Whether it’s on hotels, airline tickets or travel gear, there are few things we love more than saving money — which is why we are particularly excited about the next few days.
Tuesday marks the start of Amazon Prime Day. Amazon Prime members can access limited-time sales starting July 16 and running through July 17. Think of it as the summertime version of Black Friday, with exclusive savings only available to Prime members.
Related: Save up to 50% on Amazon purchases using just 1 Amex point
But there’s no need to fret if you are not a Prime member; there are other ways to save. Multiple retailers — including Target, Walmart, Best Buy and Nordstrom — are currently running sales that rival upcoming Prime Day deals on July 16 and 17.
In preparation for Prime Day, we’ve rounded up 9 of the best competitor deals for travelers from other retailers so you can save money no matter where you love to shop.
Tech and accessories
Apple Watch Series 9 GPS — $329 at Walmart (normally $429)
If you’ve been looking to upgrade your Apple Watch, now is the time. The Apple Watch Series 9 is currently on sale for $329, down from its normal price of $429. This smartwatch is great for activity tracking at home or on vacation. You can take your heart rate at any time, track workout performance, monitor how many miles you walk each day and more. The sports band is on sale in four colors: pink, silver, starlight and midnight.
Buy: Apple Watch Series 9 GPS, $329 (normally $429)
Belkin 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger — $20.99 at Best Buy (normally $44.99)
Whether you have an Apple Watch or a newer iPhone, you can’t use these devices unless they’re charged. Along with charging cables, you’ll need a USB-C adapter to plug them into hotel room outlets. This Belkin model can charge three USB-C devices simultaneously and is currently marked down to $20.99 from $44.99.
Buy: Belkin 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger, $20.99 (normally $169.99)
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Apple AirPods (3rd generation) — $139.99 at Best Buy (normally $169.99)
Is there anything worse than boarding your flight and realizing you forgot your headphones, or they’re not charged? For many of us, the answer is no, given the alternatives of awkwardly striking up a conversation with a seatmate or simply staring at the back of the seat in front of us.
Needless to say, headphones are essential for any traveler. Apple’s AirPods provide a hands-free connection to your iPhone thanks to wireless Bluetooth technology. They also offer high-quality audio and a five-hour battery life. As is the case with all AirPods, these include a charging case. You can currently save $30 off the regular price of $169.99 and get this third-generation model for only $139.99.
Buy: Apple AirPods (Third Generation), $139.99 (normally $169.99)
Apple AirTag 4-Pack — $74.98 at Walmart (normally $99)
We would be remiss if we failed to include a holy grail Apple product in this tech roundup: the Apple AirTag. Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, AirTags are widely used among TPG staffers and readers alike to track bags, suitcases and other items you don’t want to lose when traveling or in daily life.
Simply attach the Bluetooth tracking device to anything you own to passively track its location. Your AirTag will ping you when there is a nearby Apple device, whether it be your iPhone or someone else’s iPhone or iPad. If your checked bag is attached to an AirTag, it will triangulate its location off that iPhone and report the location back to you, which you can view in the Find My app alongside your other iOS devices.
We’ve seen many good deals on AirTags lately, but the highest discount we’ve seen is the current Walmart price of $74.98, a $24.02 discount off the regular price of $99.
Buy: Apple AirTag (4-Pack), $74.98 (normally $99)
Waterproof AirTag Keychain Holder 4-Pack — $5.99 at Walmart (normally $7.99)
One of the best things about AirTags is their size: They’re slightly larger than a quarter. However, their small size does make it easy to lose or drop them by mistake when shoving them into your purse or luggage. To protect yourself from losing this affordable yet essential item, consider purchasing an AirTag holder, such as this keychain and protective case cover from Walmart. It’s on sale for $5.99, reduced from $7.99.
The shockproof, waterproof design will protect your AirTags while making it easy to attach them to your bag, keys and other important items.
Buy: Waterproof AirTag Keychain Holder 4-Pack, $5.99 (normally $7.99)
Anker MagGo Magnetic Power Bank — $39.99 at Best Buy (normally $59.99)
When you’re on the go, there are times when your smartphone battery just can’t last the day — a portable charger is a necessity when spending long hours away from your hotel room. We love this Anker MagGo Magnetic Power Bank because it allows cord-free magnetic charging. We also love that you can save $20 off the regular price of $59.99 and get this sleek charger for only $39.99 right now.
Buy: Anker MagGo Magnetic Power Bank, $39.99 (normally $59.99)
Luggage and backpacks
Samsonite 2-piece hard-sided luggage set — $149.99 at Samsonite (normally $249.99)
Samsonite products are tried, true and a favorite among travelers, which makes this set — on sale for $149.99 (marked down from $249.99) — hard to pass up. You can save even more on this set (and other items in this story) by making the purchase through an online shopping portal.
This set comes with a hard-shelled carry-on (21.75″ x 13.75″ x 9.75″) and a medium checked bag (26.75″ x 17.5″ x 11.5″). The carry-on size should fit in the overhead bin on most major airlines. To be on the safe side, check your airline’s specific luggage requirements before your flight.
Each piece weighs under 9 pounds. These extremely lightweight suitcases feature 360-degree spinner wheels, a scratch-resistant finish and a Transportation Security Administration-compatible lock. They also come with a limited 10-year warranty.
Buy: Samsonite 2-piece hard-sided luggage set, $149.99 (normally $249.99)
Travelhouse 4-Piece Hardshell Luggage Set — $99.99 at Walmart (normally $189.99)
If you are in the market for a budget-friendly luggage set, you can save $90 on this four-piece hard-shelled luggage set from Travelhouse. Each piece is lightweight, durable and has a TSA-compliant combination lock and 360-degree spinning wheels. The set comes with 16-inch, 20-inch, 24-inch and 28-inch suitcases. The smallest two bags are sized to fit in the overhead bin on most major airlines, and the two larger bags should be checked and work best for longer trips.
Buy: Travelhouse 4-Piece Hardshell Luggage Set, $99.99 (normally $189.99)
Samsonite Mobile Solution Deluxe Backpack — $69.99 at Samsonite (normally $99.99)
For our fellow carry-on-only travelers, having a good backpack is absolutely key. At 12.5 inches by 7 inches by 16.3 inches, this one will fit under the seat in front of you but is still large enough to hold essentials like your laptop and a water bottle.
This bag is not only practical — with dual adjustable shoulder straps, a padded laptop sleeve and exterior side pockets — but it also elevates your travel style with a sleek design. Grab yours while it only costs $69.99 — 30% off the regular price of $99.99.
Buy: Samsonite Mobile Solution Deluxe Backpack, $69.99 (normally $99.99)
Bottom line
If you shop the above brands and stores or score any other deals, you’ll want to use a credit card that maximizes your online purchases.
Use the Chase Freedom Unlimited® for 1.5% cash back on nonbonus spending or the Blue Cash Everyday Card® from American Express for 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that). Cash back is received as reward dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
Rest assured, between next week’s Prime sale and the deals mentioned in this guide, you will save big on your next travel gear purchase. We will update you on must-have travel products throughout the sale period.
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