The best trade show schwag item I’ve gotten the past two years has been a small clip-on ring light from Visit Richmond VA that I have with me now on this three-month trip. You never know what kind of lighting you’ll have on the road, so this ensures that my face is visible during a video call or something I need to record. It clips onto a phone or laptop and is rechargeable. This $17 GearLight version is almost identical to what I have, though this more expensive version from Littel has slightly better reviews overall, despite a shorter battery life.

Worse on Purpose Brands to Avoid

Is there any difference between a famous brand and a knock-off version? For too many of them, not any more. WorseonPurpose.com tells you which brands have gone down the tubes and explains why in well-researched detail. You can read how one $27 billion company—Luxottica—makes sunglasses from Costa Del Mar, Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and a bunch more in the same Asian factories for $6 to $16. They then sell them in mall shops they own that give a false appearance of competition: Sunglass Hut, Lenscrafters, and Pearle Vision. For apparel especially, research at Worse on Purpose before paying a premium for Brooks Brothers, Saucony, Land’s End, Eddie Bauer, Bonobos, or Body Glove: they’ve all been gutted by private equity firms and are just a licensed label now. (The site also highlights 145 brands that still stand for quality, like Patagonia, New Balance, and Darn Tough.)

USA Airport Satisfaction is Way Up

Despite a very busy year for air travel, Americans are much happier at the airport these days thanks to major capital improvements, better signage, and better food and beverage options—including ones that convey a sense of the city. The changes are literally paying off: passengers spent more than $40 per visit in the 12% of airports rated the highest, versus half that for the ones rated “Just okay.” Winners by category size were Minneapolis, Detroit, and Phoenix in the largest tier; Tampa, Portland, and Dallas Love Field in the second size tier; Charleston, Ontario (California), and Indianapolis among the smaller ones. See the full JD Power and Associates report.

Thailand Visits Back to 30 Days

We reported two years ago that Thailand had expanded the visa-on-arrival time for many nationalities from 30 days to 60. That country changes its immigration rules more often than most people change their toothbrush, however, and as of September 15 we’re back to a max of 30 days again. Tourism in the country is still down from its 2019 level and this move won’t help since some of the most reliable spenders who keep returning are the digital nomads. Their spending will drop in half now (and flow to neighboring countries instead) if they don’t have a longer visa arrangement, so we’ll see if the revenue drop causes a policy reversal again later.

A weekly newsletter with four quick bites, edited by Tim Leffel, author of A Better Life for Half the Price and The World’s Cheapest Destinations. See past editions here, where your like-minded friends can subscribe and join you.