Travel is one of the most memorable gifts you can give, and your loved ones will remember you fondly as the reason they enjoyed driving through Tuscan countryside in their convertible.
But finding the ideal present can be difficult when ongoing restrictions affect hotel, flight and experience bookings instantly.
Airline Gift Cards
If you know someone on your gift list who loves travel but are uncertain what would make an excellent present, an airline gift card could be just what they need. Airline gift cards allow travelers to explore the world on their own terms by giving them access to a flexible amount of money to book flights; giving them complete control over when and where they travel – perfect for those who have trouble making plans!
To give an airline gift card, visit the website of your preferred airline and select an amount you would like to gift. Enter passenger details as well as payment information for both yourself and the recipient before finalizing the purchase – either printing out a physical certificate or emailing it directly to them depending on your preference.
Travel-themed gift cards can make the perfect addition to almost any budget – such as hotel, tours, activities, cruises and national park gift cards.
Not everyone appreciates gift cards; consider giving something more memorable to represent the destination you are giving it for such as a map, T-shirt, guidebook or something that can be used within it such as snow globe or Christmas tree ornaments that will help create a personalized present that stands out. Personalized items make great holiday and birthday presents; recipients are sure to cherish and remember it fondly for years afterward!
Hotel Gift Cards
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, many travelers have put travel plans on hold. Large-scale vacations have been cancelled, weddings postponed and family get-togethers put off until after recovery is complete. But if your loved ones are ready to hit the road once again, consider gifting travel gift cards as they help refocus energy towards planning future adventures while supporting hospitality industry operations.
Hotel gift cards provide access to thousands of hotels around the world, both luxury and budget brands alike. Many hotels also offer special promotions or discounts making this an affordable way to give the gift of travel.
Some hotel chains provide physical cards while others deliver electronic gift cards that can be redeemed online or over the phone. Four Seasons’ Global E-Gift card allows recipients to redeem it at participating properties in their home currencies (USD/CAD/EUR/GBP) without incurring foreign exchange rates.
Roomcard provides travelers with access to boutique hotels, vacation homes, and unique places of accommodation around the globe. Their e-Gift Cards can be used online or over the phone and include exciting benefits like free wine at checkout as well as upgrades.
GetYourGuide offers over 60,000 guided local tours, activities and attractions worldwide that can be purchased with any amount and never expire; travel deals site Travelzoo sells time-specific e-Gift Cards such as museum admission or sunset sails in cities worldwide that range in increments from $25 up to $2,000.
Cruise Line Gift Cards
If your friends and family love cruises, a gift card from their favorite cruise line might make the ideal present. Plastic or electronic cards from cruise lines allow travelers to redeem cruise fares as well as any extras onboard the ship; one $100 gift card might cover several cocktails or beers at an exclusive bar, one bauble from the gift shop, a massage at spa services or dinner in one of the specialty restaurants onboard.
Most cruise lines provide discount cards online; check with your travel agent to see if she does too. The AARP Cruise Club also has one available that can be purchased for an annual membership fee of $12 through its website.
Make sure to read all of the fine print on each website carefully; some require recipients to have reservations in order to redeem a gift card, while others only allow it for onboard purchases. Also keep in mind that most gift cards only accept U.S. currency payments, creating another potential barrier for Canadian travelers.
If you’re giving a cruise gift card as part of a package for someone traveling on a specific trip, why not add another surprise gift as well? Doing this makes their voyage that much more special. An ornament, coffee mug or T-shirt featuring the state, city or country where your cruise will take place could make the ideal addition to a cruise gift card. And don’t forget a map or guidebook of its destination which could come in handy during trip planning! This season’s holiday shopping lists may be dominated by PlayStation 3s and iPods, but travel products have made an inroad as gift cards gain in popularity. From birthdays and anniversaries to holidays or thank-you notes – gifting someone a travel gift card gives them an experience they’ll always remember!
Tinggly Gift Cards
Are you searching for the ideal gift that will provide your travel-loving friend with an unforgettable travel experience? Consider booking them a Tinggly Gift Card as it makes booking travel excursions and activities simple worldwide – whether they need something nearby, or are traveling somewhere new themselves!
The company’s website makes selecting an experience easy, and you can tailor it specifically to the recipient. For instance, couples looking for adventure may prefer choosing from their Getaway Gifts collection of one- or two-night hotel stays in destinations all around the globe.
Gift boxes from The Last Samurai offer another option, tailored specifically to particular occasions or interests. Their Perfect for Him box includes whale watching in Madeira or cultural activities with traditional Balinese families; whilst their Fun Together box offers magic Fantasia 1001 Nights dinner show in Marrakesh as well as mesmerizing Kyoto tours!
Tinggly offers price-friendly experiences at great value, and gift cards can be purchased instantly as e-vouchers or physical vouchers – making them an excellent last-minute option for holiday gift giving. In addition, each experience sold helps contribute 33lbs of plastic from our oceans by way of Plastic Bank to create new economic opportunities in Haiti and Indonesia – and plants a tree per experience sold so you can give the gift of travel with a good conscience!
State Parks Gift Cards
Give an outdoor enthusiast in your life the gift of exploring America’s parks and forests with an Exploratorium gift card! These cards can be used for camping or cabin rental at state park campgrounds as well as entrance fees, Texas State Park Passes and merchandise purchases at TPWD-operated store locations – no expiry or dormancy fee will be assessed; however funds cannot be refunded.
Airline miles and hotel loyalty points make great presents, but giving someone the gift of travel with an actual vacation certificate is the ultimate present. Giving friends and family their own miles and points can save money; just make sure you know what has accumulated before giving. For an extra thoughtful gesture, wrap an unused airline or hotel gift card in a small box of decadent chocolates or another treat they might find after turndown service and deliver with a note reading: “Sweet Dreams.”
Un obvious way to give someone the gift of travel is simply giving them some money; however, this can be tricky when you don’t know them well enough to suggest specific locations and activities they should visit. Luckily, there are online companies like Holiday in a Box which provide unique travel-themed experiences which can be purchased using gift cards – for instance destination-themed travel hampers come complete with artisanal products as well as virtual tours, music, and immersive activities so recipients can experience places as though they were locals!