Are you ready for the next step in identification? Here are the details.
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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Don't want to use Google Pay? Samsung has its own digital wallet app
Samsung Wallet is a hybrid of two existing apps: Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass. This all-in-one app allows you to pay in multiple ways and store sensitive information. But how does it work?
If your Galaxy smartphone is compatible with Samsung Pay (Android 9 or above, not available on iOS), you can use Samsung Wallet.
You heard it here first: In May 2023, I told you about TSA’s facial recognition program. Basically, you look into the camera and it takes your pic to verify you. Now, some senators are saying the TSA wants it mandatory in over 430 airports, but we don’t know where this data is going or how it’s protected. You can opt out: Step back from the camera, politely tell them you decline facial recognition and present your ID instead.
How to find out where you took a picture
Your digital gallery is a one-way portal to precious moments from the past. Maybe you find a cool picture you forgot about and want to send it to your friends and family. Tap or click here for seven ways to privately share photos.
🪪 Beyond the airport: Travel verification company Clear is working on facial recognition for everything: Replacing your wallet, driver’s license, passwords and even your house keys with a selfie. They say it’ll help prevent fraud and be more convenient. What happens if hackers steal your face when it’s your universal ID?
🚗 Airbag scam: If your airbags go off, shady garages will replace ‘em with cheap ones (or none at all). You won’t know until it’s too late, and those airbags can injure or kill you. If you have a used car or are thinking about buying one, go to Carfax and plug in the vehicle identification number (VIN). They’ll tell you for free if your car’s airbags have ever gone off.