The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is one of the rare times all year when travel gear from Away, Longchamp, and Birkenstock actually drops in price, and this year's sale runs July 14 through August 9, 2026. Early access (July 14–17) is reserved for Nordy Club elites and Nordstrom Visa Signature cardholders, with the sale opening to everyone on July 18. Here's how to shop it without leaving points on the table.

The best travel picks this year

• Away Flex Carry-On — $242.99 (normally $325), an exclusive colorway you won't find during Black Friday or Prime Day
• Longchamp Le Foulonne Leather Crossbody — $269.99 (normally $405), a durable, half-pound bag that won't weigh down a packed suitcase
• Hoka Clifton One9 Sneaker — $119.99 (normally $150), built for high-mileage days sightseeing
• Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 Duo — $67 for a $96 value, TSA-friendly and doubles as a makeup primer
• Stokke JetKids BedBox — $185.99 (normally $249), a ride-on suitcase that converts into an in-flight bed for kids 2 to 7

If Away's exclusive colors sell out before you get access, Nomatic is worth bookmarking as a backup. Its carry-ons run year-round at a similar price point and won't be subject to the same rush.

Stack a shopping portal before you check out

Don't have the Nordstrom card? You can still earn extra on top of the sale price by routing your purchase through a cash-back shopping portal before checkout. Portals like My Points typically pay out a percentage of your Nordstrom order in points or cash, stacking directly on top of the sale discount at no added cost to you.

Put the purchase on the right card

For everyday online retail spend like this, a card with a bonus category for shopping is worth reaching for. The Blue Cash Preferred from American Express earns elevated cash back at U.S. supermarkets and select streaming, and its flat rate on other purchases still beats a generic 1% card on a big luggage haul. If you're comparing your options, our cash back credit cards guide breaks down which card fits which spending pattern.

An extra angle worth trying: gift cards

Several airline shopping portals currently offer bonus miles when you buy a Nordstrom gift card before shopping the sale, effectively adding another layer of rewards on top of the portal and card stack above. If you haven't used this trick before, our guide to buying gift cards for travel walks through how to do it without running into activation issues.

Don't wait to build your list

Inventory moves fast once general access opens July 18, especially on marked-down luggage and the La Mer gift set. Build your wish list now through Nordstrom's site so you can check out the moment your access window hits, and route the purchase through your portal and card of choice first.

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