Anyone who has recently traveled will have a terrifying story to share. From canceled flights to long wait times, travelers face many challenges.
But technology can make it easier for travelers to cope with stress. COVID-19 has hit the travel and tourism industry hard. Now people are ready to travel again.
Three years after the pandemic and a surge in air, sea and land travel means travelers need to pack more than just toothbrushes. A lot of patience and a smartphone with the right apps can go a long way in managing stress when faced with chaotic travel conditions.
Related: Best Travel Apps of 2022
Avoid third party apps and websites
Third-party apps and websites may lower the cost of air tickets and car rentals, but do not offer guarantees, refunds, or exchanges. If there is a problem with your reservation, it can take hours for the broker to respond.
Save time and money by going direct. It also simplifies the process of changing or canceling plans.
Use the app to track your transactions
Travelers can use the app to track fares directly from airlines, car rental agencies, hotels, and more, instead of booking through third-party sites. Google Flights tracks fares based on the travel dates entered by the travel planner.
The app offers the functionality of email and text notifications when prices drop.The link takes users directly to the airline’s website to book a flight.
Book a seat with great value
SeatGuru allows travelers to enter a flight number and view a map of airplane seat options. This makes it easy to choose seats with the most legroom, access to overhead storage, or behind non-reclining seats.
Flight status monitoring
Cancellations and delays derail travel. Keep an eye on these events with tools like FlightAware and FlightRadar24.
These apps provide up-to-date information about flights. The LoungeBuddy app provides details about which airport lounges have the most passengers.
Check COVID-19 requirements
International travelers may be required to provide documentation of recent COVID-19 infection, vaccination and quarantine details. The JoinSherpa.com web tool quickly retrieves a list of required documents for international destinations.
Organize your itinerary
TripIt will organize your itinerary. Track hotel reservations, car rental reservations, restaurant and museum reservations, and more.
View your itinerary as a neat timeline. One analyst recommends that travelers use a dedicated email her account for all travel bookings and connect that account to her TripIt app.
proof of vaccination
Carry two digital forms of your COVID-19 vaccination certificate. A QR code from the State Department of Health and a photo of a physical vaccination card will work for most travelers.
track a parcel
Due to the recent boom in air travel, the amount of lost luggage has skyrocketedTile and AirTag make it easy to track suitcases and other checked baggage.
use the hotel app
Many hotels have their own apps. The app makes check-in, payment, room service and departure faster.
Checking in via the app also prevents hotels from canceling room reservations if travelers arrive later than the check-in deadline due to flight delays.
Many hotels offer exclusive benefits through their apps, such as discounts on services, access to premium programs and special events.