One of my favorite things about living in Europe is the relative closeness of so many other countries and regions, which has me taking flights almost all the time. From my adopted home city of Milan, I can take a quick flight to Jordan, visit London for a weekend for the Béyonce concert, or hop over to the Greek islands for a solo excursion. I’m also frequently on long-haul flights with my toddler to visit family and friends back home on the East Coast in the U.S. 

Considering all of this, I’m always excited and open to anything that makes my trips easier and more seamless. With Amazon Prime Day underway, there are a few must-have travel accessories and essentials in my cart that I’m excited to receive in time for summer holidays. Whether you need those easy-to-pack water shoes for stony beaches on Lake Garda, a multi-purpose passport holder to stay organized, or some fashionable shoes inspired by European style, here’s how to make the many Prime Day deals work for your next vacation. 

Best Overall Deals

Miycoo Gym Bag With Shoe Compartment

I’ve been eyeing the Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack as it’s a versatile travel bag for almost any type of trip because it can be used as a backpack or converted into a duffle. However, I found a similar convertible weekender on sale for just $23 during Prime Day that can be worn on your back or carried as a duffel. It has a shoe compartment to keep your footwear separate from your clothes, plus a laptop pocket. 

OlarHike 10 Set Compression Packing Cubes

About 15 years ago, I headed to Southern Italy to au pair for two months and packed everything in a big carry-on. My host family marveled that I didn’t seem to wear a look twice despite arriving with such little luggage. My secret? Compression packing cubes, much like this Olarhike 10-pack that’s on sale for Prime Day for $30 and can sometimes double your luggage space. These cubes compress your clothes without turning them into a wrinkled mess like vacuum bags often do. 

Vera Bradley Featherweight Springbrook Crossbody

A classic lightweight crossbody bag seems to be the go-to bag option for people on the go here in Italy. Since traveling with my toddler, I’ve noticed a lot of Italian parents go hands-free at the airport with these bags; they keep their phones, passports, and more in lightweight crossbody bags, much like this Vera Bradley sling bag I’m eyeing, on sale for half off this Prime Day. It has an interior zipped pocket for organization, and it’s designed to be feather-light so it won’t add any bulk to your travel day.

Apple AirTags, 4-pack

Without a doubt, my Apple AirTags give me peace of mind when checking bags. I’ve been that person who has gone up to airport personnel in baggage claim at Milan Malpensa, showing them that my gate-checked item was still somewhere near the plane and hasn’t moved. I highly recommend the set of four for the absent-minded traveler like myself, so you can keep track of keys, luggage, wallets, and more. They’re at a rare low price of $65 right now for Prime Day.

EutDett Leather Passport Holder

Zipping through airports as a travel writer, I always found it easy to keep a passport holder with me for storing my passport—and now my daughter’s passport, too, plus our European cards. This leather holder is just $24 for Prime Day and has a zipper and pocket for keeping items secure, plus it’s made with RFID-blocking technology to protect your most sensitive documents. The four card slots and ID window pocket also ensure you can easily keep your license or other ID cards, plus credit and debit cards, in one convenient place.

Rosoenvi 2 Pack Door Stop Alarm

One of my packing essentials when traveling solo is a door wedge. Whether I’m staying at a guesthouse or a hotel, it’s a simple thing to slip in my bag that gives me that little extra piece of mind in travel safety. A standard rubber door wedge will do, but with Amazon Prime Day deals, you can have this two-pack with an alarm for just $12, which is great if the place you’re staying has more than one entrance. The alarm is an added layer of security if you’re a heavy sleeper or sleep with earplugs.

Teva Women’s Hurricane XLT 2 Sandals

When I’m on vacation or visiting a new place, I’ve found that a light hike could be a great way to explore vistas. Shoes are the items that weigh down my suitcase the most, and because I’m not one to go to the gym, I loathe bringing an extra pair of sneakers on a trip. Instead, I always pack my Teva Hurricane Sandals when I head to any warm weather location; I’ve worn these sandals basically everywhere, including exploring Cinque Terre, going on waterfall hikes in Grenada, and rowing on Lake Braies. As a Tevas devotee, I’m always scouring Amazon for sales, and I was pleased to find this favorite pair on sale for $57.

Riiqiichy 100-percent Silk Scarf

Europeans style a chic silk scarf like no other—and now I always keep one in my carry-on. It protects my hair from friction on airplane seats and helmet hair on Vespa rides, and it’s a stylish solution for masking beach hair. I prefer silk since it’s more breathable than other synthetic fabrics, so I’m eying Amazon Prime Day for discounts on beautiful patterned silk scarves.

Homitem Water Shoes 

Heading to the Italian lake region this summer? We live in the area and regularly visit the lakes on weekends. Very few of the beach fronts are sandy, and on a recent trip, my husband stopped at a sports gear store to buy these water shoes. Wearing my Tevas, I thought he was being extreme, but when I got to the stone beach, I noticed almost all of the Italians were wearing them. The beachfront was filled with stones, and some of them were quite jagged! The non-slip soles help on mossy rocks, and the compact size makes them easy to pack. These Homitem water shoes are on sale for under $10, so it’s a no-brainer to just keep for all of your adventure travels. 

Melissa Possession Jelly Sandal in Light Green

A more stylish alternative to the water show is the fully PVC fisherman-style jelly sandal. Years ago, when packing for a trip with an itinerary including the Dead Sea, I bought these sandals after considering them a more stylish alternative to water shoes. Years after that, I eagerly packed them for another trip to the Dead Sea and wore them quite a bit on that trip. This is definitely a stylish alternative to the water shoe that’s fast drying and will serve a double purpose as a great shoe for being out and about on your warm weather travels. 

Eucos 62″ Phone Tripod and Selfie Stick

I started using pocket tripods years ago when traveling solo and taking content for social media, but my tripod and selfie stick come out more these days when traveling with my family. I love taking shots with all of us, whether it’s a beautiful, quiet street or in front of a building. And the remote control setting gives us a little freedom to take as many shots as we need to get it just right. Plus, it breaks down so compactly, it’s easy to fit in your travel bag.

Shoowyees Straw Beach Bag

While on beach holiday here, I see the most stylish tote bags, most of the time made of raffia or straw. Easy to pack and a great carryall for a beach day, market run, or day exploring, this straw-style beach bag screams holiday, and it’s on sale for just $18 this Prime Day. 

Ello Pop & Fill Stainless Steel Water Bottle 

Where I live in Europe seems greener, from the non-detachable plastic caps to bringing your own bag to carry groceries. And those beautiful decorative water fountains in Italy, people actually drink from them and fill their water bottles! While a Stanley tumbler is extremely American, a chic water bottle that’s insulated and stays cool on a hot day is appreciated. This Ello Pop & Fill water bottle comes in tons of stylish, understated hues. It has a leak-proof lid and is designed to keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours—perfect for a long-haul flight or a sweaty walking tour through a European city.

Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch, 2-pack

Amazon Prime Day is a great time to get those little things that you don’t need, but that would make your vacation more pleasant. And when those items are on sale, they are all the more tempting. Like this Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch. I was always suspicious whether these waterproof pouches actually work, until I tried one underwater on a family trip to the Red Sea. I captured some pretty incredible images of coral reef life and saw a lot of fellow vacationers using them, so I can now vouch for how effective they are. And with two of these pouches on sale for just $12, now is a great time to grab them.

Franco Sarto Women’s Tinsley Mary Jane Flats

These raffia open-weave Mary Jane flats are a Prime Day splurge, but at 38 percent off, I can’t resist. Mary Janes have taken over the streets here in Italy, and these raffia-style shoes are a great chic, but airy choice. An elegant pair of ballet flats can elevate a look and is an easy option to pack for evening dinners and strolls.  

Viori Hidden Waterfall Shampoo bar

Some hotels offer limited hair and skincare options, so I like to travel with my own shampoo. Considering those pesky TSA liquid regulations, the best hack for me is to use shampoo bars; I can take more product with me in this solid, travel-friendly bar. Plus, they’re often made with natural materials and are sulfate-free, like this Viori shampoo bar; it’s made with rice water that moisturizes and promotes hair growth.

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First-class and business-class seats and top-tier elite status can be worth thousands of dollars if you travel all the time. But what about the masses who aren’t traveling often, travel on their employer’s dime or don’t have a flexible schedule? Don’t worry, there are plenty of affordable travel credit cards that are great for frequent economy flyers.

Flying economy is a great way to stretch your miles. And if you’re booking a trip for the whole family, it might be your only option. So, let’s take a look at the best credit cards for flyers in the back of the plane.

The best credit cards for economy-class flyers

The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Comparing the best credit cards for economy-class flyers

Credit card	Key benefits	Annual fee
United Explorer Card	Free first checked bag, inflight purchase discount, increased award availability, up to $400 in various statement credits	$150, $0 introductory annual fee the first year
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card	Free first checked bag and priority boarding	$150, $0 introductory annual fee the first year (see rates and fees)
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard	Free first checked bag, priority boarding and inflight discounts	$99, $0 introductory annual fee the first year
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card	Free checked bag, priority boarding and companion certificate (upon account opening and each year thereafter after spending $6,000 in a year)	$95
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card	$75 Southwest credit, annual 7,500-point bonus, four upgraded boardings per year, 10,000 Companion Pass points boost each year	$149
JetBlue Plus Card	Free checked bag	$99

United Explorer Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $810.

Annual fee: $150, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year

Key benefits: This card comes with a free first checked bag for up to two people, priority boarding and 25% back on United inflight purchases. But it also has some unique perks that are not common for a mid-tier card. You’ll get two, one-time United Club lounge passes per account year and an application fee statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

In addition, cardholders earn the following partner credits worth more than $400: up to $100 travel statement credit toward United Hotels purchases, up to $60 in statement credits toward purchases with ride-hailing services (up to $5 a month), up to $50 in statement credits fro the United TravelBank cash after eligible Avis or Budget rental car purchases, up to $120 in statement credits for Instacart (up to $10 per month) and up to $100 in statement credits for JSX purchases. The ride-hailing credit requires activation each year.

Why I chose this card: I found this card to be special for infrequent economy-class flyers because its perks are similar to what we see with entry-level United Premier Silver elite status. The best of these perks is the extra award seats you’ll have access to. It’s not common to see this many statement credits on a mid-tier card, either.

Best of all, wherever your travels take you, rest assured you’ll be protected with a wide range of travel insurance and have no foreign transaction fees. From my perspective, travel protections with Chase-issued credit cards tend to be the best.

To learn more, check out our full review of the United Explorer Card.

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Apply here: United Explorer Card

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Related: Why I’m actually not upset about the United Explorer’s changes

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $600.

Annual fee: $150, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year

Key benefits: This card comes with a free checked bag and priority boarding (Zone 5) for the cardmember and up to eight traveling companions. You’ll also get 20% back on inflight purchases, a $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year and a $100 statement credit toward Delta Stays purchases. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Why I chose this card: I find this card to be the right entry point into the SkyMiles program because it offers the basics that economy flyers are looking for, unlike the lackluster Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card or the over-the-top Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, which is geared toward premium flyers.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold is a solid mid-tier card that provides a 15% discount on award tickets, a useful perk for economy flyers looking to maximize their miles. Delta flight sales can include domestic flights starting at 8,000 miles round-trip and decent international award sales. I’ve seen flights for as little as 20,000 miles round-trip (plus taxes and fees) to Europe and 12,000 miles round-trip to the Caribbean.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold.

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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex

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Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 within the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $825.

Annual fee: $99, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year

Key benefits: This card comes with preferred boarding (Group 5), plus a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation. You’ll also receive a 25% discount on inflight food and beverages when you pay with your card. On top of that, you can earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount certificate after spending $20,000 on the card in an account year.

Why I chose this card: This was my first cobranded airline credit card and it still holds a place in my wallet 10 years later. If you’re a beginner or infrequent flyer, the $595 annual fee Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) is overkill. You’re essentially paying six times more for Admirals Club access and to earn 4 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases.

Despite flying with American Airlines often and earning elite status, I have found the AAdvantage Platinum Select to be a more suitable and no-frills choice to keep costs low while still enjoying benefits like priority boarding and a free checked bag. Even the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card does not offer these benefits.

The information for the AAdvantage MileUp card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The AAdvantage Platinum Select is a decent everyday card as it offers 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines, restaurant and gas station purchases. It’s a decent way to build up your miles and Loyalty Points toward elite status throughout the year. Cardholders earn 1 Loyalty Point for every AAdvantage mile they earn.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard.

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Apply here: Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select

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Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive a 30% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight upon account opening.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, the miles in this welcome offer are worth $900.

Annual fee: $95

Key benefits: You’ll get a free checked bag (on Alaska Airlines flights) for the cardholder and up to six companions. You’ll also receive $100 off an Alaska Lounge+ membership and 20% back on eligible inflight purchases when you pay with your card.

The best benefit on this card is its single-use Companion Fare, which allows you to bring a guest on any Alaska Airlines-operated domestic economy flight for just $99 plus taxes and fees.

You’ll get a Companion Fare every year you keep the card as long as you spend at least $6,000 in an account year, making this one of the best companion fare benefits available outside of the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass. For a frequent economy flyer, Alaska has an impressive route network that continues to grow, so it shouldn’t be hard to utilize this card’s perks.

Why I chose this card: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has a distance-based chart, which includes some good redemption opportunities. Short-haul Alaska award tickets (such as from Los Angeles to San Francisco) start at just 4,500 miles each way. International flights on partner airlines can offer good value as well, with flights to Asia Pacific starting at 30,000 miles one-way.

With Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, we can expect more routes and redemption opportunities to Hawaii, a valuable proposition as cash fares during peak travel months can be quite costly. I have always found value in Alaska MileagePlan thanks to its impressive award chart, and the best way to take advantage of it is by earning Alaska miles through a cobranded credit card.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature.

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Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card

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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $650.

Annual fee: $149

Key benefits: If you’re a regular economy flyer, chances are you’re a big Southwest Airlines fan. Despite the recent changes with Southwest, cardholders will still have the ability to bring one free checked bag. In addition, you’ll receive 25% off inflight purchases and earn tier qualifying points toward A-List status.

This card comes with a $75 Southwest credit each year (valid for tickets and much more), 7,500 bonus points (worth $98 according to TPG’s May 2025 valuations) and four upgraded boardings (worth $30 to $50 each).

Why I chose this card: Compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, the Southwest Priority card offers solid benefits for frequent flyers. For a $149 annual fee, you receive elitelike perks such as upgraded boardings, anniversary bonus points and a $75 annual travel credit that effectively drops the annual fee to $74.

The information for the Southwest Premier card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

As an economy flyer, Southwest is often a great option. The Southwest Priority card can help alleviate Southwest’s unfavorable changes to keep your trip as smooth and painless as possible.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card.

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Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card

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JetBlue Plus Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $945.

Annual fee: $99

Key benefits: You and up to three companions will get your first checked bag free when you purchase your JetBlue fare with your card. Plus, inflight purchases made with the card will earn 50% back as a statement credit. Every year, you’ll get 5,000 bonus points on your cardmember anniversary (worth $68 according to TPG’s May 2025 valuations) and an annual $100 statement credit on JetBlue vacation purchases of $100 or more that you make with your card.

A fan-favorite perk is a 10% rebate on JetBlue award redemptions. You’ll get your points rebate after you complete the flight, and there’s no maximum amount of points you can earn back.

Why I chose this card: JetBlue is the cream of the crop of economy class with exceptional legroom, unlimited snacks and free Wi-Fi. It also operates a loyalty program similar to Southwest’s, so you’ll enjoy no blackout dates for award flights. Conveniently, the points price is tied to the cash price.

Compared to the no-annual-fee JetBlue Card, the JetBlue Plus is worth its annual fee thanks to its free checked bag for you and up to three companions and higher earning rates on JetBlue purchases.

The JetBlue Plus card also trumps the hefty JetBlue Premier Card with its $499 annual fee, since the JetBlue Premier’s only additional benefits include Group A boarding and a $300 statement credit on Paisly purchases. You won’t get substantial benefit from paying so much more for the JetBlue Premier versus the JetBlue Plus.

The information for the JetBlue Card and JetBlue Premier Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

To learn more, check out our full review of the JetBlue Plus Card.

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How I chose the best credit cards for economy-class flyers

When choosing the best credit cards for economy-class flyers, I focused more on the cards’ ongoing benefits and each loyalty program’s value for economy redemptions than I did on the cards’ welcome bonuses (which can vary). I also limited our selection to cards with lower annual fees or perks that could outweigh the annual fee, even if you only travel occasionally.

This way, you still get to enjoy the card’s perks without feeling the burden of a high annual fee. Plus, you don’t have to worry about maximizing the extra, and perhaps unnecessary for you, perks of a premium cobranded airline credit card.

Bottom line

Economy-class travel is a great way to take a modest miles or points balance and transform it into a dream vacation. Besides being cheaper to book, economy awards are much easier to find. So, they are better if your travel dates aren’t flexible. And if you’re traveling with a large group or family, you’ll have much better luck securing awards on the same flight if you’re booking economy.

But just because you’re traveling in economy doesn’t mean you need to board last or pay baggage fees. There are plenty of airline credit cards with benefits that mirror entry-level elite status, like free checked bags and priority boarding.

With perks like award ticket discounts, airport lounge passes and travel-related statement credits, sometimes all you need is a lower-annual-fee airline card instead of a top-tier premium one.

Related: The best credit cards with annual fees under $100

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex, click here.