5 ways mobile technology has ensured better travel

Whether it be for business or leisure, smartphones have made traveling much more convenient and seamless than ever before. Say goodbye to the days of digging through bags or wallets full of credit cards to find the hotel key, getting lost in an unfamiliar area of town, and racing to the airport to glimpse screens displaying last minute travel changes. According to a study, 91 percent of Americans believe traveling is easier now than it was 10 years ago thanks to mobile technology.

With the help of a these travel apps and services below, you’ll never have to bear the frustration that may come from getting to your destination again.

No more digging through a briefcase for travel documents

You no longer have to carry and keep track of paper boarding passes, tickets, itinerary information, or maps as there are a variety of mobile services to keep your travel documents in one place.

TripIt Planner is a tool for consolidating travel itinerary to keep track of important events, such as business meetings or departure times. A nice feature about the app is that it’s available offline, so you can access it even if you’re on the subway underground, and it syncs with your calendar to make sure you never miss a thing.

Another useful app is LoungeBuddy, which locates airport lounges where you can rest before your flight, in between travels, or make a business phone call.

Hopper is an app that can optimize your flying experience, allowing you to scan through billions of flights to find the lowest possible fare.

No need to worry about losing your hotel key

After a day of travel, nothing is worse than digging through a purse or bag to find that your room key’s magnetic strip was accidentally deactivated by a cell phone or lost altogether.

Worry no more: The Digital Key, released by Hilton, is featured on the HHonors app, allowing guests to access rooms, fitness centers, and parking garages from their smartphones.

By early 2016, guests will be able to use their smartphones to access more than 170,000 rooms at 250 U.S. properties within the Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, and Canopy by Hilton brands.

For travelers who tend to lose items aside from room keys, Tile is a small Bluetooth device that pairs with a smartphone app to keep track of anything from electronics to wallets. To track luggage, Trakdot may be a useful gadget to ensure your belongings are safe while you are in transit.

Navigate your way through an unfamiliar city

Wandering around the streets of an unfamiliar city with a paper map screams, “I’m a tourist!” Thankfully, mobile tools such as Google Maps and ride-sharing services have made it easier to get around.

Uber is a convenient app for travelers to get around, and can be linked with the HHonors app through its “Local Scene” feature, which will soon launch in 20 major U.S. cities. The new enhancement feature lists details of popular restaurants and nightlife venues.

Another traveler app, Localeur, helps you find fun, local events and hot spots that may not appear on any Top Ten lists search through Google.

Google Translate is also a handy tool if you’re visiting a location where you don’t speak the language. The app allows you to take photos of signs, menus, and more, and it scans the text to translate it into your preferable language. Available for download via iOS or Android, the app contains 90 different languages.

Streamline the check-in/check-out process

Along with the Digital Key feature on the HHonors app, guests are also able to select their preferred room and view the floor plan and photos. Updated in real-time, the app allows guests to check-in via smartphone, tablet, or desktop beginning at 6 a.m. the day prior to arrival.

Once checked in, guests may also purchase upgrades or request amenities all from their smartphones. Digital check-out is available in U.S. hotels and will be available to international locations soon.

Track Wi-Fi anywhere

No need to stress about finding a local Starbucks or café for Wi-Fi, because with Mobile Hotspots, you can have free, secure Internet wherever you are. Hotpots are available in a variety of formats, including these luxury Wi-Fi cufflinks which are ideal for business travelers. A wireless travel router may also come in handy as it can convert a wired network to wireless or bridge an existing connection to form its own Wi-Fi hotspot.

Via Mashable