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10 best travel apps for frequent fliers
While flying is essential in helping travelers get where they need to go, it can also, at times, be a hassle. Organizing your documents, flight delays, missed connections, expensive parking garages, and keeping up with TSA requirements can really give you a headache when trying to plan a trip. Luckily, these 10 great apps for frequent fliers can help make your next flight stress free.GateGuru
GateGuru is a savior for those wanting to make the most out of their airport time on the day of their flight. Not only can you check important flight information like real-time flight status and airport security wait times, you'll also be able to navigate airport amenities like the best eateries and souvenir shops with photos, reviews, and tips. Other features include viewing travel itineraries, downloading airport maps, access to a High Flyers status program, and social media sharing.
Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a flight search app that has one of the largest databases out of these types of apps. The app allows travelers to search over 600 airlines, each checking split ticket options involving multiple airlines to get you the cheapest fare. The app will also help you figure out the cheapest places to fly to as well as which travel dates will save you money.
Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
FlyersRights.Org
FlyersRights.org is a non-profit airline consumer organization that represents passenger rights. This app helps inform passengers about what their rights are, new laws, key contacts like airline numbers, government agencies, and media outlets, and safety information like what to do if you are ever stranded on a tarmac (the creator of the organization, Kate Hanni, was once stranded for 9 hours with her family, leading to the birth of FlyersRights.org).
Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. $0.99.
Next Flight
NextFlight is a great app to have during those times when you either miss a flight or want to check if a more convenient flight time is available. You'll be able to enter your flight itinerary and then will be shown a list of available flights for that day as well as the two days following. There are over 1,200 airline carriers in their system as well as more than 4,300 airports around the world, making your chances of finding a flight alternative pretty high.
Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. $2.99.
TripIt
As a frequenet flier and traveler, I'm a big fan of TripIt, as it allows me to not have to print out 20 different confirmation e-mails that will undoubtedly get lost exactly when I need them. Instead, you simply forward your necessary itinerary information to plans@tripit.com. From there all of your reservations and meetings will be organized by date and time so that you will always know when and where you need to be.
Available for Blackberry, Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
Kindle
During a flight there's a lot of time to kill, and while reading is a fun way to do this, it can be annoying to carry thick paperbacks and heavy hardcovers that take up a lot of space. That's why I love the Kindle app; it allows me to download my favorite books, magazines, and newspapers while only taking up as much space as my iPad does. You can browse and buy over 1,000,000 books as well as hundreds of newspapers and magazines, while also getting to read the first chapter of each book before you decide to purchase it.
Available for Blackberry, Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
Hipmunk
While Skyscanner is great for finding the cheapest flight (Hipmunk is, as well), this app is my favorite for helping to find the most comfortable flight. They have a unique "agony" filter that will list your search results in such a way as to show you which ones will be the least agonizing (shorter duration, less stops) and which ones will have you pulling out your hair mid-air.
Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
BestParking
BestParking is an excellent app for U.S. travelers who want to find the cheapest and most convenient parking areas to keep their cars. The app reviews garages, parking lots, and even decodes street parking signs to help you save money. Before arriving you will know hours of operation, if there is a valet service, contact information, and acceptable payment methods. Plus, their newest version also has a "mobile coupons" feature for New York City.
Available for Blackberry, Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
Airport Car Rental
Airport Car Rental is a very helpful app for travelers who need to use a car. This global app allows users to enter in their reservation requirements, including if they need to drop off the vehicle in a different location, and then compare and contrast different deals. You can browse by category (i.e. economy, full size, SUV, luxury) or simply peruse all of the available vehicles.
Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
My TSA
My TSA is a helpful tool for keeping up with all of the changing rules and regulations in air travel. Once you choose your airport, you'll be able to see flights delays and security checkpoint wait times, as well as helpful traveler's guides with categories like "Food and Gifts", "Traveling with Children" and "Pack Smart". My favorite feature of the app, however, is the "Can I Bring" button, where you can enter an item and immediately find out if you can bring it in your carry-on or checked bag.
Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
Skyscanner is a flight search app that has one of the largest databases out of these types of apps. The app allows travelers to search over 600 airlines, each checking split ticket options involving multiple airlines to get you the cheapest fare. The app will also help you figure out the cheapest places to fly to as well as which travel dates will save you money.
Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
FlyersRights.OrgFlyersRights.org is a non-profit airline consumer organization that represents passenger rights. This app helps inform passengers about what their rights are, new laws, key contacts like airline numbers, government agencies, and media outlets, and safety information like what to do if you are ever stranded on a tarmac (the creator of the organization, Kate Hanni, was once stranded for 9 hours with her family, leading to the birth of FlyersRights.org).
Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. $0.99.
Next Flight
NextFlight is a great app to have during those times when you either miss a flight or want to check if a more convenient flight time is available. You'll be able to enter your flight itinerary and then will be shown a list of available flights for that day as well as the two days following. There are over 1,200 airline carriers in their system as well as more than 4,300 airports around the world, making your chances of finding a flight alternative pretty high.
Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. $2.99.
TripItAs a frequenet flier and traveler, I'm a big fan of TripIt, as it allows me to not have to print out 20 different confirmation e-mails that will undoubtedly get lost exactly when I need them. Instead, you simply forward your necessary itinerary information to plans@tripit.com. From there all of your reservations and meetings will be organized by date and time so that you will always know when and where you need to be.
Available for Blackberry, Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
Kindle
During a flight there's a lot of time to kill, and while reading is a fun way to do this, it can be annoying to carry thick paperbacks and heavy hardcovers that take up a lot of space. That's why I love the Kindle app; it allows me to download my favorite books, magazines, and newspapers while only taking up as much space as my iPad does. You can browse and buy over 1,000,000 books as well as hundreds of newspapers and magazines, while also getting to read the first chapter of each book before you decide to purchase it.
Available for Blackberry, Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
HipmunkWhile Skyscanner is great for finding the cheapest flight (Hipmunk is, as well), this app is my favorite for helping to find the most comfortable flight. They have a unique "agony" filter that will list your search results in such a way as to show you which ones will be the least agonizing (shorter duration, less stops) and which ones will have you pulling out your hair mid-air.
Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
BestParking
BestParking is an excellent app for U.S. travelers who want to find the cheapest and most convenient parking areas to keep their cars. The app reviews garages, parking lots, and even decodes street parking signs to help you save money. Before arriving you will know hours of operation, if there is a valet service, contact information, and acceptable payment methods. Plus, their newest version also has a "mobile coupons" feature for New York City.
Available for Blackberry, Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
Airport Car RentalAirport Car Rental is a very helpful app for travelers who need to use a car. This global app allows users to enter in their reservation requirements, including if they need to drop off the vehicle in a different location, and then compare and contrast different deals. You can browse by category (i.e. economy, full size, SUV, luxury) or simply peruse all of the available vehicles.
Available for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
My TSA
My TSA is a helpful tool for keeping up with all of the changing rules and regulations in air travel. Once you choose your airport, you'll be able to see flights delays and security checkpoint wait times, as well as helpful traveler's guides with categories like "Food and Gifts", "Traveling with Children" and "Pack Smart". My favorite feature of the app, however, is the "Can I Bring" button, where you can enter an item and immediately find out if you can bring it in your carry-on or checked bag.
Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Free.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Simon Wilson Feb 7th 2012 12:07PM
Might of been worth mentioning those apps that are also available on Windows Phone, yes I know still a minority platform but some the apps like Skyscanner have features available nowhere else like its live tile updates for fares.
Halim Feb 7th 2012 11:58AM
Great article, travel guides and city exploration apps are also useful like lonely planet guides, UrbanTG..
Joanna Feb 7th 2012 5:15PM
Great list - my only recommendation is to include a flight tracking app. I’ve found that the FlightView app is always accurate and easy to use. It allows you to save flights in advance, track them in real-time, monitor airport delays and has a one-touch dialing option for calling the airline if you ever need to. The best part is the push alerts, which often update me on flight changes quicker than the actual airline!
PeterO Feb 7th 2012 9:39PM
TripIt rocks!
I use it to track all of my reservations.
For those places that I don't have reservations for I use near2there.
It is like a location-aware To Go list.
Dave Feb 8th 2012 8:05PM
no flight tracking apps? I love to use Flight board. fantastic app for finding out departure and arrival times at any airport around the world
Kelsey Feb 15th 2012 10:52AM
This is a solid list, but I agree with Joanna, a flight tracker app would be another good one to review. I also think it was a great idea to have included the Airport Car Rental app, it's a good thing to have post or pre-flight to help you get to your next destination.
I write for http://www.therecapp.com/, an app review website. We have written several reviews of different travel apps, like HipMunk (http://www.therecapp.com/apps/hipmunk_flight_search/) and GateGuru. In one app scenario we posted during Thanksgiving, we reviewed Flight Director Lite, a fun app to play as you are waiting to board your plane. We also reviewed OnTheFly, a great app to help you find alternative flights if yours is delayed or cancelled. Check out the reviews in depth at http://www.therecapp.com/app_living/scenario/traveling_home_for_thanksgiving/
Kelsey
FlightHero May 4th 2012 10:40PM
Checkout this brand new app for frequent fliers:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flighthero-worldwide-local/id519200450?mt=8