A collection of travel apps.
It’s 2018, and tech-savvy travellers nerds own the digital market. They have created apps that make traveling more convenient for everyone. Skyscanner, a web-based flight search app, makes it easy to search for and book the best flights. Skyscanner lets you search by destination, and narrow your search down to the cheapest months.
Hopper can be used if you aren’t looking to shop but do have a certain itinerary in mind. This app analyzes airfare trends to help you plan when to book your flights. Example: I would like to fly in December from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Frankfurt. However, I am not certain when to book the flight. Hopper allows me to see the daily prices for this flight. It will warn me if the prices are going up.
Don’t check your bag if it isn’t necessary.
Learn to pack light, or pack efficiently. This is possible with the help of a variety of products, including air compressors, cubes, and roll methods. Most checked bags have very high fees. You do not necessarily need a bag for travel.
The plane allows you to bring a personal item and a carry-on. Carriers are definitely large enough for your weekend getaway. I feel more at ease knowing that my stuff will be safely stored either above or below my head during flights so that I don’t have to worry about whether it made it onto the right flight’s cargo hold.
If you do check a bag, mark it.
You are likely to find many other travelers with the same earth-toned roll bag as yourself, but there are options that can make yours stand apart. Stickers, stickers, bag covers and colored duct tape can help you mark your territory.
Some airlines (i.e. Delta) will notify you when your bag makes its way into the holds and when it is scanned out. For notifications, download the airline app.
You can check in online and use your phone to get a boarding pass.
Most flights allow you to check-in online up to 24 hours prior. Most likely, you will receive an email notification from your airline with a code that you can use as your boarding pass. Don’t wait in line to print one at a desk or at a kiosk. You don’t have to waste your time trying out different scanners. Thanks, technology.
Speed-read.
Although you might think that I would not have to mention this, reading is vital. You will find signs in the airport directing you where you should go, what gates you should use, where your baggage carousels are and where you can take a taxi. It should not be possible to exit the terminal without going through security. Learn how to selectively identify what you’re looking at and follow the arrow.
Bring your own headphones
In an effort to keep passengers content and quiet, many airlines have downloaded movies, TV shows and music onto their screens. If you are flying for a longer time, I recommend watching long movies that make no sense in another setting.
In a different vein, I recommend Interstellar and Gravity as sci-fi movies. I must admit, watching Gravity while in mid-air and flying at night was very cool. You can sometimes borrow headphones from the cabin crew but they don’t always come with you and are usually not of high quality. Bose headphones are always my go-to, so make sure you bring yours.
Protect your documents.
While it’s obvious to carry your passport and credit card with you at all time, having them physically on you will not protect you against electronic skimmers. You can purchase an RFID-blocking wallet to block attempts at RFID skimming. RFID hacking, however, is much less common than ATM skimmers or fuel pump skippers.
Be on the lookout for fake card slots or false keypads and make sure your PIN is protected from cameras near ATMs and fuel pumps. You should keep an eye out for these devices as they can be difficult to spot. You should immediately contact your bank or lender if something is wrong.