I know, most people have been done shopping now for a long time, right? 🙂 Well, if you are not and you want that unique Christmas gift for that special someone, here are two great last minute gifts that may just help you in a pinch!
Two Great Last Minute Gifts
Premium Card Authorized User
If you currently have an American Express Platinum card or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you could consider adding this person to your account as an authorized user. Each card offers unique benefits for the person who travels some but not enough to get airline/hotel elite status the regular earning way.
Here are some of the perks of being an authorized user on an American Express Platinum account:
- $100 Global Entry reimbursement
- Amex Centurion Lounge Access
- Delta Skyclub access
- Priority Pass access
- Ability to transfer points to their own programs in their names
- Boingo Internet
- Hilton Gold status
- SPG Gold status (and that matches you to Marriott Gold as well)
- Ability to book luxury hotels through Amex’s Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Avis, Hertz, and National elite status
Cost:Â If you have the American Express Platinum card, you can get 3 authorized users for $175 per year. That can be a big gift at a relatively cheap price for what you can give!
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve does not have quite as many perks but still is worth a look for a few reasons:
- Priority Pass membership with unlimited guests
- Ability to transfer points from a Freedom card to travel partners or redeem for 1.5 cents per point on travel
- Access to the Luxury Hotel Collection for benefits when booking
- National elite status
Cost:Â The cost to add an authorized user is $75.
Should you add an authorized user? The nice part is that you can add someone, say to your Amex Platinum card, without needing their social security number. They would need to provide that when they activate the card but they can still get transfer benefits without activation at least. You would want to hold this off for family or close friends most likely! 🙂 Also, remind them that they have to pay if they use the card – you are not giving free credit card use!
If you have both cards, I would go with the Amex Platinum as that has more perks and you can add three people for a total of $175. They could get their feet wet in a variety of travel programs to see the benefits and get lounge access along the way as well.
Global Communication
Link: Add a Data-Only SIM
If you are a Google Fi user, you can add up to 10 SIM cards to your account at no charge per card! The only charge paid is for what that person uses. If you have a friend or family member that has a trip upcoming internationally or several, you can give them a data-only SIM card from your Google Fi account and they will be able to get high speed internet around the world for only $10 per 1GB. Of course, you could choose to have them pay that part and just give them the card as a gift or whatever you want! I have some family on my Fi plan and it works great!
Google Fi has improved greatly in global speed this year and it is certainly something to look at for cellphone coverage – even in the US. Of course, if you want to get the most out of it in the US with unlimited talk and text, you will need a Google phone. But, if data would suffice for your gift, then the data-only SIM can be used in any unlocked smartphone (like an iPhone – that’s how I use mine) or tablet! To be able to have global coverage for cheap could also provide that security and peace of mind – and you can gift that very simply!
If you are not currently a Google Fi customer, you can sign-up via this link and we will both get $20 credit!
Summary
Of course, there are a ton of options for your last minute gifts, but here are two kinds of last minute gifts that could provide that unique experience while also being something you can at least let them know is on its way – along with the benefits, status, and communication!
What are your favorite last minute gifts?
