Planning a trip? I’ve got the inside scoop on snagging the best prices and a simple trick to avoid delays and cancellations.
Smart tech tips to make summer travel cheaper and less stressful
Travel prices are up about 18% compared to pre-pandemic costs. Then there are the flight cancellations and extra-long waits to contend with. To help, I put together a list of the 10 best travel apps for 2023. Check out the list here.
Oh, and before you leave your house, be sure to switch on your security system. Don’t have one? Alexa can do it for free if you have an Amazon Echo.
Here are more of my best tricks to save you time, money and headaches before you hit the road or the skies.
1. Know where your bags are
You’ve seen those pictures of dozens of suitcases sitting around at the airport. Don’t let that be you. Many major airlines (including United, American, Delta and Air New Zealand) allow you to track your luggage in real-time through the airline’s official app.
I throw an Apple AirTag in checked bags for extra peace of mind.
- Apple’s AirTags are ideal if you have an iPhone, Mac or iPad.
- The Tile Essentials 4-pack comes with various tags for your keys, wallet, luggage or whatever else you want to try.
I also put one on my dog’s collar, in my cars and in everything my husband owns.
2. Pick the best flight
Delays can stack up as the day goes, so your best bet to make sure you get on the plane is to choose a flight before 3 p.m. Wednesday is one of the cheapest days to fly, so there’s your plan: Wednesday before 3.
Pro tip: You can check where your plane is to know whether your upcoming flight will be delayed. The airline you’re flying might display this in the app, or you can use Flight Aware. Enter your flight number to get details on the aircraft and its status.
3. Flying internationally? Get this app
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Avoid holiday shipping delays - Do this to make sure your Amazon packages arrive on time
While COVID-19 ravaged the world, e-commerce companies like Amazon had one of their best years on record. In April alone, Amazon outdid its own Black Friday numbers every day of the month. That’s a whole lot of packages being shipped and delivered!
✈️ This new rule is so fly: Woohoo! U.S. airlines now have to give you a cash refund if your flight is significantly delayed or canceled. The best part? It’ll happen automatically; you won’t be required to ask for a refund. Airlines will have to pay you back within seven business days if you paid by credit card or 20 calendar days for other payment methods. See ya, vouchers.
Tech how-to: Set up a mobile hotspot
Whether you’re working remotely, trying to stay connected with family and friends or just looking for important news updates, you need a reliable way to get online.
The major strain on internet networks right now means your home connection may not be as strong as it once was. What can you do if your internet is spotty?