Since COVID-19 grounded us, travel has never been the same for me. I’ve been fortunate to fly to over 68 countries in my lifetime, but now even thinking about navigating an airport gives me crippling anxiety. I don’t like crowds or bright lights, and even background chatter raises my heart rate. The loss of sleep in the lead-up to a trip makes me question whether doing what I love the most is worth it. Rather than give up travel, I’m arming myself with things to make journeys easy. Recently, I got the Satechi passport cover, which has Find My technology. This product does exactly what it’s designed to do: keep your passport and other valuables safe. It wasn’t until I used this on a trip to Norway last week that I realized how valuable this piece of gear is and how it played a part in calming my nerves at the airport and beyond.
I'm an Anxious Flyer. This Affordable Tech Puts My Mind at Ease
We hope you love the product we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Photo: Katie Scott Aiton
Satechi’s vegan leather passport cover with Find My technical specifications
- Wireless Charging input: 2.5W
- Battery size: 210 mAH; rechargeable lithium
- Wireless Technology: Bluetooth 5.2
- Speaker volume: 80-90dB
- Connection range: 32-64 feet indoors; 64-160 feet outdoors
- RFID-blocking technology
Satechi’s passport cover uses Find My technology, which is the same tech used in Apple AirTags to connect the wallet to your phone. This instantly gave me peace of mind as I moved around the airport from check-in to security and onto the aircraft.
Now, I should declare that I’ve been known to be a tad forgetful, especially when I’m anxious. In the past, I’ve left my passport at an airport cafe and in the front pocket of the seat on an aircraft. I’d say I’ve learned from those experiences, and perhaps because of them, I check for my valuables constantly when in transit. It’s almost like an uncontrollable tick.
Photo: Satechi
With Satechi’s passport cover connected to my cell, I could hit “Play Sound,” and it would chirp away in my carry-on. Of course, I could see exactly where the item was located on the map, but I liked that I could quickly tap and hear notification, indicating that it was still where I left it.
The cover has a built-in rechargeable battery. When fully charged, this should last around three to five months. It requires a Qi, Qi2, or MagSafe wireless charger, which does not come with the product. This is great if you already have one of these to hand and if you need to invest in one, Amazon Prime Day is next week and these chargers are pretty great for other devices, too.
Photo: Satechi
Something I didn’t consider before using this was that I’d get a notification if the device was out of range — just like I get with my car keys. This means you can track your passport if you leave your hotel, and if someone takes your valuables, you’ll be able to see where they are and give this information to the authorities.
In addition to its tracking capabilities, Satechi’s passport cover offers several other practical features. The vegan leather cover is designed to securely hold a passport, boarding passes, four cards, and other essential travel documents, ensuring they are always organized and easily accessible. The cover also features RFID shielding to deter fraudulent card scanning.
Its sleek and minimalist design is a nice touch, too. Its compact size makes it easy to pack in a carry-on or suitcase, and its lightweight construction ensures that it won’t add unnecessary bulk to your luggage. 