsDuffleBag28L Carry-On Luggage Tumi 19 Degree International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On: upgradedpoints.com/go/TumiInternationalCarryOnMacys ROAM Carry-On: upgradedpoints.com/go/RoamLuggageCarryOn Away Carry-On: upgradedpoints.com/go/AwayCarryOnPocket Monos Carry-On: upgradedpoints.com/go/MonosCarryOnPro Travel Accessories: TUMI Alpha Electronic Cord Pouch: upgradedpoints.com/go/SaksTUMICordPouch TUMI Small Madeline Cosmetic Case: upgradedpoints.com/go/TumiSmallMadelineCosmeticsCase Monos Compressible Packing Cubes: upgradedpoints.com/go/MonosCompressiblePackingCubes4Pack TUMI travel jewelry case: upgradedpoints.com/go/​​TumiJewelryCase TUMI electronic cord pouch at Saks: upgradedpoints.com/go/SaksTUMICordPouch Credit card wallet: upgradedpoints.com/go/AmazonCreditCardWallet Travel Wardrobe Lululemon Be Calm Mid-Rise Wide-Leg Pants: upgradedpoints.com/go/LululemonBeCalmMidRisePant Lululemon Dance Studio Mid-Rise Pants: upgradedpoints.com/go/lululemonDanceStudioMidRisePant Lululemon Oversized Scuba Hoodie: upgradedpoints.com/go/lululemonScubaOversizedFullZipHoodie On Cloud 6 shoes: upgradedpoints.com/go/OnCloud6ShoesMens Insider T-shirts: https://insiderstore.com/ Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on UpgradedPoints.com Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Upgradedpoints