The 29 Best Gift Cards for Travel Lovers in 2022

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

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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

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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

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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.

Amazon

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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 Lines

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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

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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.

Amtrak

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Source: Amazon

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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. 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

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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

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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.

Restaurant.com

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Are your parents finally doing that cross-country RV trip they've been talking about since, well, forever? Make sure they're well-fed with this gift. With hundreds of dining options to choose from, they can book reservations across every state and conveniently pay with this one card, thanks to you.

Zappos

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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

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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

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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

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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.

American Airlines

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Shopping for a pal who only flies American Airlines? Thankfully, it’s super easy to buy digital or plastic gift cards directly on the airline’s website and have the loaded card mailed directly to your loved one via email or snail mail. Conveniently, American Airlines gift cards don’t come with expiration dates or fees so they’ll be able to use the full amount of the gift card whenever they’re ready to take off.

Away

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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

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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

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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

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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.

MaidPro

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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.

Amazon

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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

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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

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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

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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.