How Tech Tools Can help You Minimize Travel Friction

When you want a trip with no hassle, it helps to think of ways you can minimize travel friction. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to do just that. With tech that makes life easier, you can go about your travels, whether for business or pleasure, with almost no effort at all. But how can you do this, and what are the devices that can help you? From using specialist booking apps to making the most of contactless technology, here’s how you can travel like a pro.

Finding Necessary Services

It can be quite a challenge to find what you need in an unfamiliar place. Traveling through modern cities doesn’t have to be hard, though. Today, many of the services you need offer their own apps or will appear on Google Maps. For example, when visiting the Windy City, you can find Chicago luggage storage services with a quick Google search. This means you can stow your valuables in a secure space when heading out for a tour of the city’s landmarks.

Minimize Travel Friction with Booking Apps

There are over 8 billion smartphones in use today, so it makes sense that airlines, hotels, and other services would develop apps. For most services, these apps allow you to book when you need to, reducing the time and stress spent on them. Popular examples include the following:

• Restaurant apps are excellent time-savers that can guarantee a table when busy.
• Airline booking apps are great for checking in early and even finding your preferred seat.
• Hotels usually have booking apps, so you are always guaranteed a place to stay.

Track Travel Prices

The cost of travel is a huge annoyance for most people. One second you spot a great deal, and the next it is gone. Travel companies and services are known for using some shady tactics, such as upping the price of a hotel they know you are interested in and surge pricing. However, you can download and install apps such as Hopper, KAYAK, and Skyscanner for tracking the costs of bookings such as airline flights, hotels, and package deals. You’ll never miss a good deal again!

Trip Management Apps

It can be surprising just how much organization goes into a trip, even a small getaway. There’s the chance you will forget something, and then there are the things you want to do. However, apps like TripIt, Wanderlog, and Roadtrippers can help you keep things organized. From scanning your email for confirmations to highlighting points of interest, there are some very powerful apps that you can make use of to make your next adventure unforgettable.

Minimize Travel Friction with Mobile-First

A recent survey of travellers found that 81% found it stressful, especially when using airports. You can minimize travel friction with modern services that allow mobile-first interactions, meaning your phone becomes one of the most essential travel gadgets without lifting a finger.

Checking in is a breeze

One of the biggest cliches in airport travel is the long wait at the check in desk. That used to be the case, but you can actually check in from your smartphone before you even arrive.

Get cleared for security

Security is also a breeze when arriving at an airport. Many airlines allow you to scan documents beforehand to verify them, meaning you don’t need to show them at the airport.

Arrange your seat

Want to keep an eye out for something on the wing? No problem. Most airlines will allow you to even pick your seat (if available) using their online platforms or mobile phone apps.

A phone can be your best friend when travelling through an airport. Many airlines offer extra support to make your travel easier. This includes checking in before you even arrive, getting cleared for an easier security check, and even picking the seat you prefer when flying.

Digital ID and Biometrics

While this is somewhat controversial, it has to be said that there are some upsides to the digital ID revolution. One of the most useful aspects as a traveller is that your check-in and security process can be much faster thanks to technologies like facial recognition. When you are in the database, the system can scan your face or even your fingerprint to confirm your ID. This is much faster than a human having to go over your passport while the people behind you moan and groan!

Smart Luggage Devices

Losing luggage is one of the worst things that can happen when you travel. With smart tech, though, you can dramatically reduce the chance of this happening. Bluetooth-enabled real-time tracking systems can connect to your smartphone, so you can track your suitcase and bags with minimal effort. This means you no longer need to worry about throwers (baggage handlers) making a mistake, as you can monitor your luggage’s journey all the way from your home.

Minimize Travel Friction with Contactless

A UK survey found that 30% of people are mostly cashless today, and prefer to use cards and apps to pay for services. Contactless payment options make it even easier, as you don’t even have to enter a PIN anymore. Some of the most convenient services for contactless are:

• Paying for small items such as snacks and essentials in grocery stores.
• Quickly paying for cab rides when being ferried around an unfamiliar city.
• Easier payment and less confusion when paying for a restaurant meal.

Real-Time Alerts

There’s so much that can happen when you travel, and even one thing going wrong can be a nightmare. Flight delays and cancellations are a perfect example. Who wants to be hanging around airports for hours on end? Sometimes communication is also lacking, and you can be misinformed. However, apps like Flighty can keep you up to date with any changes regarding your flights. This makes it much easier for you to adjust your plans in any event.

Summary

Simple service finder apps such as Google Maps will dramatically minimize travel friction and make things easier when travelling. You can also use mobile-first services such as pre-flight check-ins. And apps like Flighty can alert you to any real-time changes when at the airport.