We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Travel Products Gift Guides The 50 Best Gift Cards for Travel Lovers We’ve rounded up the best gift cards for any travel lover on your shopping list. By Kaitlyn McInnis Kaitlyn McInnis Kaitlyn McInnis is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer with bylines in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Tatler Asia, CNN, The Points Guy, and more. Born and raised in Canada, she specializes in writing Canadian and international travel guides. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines and Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 15, 2024 Photo: Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa The benefits of travel are impossible to wrap up neatly with a bow. You just can’t put a price tag on an impossibly beautiful view, the experience touching down on a new continent, or that life-changing conversation with a local who lives oceans away. That said, a travel-related gift card is probably the closest you’ll get to giving the actual gift of travel to your loved ones (without booking their flights or hotels for them, anyway!). You’ll want to make sure to select a gift card you know they will be able to put to use. If your loved ones always fly Delta, for example, you won’t want to select a gift card from a different airline. If they’re planning a backpacking trip through South America in the near future, they’ll benefit much more from a Columbia gift card, where they can stock up on camping and hiking gear, versus one from a luxe hotel chain. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best gift cards for jetsetters, from cruise lines and airlines to the top luggage and accessory brands. Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Gift Card PHOTO: Southwest Airlines $100 at Amazon View on Southwest.com Southwest is known for offering booking flexibility with no hidden costs, and the airline consistently ranks on our World's Best domestic airlines list. If you've got a friend or family member who's looking to plan their dream trip, you'll be their new favorite person with this pick. Delta Delta eGift Card PHOTO: Delta $50 at Target View on Delta.com View on Kroger.com Delta’s SkyMiles offers one of the best rewards programs in the business — which is why there are so many frequent flyers who swear by the airline. The Delta eGift Card is particularly practical as you can purchase one to instantly email to your favorite traveler, making it an exceptional ultra-last-minute gift. Hotels.com Hotels.com Gift Card PHOTO: Hotels.com $15 at Amazon View on Hotels.com Expedia's hotel arm, Hotels.com, is one of the best places to score hotel bookings and packages for less. The site is always offering savings at some of the top spots around the world, whether you book for now or later. You'll effectively be gifting a discount and taking care of the bill, too. Airbnb Airbnb Gift Card PHOTO: Amazon $100 at Amazon $50 at Target View on Airbnb.com There’s something about checking into an Airbnb that can feel a lot cozier for certain travelers, especially if they’re planning a long-term trip to a new city. The gift of an Airbnb gift card will give them the leeway to select their own unique apartment or home anywhere in the world while still cutting down the overall cost of their trip. Princess Cruise Princess Cruise Lines Gift Card PHOTO: Princess Cruise Lines View on Amazon View on Buyatab.com Princess Cruise Lines sails to 380 cruise destinations across more than 100 countries — and all seven continents — which makes this an excellent option for the traveler on your list who has been planning a bucket list cruise for ages. Gift cards are available for as little as $50 and as much as $500 (but you can always purchase a custom amount). Holland America Holland America Gift Card PHOTO: Holland America View on Amazon View on Hollandamerica.com Holland America Line was founded nearly 150 years ago in 1873, and has continued to be one of the most trusted cruise lines on the sea. The premium ships are smaller than most cruise lines which will give them a much more intimate experience; the average guest also tends to be a bit older which makes this option great for travel fiends who prefer a more laid-back experience at sea. The 50 Best Gifts for Women Who Love to Travel Amtrak Amtrak Gift Card PHOTO: Amtrak View on Amtrak.com Shopping for a travel lover who prefers riding the rails to boarding flights? Amtrak gift cards are available from $25 to $250 and will allow them to book a train journey anywhere in the United States, and select destinations in Canada. We also love that this option can be emailed directly to the recipient at a scheduled date and time. Starbucks Starbucks Gift Card PHOTO: Starbucks View on Amazon View on Starbucks.com We know, we know. Part of the thrill of travel is experiencing the local customs and culinary offerings — and that includes coffee culture. But sometimes we just need that venti iced caramel macchiato to shake off the jet lag. The only thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that Starbucks cards don’t work in every country, so giftees won’t be able to use an U.S card in most places in Europe or Asia, for example, but Ireland, Australia, and the U.K. should be fine. Nordstrom Nordstrom Gift Card PHOTO: Nordstrom View on Amazon $25 at Target View on Nordstrom Not exactly sure when or where your favorite traveler is planning their next escape? No worries since a Nordstrom gift card offers infinite possibilities. Whether they need a new suitcase or carry-on duffel bag, or they’re looking to invest in a few new swimsuits for a winter getaway, there are thousands of practical (and pretty) items available both in-store and online. Foot Locker Foot Locker Gift Card PHOTO: Foot Locker View on Footlocker.com It doesn’t matter if they’re planning a backpacking trip around Southeast Asia or they’ve booked a weeklong vineyard-hopping experience in France, it always pays to have a comfortable pair of walking shoes. A gift card to Foot Locker will allow travelers to choose the stylish and practical sneakers, sandals, or boots that best suit their specific needs and preferences. (This option also offers email delivery for those ultra-last-minute shoppers.) Uber Uber Gift Card PHOTO: Uber View on Amazon $100 at Walmart Navigating a new city can be stressful, especially when you first touch down at the airport after a long-haul flight. Thankfully, Uber is now available in many parts of the world and even has designated airport pick-up zones, making a gift certificate not only a smart idea but one that will help you rest easy, knowing your loved one can make it from point A to point B safely. Amazon Amazon Gift Card PHOTO: Amazon $50 at Amazon When you think of traveling, your first instinct might not be to shop online, but it’s easy to get all sorts of before-they-go essentials here from packing cubes to portable chargers and suitcases under $100. If your pal is already subscribed to Amazon Prime, a gift card to this marketplace will help them keep their bags stocked even quicker. Apple Apple Gift Card PHOTO: Apple View on Apple Have a digitally nomadic friend who you constantly have to locate via Instagram? They've mastered the skill of booking a flight at the drop of a hat and finding the cheapest last-minute hotel deal, but they could always use a little insurance for their most valuable asset: their technology. With an Apple gift card, they'll be able to buy accessories they need or enjoy a little discount if their laptop or iPhone bites the dust on the road. Air Canada Air Canada Gift Card PHOTO: Air Canada View on Paypal.com View on Buyatab.com Looking to find the right gift for your travel-loving pal up north? Air Canada gift cards are a great option for anyone who regularly travels between the U.S. and Canada, as well as Canadians who travel internationally as the airline currently serves more than 220 destinations worldwide on six continents. Zappos Zappos Gift Card PHOTO: Zappos View on Zappos For trips where much of the sightseeing will take place on foot, a gift card to Zappos will help your friend find the most comfortable shoes for these upcoming plans. Whether they’re in the market for winter boots for a mountain escape or sandals for an upcoming beach vacation, there’s something to suit every kind of traveler. CheapOair CheapOair Gift Card PHOTO: CheapOair View on Cheapoair.com Whether they’re planning a trip in the next few months or they’re still saving for a dream European vacation, you can still give the gift of adventure with a CheapOair gift card, since they never expire. CheapOair will allow your loved one to search for the least expensive routes and flight paths and start planning their dream trip, whenever that might be. Columbia Columbia Gift Card PHOTO: Columbia View on Columbia.com After months of training, your sister is finally setting out to hike the Appalachian Trail all by her bad self. Express your support and encouragement with a gift card to Columbia, one of the leading trusted brands in outdoor wear. Depending on how generous you're feeling, you can outfit her with a tent, an insulated jacket, a backpack, and much more. Fluent City Fluent City Gift Card PHOTO: Fluent City View on Fluentcity.com If being able to speak another language comfortably has always been a goal for your mom as she plans her dream trip to Rome, consider giving the gift of the spoken word. Right now, Fluent City offers both private and group language lessons online. Even if it's a while before she puts her Italian skills to the test, she'll be more than prepared for when she finally arrives. Away Away Gift Card PHOTO: Away View on Awaytravel.com We’ve been big fans of Away luggage for their functional designs, gorgeous colors, and affordable price points ever since the brand’s inception back in 2015. Digital gift cards can be used in-store or online, and you can load the card up to $1,000 (to outfit your loved one with a full set of suitcases and travel accessories). REI REI Gift Card PHOTO: REI View on REI If your travel-loving buddy is more of a backpacker and camper and less of the luxury hotel type, a gift card to REI will be right up their alley. The multi-purpose store stocks everything they could possibly need for their next adventure in the great outdoors, from camping gear and weatherproof apparel to snacks appropriate for trekking in the bush. Sephora Sephora Gift Card PHOTO: Sephora View on Sephora Stocking up on travel-sized skin care and cosmetics is easy at Sephora, with hundreds of well-loved beauty brands offering miniature products to fit in a carry-on without going over the liquid limit. We especially love that Sephora allows you to customize a gift card with your own images or sayings. Let those creative juices flow! Audible Audible Gift Card PHOTO: Audible $45 at Amazon $45 at audible.com Book-loving travelers know the struggle of wanting to pack enough paperbacks to last the entire trip but also not wanting to run the risk of overweight baggage fees. A gift card for Audible will allow them to download as many books as they want to listen to right on a smartphone instead. The 13 Best Travel Journals MaidPro MaidPro Gift Certificate PHOTO: MaidPro View on Maidpro.com Nobody likes coming back to a messy house after a long trip, but sometimes there’s just not enough time to tidy up, pack, and make it to the airport in time. A gift certificate to MaidPro will allow travelers to pre-schedule a professional cleaner to come, so all they’ll have to do is unpack and relax in an already tidy home. Spafinder Spafinder Gift Card PHOTO: Amazon $50 at Amazon $25 at Target View on Spafinder.com You might not know the details of your loved ones’ next five-star vacation, but a gift card to SpaFinder lets you give them a little dose of luxury whenever that may be. These gift cards are universal and can be redeemed at thousands of spas across the United States, and all over the world, so you can pretty much guarantee they’ll be able to find an eligible establishment in their future travels. Marriott International Marriott International Gift Card PHOTO: Marriott View on Marriott.com If they’re all about racking in those Bonvoy points, you’ll want to consider a gift certificate to Marriott International. The digital gift cards are universal, which means gift recipients can put them toward their next stay anywhere in the world as long as it falls under the Marriott umbrella (think Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Westin, and more). Fairmont Fairmont Gift Card PHOTO: Fairmont View on Fairmont.com A Fairmont gift card pretty much guarantees a luxurious experience. Whether your jetsetting friend uses it to check into one of the hundreds of historic properties around the world (like the Grand Railway Hotels across Canada, for example), or to enjoy a three-course meal, you know it’ll be put to very good use. Hilton Hilton Gift Card PHOTO: Hilton View on Buyhiltongiftcards.com Whether your pal is a road-trip warrior, luxury enthusiast, or budget-conscious adventurer, a gift card to Hilton will suit them just fine. There is a vast network of brands at all price points — from the budget-friendly Hilton Garden Inn to the five-star Waldorf Astoria. The best part? Hilton gift cards don’t expire so they won’t have to rush to plan their next trip. Holland America Holland America Gift Card PHOTO: Holland America View on Amazon View on Hollandamerica.com If there’s a cruise lover on your shopping list, Holland America gift cards can be used to book sailings worldwide and also for onboard purchases to make the journey even better. Whether your friend is looking to cruise Caribbean, European, or Australian waters, this gift card is the best way to start the trip. Tortuga Tortuga Gift Card PHOTO: Amazon $25 at tortugabackpacks.com With Tortuga’s home try-on program, the adventurer in your life can select the perfect travel backpack for their trip and body needs. Tortuga products also offer a worldwide warranty, so this gift card may just be the most reliable gift you give this holiday season. Lyft Lyft Lyft PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon Most of us have enjoyed the convenience of summoning a Lyft to get us where we need to go. A Lyft gift card can not only be used for a comfortable ride, but for Lyft scooters and bikes as well. The gift amount will be credited to your friend’s Lyft account so they can use it however, and whenever, they want. Best Western Best Western Travel Card PHOTO: Best Western View on Bestwestern.com Best Western Hotels and Resorts can be found in more than 100 countries and territories. Gifting the Best Western Travel Card means Rewards points can still be earned on all booked stays, and there’s no expiration date either. Chaco Chaco Gift Card PHOTO: Chaco View on Chacos.com You probably don’t know your friend's shoe size off the top of your head. Instead of guessing, give them a Chaco gift card so they can shop for the best size, shape, and style for their outdoor needs. Physical Chaco gift cards can be shipped or sent electronically for ease and immediate use. Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Airlines Gift Card PHOTO: Amazon View on Hawaiianairlines.com With over 35 destinations to choose from and no expiration date, Hawaiian Airlines’ gift cards will help your traveler start planning a dream vacation. Whether they’re interested in island hopping through Hawaii or exploring the South Pacific, giving this card means they will still earn miles on flights purchased as a present from you. Calpak Calpak Digital Gift Card PHOTO: Calpak Digital View on Calpaktravel.com Calpak luggage and bags are the durable, high-end gift any traveler would love to receive this holiday season. Even better? Sending a Calpak gift card, so they can choose the design that’s best for them. From the sturdy Kaya Laptop Backpack we love to helpful packing cubes, there’s plenty to shop. Four Seasons Four Seasons Gift Card PHOTO: Four Seasons View on Buyatab.com If you’re unsure when shopping for your favorite luxury lover, look no further than the Four Seasons gift card. It’s redeemable for overnight stays, plus dining, spa treatments, and other experiences at Four Seasons locations worldwide. Cards can also be purchased in one of four currencies to avoid exchange rate fees. Carnival Carnival eGift Card PHOTO: Carnival View on Ourgiftcards.com Does your best friend have a Carnival cruise booked this year? Make their trip even better by giving them a Carnival gift card. Not only can it be used once onboard for gifts, drinks, and excursions to make an experience even better, it can be used to book their next cruise as well. Monos Monos Gift Card PHOTO: Monos View on Monos.com Give your adventurer exactly what they want by letting them pick out what they need for an upcoming trip from lightweight luggage to comfortable clothes. The Monos gift card never expires and can be used on top of sales and discount codes, too. Barnes & Noble Barnes & Noble eGift Card PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon Who doesn’t love the planning stages of an upcoming trip? Give the gift of in-flight entertainment with a gift card to Barnes & Noble. Whether your pal is looking for travel guides, magazines, or novels, they’ll find thousands of options in stores and online to get them excited to take off. The 18 Best Personalized Luggage Tags to Make Any Bag Stand Out Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines Gift Certificate PHOTO: Alaska Airlines View on Alaskaair.com With dozens of destinations to choose from, an Alaska Airlines gift certificate suits loved ones traveling throughout the United States and beyond. These gift certificates can be used not only on Alaska Airlines flights, but also Horizon Air or SkyWest flights operated by Alaska Airlines. They never expire and can be delivered directly to your friend’s email or printed and mailed. Nomatic Nomatic Gift Card PHOTO: Nomatic View on Nomatic.com From accessories for everyday travel around town to bags for extended trips, Nomatic has something to offer everyone. The Nomatic gift card is not only a nice pick for your on-the-go friend this season, all products are also covered by a lifetime warranty, too. OneTravel OneTravel Gift Card PHOTO: OneTravel View on Onetravel.com With the OneTravel gift card, your friend can book a flight to their dream destination across the globe. The best part is, you choose when the treat is sent to your loved-one’s email, which means you can buy now and still keep the surprise for later! Virgin Experience Virgin Experience Gifts Gift Card PHOTO: Virgin Experience Gifts View on Virginexperiencegifts.com With a Virgin Experience Gifts gift card, travelers can select an experience — from helicopter tours to murder mystery dinners — based on their location. With hundreds of excursions to choose from in dozens of cities, any adventurer can find something fun and unique to enjoy. Athleta Athleta Gift Card PHOTO: Amazon $25 at Amazon The Athleta gift card is perfect for any active woman on your list as the brand’s sizes range from XXS to 3X. Athleta gear runs on the sportier, more casual side which means styles like their comfy travel pants work both in the air and on a hike, too. Cabela's Cabela's Gift Cards PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon For the outdoor-loving travelers on your list, Cabela’s has everything for your favorite camper and boater. Their gift cards can be redeemed online and instore for both Cabela’s and BassPro Shops giving your friend even more options. Celebrity Cruise Celebrity Cruises E-gift Card PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon With over 300 cruise ports to choose from, your friend has plenty of trip options when receiving a Celebrity Cruises gift card. Treat them to an upscale cruise experience with $50, $100, $250, and $500 denominations to suit your gifting needs. Arlo Skye Arlo Skye Online Gift Cards PHOTO: Amazon View on Arloskye.com Arlo Skye is known for their beautiful and durable luggage — and we all know someone who’s obsessed with traveling in style. This season, give your trendy traveler a gift card to Arlo Skye to help them live out their dreamiest fantasies with a new bag in tow. Goldbelly Goldbelly Gift Card PHOTO: Goldbelly View on Goldbelly.com If your favorite traveler is constantly talking about the mouth-watering pizza they had in New York or the pastries from that one bakery in Los Angeles, they’ll be excited to learn that many of their favorite regional treats are available on Goldbelly. This company partners with eateries around the United States to package and ship food products straight to your friend’s door. Sure, eating at the source is ideal, but this is easily the next best thing. Top Golf Top Golf Gift Card PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon Your pal who’s always planning a trip to a new golf course will appreciate a Top Golf gift card to help them get through stretches of downtime at home. This experience combines the sport with tracking technology, not to mention great food and drinks, to create a fun night for just about anyone. With over 80 locations around the country, there’s a good chance this experience is close by (although it’s worth checking before you purchase anything). MGM Resorts MGM Resorts Gift Card PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon Whether they stay at the same resort every time or like to try new ones, your friend who goes to Las Vegas every year is bound to find some use out of a MGM Resorts gift card. This company operates 14 resorts in Sin City alone, as well as a handful of other resorts in the U.S. and worldwide. Gift cards can be used at participating restaurants, retail shops, bars, and spas, or put towards the cost of a room. Hopper Hopper Gift Card PHOTO: Amazon View on Amazon The Hopper app uses past price trends to help you find great deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. The app is free to use and those deals can be booked directly through Hopper, which is where a gift card comes in handy. In addition to helping users find and book the best deals, the app also offers cool features like the ability to lock in a price for up to three weeks – if the price goes up, they’ll refund up to $300 and if it’s no longer available, they’ll give a full refund. It’s a great service for travelers who like good deals and peace-of-mind while booking. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, Kaitlyn McInnis and Taylor Fox used their experience as travel writers and former lifestyle editors to curate the best options to suit most needs. The 10 Best Passport Covers of 2024 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Updated by Anne Taylor Anne Taylor Anne Taylor is a commerce updates writer at Travel + Leisure where she keeps articles fresh and up to date. As an avid traveler who has been to 23 countries, she is always testing new products to make her trips even better. She has a bachelor’s degree in news media and has been a writer and editor for over seven years. learn more