The best gift cards for travelers do one of two things. They get someone closer to the trip, or they kit them out for it. The eight below are sorted that way, getting there and gearing up. For the person who watches fare alerts and reads seat maps for fun, a card they can put straight onto a flight beats anything wrapped in a box.
Buying through Dyme adds something an ordinary gift card can't. Dyme is one of the only places that sells Delta and Carnival cards for cash, and every dollar earns 1 Dyme Mile, or 5 per dollar during special offers, good on any flight or any hotel with no blackout dates. The gift you give for one trip helps pay for the next.
For getting there
Delta Air LinesGoes straight toward a Delta flight, with taxes and fees covered, not just the base fare.$50–$500Earns Dyme MilesShop on Dyme →02
Carnival Cruise LinesA Carnival cruise fare or onboard spending like drinks, excursions, and the spa.$100–$1,000Earns Dyme MilesShop on Dyme →03
DoorDashRestaurant, grocery, and convenience delivery, plus a DashPass subscription. Handy for meals on a road trip or to a hotel room.$15–$500Earns Dyme MilesShop on Dyme →For the gear and the packing
REIGood for gear, apparel, and the bike and ski shop. Never expires, and it stacks with an REI Co-op membership dividend.$25–$500Earns Dyme MilesShop on Dyme →05
Columbia SportswearRain shells and warm layers for cold or wet trips, and it also covers Mountain Hardwear.$10–$250Earns Dyme MilesShop on Dyme →06
L.L. BeanBuys luggage, totes, and outdoor staples that outlast the trip, with no expiration date.$25–$500Earns Dyme MilesShop on Dyme →07
NauticaTravel clothes and weekender bags for someone who is always half-packed.$5–$500Earns Dyme MilesShop on Dyme →08
The Container StorePacking cubes, toiletry kits, and travel bottles, the gear that makes a carry-on hold a week.$5–$100Earns Dyme MilesShop on Dyme →How to choose
Match the card to how they travel. Someone chasing flights or a cruise gets the most from Delta or Carnival, where the gift turns straight into a trip. Someone who is always upgrading their kit does better with gear, REI for the all-rounder, Columbia or Bean for cold and wet weather. If you have no idea, a $75 REI card is hard to get wrong, and the Miles add up the same regardless.
Frequently asked questions
Are gift cards a good gift for someone who travels a lot?＋
Yes. Frequent travelers are picky about brands and timing, so a gift card lets them put it toward the exact flight, bag, or upgrade they want. Airline and cruise cards like Delta and Carnival land especially well, because they go straight onto a real trip.
Which gift card is best for a frequent flyer?＋
A Delta gift card is the most direct. It applies to Delta flights on delta.com, including the fare, taxes, and fees, and it is one of the few airline cards you can buy with cash on Dyme.
Do these gift cards earn travel rewards?＋
Every gift card bought on Dyme earns Dyme Miles, 1 per dollar and 5 per dollar during special offers. Miles work on any flight or any hotel through Dyme, with no blackout dates, on top of whatever the brand's own program gives.
What's a good last-minute gift for a traveler?＋
All eight are digital cards delivered right away, so any of them works at the last minute. For something they'll use no matter what, pick REI or The Container Store. For a bigger go-somewhere gesture, pick Delta or Carnival.
How much should I put on a travel gift card?＋
It depends on the use. $25 to $50 covers gear, packing, or a meal on the road. $100 or more starts to cover a real share of a flight or cruise fare. Most of these let you pick any amount in a range.
