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Before your next trip, arm yourself with useful digital tools
Traveling this year can be very stressful. As airlines, airports and other sectors of the industry try and recover from a two-year hiatus, growing pains are on the rise, and we must go into any travel experience prepared for the worst.
In recent weeks we’ve looked at ways to make the travel day easier for you and your family, by packing light, using only carry-on bags and many other tricks to beat the chaos, but there’s one aspect that deserves a piece all on its own – travel apps.
Some should be travel stalwarts that came down long before Covid was a blip on our radar, but others will be especially useful in the current travel climate.
Here’s our list of travel apps you need to help you through this year’s chaos.
1. Whichever airline you are flying app
It’s important to have as much information about your flights at hand as possible. Downloading your carrier’s app and creating a membership is the first step in preparing yourself for flying days.
On a perfect day with no problems, you can check in on the app, grab your boarding pass and choose a seat. On a not-so-good day, you can quickly see when your flight is delayed or canceled, see your options instantly, and jump into troubleshooting gear before anyone else without the app does. Just a few minutes can be the difference between getting an hour or five hours on another schedule.
2. FlightAware
As double security, downloading FlightAware gives you all the flight information you need, even if Delta or American are slow to report their problems. By booking your flight a day before departure, you can get regular updates on your plane’s location.
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A huge benefit is making sure your loved ones have it too. If you are being picked up from the airport, you may not be able to meet them before boarding. You can check if your flight is on time and avoid waiting around two hours at the destination.
3. Loungebuddy
Sometimes delays happen and in these busy airports, finding an uncomfortable seat for six hours while eating overpriced airport food is a nightmare for many. Many travelers don’t even know they can get into the lounge with certain credit cards, or that many have day passes.
Loungebuddy lets you know which lounges are available to you, based on which cards, which airline you’re flying, and if you can pay just for a pass. Even if you have to pay for the entree, the price may not be as high as the combo meals you’ll pay for when you’re waiting for a long time. Trust us, it’s more comfortable.
If you’re a frequent flyer, it might be worth looking into Priority Pass. It gives you access to hundreds of lounges around the world. It comes at a premium, though, so only do it if you’re in airports a lot. Also, check the credit card benefits as many come with a limited version of Priority Pass membership.
4. HotelTonight
If the worst happens and your flight is cancelled, you are often left in despair. With thousands of others facing the same fate as you, waiting for the airline to catch up with you can take forever. If you don’t want to wait for someone else, and know you can claim the hotel with your insurance or credit card, book HotelTonight and find your own cheap digs.
The app shows the lowest prices for empty rooms in hotels that night. Since they are empty, the hotel wants to fill them as soon as possible, allowing you to take advantage of the lowest rates. If you do things right, you should still be covered, but you may not have to stay in a low-end hotel. It’s also great when you feel like a last minute trip.
5. Google Maps and Google Translate
These should not leave your phone. Language barriers, unknown territory and general helplessness are enough to send anyone over the edge after a hard day’s travel. Google Travel Maps and Translate are your light in the dark.
Maps has a large amount of information on accurate directions. Restaurants, pharmacies, how busy things are, opening times, traffic updates and many other features. Translate, meanwhile, can translate words instantly using your phone’s camera. It can also speak for you if your skills are not up to par. Perfect for meeting airport staff in a different country or negotiating with a taxi driver.
6. TripIt
Being organized is key when you travel, but many of us still carry our small binder of documents everywhere. Of course, there are physical things you need like a passport, but all bookings, reservations, flight details and excursions can all be handled in one app like TripIt.
You can set TripIt to sync with your email or send details to your account right when you plan. In return, you’ll have an easy-to-read itinerary, links to any passes or reservation forms, and even share it with other members of your trip.
There’s more to discover and use, so try out a few different apps and see which one compliments your travel style.
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Disclaimer: Current travel laws and restrictions Subject to change without notice. Travel decisions are ultimately your responsibility. Before you travel, check with your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your citizenship and/or any changes to travel requirements. Off-Road Travel does not support travel against government advice.
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