Without tech, there’s no saying how inconvenient travel–business, pleasure, or somewhere in between–would be. Should mobile boarding passes, online booking services, pocket converters, and rideshare apps stored in carry-ons suddenly vanish overnight, getting lost (physically or in translation) would not only be a possibility but highly likely.
Fortunately, we don’t have to imagine a world of travel without state-of-the-art technologies. Rather, we should buckle our seat belts and prepare for innovation that will, undoubtedly, reach new altitudes. But what tech innovations do we have at our disposal today that will improve your travels significantly? Wonder no more.
A Virtual Mailbox
One of the best things you can do as a frequent traveler is to discover the benefits of a virtual mailbox.
While frequent flyers subject themselves to the inconvenience of putting mail on hold in preparation for their travels, this doesn’t have to be your reality. Sure, requesting a hold is a relatively straightforward process, but it does mean that you’ll have to go pick up the stack of mail that’s accumulated during your vacation or business trip. Luckily, you can save yourself the hassle by using a virtual mailbox instead.
With a virtual mailbox subscription, you can check your mail every day, no matter where you are, and even have your virtual mailbox service hold packages until you’re home and ready to have them forwarded.
Online Booking
If you haven’t used an online airline, Airbnb, Uber, restaurant reservation, or hotel booking app, you’re missing out on one of the best time-saving conveniences for travelers.
Online booking also lets you compare prices easily so you’ll save time and get the best deal possible.
Mobile Boarding Passes
If you’re only taking a carry-on, you can enjoy skipping the line at the ticket counter and checking in digitally with a mobile boarding pass. As a bonus, you won’t ever lose a paper ticket again.
OBD II Technology
Having a few tech items on-hand can give you peace of mind and make diagnosing problems easier if you travel by car.
Keep things like a digital tire pressure gauge or a jump-start device with you in case you need them. Another great gadget to keep in the glove box is an OBD II scanner. If a dashboard light comes on, this device can help you determine whether you need to stop and get a repair immediately or if it’s something that can be dealt with when you get home.
A Portable Battery Pack
A portable battery pack can save the day when you’re traveling outdoors or anywhere without an electric outlet.
If your phone’s battery is on its last legs, but you have more sightseeing to do and photos to take, a portable charger will let you charge your phone on the go–even when an outlet is nowhere in sight.
Rideshare Apps
If you don’t plan to rent a car where you travel, download several rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft to your phone before arriving. These apps will let you find rides when you need them without relying on local taxi services, which can be more expensive and less convenient to use.
Cloud Hosting
While you’re traveling, you’ll probably take hundreds of photos on your phone.
Use the cloud hosting services at your disposal to upload photos daily. Uploading your images lets you clear them off your phone or card to make room for more. You’ll also be creating a backup, which can keep you from losing precious photos if your phone is lost or damaged.
Wrap Up
Take advantage of every digital option and use technology to improve your travel experience. Technology can make traveling better while still letting you travel light.