It’s easy to overpack — from worrying over how many shirts you’ll need to whether you need that specific jacket, your suitcase fills up faster than you’d think.
Brands will advertise the necessity of their travel products, but these so-called compact, travel-friendly items often take up valuable space in your bag.
Simplify your travel experience and keep more money in your wallet by eliminating these 15 travel items.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
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An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Luggage lock
Luggage locks sound good in theory, but if someone nabs your luggage at the carousel, a lock isn’t going to keep them out — they can just cut the zipper.
Not only this, but it can cause unnecessary hassle with TSA if you don't have an approved lock, snag on other items, and add extra weight to your bag.
Multiple books
If you’re not an avid reader, what makes you think your vacation is when you’ll start? Even if you are, you know better than anyone that books are heavy and take up tons of space.
Bringing one book for the flight or trip is fine, but consider opting for a compact and versatile e-reader, which saves space and reduces luggage weight.
Travel medical kit
A travel medical kit could be a tempting last-minute vacation buy, but hold off. While packing some Band-Aids, over-the-counter medicines, and other minor necessities is a good idea, don’t bog down your bags with excessive medical care.
If you’re flying, staying in a hotel, or a similar rental, odds are there will be ample medical supplies at your disposal. Save time and money by just bringing the basics.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Sewing kit
Sewing kits are useful to have on hand — if you know how to sew. If not, it’s a needless, space-hogging trinket.
While patching a hole may seem simple enough, it would be pointless to try and learn on the go if you've never sewn before. Instead, keep the item safe until you can get it to a tailor, or use the extra space in your suitcase for a backup top.
Towels
Depending on where you’re staying, it can be tempting to pack your own towels. Don’t fall for the travel towel advertising trick, and avoid packing your own full-sized towels for a few reasons.
Aside from taking up space, you now have to get them dried and repacked for the trip back — an added chore for a needless item. A hotel, rental home, or other vacation residence will likely have towels too.
If not, buying one or two on the go is worth the cost compared to how much space they take up.
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Most travel-sized toiletries
You may feel the urge to stock up on mini-toiletries right before your trip, from shampoos to lotions to toothpaste. Refrain from this, and check with your rental first.
Almost every hotel, and most Airbnbs, have these items available in the room and upon request. Bring along specialty items as needed, but don’t feel the need to add a surplus of mini-body wash bottles to your packing list.
Hair dryers
Similarly, most hotels and rentals cover your necessities, including hair dryers. Unless you have a specialty dryer you use regularly, free up tons of suitcase space by leaving it at home.
So-called travel-friendly hair dryers are a waste of money, too, as they often aren’t as powerful due to their compact size. And they’re redundant if your hotel room has a perfectly good standard hair dryer.
Neck pillows
Depending on the duration of your next flight, consider leaving the neck pillow at home. While it can come in handy when trying to nap on a plane, it’s often not worth the hassle.
The item is bulky and nearly impossible to smush into your carry-on bag, making it another thing to keep track of at the airport. If you need one, buy it at the airport or on your flight, or make do with a jacket or similarly plush item.
Heavy boots
Packing practical footwear is a travel must. However, one pair of high-quality, multi-purpose sneakers will do the trick.
Footwear becomes unnecessary when you start packing bulky, singular-purpose hiking boots, rain boots, and so on. Even if you plan on doing a lot of walking or hiking, durable, well-made sneakers will usually take care of it.
Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)
Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.
No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.
Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.
Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.
Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.
But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).
Mosquito net
Mosquito nets are necessary for many travel destinations, especially where malaria is still a prevalent risk. That being said, it’s not necessary to pack one.
If you’re visiting someplace where they are necessary, your hotel or rental will already provide you with them, though you can always double-check this ahead of time. Bug spray is equally helpful in preventing mosquito bites.
Compression bags
Compression bags seem like a great way to create extra storage in your suitcase, but they may have the opposite effect.
While it technically creates more space, it doesn’t create more opportunity — the bag still weighs the same, and you may be at risk of overpacking. Neatly and compactly folding your clothes should be just as effective.
Travel wallet
Save your money and skip buying a travel wallet. While having space for your passport is convenient, it may be safer to just leave it with your luggage or in the hotel safe and just take it out at the airport.
It’s also possible to accidentally forget an important ID card or payment card when transferring the contents of your regular wallet to your travel one. Save yourself the hassle and stick with what you have.
Travel safe
One of the more anxiety-inducing elements of travel is protecting your valuables. Many people think the solution is taking a portable safe, but this just weighs down your luggage and is not nearly as effective as you’d think.
The easiest way to protect your valuables is to leave them at home. Items like laptops and cameras can be left in the hotel safe, or you can bulk up on travel insurance to protect the value of those items.
Portable alarm clock
Oversleeping on a work trip or a trip with a heavy itinerary is the stuff of nightmares, but a specialty travel alarm clock isn’t the solution.
If you use your phone for your alarm regularly, don’t add new variables on vacation — just stick with your clock app. If you want more of a guarantee, request a wake-up call from the front desk of your hotel.
Packing cubes
Packing cubes are a great way to organize your luggage and make the most of the space you have, and they can help keep track of what you have on hand.
However, these cubes come with a high price point, which is absurd considering what they are — dressed-up plastic bags. No one will judge you on the aesthetics of your packed bags, so just stick with old grocery bags or gallon zip-closed bags.
Bottom line
In the chaos of preparing for a trip, it can be easy to load up on unnecessary, overhyped travel products without stopping to think if you need them.
Many of these products that market themselves as compact or travel-friendly have the opposite effect, creating clutter and weighing down your luggage even more.
Be a bit strict when grading an item’s value when packing for your next trip, but don’t forget actual travel essentials, like a travel credit card that lets you earn travel rewards on your next trip.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
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- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
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- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
on Bank of America’s secure website
Read Card ReviewIntro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now
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