Over the past few years, the items that people tend to bring with them to travel has changed rapidly. With advancements of technology, changes in TSA rules and an overall minimalist mindset amongst frequent travelers, many items that were a travel-must-have are now a thing of the past. Ultimately, nobody wants to bring items that aren’t absolutely necessary or useful, and I’m here to help you keep your belongings simplistic and functional.
I have quite a bit of travel under my belt, and have learned over the years exactly how I like to pack for the easiest, most seamless travel experience. I traveled the country performing on a Broadway tour for a year, living out of a suitcase and flying from city to city each week. I also travel solo quite often, generally to Europe, where I hop from place to place with just a carry-on. In order to keep myself organized, I believe that less is more, and never travel with an item that isn’t necessary. There’s one outdated item that took me a bit to realize was just a waste of space–and I’m here to tell you to give up that item immediately.
Related:The Secret to Choosing the Best Airline Loyalty Program I Wish I Learned Sooner
Passport Holders Are A Thing Of The Past
Travel Tips By Laurie, a Youtube channel created by an airline pilot’s wife, is a great spot for updated travel tips. In one video titled “13 Outdated Items I Do Not Fly With and What to Pack Instead,” Laurie shares an incredibly useful list. One item particularly stood out to me, and that was a passport holder. Laurie explains that with current technology, airport security rules, and limited space on airplanes–passport holders are completely unnecessary.
I remember when I first graduated college, my mother gifted me an adorable passport holder for my upcoming travels as a performer. I used it to hold my passport and emergency contact information, and it was more so a fashion statement versus something that was useful to use. Ultimately, I discovered that it was incredibly annoying to take my passport in and out of the holder whenever I went through airport security. Unfortunately, airport security officers require you to take the passport out of the holder, which not only holds you up in line, but it gives you more opportunity to misplace your passport or the holder.
Photo by mihailomilovanovic on Getty Images
Laurie explains that it’s better to have a designated spot in your personal item for your passport, specifically a smaller zipped pocket that will keep it contained and safe. I personally use a fanny pack that has a zipper on the backside of the bag, and it fits my passport perfectly. I don’t keep anything else in that space, so I don’t risk accidentally misplacing it when searching for other items. It’s easy to unzip and take out for security, and I feel simplistic and organized using this method.
Related:The Travel Battery Trick I Wish I’d Learned Years Ago
How To Use Technology To Your Advantage When Traveling
It used to be common for people to carry around a printed version of their passport, just in case they misplaced the original copy in their travels. With technology becoming more and more advanced, that isn’t entirely necessary. First and foremost, I recommend taking a high-quality photo of your passport ID page, and then email it to yourself. This way, if you ever lose your passport and phone, you can log in to your email on your computer or someone else’s computer or phone, and access your passport that way.
You can also keep a copy of your passport in the notes section of your phone if you have an iPhone. There is an option to take a digital scan if you click the attachment button at the bottom of the notes, and click “scan documents.” From there, you can scan your passport, and a copy will be held in your notes app. Once you do that, lock the note so that you need a password to access it, and you’ll be good to go.
Apple users can also add their passport information to Apple Wallet, allowing the device to serve as a TSA-accepted Digital ID for domestic travel. While the method is appealing, with all the potential issues that could arise from a dead battery, lost phone or more, I wouldn’t recommend it as a primary passport replacement, but it’s a solid backup option.
Related: The One Holiday Packing Mistake You Should Never Make, According to Travel Guru Samantha Brown
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.