THE SQUAD EDIT: Black Friday — What’s Actually Worth Buying for Your 2026 Travels

Written By Latitude Travel Club

Black Friday arrives every year with the subtlety of a Ryanair boarding call — loud, chaotic, and designed to make you panic-buy things you’ll never use. And travellers? We’re prime targets. One “flash deal” later and suddenly you’re the proud owner of a 13-piece luggage set that will never fit in your hallway.

So let’s cut through the noise.

This is The Squad Edit: the curated breakdown of what’s genuinely worth buying for your 2026 trips — and what deserves to stay exactly where it is (buried in the depths of the internet).

1. Luggage Upgrades Worth Your Money (Not Your Regret)

If your current suitcase is one cobblestone away from spontaneous combustion, Black Friday is your time.

Worth snapping up:

  • Lightweight hard-shell carry-ons (Antler, Away, Samsonite — the grown-ups of luggage)

  • Compression packing cubes that actually compress

  • Slim organisers for cables so your bag stops looking like a tech graveyard

Skip:

  • Multi-piece luggage sets you “might need”

  • Suitcases with built-in tech that dies before your first layover

Minimalism wins. Always.

2. Hotel Gift Cards: The Black Friday Cheat Code

Here’s the insider move most people overlook. Some hotels run deals where you:

Spend £200 → Get £300
or
Buy a gift card → Get 20–30% extra value

That’s not a discount — that’s instant travel credit.

Worth it:

  • Boutique hotels you already love (or plan to book)

  • Spa breaks

  • Countryside or coastal escapes

Not worth it:

  • Gift cards for “maybe” stays

    If you can’t name the destination and the month, it’s a no.

3. Airport Hotels, Parking & Lounges — The Stress-Free Trifecta

Early flights are a sport.
An airport hotel is the recovery plan.

Black Friday is the sweet spot for:

  • Discounted airport hotels

  • Parking bundles

  • Lounge access offers

Book for the trips you already know you’re taking. Do not book out of vibes alone.

4. Travel Tech That Actually Helps You (and Doesn’t Look Like a Gadget Graveyard)

Yes, worth it:

  • Noise-cancelling earbuds

  • Portable chargers you’d trust with your life

  • USB-C travel adapters

  • E-readers for beach days and delayed flights

No, thank you:

  • Smart luggage with feelings

  • Inflatable plane footstools (you’ll be judged — correctly)

5. Flight Deals — Proceed, but With Emotional Intelligence

Black Friday can be brilliant for flights… if you don’t lose your head.

Worth booking:

  • Trips you already plan to take

  • Off-peak Europe deals

  • Airline gift cards (rare, but gold when they appear)

Avoid:

  • Any deal that’s all “SALE!!” and no actual saving

  • Routes exclusively at 6am from airports you’ve never heard of

Your 2026 self will thank you.

6. Travel Insurance (The Least Sexy, Most Sensible Purchase)

Annual travel insurance deals pop up around Black Friday with 15–20% off.
It’s dull. It’s adult. It’s genuinely useful.
Get it done if you're due a renewal.

7. Experiences Worth Pre-Booking

Black Friday isn’t just “stuff.”
Look for experiences you’ll actually use:

  • Spa days

  • Theme park tickets

  • City sightseeing passes

  • Lounge memberships

Instant serotonin for Future You.

What’s NOT Worth It (Even If It’s 90% Off)

  • “Ultimate travel hack” PDF bundles made yesterday in Canva

  • 200-piece first aid kits the size of carry-on luggage

  • Off-brand tech that’ll break mid-flight

  • Luggage without wheels — a crime against humanity

The Squad Edit Verdict

Before you buy anything, ask yourself:
“Will this make 2026 travel cheaper, easier, or calmer?”

If the answer is no… close the tab and walk away like the composed travel goddess you are.

If the answer is yes?
Enjoy the deal — guilt-free.

Latitude Travel Club