Apps Every Traveler Should Have on Their Phone

Your  phone is your most important accessory on the road. I can’t think of anything I would fear losing more (maybe a passport on some international trips) when on the road than a phone. Your phone tells you where to go, lets you pay for things, keeps your schedule organized and keeps you connected. Our phone is also our fortress and if anyone breaks into it, they could wreak havoc on our lives.

I prepared a list of a few apps that are, in my opinion, must haves for a highly effective traveler.

TripIt

Have you ever experienced the excitement that comes with planning a trip only to be burdened by the worry of keeping your travel itineraries and documents in place? TripIt allows you to access all your travel information in one platform ensuring that your trip is  enjoyable and hassle-free. Simply send your confirmation emails to their email, plans@tripit.com, and the app will take care of organizing them into one master itinerary. I like to think of it as my own personal travel assistant. 

TripIt helps you keep track of your flight details, accommodation information, as well as other bookings. Personally, I use it for restaurant reservations, attractions, or transportation rentals to ensure I never miss an appointment during your trip. It helps store important reservation documents through the app so you don’t have to worry about misplacing them. Another convenient feature of the app is that you do not need WiFi or connectivity to access your itinerary, which is great if you find yourself in a remote area. The app also allows you to share your plans with your colleagues or family members.  With the impact of COVID-19 on travel, the app provides you with the latest guidelines, restrictions, and requirements of your destination. 

TripIt has two main plans you can choose from. The TripIt (free) plan has all the app’s noteworthy features, and the TripIt Pro plan, which costs $49 per year and has all the features of the TripIt (free) plan with some additional features. These additional features include real-time flight alerts, reminders for check-in and boarding, baggage claim info, airport navigation, and assistance with fare refunds, seat selection, and finding cheaper flights. TripIt Pro allows you to upload up to 25 documents per trip while TripIt (free) only allows up to 3 documents. If you are a frequent traveler or a traveler that always has a lot of travel-related things to take care of that are often misplaced, then the TripIt Pro plan is probably worth the upgrade. 

TripIt supports smartphones and tablets, computers, and wearables, allowing you to access the app in your hand, on your disk, and even on your wrist for quick information at a glance. 

PackPoint

PackPoint is an app that will tell you what to bring in preparation for your next travel destination. It will ask for the city you are traveling to, your departure date, the length of your stay, and the activities you plan to do during your trip.

The app factors in the weather forecast to suggest weather-specific travel essentials. It can even account for taking your baby on your trip. The more detailed your traveling activities, the better PackPoint will be able to accurately curate your packing list.

PackPoint will generate a checklist of your travel essentials based on the specifications you provided. You can customize your packing list to add or remove items from the initial list created. You can also change the quantity of each item from your packing list and select the “hide checked items” option to make it more neat and complete. If you have access to laundry facilities in your travel destination, PackPoint will adjust your packing list accordingly. 

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor allows users to leave reviews about shops, restaurants, hotels, places etc. that future travelers can use to help them out on their next adventure. 

The app has over 830 million reviews and contains information about the best possible deals from their partner establishments. Additionally, Tripadvisor has over 8.6 million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines and cruises listed on the app making it easier for travelers to plan out their travel itineraries. Users can set alerts and save posts for future reference.

Even during a trip, travelers can use the app to look for nearby gems. Something to note is the app collects your location even if it’s just running in the background.

Smart Traveler

Smart Traveler is the official app of the U.S. State Department for U.S. citizens traveling abroad. It’s a free app that provides U.S. travelers with a platform to access country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, country maps, and U.S. embassy locations. The app provides information on visa requirements as well as local health protocols you need to follow and information about testing. Additionally, the app provides links to the relevant documents or social media pages regarding the local country’s laws and regulations.

Through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), you can register your trip with the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you’re visiting. In an unlikely event a disaster or crisis occurs, as well as lost or stolen passports, this program will allow the embassy or consulate to contact you. The program also allows you to appoint an individual whom the embassy or consulate will contact in case of an emergency. 

AirHelp

Has your flight schedule ever been delayed, cancelled, or overbooked before? Have you had your baggage lost or mishandled? If you feel that you should be compensated for the inconvenience you experienced, AirHelp is designed to protect your right as a passenger.

AirHelp is an online legal service that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to make the process of compensation simple―it’s something you can do in just a few minutes. 

Instead of having to wait for customer service personnel to respond to you, just enter your flight information in the app as well as a few details about the issue you’re experiencing. After doing this,, relax and let the app take care of the steps necessary to file and win a claim for you. However,  if they do win the claim for you, when you choose to collect the compensation, they will get a small cut for acting on your behalf. The compensation varies between $170 and $700 depending on your flight’s distance and the amount of time your flight was delayed.

If you are traveling to or from WU conountry you might be eligible for compensation of up to EUR600 per person for a flight which is delayed 4 hours or more. As of 2018, AirHelp has reportedly helped more than 5 million passengers with their compensation claims.

Google Fi

Google Fi is NOT an app, but a phone plan. It is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) telecommunications service by Google that provides telephone calls, SMS, and mobile broadband using cellular networks and Wi-Fi. 

In the U.S., it uses T-Mobile, Sprint, US-Cellular networks as well a myriad of hotspot locations. It offers great global coverage as it works with multiple networks and wifi providers; it picks the one with best reception at each spot.

Google Fi’s international data plan is unrivaled so you can always stay connected at a very reasonable price and it eliminates the need to use different Wi-Fi. This protects you from being hacked. It is also good for tethering so all of your devices can stay connected on the road through your phone without needing Wi-Fi. 

Their unlimited plan gives up to 22 gigabytes of data per month. If you sync Google Fi with Google Hangouts, you can take and make calls on your number and text using your computer or tablet too.

More recently, Google Fi expanded its coverage to include 5G, which can only work if you have a 5G-compatible phone.

It is not perfect yet. It does not support wearables unless connected to the phone, it does not allow you Wi-FI calling on iPhones and they will disable your global roaming if you stay out of the US for over 6 months or more. It does work in China unlike most other Google products. On balance, it is the plan to have for a global traveler today.\

Apple Wallet or Google Wallet

Apple and Google Wallet don’t just help you organize your wallet; they eliminate the need for a wallet completely. The wallet makes your credit card information impossible to steal as it never reveals your card number to anyone, including merchants. It does this by issuing a single use code for each transaction. You can use it anywhere as long as contactless cards are accepted (which is virtually everywhere now) and you can keep it on your phone or wearable device. Even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use your wallet as it would require your fingerprint or face authentication to work.

A common travel nightmare is discovering your card number has been compromised mid trip or you lose your wallet. Replacing a card may take up to a week, especially if it needs to be shipped to you from overseas, which makes being without your preferred card on the road a major hassle. The app allows users to store ID cards, boarding passes, rewards cards, event tickets, movie tickets, train tickets, and public transportation tickets. Some of the newer cards even allow you to load your virtual car keys in the wallet. This app is truly transformational and will keep your trips smooth!

Priority Pass

If you have one of the better premier reward cards in your wallet and we strongly recommend you do, it comes with free Priority Pass Select membership. The app is your best window to all the benefits that membership offers.

It offers access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide, restaurant credits at select airport restaurants (around $28 per person), provides access to minute suites (the first hour is free with PPS) and even gives you free access to sleep pods at certain international airport locations. For example, Dubai gives you the pod for up to 3 hours at their sleep pod with membership.

There are 8 U.S. cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership with slight variations.

It is offered by Citi Prestige, Chase Sapphire Reserve, US Bank Reserve Visa Infinite and 5 different cards American Express:The Platinum Card, Business Platinum, Hilton Honors Aspire, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, and Hilton Honors Surpass (more limited membership than the first 4).

Citi Prestige benefit is most generous as it allows the card holder/authorized user to bring two guests or immediate family members of up to 2 adults plus any kids under 18.

Chase Sapphire allows the card holder/authorized user to bring two guests.

US Bank Reserve Visa Infinite offers complimentary access only for the first four visits, as well as four individual guest visits.

American Express allows the card holder/authorized user to bring two guests but does not include the Restaurant benefit. Unlike other cards, AmEx also offers free access to Delta sky clubs and centurion lounges which are not part of Priority Pass.

Google Translate 

Google Translate is a free and user-friendly language translator application with a small app size. When used online, this app can translate about 108 languages by typing the statement on the text box. Google Translate can automatically translate the desired language for you. You can even translate without an internet connection since there are 59 languages available for download.

Google Translate also allows you to use your smartphone’s camera, as it translates image texts instantly. Just point your camera towards the text and voilà! You now have a translated version of the text. You can also import photos for higher quality translations. You can even draw on Google Translate for languages that rely heavily on characters. 

This app is a must-have as it eases the worry of reading directions, selecting food off a menu, or even just having a decent conversation with someone in a foreign country.

Google Translate is one of the most recognized language translators in the App Store and the Google Play store. This app has over 500 million downloads on Google Play and a 4+ rating across different app stores. 

TunnelBear

A VPN or a Virtual Private Network is a tool that allows a secure connection between your device and the internet. When you use a VPN after connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, an encrypted tunnel connects to a server provided by the VPN company, which gives you privacy and security.

It is essential to have a VPN when traveling because public Wi-Fi networks are convenient outlets for hackers to obtain your personal information. You are always susceptible to this risk, especially with public networks that seem legitimate but are really hubs for information theft. A VPN encrypts all of your communication to protect you if someone tries to interfere with your online activity. With a VPN, hackers will not be able to steal your passwords or read your messages.

TunnelBear is a VPN provider that allows you to use the internet safely in 26 countries. In a PC Mag article on the best VPN services for 2021, TunnelBear was recognized as the best for first-time VPN users. The app provides a fast, secure, and strongly encrypted experience. The app comes with a free 500MB browsing data each month, but with a paid account, you can have unlimited data starting at USD 3.33 per month and you can secure up to five devices.

Noonlight

Noonlight is a personal safety app that lets you get help from medical responders, local police, or firefighters as needed.

Noonlight is pretty straightforward and easy to use. You can manually trigger an alarm by simply pressing and holding the app button, and Noonlight will send your vital information and location to authorities.

If the situation eases and you feel safe, you can release the button and the app will prompt you to enter a PIN to cancel the alarm. If you failed to enter the PIN, it will be considered as an emergency signal and your location will be monitored.

You can also integrate other smart devices such as smart smoke detectors and smart home cameras to your Noonlight app, which can help you detect danger and send the right help depending on the situation.

You do not need to worry even if you are on the move as the app updates your location, even if you’re in a taxi, bus, running, or walking.

The basic version of the app is free for Android and iOS users. However, the more advanced features are only available for iOS.   

bSafe

bSafe is a personal safety service app designed to prevent possible violence or threats, and documents such instances should you ever encounter one. Feeling personally safe and secure has always been a global concern. Amidst horrible crimes that are reported daily, no one is exempt from being a victim. The app allows you to create your own “social safety network” of people you trust who are notified during emergencies, or in situations where you feel unsafe. 

Alongside pepper sprays and tasers, bSafe is considered to be a new safety tool and weapon. It can be used by anyone from child to adult. Its features offer an advanced safety alarm that sets off a siren, gathers evidence with a video recording, transmits locations and notifies people just by touching an SOS button. It also includes a wide range of safety services that you can use everyday whether you are having a night out, walking alone, or just notifying your closest loved ones of your whereabouts. 

bSafe has already rescued lives and put a stop to attacks. It was developed by Mobile Software Company, and provides a Safety-and-Security software that prevents crimes like violence, sexual assault and rape, as well as provide evidence in cases where it occured. The app is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store. You will get a 30-day free trial upon installing, but you can continue with a paid subscription for $24 a year.

Rebtel

In case you haven’t heard, there is a new app emerging in the telecommunications market that aids users in avoiding crazy international call rates.

Rebtel is an app that allows users to minimize spending on roaming fees by giving them the privilege of calling anyone from around the globe, even without the use of internet connections.

If there is no internet connection in one’s location, one can use Rebtel to make any important calls. In order to do this, Rebtel connects users’ calls through local phone lines anywhere in the world, while ensuring the quality of a local call.

Besides the subscriptions, there are no hidden charges or unexpected fees. Because of that, users merely spend a fraction of what they used to in roaming fees.

AllTrails

Are you looking for an outdoor adventure or a run with scenic views? AllTrails provides ideal locations for running, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and many more! 

Alltrails has over 100,000+ trails available for your next outdoor adventure. Options are categorized by activities and difficulty and come with a short description, photos, distance, elevation, user reviews, weather, and UV Index. It even gives you the time of sunrise and sunset for an additional touch. The app keeps track of your activity using your GPS location, which you can share online or with your friends.

For a paid membership of $30 for a year or $70 for three years, you can download maps for offline navigation and an ad-free experience. You also have access to their Lifeline feature, which sends your location to your designated safety contact. AllTrails is also a One Percent for the Planet member; you can feel good knowing that your subscription contributes to helping the environment.

Google Maps 

Google Maps is a free online navigation application developed by Google. You can access it on any device, be it on your laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. The app is ideal for travelers or individuals who simply have trouble getting to their destinations. Just type the address of your destination on the search bar, and Google Maps will help you find your way. It will show you turn-by-turn directions, telling you when to turn, go back, or just keep driving straight ahead. The app can even suggest an alternative route for you if it anticipates any traffic.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Google Maps is more than just about helping you with directions. It also gives you information about the places you go to, and the establishments near it. If by chance you plan to book a dinner in a certain restaurant, you would be able to see their store hours, contact details, and the link to their official website. In essence, Google Maps allows you to plan in advance. 

Google Maps also offers real-time satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, and real-time 360 degrees interactive views of streets. It is an interactive map that helps you connect, learn and explore virtually and in real-life. Google Maps is available on Apple Store, Google Play, and other application stores with over 5 billion downloads. It can also be accessed offline once downloaded on your device.

Uber

Ride-hailing apps provide convenience for riders as it eliminates waiting time and uncertainty. With multiple ride-hailing apps emerging in the industry, it is easier for people to obtain transportation services. 

Uber is a ride-hailing app that currently operates in 71 countries. With the app, you can easily specify your pick up and drop off location. Uber also provides you the cost of the ride in advance and it accepts multiple payment choices, making the whole process of booking direct and convenient.

Uber sets requirements and does regular inspections for their vehicles to ensure the safety of both the driver and rider. The app also provides multiple options for their customers such as UberX, UberComfort, UberXL, UberSUV, UberPool, and more. These options range from the most basic sedan for everyday rides to food delivery from their partner establishments.

Another feature in the app is their rating system. Uber allows users to leave reviews and ratings for both drivers and riders in order to provide feedback to the service. The app is available in both iOS and Android.

GlobeTips 

Tipping varies from country to country, which makes it hard to determine when and how much to tip. With GlobeTips, you don’t have to worry about it anymore as it will help you tip like a local.

This app comes with tipping guides to 249 countries and can even convert local currency into your currency of choice. Just scan the bill and the app provides you with how much your tip should be, your share of the bill (depending on how many will pay), and the total amount to be paid. The app also lets you add your bills to your calendar app to remind you to pay your friend for your share of the bill. 

The app is free with a paid upgrade for the currency converter and additional tipping guides. The tipping guides cover restaurants, bag porters, taxis, baristas, bartenders, and tour guides. Easy, fast, and helpful for travelers! 

Expensify

Travelling always entails expenses, no matter where you go. By keeping track of your expenses, you’ll know how much you have left to spend. If you want to track your expenses without worrying about losing your receipts, then Expensify can help you out.

Expensify is not an ordinary expense tracker. Using its patented SmartScan technology, all you need to do is snap a picture of your receipts and the app automatically retrieves the  expense amount, the date, and the seller or merchant for you. No more need for any manual encoding. 

Expensify has different plans to choose from but for the individual traveler, the Track plan should suffice. The Track plan is free for up to 25 SmartScans per month but if you want to have unlimited SmartScans or avail of their other features, it would cost $4.99.

The app has won multiple awards and has been spotted on different lists that feature the best expense tracker apps.

Your Favorite Airlines App

I would recommend actually booking on your app in most cases (JetBlue is an exception as they triple points when you book on their app) but even if your flight is booked through an agent or other portal, using the app of the airline you fly most is worthwhile.

Some airlines like United only allow you to obtain online boarding passes for international trips through the app, as opposed to printing one from their website. 

Also, apps often have the most updated information about last minute flight changes. You can allow push notifications from the app while on the trip to stay connected. In case of Turkish Airlines, it is not up to par and their app is usually much easier to get things booked (the app is also not that great, which is disappointing since their inflight service and airport are great!).  

Camera app on your phone

Yes, I know you already have it. But are you getting all you can out of it on your trips? It is good for a lot more than selfies and beautiful sights.

Make it a rule to take a picture of any paper document you get - any sort of receipts for your expense reports, Valet/coat check slips in case you lose them, boarding passes in case you need your miles added, and meeting agendas so you do not have to carry them around.

Take a photo of your check-in bag after it is tagged, but before it is placed on a conveyor with the tags clearly visible in case your luggage gets lost. Take a photo of any cab you get into in case you forget something inside it. Take a photo of your parked car and of your hotel room number so you do not forget them. You can also take a picture of any business card you receive and sort them later on.

Keep photos of your passport, driver’s license, and vaccination certificate. Oftentimes, showing a photo of your ID on the phone is sufficient when someone needs to verify your identity.

Moreover, you can also take a picture of a wine label that you enjoyed, a restaurant business card, or any establishments you think could be useful. You may forget their names sometime in the future, but you know you have their pictures in your phone that you can go back to anytime.

Create folders of different categories and organize your photos on your phone accordingly so you can easily search for them. Be sure to make cloud backups in case you lose your phone. 

MaxRewards app

Do you have multiple credit cards? Then, you must have this app installed on your smartphone.

MaxRewards is an app that will enable you to manage all your credit cards and credit scores. Apart from that, it can also assist you in activating bonus categories and card-linked offers, and even help you maximize your credit card benefits. 

After connecting your existing credit cards, this app will let you know the best card to use on your next purchase and show you active offers to help you take advantage of your credit card rewards, offers, and deals. It excludes cards that are relatively expensive - cards with annual fees higher than rewards. 

MaxRewards also lets you see upcoming credit card dues and their autopay statuses. More so, the app has a built in tracking feature, where you can see and review your transactions. 

The app is 100% free to download and use. The majority of the app's functionality is free as well. But if you want to explore and have access to MaxRewards’ exclusive functionality, you may opt to subscribe to their premium service called MaxRewards Gold. It has no fixed price as they let you choose your monthly subscription fee.

MaxRewards currently has an average of 4.5 rating across Google Play and App Store. 

Whether you’re traveling for business or for fun, it’s important that you know the basic travel must-haves. 

Doing so will not only save you a bunch of time, money, and effort, but it will also give you a seamless and hassle-free travel experience in whatever destination you’re in. 

Keep these app suggestions in mind as these will all come in handy! 

Sources:

https://www.mappingmegan.com/smartphone-travel-apps/ 

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/best-travel-apps/ 

https://www.wheretraveler.com/15-essential-travel-apps-you-should-have-your-phone 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate&hl=en 

https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/ 

https://www.tunnelbear.com/ 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sfcapital.publictoiletinsouthaustralia&hl=en&gl=US 

https://www.rebtel.com/en/

https://www.packpnt.com/ 

https://www.alltrails.com/

https://www.prioritypass.com/en/airport-lounges 

https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/

https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/best-travel-apps/ 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.itlogy.awardwallet&hl=en&gl=US 

Priority Pass Select membership: Full guide - The Points Guy

https://www.tripit.com/web/free/

https://www.tripit.com/web/pro/

https://www.tripit.com/web/pro/pricing/

https://sea.pcmag.com/home-security-products/5513/the-best-vpn-services-for-2020

https://thepointsguy.com/2016/03/stay-safe-while-traveling-abroad-with-these-tips/

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/airhelp

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/airhelp-the-best-new-way-to-get-paid-for-flight-delays-and-cancellations

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelalpiner/2018/03/07/this-app-has-helped-air-travelers-recoup-369-million/?sh=6594d9db3800

https://www.capterra.com/p/97594/Expensify/#pricing

https://www.expensify.com/pricing

https://sea.pcmag.com/expense-tracking-software/31352/expensify-review