Travel stores are shops that sell luggage packing gear and travel accessories. The best ones for US travelers are specialty shops like REI outdoor stores warehouse clubs like Costco and big online sellers. Each one wins at something different.
Knowing which travel stores to use saves you money and time. A warehouse club beats a specialty shop on price. A specialty shop beats it on advice and fit.
This guide shows you where to shop what to buy where and how to get paid back on your travel spending.
Types of Travel Stores and What Each Does Best
Not all travel stores are the same. Match the store to what you need.
| Store type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty travel shops | Luggage fitting expert advice | Higher prices |
| Outdoor stores like REI | Backpacks and durable gear | Focused on hiking not city travel |
| Warehouse clubs like Costco | Luggage sets and value bundles | Less choice needs a membership |
| Big online sellers | Selection and fast delivery | Hard to judge quality online |
| Department stores | Sales on name brand luggage | Stock varies a lot |
Buy your bag in person if you can. You want to feel the weight and the straps before you commit.
What to Buy at Which Store
Here is the simple rule. Buy big items where you can test them. Buy small items where they are cheapest.
- Luggage and backpacks. Go in person. Try the straps and the wheels.
- Packing cubes and pouches. Buy online. They are simple and cheap.
- Travel adapters and cables. Buy online or at a warehouse club in a multi pack.
- Toiletry bottles. Any drugstore works and it is the cheapest option.
- Neck pillows. Try in store if you can since fit matters a lot.
Skip the airport shops. Prices there are much higher for the same items.
When to Shop for the Best Deals
Timing matters as much as the store. These windows usually bring the best prices.
- Late spring. Luggage often goes on sale before summer travel season.
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The deepest discounts of the year.
- End of season clearance. Great for jackets and outdoor gear.
- Anytime with a rewards card. More on that below.
Buy your gear a few weeks before your trip. That gives you time to test it and return it if it does not work.
A Travel Espresso Maker Is Worth the Space
If good coffee matters to you a travel espresso maker earns its spot in your bag. It gives you real espresso in a hotel room or a campsite.
Here is what to look for in a travel espresso maker:
- Manual hand pump operation so you need no power outlet
- A compact and light body that fits in a carry on
- Works with ground coffee or pods depending on the model
- Easy to rinse parts since you may only have a sink
- A sturdy case so it survives the trip
Most models are hand powered. You add hot water and coffee then pump to build pressure. No electricity is needed.
It is not a must have for everyone. But if you dislike hotel coffee it pays for itself fast.
Costco Citi Card Travel Benefits
If you already shop at Costco the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi turns your travel spending into cash back. Here is how the costco citi card travel benefits break down.
| Benefit | What you get |
|---|---|
| Travel cash back | 3 percent on eligible travel including Costco Travel |
| Restaurants | 3 percent cash back |
| Gas at Costco | 5 percent on the first 7000 dollars combined per year |
| Other gas and EV charging | 4 percent on that same 7000 dollar cap then 1 percent |
| Costco purchases | 2 percent at Costco and Costco.com |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
| Annual fee | None with a paid Costco membership |
The travel perks go beyond cash back. The card also includes:
- Travel and emergency assistance available 24 hours a day
- Worldwide travel accident insurance
- Worldwide car rental insurance when you decline the rental company coverage
- Roadside assistance dispatch in the US
Two things to know before you apply. You must have an active Costco membership. And your rewards come once a year as a certificate after your February statement closes.
A Smart Way to Stack Savings
Book a trip through Costco Travel and pay with the card. You earn 3 percent back on the booking.
Executive Members earn another 2 percent through their membership. That stacks to a 5 percent return on the same trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best travel stores for luggage?
Specialty luggage shops and outdoor stores like REI are best for trying bags in person. Warehouse clubs like Costco offer strong value on luggage sets. Online sellers give you the widest choice.
Is it cheaper to buy travel gear online or in store?
Small items like packing cubes and adapters are usually cheaper online. Big items like luggage and backpacks are worth buying in person so you can test fit and weight before you pay.
Are the Costco Citi card travel benefits worth it?
They are if you already shop at Costco. You get 3 percent back on eligible travel no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee with a paid membership. But rewards only arrive once a year in February.
Does a travel espresso maker work without electricity?
Most do. Popular models are hand pumped so you just add hot water and coffee then pump by hand. That makes them handy for hotels trains and camping.
Final Take
The best travel stores depend on the item. Test your luggage in person shop small gear online and check a warehouse club for value bundles.
Your next step is quick. List the gear you actually need before you shop. Then check if a rewards card like the Costco Citi card would pay you back on the buy and the trip itself.