5 Business Travel Apps that You'll Actually Use (and LOVE!) - Christine Kane

If you travel for business, no doubt you’ve got more than one app that was supposed to make travel more convenient.  But have you noticed?  Apps can become clutter because they’re way too easy and cheap to download.  Yes, there are lots of cool apps – but if you don’t actually use them, they just take up space.

So, what are the apps that actually Uplevel your travel?  Well, here are my five favorite business travel apps that make trips less stressful, more efficient and much happier.  Grab them and make them work for you.

1 – AroundMe

AroundMe is a power search tool that finds anything you want nearest to your current location.  I’ve used AroundMe to find everything from Lululemon to low-carb restaurants to a hair salon that does blowouts.  (Search for “blow out.”)  AroundMe will find you exactly what you want – from closest to farthest away – and give you directions (walking or driving) to exactly where you need to go.

2 – Uber

If you’re traveling in a city, you don’t really need a car anymore.  Just use Uber.  From a limo to the airport to a quick ride to the other side of town, Uber is the app that gets you a ride within minutes of your request – with drivers bidding for your business.  You can choose the kind of car and the level of service you want.  And best of all, you don’t have to fuss with credit cards, receipts or cash.  It’s all done via your Uber account.

3 – TripIt

If you’re a hardcore traveler, TripIt is THE storage spot for your reservation details, itinerary and any other info you need on hand when you’re traveling.  You, your assistant or your travel agent can send any email reservation info right to your TripIt account with a simple email forward address.   Then you simply access it all on your phone.  Easy-peasy and so convenient.

4 – Evernote

Though Evernote is much much more than a travel app (um, it sometimes even makes it into my gratitude journal at night!)  I use it for travel in the following ways:

1 – I created a tag called ICE (In Case of Emergency), and that’s where I keep photos of all my credit cards, driver’s license, license plate, passport and Global entry info (for international travel).  If you have a premium Evernote account, you can protect these files for security.

2 -  I create a travel itinerary tag for each trip and store documents, speaker info sheets – and any other information for that trip so that I can access it instantly.

3 – I photograph every receipt and store it in an Evernote notebook, rather than saving them in my purse where they typically just drive me nuts.  (Besides, you don’t want to be touching those nasty magnetic receipts – they are a huge source of BPA’s – super toxic to your system!)  After that, I can email them to my assistant to send to my bookkeeper.

5 – Inner Balance (HRV)

Heart-Rate Variability (HRV) is the variation in the time interval between one heartbeat and the next. When HRV levels are high, you will experience greater resiliency and less stress.  When you’re stressed out (in fight or flight), your HRV level will be low.

Travel can be super stressful.  Inner Balance (created by HeartMath) will measure your Heart Rate Variability and then train you how to breathe in order to raise your HRV.  Ten minutes a day can have a huge impact on how you experience stress and manage your life.  Use it before bed when you travel – and you’ll sleep much better.

Note:  In order to use the free app, you have to purchase the HeartMath monitor that clips to your ear.  You can get it on amazon or on the HeartMath site. Pricing ranges from $99 to $125.  I love this gadget – the investment has been totally worth it.  (I do not have any affiliation with HeartMath.)

Okay, your turn!  Share with me (and all of us!) What’s your favorite business travel app or business travel tip that all of us will thank you for?

 

13 COMMENTS ADD A COMMENT
  • Alexa

    I would also add a good navigational app Spyglass. It works great when offline, assuming that you pre-download the maps that you need in advance. It shows your accurate coordinates and your current position on a map, allows to mark locations and waypoints, share your locations with friends and much more.
    https://itunes.apple.com/app/spyglass/id332639548?mt=8&at=11lLc7&ct=c

  • Katy

    On any given day, I’d be lost without LastPass. I love not having to ever remember more than one, super complex password. I second TripIt. We use it for all our travel plans (and it’s super easy to share with loved ones). I also love GateGuru and GF Overflow since I’m often looking to make sure I have gluten free options nearby whenever we travel (though to be honest, GF Overflow is usually just for double-checking that my cocktails are gluten free). And finally, I love my iCatcher apps so I can listen to all my favorite podcasts.

  • Natalie

    I make sure I have the most pleasant, beautiful, workable suitcase and purse when I travel. Not only do I want to be able to carry them comfortably, I want to look cool as I do it, (just in case I run I to my ex-husband at the gate.)

  • Anne

    These are all great apps! I definitely use several of them. For the last seven or so years, I have traveled anywhere from once a month to two or three weeks out of the month. And even though I now hardly have to think about what to pack, I still check my Wunderlist list occasionally to make sure I’m not forgetting to pack something essential (PJs, phone charger, book, a spoon – seriously, spoons are oddly handy). You can also use Wunderlist for storing travel info (frequent flyer numbers, address of your hotel etc) and you can share this with an assistant or loved one too – similar to Evernote, but a little simpler for spouses who don’t want to install it (we also use it for sharing a grocery list so both of us know what to get whenever it’s convenient to stop at the store).
    And the best app of all is whatever you use to write with (Word, sticky notes, whatever), because funny things happen when you travel. People always talk about the annoying things, but if you notice the funny things and write them down, it makes the whole experience something to laugh about. Travel stories are some of the best! 🙂

    • Michelle Smith

      You can also get the Inner Balance monitor from the Rasur Foundation International, “a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching a social and emotional skill set for a more connected world. By carrying out this mission, RFI will realize its vision of a world where every person practices the art of connection and passes this gift to the next generation.”
      (RFI is an affiliate of sorts w/ HeartMath so you’re supporting both!)

  • Jill Lewis

    This is great info! I like Trip Tracker – it gives information about your flight like updated departure and arrival times as well as the arrival gate. Second – I love Gate Guru – it tells you all the services, restaurants, Starbucks (gotta know that when traveling!) located at each concourse in whatever airport you find yourself. It also helps me make healthier eating choices when I know where those restaurants are. Hope those are helpful!

  • Anna

    Christine, I have traveled for years and agree whole heartedly on the first four apps you selected!! Haven’t used Evernote for ICE, but what an AWESOME idea. Thanks for that and the info on Inner Balance – going to check that out!

    Safe travels!

    Anna

  • Glad

    Thank you for sharing your system for using Evernote for travel. The ICE folder is a great tip!!

    P.S. I love Uber, too.

  • Nicole Clark, LMSW

    Great apps! I also love Uber, Evernote, and TripIt. I mostly use Uber to get to the airport or to places that are too far to get to on foot. I use Evernote for personal and business related notes, and get for note taking in general. I like Google Maps. For the most part, I like taking public transit depending on the city, and the transit (and walking directions) are good. The funniest thing about using Google Maps for walking directions is that you can use the turn-by-turn voice directions, and it always funny when people walk past me as the voice directions tell me to turn right. I also like using Yelp for food and entertainment recommendations. Some business travel tips that I’d like to share include checking into your flight online at least 24 hours early to save time. Also, even if you may use a flight app or Passbook (on iPhone) to store your boarding pass, it’s also useful to have a physical copy on hand. It sounds like a waste of paper, but I recently had a situation where I wasn’t able to access my boarding pass via Passbook, and had to rush to the kiosk to print a copy so I wouldn’t be late. Another tip is to always let someone know where you’re going (safety first!)

  • Alexandre L’Eveille

    I agree with treating yourself when traveling. When I traveled on the corporate dime, I was lucky enough to get business class on overseas or flights over 3 hours. It made a huge difference it energy level and attitude.

    Coming back from Click, I decided the measly $19 upgrade to a premium economy seat was worth it—I was able to relax and have room to enjoy some personal space. Arriving feeling crumpled and annoyed takes hours to overcome and costs you in productivity.

  • Wendy

    I admit…I’m one of those app junkies. But when I see a review of the “best apps to…”, I’m zeroed in! My receipts don’t have a chance in hell anymore! Happy trails, Christine! 🙂

  • Andrew Celwyn

    Thanks for the tips. Before you book that flight, I always check on hopper.com to see what day is best to purchase my ticket, what days are the least expensive to travel on, and what an average ticket will cost. Just go to the site and click on Reports. That way, you’ve got extra $ to upgrade!