I’ve often received requested from readers asking for a post about what’s in my carry-ons. It’s something I should get around to doing, though I’m afraid it’s probably not very exciting. However, there’s something I figured I should share first, since a seatmate commented on this recently, and I didn’t realize just how ridiculous it may look.
I’m not the least bit materialistic, at least using the definition of “excessively concerned with the acquisition of material possessions.” I have a few travel gadgets that make my life better, but other than that there’s nothing material you can get that will make me happy. Don’t get me wrong, I like nice experiences, but physical things do nothing for me. They just clutter my life.
As a result my philosophy when it comes to material possessions is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I don’t remember the last time I’ve been clothes shopping, and I realize that’s a problem. The other week Ford finally forced me to throw out a shirt that had about half a dozen holes in it.
That philosophy also extends to my passport holder. Over a decade ago United had the Silver Wings Plus program, which offered a bunch of bonus miles for signing up, along with a few other things, like a passport holder. The program was discontinued in 2005, and I signed up before that. I started using the passport holder at the time… and use it to this day.
The crazy part? I don’t think I’ve ever considered replacing it. That’s despite the fact that the leather is constantly peeling and chipping, and every few days I have to take a damp cloth through my carry-on to wipe it all up.
Recently I was on a flight and was getting something out of my passport holder, and my seatmate glared at it, and commented on how my passport holder is basically an antique.
So, just how bad does it look?
In case anyone is wondering what I keep in here, it holds my passports, recent boarding passes, excess (non-credit) cards, and the foreign cash I’ve accumulated. I should probably find a better place for cash, since I doubt I’ll be using my currency from Bahrain, Bhutan, Nepal, Kuwait, etc., anytime soon.
So, I guess I should ask — can anyone recommend a new passport holder that also stores a bunch of other stuff? 😉
I have the exact passport holder that i got while i frequented traveling from Palau to the Philippines as an emergency room physician maybe a decade ago while riding United Airlines. After procuring this, i fell in love with it. Unfortunately, it is made of synthetic leather. The edges were starting to chip: i scoured the entire web for years for a replacement (amazon in different countries, google photo searches, airline catalogs, etc.) but to...
I have the exact passport holder that i got while i frequented traveling from Palau to the Philippines as an emergency room physician maybe a decade ago while riding United Airlines. After procuring this, i fell in love with it. Unfortunately, it is made of synthetic leather. The edges were starting to chip: i scoured the entire web for years for a replacement (amazon in different countries, google photo searches, airline catalogs, etc.) but to no avail.
3 years ago, while searching, i came across a similar item. It was not like my old one but was a used, pure leather, ling passport holder. Cost me $10 ($25 with shipping). It’s a Mancini leather wallet passport.
Nice! I used roadeavour passport cover, try it!
Looks like it's unavailable now, but I recently bought this one
https://www.amazon.com/Blocking-Leather-Passport-Holder-Bifold/dp/B019ET4P4E/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_121_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1VAVGB6JE9W8BBXWBQXK
The design is what I wanted in a passport holder.. (tall/wide enough bill holder for Yen notes, visible passport window, visible ID window, and room for a bunch of cards), but interestingly the RFID block is actually a hindrance for me since I found out since it blocks transportation cards in Japan like Suica and Pasmo (although I was expecting it). They...
Looks like it's unavailable now, but I recently bought this one
https://www.amazon.com/Blocking-Leather-Passport-Holder-Bifold/dp/B019ET4P4E/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_121_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1VAVGB6JE9W8BBXWBQXK
The design is what I wanted in a passport holder.. (tall/wide enough bill holder for Yen notes, visible passport window, visible ID window, and room for a bunch of cards), but interestingly the RFID block is actually a hindrance for me since I found out since it blocks transportation cards in Japan like Suica and Pasmo (although I was expecting it). They didn't offer a non RFID block model.
Mettique travel wallet. https://www.instagram.com/p/BGV9hG6Jn9A/?taken-by=mettique
@lucky, I love the Rudsak leather passport holder and often gift it. Particularly love the zipper for the two inside pockets (ideal for cash) as well as the full-length boarding pass pocket. Also, it has a credit card size slot below the passport which is ideal for nexus card! It's a Montreal based brand and they make quality leather goods.
Saddleback Big Leather Wallet. It replaced my old Samsonite job a few years ago and is amazing. Well worth the investment.
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/big-leather-wallet
Surprised you didn't collect at the W Hong kong , very nice @Royceleather passport holder 'W-hotel' Logo embossed on the outside ,... soooo Lovely
TUMI ID Lock™ Zip Travel Case is the one i use, and its pretty close to what you have now.
It is simply well worn. Proof positive you are well-traveled. Keep on using it and have a safe and happy 4th.
Lucky this Kathmandu "Departure Wallet" holds 4 Passports has heaps of card slots and is RFID-shielded
I highly recommend it never breaks great made out of non wreckable material and is affordable and available in 3 colours
http://www.kathmandu.com.au/departure-wallet-v4-large.html
I am perfectly happy with my passport case from Saddleback leather. 100 year warrenty!
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/big-leather-wallet?custcol2=10&custcol3=3&custcol15=1
All my leather ones fell apart and couldn't stand up to my full time travel. This, in Large, is the serious professional passport wallet. Front pocket is designed to fit a boarding pass. I use one for world currency/extra cards and another for my passport and elite cards. Color coding makes this simple. The older model before RFID was better and had more pockets if you can still find it.
http://www.seatosummitusa.com/product/?item=Travelling+Light+%26trade%3B+Travel+Wallet+RFID+&o1=0&o2=0&o3=493-41
All my leather ones fell apart and couldn't stand up to my full time travel. This, in Large, is the serious professional passport wallet. Front pocket is designed to fit a boarding pass. I use one for world currency/extra cards and another for my passport and elite cards. Color coding makes this simple. The older model before RFID was better and had more pockets if you can still find it.
http://www.seatosummitusa.com/product/?item=Travelling+Light+%26trade%3B+Travel+Wallet+RFID+&o1=0&o2=0&o3=493-41
Mulberry has very handy ziparound ones
http://www.mulberry.com/pw/shop/valentines-day-gifts/zip-around-travel-wallet-oak-natural-grain-leather
Hey there Lucky,
I use a Smythson travel wallet for my passport, boarding pass, travel documents, and tickets. I also recommend Tumi ID Lock Travel Case it has plenty of card space, can fit many cards, a large place of currency, side pocket for boarding passes, and fully zips around. Best of luck with your new search.
Absolutely nothing better than a Bellroy wallet, they have 3 options depending on how much you want to carry, even an updated version of your existing wallet. The quality is absolutely premium, the patina they develop with use is just beautiful. They look and feel better after a couple of years use. I swear by them.
Your seatmate was rude to comment like that as your belongings are none of his/her business. But you could of course use a replacement.
Smythson is the go-to brand for accessories of this sort!
Another vote for the bellroy. I have a similar set of contents. Interesting you carry an oyster, that is the one transit card I don't carry. Since London transport takes contactless payments I use a contactless credit card with no overseas transaction fee and a good earn rate.
i wish more cities would go this route.
Lucky, you and Ford need to register at your favorite luggage/ travel store so that the more generous of your supporters can crowd source wedding gifts for the two of you. U definitely need an organizer, and I'm sure Ford could use a gadget or two, too!
I'm with @GT Traveller, I use a Fossil and really love it. The leather still looks like new after about 4 years of use.
Is it really an antique passport holder, or just a beat up one? I use my father's wallet from the 1950s - British notes were much larger in those days, so it's large enough to hold my passport and other travel essentials.
Other than that, I don't have a recommendation for you, because I'm happy to continue to use my vintage passport holder.
I agree with others I use bellroy for both my wallet and passport holder top notch. Great quality and durability.
Let's not do anything rash . That passport holder has several good years left.
@ Lucky: we, the readers should get creative and send you one, as a thank you gift for your all your good (and not so good) posts! :)
I personally use one from FOSSIL, it´s not a "high end, pretentious" brand but it´s discreet and good quality!
I´m serious about what I wrote!
Bosca
https://bosca.com/flight-attendant-old-leather-classic.html
But I got it for a fraction of the price on their website. It was about $120 online when I bought it a few years ago.
Louis Vuitton makes a beautiful one where you can monogram your initials too with a cool design. Goes well with your first class travel lifestyle.
I still cant believe you actually still use that holder thats basically falling apart...
Not everything old needs to be thrown away. Here is a lovely quote:
An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her.
-Agatha Christie
Mine was a gift from Air France, back in the day when they gave each Concorde passenger some sort of quality souvenir. It has held up extremely well through the years.
As they say in the car world, "that will buff right out." Somebody doesn't like it, that's a small mind talking (do I sound opinionated ??)
Keep It, Use It !! It is not until the snap closure fails that you stop using it ..... and then only long enough to get a new snap closure installed.
I’ve been using Bellroy’s passport wallet for a few years now and it’s both functional and very clever(and not inoffensive to the eye), and it has held up incredibly well!
Second the Victorinox one. I have a similar one they had about a decade ago (redeemed ThankYou points for it) and it's still going strong. Has numerous pockets to hold all your cards. I'd say go for practicality vs brand.
Lucky, I can't believe that you're a mild germaphobe, but then carry around a nasty passport holder that literally falls apart in your luggage.
@Jack: just wondering why you consider Louis Vuitton vulgar? I got a LV men wallet from my wife as a birthday gift almost 10 years ago. It is the grey and black checkered wallet and not only it looks great in my opinion but it still looks like new after using it every day for almost 10 years.
Valextra accessories are beautiful, indestructible, and neither ubiquitous (Tumi) nor vulgar (Louis Vuitton):
Vertical wallet http://www.valextra.com/en-us/vertical-wallet-12cc-cobalto/ (Valextra sells a version with a passport holder inside--not shown on the web site)
Zip-around wallet: http://www.valextra.com/en-us/all-in-one-blu/
Shop for good values at the Valextra outlet store in Milan.
Ok see This is what happens when you start staying at assisted living facilities and try to convince yourself that these accommodations are, in fact, luxury resorts. Gay men simply do not travel in this manner.
You will IMMEDIATELY go into the nearest Louis Vuitton store and purchase a new one - and all will be forgiven.
@Santastico and anyone wishing the Tumi passport holder could accommodate more than one passport, they make one that way. Not normally a concern for me as a US resident only, but for those of you fortunate enough to have an escape plan from your home country, here you go! ;)
https://www.tumi.com/p/zip-around-multiple-passport-case-011872D
I collect money from every country I visited. I don't think I have enough room in my wallet. I stick them on my white board in my office at home every time I return.
The first board completly filled! Am on my second board now
Ben, that passport is minging! Lol, good for you! :)
I see you have an Oyster Card (for London's transport system). I'm curious, do you have any other public transit cards on which you keep balances? I do that for cities I tend to visit one or more times a year. In addition to my Oyster card, I have Clipper (SFO), Metro (NYC) and Ventra (CHI) cards, always with at least enough on them to get from the airport to downtown. In the case of...
I see you have an Oyster Card (for London's transport system). I'm curious, do you have any other public transit cards on which you keep balances? I do that for cities I tend to visit one or more times a year. In addition to my Oyster card, I have Clipper (SFO), Metro (NYC) and Ventra (CHI) cards, always with at least enough on them to get from the airport to downtown. In the case of the Oyster card, I find it is also a convenient way to not have to take coins home from a trip as I just load the value on before coming home.
This is what I use, and I love it:
http://www.seatosummitusa.com/product/?item=Travelling+Light+%26trade%3B+Travel+Wallet+RFID+&o1=0&o2=0&o3=493-41
There should be a feature on regular wallets as well.
I remember when your passport case was new. LAX Red Carpet Club in 2007 you pulled out your red card from the same case!
I see your stack of currency includes American Airlines bucks? Lol
I use the Bellroy as others have indicated, and I like it. It's sleek, looks good and has everything I need. I should note that it might be a little small carrying two large passports (those with the extra 50 pages), though two normal will be fine, one normal and one large might be okay. There isn't a ton of space for cards but I think it fits 8-10 fair easily.
@ Marco - The point of a First class ticket is so you can show up one minute before they close the aircraft door, wearing muddy sneakers and a backpack generously covered with dust. Then you say Krug when they ask which bubbly you prefer, and most importantly you don't care about what anybody thinks. That's the first class state of mind, which happens to be backed up by the first class state of your...
@ Marco - The point of a First class ticket is so you can show up one minute before they close the aircraft door, wearing muddy sneakers and a backpack generously covered with dust. Then you say Krug when they ask which bubbly you prefer, and most importantly you don't care about what anybody thinks. That's the first class state of mind, which happens to be backed up by the first class state of your wallet.
As far as the wallet goes, the only requirement is that it's filled with money.
How about something from Smythson? They also have a great sale on at the moment
http://bit.ly/smythsonsale
PS. If anyone is flying through Heathrow, they actually deduct the VAT (20%) from all items (sale and non sale) irrespective of destination.
I would go with a Muji passport holder.
Since you have said in your post that you are not materialistic, why not go with a brand that somehow portraits your lifestyle?
http://www.muji.us/store/catalogsearch/result/?category=all&q=passport
There you go, Ben. :)
It's simple and discrete.
I have their regular wallet, but this passport travel wallet looks nice.
https://www.willleathergoods.com/collections/mens-wallets/products/travel-wallet?variant=36956807950
Ben, I highly recommend the Bellroy Travel Wallet:
https://bellroy.com/products/travel-wallet/leather_rfid/black/#image-0
Deep pocket (with divider) fits full boarding passes and all currency sizes, it has 6 "slots" for cards, which I manage to fit about 5 or 6 individual cards in each slot, a full passport slot, a mini-pen for filling out landing cards, a SIM card pocket, and fits (even full) relatively well into a back pocket.
The leather is fantastic and soft (Australian sheep I...
Ben, I highly recommend the Bellroy Travel Wallet:
https://bellroy.com/products/travel-wallet/leather_rfid/black/#image-0
Deep pocket (with divider) fits full boarding passes and all currency sizes, it has 6 "slots" for cards, which I manage to fit about 5 or 6 individual cards in each slot, a full passport slot, a mini-pen for filling out landing cards, a SIM card pocket, and fits (even full) relatively well into a back pocket.
The leather is fantastic and soft (Australian sheep I believe) -- I carry mine every day, even when not travelling! Also available with RFID if you are so inclined...
@ejg239: it would be great if the Tumi one could hold more than just 1 passport.
+1 to the Victorinox “travel organizer”. Have had one for many years and that is always ready for a trip. My passports, foreign currency, Priority pass card, etc... is always there.
I use the Victorinox Travel Organizer. There's this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-30370901-Travel-Organizer/dp/B003IT6ELO
And one with RFID:
https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Unisex-Travel-Organizer-Protection/dp/B01DJ7YO52/
I have both because of a mix up with the ordering but they're both pretty solid.
I would feel really ashamed to fly on a 5000$ first class flight and take out that passport holder from my bag. Well probably even on a 30€ Ryanair flight.
You're not going to throw away the passport holder once you get a new one, are you? That belongs in a museum! Because like you said, it's an antique... plus you are kinda famous :)
so I think it belongs in a more special place than a rubbish bin.
This one looks similar to your antique one: https://www.ebags.com/product/tumi/delta-ultimate-travel-organizer/221083?productid=10151890
I've carried a Victorinox "travel organizer" for 5-6 years now and would be lost without it. My specific model is a few iterations earlier than what's currently for sale and doesn't have RFID blocking, etc, but it's been put through the paces and has held up incredibly well.
https://www.victorinox.com/global/en_US/Products/Travel-Gear/Accessories/Travel-Organizer-with-RFID-Protection/p/31172801
Why not donate the spare currency that you dont have any foreseeable use for? Presumably these are small amounts in each currency that wouldn't be worth converting to something more useful. Wouldn't this meet your definition of clutter?
I'm sure you're aware that many airlines will collect donations in any currency on international flights.
http://uk.louisvuitton.com/eng-gb/products/passport-cover-monogram-eclipse-nvprod470037v
Concur with EJG239...I love my Tumi case as well as my Tumi wallet. Especially the RFID protection.
I've always been a fan of WANT's leather goods - high-quality and understated luxury. Check out their Liberty travel wallet!
http://www.wantlesessentiels.com/int_en/catalogsearch/result/index/?limit=all&q=liberty
Lucky, what is the Azzurra boarding pass (or baggage claim receipt?)
@ qasr -- It's my Tunisair boarding pass from Tunis to Montreal. :)
That looks like it has been put through a washing machine several times.
Bellroy make great passport wallets.
Since moving from Australia to London a year ago I’ve become far less materialistic. I moved over with about 70kgs of possessions (thanks to flying EF F here!) but since then have got rid of a lot of stuff. I do invest in items that I use regularly such as overnight bag, laptop, universal adapter etc because...
That looks like it has been put through a washing machine several times.
Bellroy make great passport wallets.
Since moving from Australia to London a year ago I’ve become far less materialistic. I moved over with about 70kgs of possessions (thanks to flying EF F here!) but since then have got rid of a lot of stuff. I do invest in items that I use regularly such as overnight bag, laptop, universal adapter etc because the few things I do use a lot need to be practical, durable and good quality. I am now moving into peak minimalism standardising my clothes – whereas I now have 20 or so completely different t-shirts that I don’t wear that often I realised I wear a certain style of t-shirt all the time so am going to replace my 20 different t0-shirts with 8 or so of the same t-shirt just in different colours.
I also prefer experiences to possessions – if I won a new luxury car I would immediately sell it and put the money towards travel.
I would be very keen to a post about what is in and how you pack your hand luggage complete with posts - I don't know how it would not be interesting!
^ best of all, you can have it monogrammed for free to match your Ethiad robe ;)
I really like the Tumi Camden Passport Case, and it's on sale right now. It has 7 credit/loyalty card slots, 2 slip pockets you can fit your money in, a section for your boarding pass and passport. Best of all, it's genuine leather that really seems to be lasting well, with age, and the whole thing is RFID protected so people can't steal your card information.
https://www.tumi.com/p/passport-case-011882D
I use one from tanner leather. It also holds two passports (including the kinda beefy German one), has a few slots for cards, and extra places to tuck money or boarding passes. And the leather won't flake all over your bag