Anyone who has taken a trip lately likely has a horror story to share. From canceled flights to long waits, travelers face a multitude of hassles.
However, technology could make it easier for travelers to cope with stress. COVID-19 hit the travel and tourism industries hard, and now people are ready to hit the road and take to the air again.
Three years into the pandemic, this sudden surge in travel by air, sea and land means that travelers need to pack more than a toothbrush. A lot of patience and a smartphone with the right apps will go a long way in managing stress when facing chaotic travel conditions.
Related: Best Travel Apps 2022
Avoid Third-Party Apps and Websites
Although third-party apps and websites may lower the cost of plane tickets or rental cars, they do not offer guarantees, refunds or exchanges. If something goes wrong with a reservation, dealing with the middleman could take hours.
Going direct saves time and money. It also simplifies the process of changing or canceling plans.
Use Apps for Tracking Deals
Instead of booking through a third-party site, travelers can use apps to track prices directly from airlines, rental car agencies, hotels and more. Google Flights tracks prices based on the dates of travel entered by the person planning a trip.
The app offers a feature for email and text notifications when prices drop. The link takes the user directly to the airline’s website to book the flight.
Book a Great and Cheap Seat
SeatGuru allows travelers to enter their flight numbers and view a map of the airplane’s seating options. This makes it easy to pick the seat with the most leg room, access to overhead storage or behind seats that don’t recline.
Monitor Flight Status
Cancellations and delays derail trips. Look out for these events with tools including FlightAware and FlightRadar24.
These apps provide up-to-the-minute information on flights. The LoungeBuddy app offers details about which airport lounges have the most occupants.
Check COVID-19 Requirements
International travelers may need to produce documentation regarding recent COVID-19 infection, vaccination and quarantine details. The JoinSherpa.com web tool quickly pulls a list of required documents for international destinations.
Organize the Itinerary
TripIt organizes itineraries. It tracks hotel reservations, rental car bookings and reservations for restaurants, museums and more.
View the itinerary as a neat timeline. One analyst recommends that travelers use a dedicated email account for all of their trip bookings and connect that account to the TripIt app.
Proof of Vaccination
Carry two digital forms of proof of COVID-19 vaccination. A QR code from the state health department and a photo of the physical vaccination card will work for most travelers.
Track Luggage
The recent boom in air travel has caused a surge in the amount of lost luggage. Tile and AirTag make it easy to track suitcases and other checked bags.
Use the Hotel’s App
Many hotels have their own apps. Using the app facilitates faster check-in, payment, room service and departures.
Checking in through the app could also prevent the hotel from canceling a room reservation if a flight delay causes a traveler to arrive later than the check-in deadline.
Many hotels also offer exclusive perks through their apps, such as discounts for services and access to premium programming and special events.