Top Gifts for Business Travelers: 2019 Edition

Need holiday gifts for business travelers who have everything? Let me take you shopping!

The Best Gifts for Business Travelers: 2019 Edition

Who is ready for the holidays? NOT ME. I always end up doing some last minute desperate shopping on Amazon for those lucky enough to make my “nice” list. I also, of course, do a little (a lot?) of gift shopping for me, a frequent business traveler who flew over 100,000 miles last year. If you are in the same boat and need some ideas, here are my top gifts for business travelers!

Electronic Gifts for Frequent Business Travelers

#1 Gift for Business Travelers in 2019: Compact Phone Charger

This year, this small portable phone charger that will charge your phone multiple times if you don’t have access to power is at the very tiptop of my list of perfect gifts for business travelers. If you’ve been following my blog these last few months, you’ll know that I’ve been traveling throughout Asia (Thailand, China, Vietnam and now Taiwan) and I can’t tell you how many times my phone has gone dead during a long travel day. I’ve since added this to my arsenal and my life is so much more stress-free. This charging block is amazing and a one of those must-buy gifts for business travelers.

US: Buy Anker Charger

Amazon Fire Stick

Every frequent business traveler should carry an Amazon Fire Stick with them. This turns most hotel TVs into Smart TVs, as long as the hotel has wifi. Most hotel wifi networks require you to login in through a web browser, which you can’t access via AppleTV Roku or Google Chromecast. The Amazon Fire Stick lets you access a web browser and login to hotel internet, giving you access to Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, STARZ, SHOWTIME, or CBS All Accesss while you are traveling. The Firestick even has Alexa if you, like me, miss talking to Alexa while you are traveling! This is one of the best gifts for business travelers who spend a lot of time in hotel rooms. They just have to remember to unplug it and bring it with them when they leave!

Keysmart Pro

Keysmart Pro keeps all of your house keys very neatly organized — eliminating key jangle — and the pro version comes with both an LED light and a Tile sensor so you never have to worry about losing your keys again! There’s also, uh, a bottle opener. Everything you need in one handy package! This is a great gift for business travelers who are road warriors, frequently in and out of cars.

Wireless Charging Pad 

Last year, these were my go-to Christmas gifts for business travelers and non-travelers alike and they are staying on the list this year. With this small accessory, you can charge your compatible Qi-compatible devices without the need to plug your device in to a wall charger or USB port. Buy a charging pad! Buy one for everyone this holiday season!

US: Buy Charging Pad. UK: Buy Charging Pad. 

Anker 10 ft Long iPhone Cable (3 Meters!)

Seriously, a 10 ft phone charger is one of the best gifts for business travelers EVER. Most older hotels still don’t have outlets by the bed. I had a Eureka! moment a few months ago when I realized that if I had a long enough iPhone cable, maybe I didn’t need an outlet by the bed. Such a basic revelation but LIFE-CHANGING. Traveling hasn’t been the same since. Excellent, inexpensive stocking stuffer and one of the cheapest and best gifts for business travelers who spend a lot of time in hotel rooms. That being said, it’s useful for homebodies too!

US: Buy 10 ft cord. UK: Buy 3 meter cord.

TrakDot Luggage Tracker

For those that worry about their checked bags as much as I do, TrakDot might provide some peace of mind. It sends real-time notifications to your mobile phone when your luggage is close by. Note that this isn’t a GPS per se, but rather a device to tell you if your luggage has arrived at your destination and/or has made it onto your flight. (Read the Amazon reviews for more.) One of my favorite last minute holiday gift ideas for business travelers!

US: Buy TrakDot.

ReturnMe Smart Luggage ID Tags

So if you read the TrakDot reviews, they are a little mixed. It’s new technology so it’s understandable if there are some hiccups. So if we’re talking backup gifts for business travelers, these ReturnMe tags are awesome!! Simply attach the tag to any bag you wish to protect and activate the unique id code from our secure portal. If you lose your bag, if a good Samaritan finds it, ReturnMe will connect you to the finder directly. Finders receive a bonus gift as a reward!! As an option, ReturnMe’s recovery specialists can coordinate the return for you. If you uh frequently lose things, there’s a VIP service for you to consider.

US: Buy ReturnMe tags.

Wireless Earbuds

All the cool kids will be getting wireless earbuds this Christmas. They are all over the duty free stores in Asia right now. These make perfect gifts for business travelers because they are small and portable. This pair is also noise-cancelling which is great for long flights.

US: Buy Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

Bose Quiet Comfort 35 Series II

OK, this has been on all the gifts for business travelers lists for the last decade so it’s possible your business traveler has these already BUT if they don’t, you must buy these! They are life changing and block out most noise during flights. Great sound for listening to in flight entertainment too! They come in black or silver but I prefer the silver. Much cooler looking and harder to leave behind, in my opinion. (I try to make sure that any of my electronics are not black! Too easy to leave behind!)

 US: Bose Quiet Comfort 35

Bluetooth Keyboard

Rather than getting my laptop out on flights, I now rely on my iPhone or iPad and this Bluetooth keyboard. This lets me type on the go and makes the best use of the space you have in Economy, where sometimes it can be impossible to work on a laptop. You can connect up to three devices at the same time, which is great when you are collaborating with others. This is one of those extremely practical gifts for business travelers. I never knew how much I needed this until I had it!

US: Buy Bluetooth Keyboard

Laptop Stand

This laptop stand is one of the best gifts for frequent business travelers who are always having meetings in coffee shops and away from their desk. The stand helps prevent “tech neck.” It will basically bring a laptop up to eye level. Just make sure you pick the right stand for the right laptop as the models differ depending on whether it’s a PC or Mac.

US: Buy this laptop stand.

Outlet Extender with USB

The bane of any traveler’s existence is one outlet by the hotel bed when you’ve got three devices to charge. So this outlet extender is a lifesaver for hotel rooms (and airports!), and the USB ports are an added bonus. Seriously, everyone should have one of these. Hotels should just have these! But they don’t. So you will have to buy one!  (Or more.)

US: Outlet Extender with USB

Privacy Screens for All the Devices

I once flew from London to Chicago with a Swedish guy craning his neck to watch everything I was watching on my laptop. Luckily, there was in-flight wifi! So while I was somewhere over the Atlantic, I purchased privacy screens for both my laptop and my iPad. They arrived the next day. Magic. Some consultants will have privacy screens for their laptops already through work, but if the business traveler in your life watches a lot of shows and movies on planes or trains, get them a privacy filter. (This was also handy when I was traveling for business in the Middle East a lot…True Blood is not a great show to watch on a plane without a privacy filter.)

US: Buy a Privacy Screen

Fun Gifts for Frequent Business Travelers

Portable Airline Cocktail Kit

There are seven of these portable cocktail kits — anything from a Moscow Mule to a Margarita to a Bloody Mary. They are specifically tailored to the single-serve tiny liquor bottles you get on planes and provide all the other ingredients you need for your perfect cocktail. (Alcohol not included of course.) The ingredients are also small enough to pass through airport security, making this one of the most perfect gifts for business travelers who appreciate that in the air, it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere!

US: Buy this cocktail kit. 

Wine Protector Bags

Occasionally, when I’m traveling for business, someone either gives me a bottle of wine (or something harder) as a gift, or I find a wine that’s so unforgettable, I just have to buy it and take it home with me. Airport security being what it is, I have to put the wine in my checked bag. These inflatable wine protectors are perfect for anyone who finds themselves traveling wtih wine. You don’t even have to use them for wine — you can use them for glasses or other fragile items. The bags also come with a pump to inflate them. Buy these bags.

Point It Traveler’s Language Kit

If you need a gift for a business traveler who frequently visits non-English speaking countries, I love this invaluable little picture book of pretty much anything and everything you can imagine. This way, if you can’t speak the language, you can just point at the photo! This little book proved particularly helpful when I was in China and English was not widely spoken.

US: Buy Point It.

Midori Traveler’s Notebook

The Midori Traveler’s Notebook is one of the most beautiful notebooks on the market today. It has a gorgeous leather cover that weathers with age, and the paper is extremely high quality. This is a luxury notebook — more of a system actually — that sends a subtle signal that the owner understands quality and style. Check out my other posts on notebooks and journals too. I think this is a great gift for business travelers who like to to write things down, old school style.

US: Midori Traveler’s Notebook

Portable Fitness Kit

It can be really hard to stay fit on the road when you are traveling for business all the time so I’ve started traveling with this bit of kit…it comes with a bunch of resistance bands and my all time favorite exercise device: a jump rope! This is a perfect little exercise package that comes in a small carry bag. It’s a great gift for business travelers who need to work out in their hotel rooms!

US: Buy This Exercise Kit.

Portable Himalayan Salt & Pepper Kit

Don’t laugh! I’m writing this from the corporate apartment I’ve got in Bangkok, Thailand where there is NO salt and pepper and maybe I’m too cheap but to get some, I have to buy huge full containers. I am only here for two weeks!! In hindsight, I wish I had this portable salt and pepper kit. This is one of those great gifts for business travelers who spend a lot of time in corporate apartments and Aibnbs. Buy this salt & pepper kit.

Best Packing & Organizing Gifts for Business Travelers

Flight Flap Phone & Tablet Holder

This little guy is so simple but SUCH a great idea. It attaches to most airline seat backs and tray tables and accommodates almost every phone and tablet size. The Flight Flap allows you to place your device where it can be easily viewed at eye level, reducing neck and back pain and making your travel experience more comfortable. It’s reasonable price tag makes this one of the most budget-friendly gifts for business travelers out there today.

US: Buy the Flight Flap.

Airplane Seat Back Organizer Bag

This is a great bag for those that find themselves in economy a lot.  Have your passport, phone, tablet, toiletries and other essentials organized in one easy-to-reach carry-on bag. Basically, keep all the essentials together instead of spread out. The wide band across the back allows you to slip the Airpocket over the extended handle of your carry-on case, whilst the detachable and adjustable shoulder strap (31 – 55in) gives you the option of carrying it across your body or over your shoulder.

US: Buy this bag. 

Roll-up Electronics Organizer

This is a great gift for business travelers with lots of gadgets. Easily tuck this roll into your purse, backpack, laptop case, briefcase, or suitcase. The practical design provides great 6 elastic loops for cables, pens, brushes and tools, etc; 3 mesh pockets for USB, SD card, SIM card or other small items ; and 2 open pockets for charger, mouse, power adapter and etc. There’s also 1 large zipper pocket for external hard drive, power bank, cellphone or other items. 2 small zipper pockets of equal size for secure storing of small items.

US: Buy this organizer.

Travel Cable Organizer

Here’s a bigger version of the same idea above. I love this simple travel cable organizer because it keeps everything neat and tidy and together — but separate! i’m never digging around in the bottom of my bag anymore.

Buy US: Travel Cable Organizer

Pop Sockets: Collapsible Grip & Stand for Phones & Tablets

I think this is totally 2019’s stocking stuffer gift of the year. I love my pop socket. It makes it easier to hold my phone or stand it up when I need to read something. It also prevents me from dropping my phone. Frequent business travelers will appreciate that pop sockets make it easier to watch movies on planes on your own portable device.

US: Buy Pop Socket

Ear Bud Organizer

Another great little stocking stuffer gift for business travelers this year is this earbud organizer. Rather than just throwing your headphones in you bag, you can wrap them up like this to make them easier to get to and less tangly. (Is tangly a word? I’m not sure.) Comes in multiple colors.

US: Buy Earbud Organizer.

PacSafe Anti-Theft Laptop Backpack

I LOVE this backpack. I am in and out of trains, planes, and automobiles all the time so it’s nice to have some peace of mind and know that no one can get into my backpack when I am not paying attention and especially when I am traveling by myself. This particular model comes with a 15 inch laptop sleeve which is perfect. The backpack has lockable zippers and cut proof materials. It also has RFID blocking. This is a great laptop bag and gift for business travelers but I think any frequent traveler — business or leisure — will love this.

US: Buy Pacsafe Metrosafe

Gear Beast Cell Phone Lanyard

My friends used to make fun of me for always wearing my iPhone on a lanyard around my neck but now I notice that they are all doing this. This is especially perfect if you don’t have pockets or if you are at a big event and need easy access to your phone at all times and are worried about being pick-pocketed. This is one of my favorite gifts for business travelers who are on and off planes all the time because this way, your phone is always with you.

Buy US: Cell Phone Lanyard

Lifestraw Portable Water Filtration Bottle

If you know someone who is anti-plastic and constantly finds themselves in locations without drinkable tap water, consider a Lifestraw water bottle. I think these make great gifts for business travelers who are constantly on the go. The hollow fiber membrane water filter removes bacteria and protozoa and filters as you drink.

Packing Cubes

After hearing so many travelers rave about packing cubes, I finally caved and now I don’t understand why I haven’t been using them all along. Truth: I am a messy packer. But with packing cubes, at least I know where my underwear is. These are great for keeping related things together. It might be a bit like giving someone socks for Christmas but any frequent traveler will appreciate this gift.

US: Buy packing cubes! UK: Buy packing cubes.

Compression Packing Cubes

Taking this a step further — if you don’t just want to stay organized and really need to save space, check out these amazing compression packing cubes!! One of the most excellent last minute gift ideas for travelers who refuse to travel with anything but a carry-on.

US: Buy these compression packing cubes now. UK: Buy similar compression cubes. 

Disposable Hotel Slippers

OK, I almost didn’t include these but I can’t tell you how much I use them. Most US hotels these days don’t provide slippers and it’s kinda gross to walk around hotel rooms without socks or shoes on. A lot of times, I remember to bring my flip flops but I like disposable slippers because I can leave them behind when I’m done. And then I don’t have to put the dirty flip flops back in my suitcase. Personally, I prefer open-toe slippers.  These make a great, cheap stocking stuffer gifts for business travelers who spend a lot of time in hotel rooms.

Subscription Gifts for Frequent Business Travelers

Expert Flyer Subscription

If the business traveler in your life is as obsessed with upgrades as I am, you should get him/her a subscription to Expert Flyer. Expert Flyer lets you track seat availability and most importantly, gives you a sense of how full first class and business class are so you can score that all important upgrade. This is an essential tool for any one who flies economy a lot but is always hoping for a seat up front, and it’s one of the handiest gifts for business travelers ever. (IMHO.) Subscribe to Expert Flyer.

TripIt Pro Subscription

TripIt Pro collates all your travel information, especially helpful if you are a frequent business traveler. As soon as you receive a flight confirmation or hotel confirmation, you forward it to the app and then TripIt starts monitoring your trip. I love getting off a plane and knowing exactly which baggage claim to head to. TripIt Pro is a great gift for a business traveler who is always juggling multiple itineraries. It’s also great because it keeps a record of your past trips, which may come in handy at tax time. Oh wait! Most importantly, it keeps track of ALL your frequent flyer and hotel point accounts so you always know how many points you have and when they are expiring! You can also easily share flight details with friends and family. This is one of the best gift ideas for business travelers for so many, many reasons. Buy TripIt Pro.

Gift Certificates for Airport Transfers

So most business travelers can expense their business travel but if you know an entrepreneur who pays his or her own way, see if you can get them a gift card for Groundlink or Blacklane.  These are serviced car companies with large global networks. In Shanghai, when I used Groundlink, my driver picked me up with white gloves on and Perrier in the back seat!! There’s something so nice about coming through customs to see someone there with a sign with your name on it. Businessmen and businesswomen will love this gift!

VPN Subscription

Business travelers often find themselves using public wifi networks, so a good VPN to keep safe on the road is essential. Additionally, for international travelers, a VPN can help you access home-country websites and videos from abroad. Most crucially, if you know someone who goes to China a lot and they don’t have a corporate VPN, definitely get them a VPN subscription. I use NordVPN and highly recommend them. Subscribe to NordVPN.

Priority Pass Membership

A Priority Pass Membership is one of the best gifts for frequent business travelers; it provides access to over 1200+ lounges in over 500 cities and more lounges being added every month. Guests can relax and enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, along with free wifi. This is an especially great gift for anyone who spends a lot of time in Asia or the UK where some of the most popular lounges are. I just flew from China to Vietnam and was able to use Priority Pass lounges in Xian and Guangzhou and it was amazing. Get a Priority Pass Membership today with 20% off across all tiers and receive up to $150 off in a Roam Luggage.

AAA and/or AARP Membership

For American readers, both AAA and AARP offer fantastic travel discounts for members, sometimes giving you 10 to 20% off hotel room rates! You’ll also find flight deals and great airport parking deals. These memberships are quite affordable and make great gifts for frequent business travelers.

Starbucks Gift Card

OK, I know this is a little basic but did you know that Starbucks cards can be used internationally in some (but not all) countries? The participating countries are the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Mexico, and the Republic of Ireland. So get your business traveler a Starbucks gift card that they can use on the road — internationally!

Subscription to The New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, etc.

As a business traveler, you spend a lot of time sitting around in airports, so you tend to do a lot of reading. Most big newspapers today cap the number of free articles you can read each month. An annual subscription will ensure that the news is always available as long as you have an internet connection.

Any Other Gifts for Business Travelers?

OK, I think those are all my ideas for gifts for business travelers. What are you getting the frequent business travelers in your life this holiday season? I’d love any tips. If you have any other suggestions, I’d love to know! Please tell me more in the comments.

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