We're all pretty familiar with the ins and outs of an airport, but that doesn't make traveling much less of a hassle. Getting onto a flight in itself is inherently hassle filled, no matter how many frequent flier miles you have. Not to mention what is entailed once you actually land. I know I'm always hankering for the same thing as soon as my flight lands, it's usually something like this (in this order):
1) "Get me off this plane asap" (Something about landing at your destination exacerbates the smells like old coffee and BO in the cabin.)
2) "I need a bathroom/ATM/coffee/cab/drink/all of the above."
3) What is there to do in this town anyway?
Or if you're connecting:
4) "What am I going to do with myself for a 3 hour layover? I wonder if I can get out earlier/get a better flight/get a later flight/I better not get stuck with a middle seat again..."
Well luckily there are apps that can actually help you with all these things, and maybe even iron your suit for you after it got wrinkly on the flight (ok not so much...)
They could have named it something better, but if you're an Amex card holder then you should check out the American Express Travel App. The downside is it doesn't work on Android yet, but it solves many of your post-deplaning airport needs. As soon as you land and everybody immediately fires up their smartphones, the app will tell you where amenities are near your gate, give you access to connect directly to things like hotels, shuttles, cabs and rental cars, or find a better seat on your connecting flight. You can also manage your itineraries, and if you have a platinum card (look at you high roller!) then the app will alert you when there's changes to a flight in your itinerary, direct you to VIP lounges, and help plan alternate itineraries for yourself. I think it's pretty cool, unfortunately it's only available if you have an Amex card.
TripIt takes all confirmations and travel plans in your email and sends them to iPhone/iPad, Android or Blackberry, and it'll do it without you asking it to! Talk about a no brainer. So no more searching your archives on a tiny version of Safari or IE to get your flight confirmation code, or calling your travel coordinator while she's on her lunch break lest you use the wrong rental car company and get in trouble again.
I'm not super into Foursquare or GoWalla, I just don't see a lot of incentive to check in aside from determining whether there's a deal going on there, and if there is, it's usually not that great. But Foursquare is good when you're on the road. Fire it up and find out all the insider tips on the restaurant or hotel you're at. Read the tips on the best item to order on the happy hour menu, the cocktail the locals love, and the best time to hit up the bar. Foodspotting is also a great app for finding savvy local-approved places to eat.
Google Translate has an app that allows you to translate words and phrases into 57 different languages using voice recognition software. Speak (or type) the phrase and the translation will appear on the screen, or depending on the language, on audio playback. So when that hotel concierge in Paris is blowing you off by pretending he doesn't understand you, this app probably won't curry their favor, but it means they don't have an excuse to evade your questions.
Are you with a group of coworkers or friends and need to split the bill evenly? Maybe Sally is the kind who had to pick up an extra 5 cents in the tip and won't ever let you live it down, or she only ever carries inconvenient denominations of cash, whatever it is Share a Bill Lite (the free version) is your solution to bill splitting fairness, or people like Sally. It keeps track of who owes what portion of the bill, and who owes you (or whom you owe) money to settle up. The paid version can track and help you budget based on certain trips or events. So if your company allocates a certain per diem, you can make sure not to exceed it.
Travel managers should rejoice at this one. If your company arranges travel and has tons of employees on the road, then the mobileXtend app from American Express is American Express Travel App on steroids, it's the ultimate travel hand-holding experience. It syncs with calenders and reminds travelers of what to do every step of the way, and it keeps them compliant and within company travel policies.
They are yet to develop an app to iron your suit, make your presentation, attend a meeting, or dispense a much needed drink when it's all over, but these apps can definitely help make your traveling a lot easier. Happy Jetsetting!
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