These Apps Will Make Your Trip Planning So Much Easier

Annie Spratt

Trying to find the cheapest car rental, booking a last minute hotel and dealing with flight changes can get so irritating that it takes the fun out of planning a new trip. Thankfully, your smartphone and a solid internet connection can make the difference between seamless and stressful. Make all of your future travels way easier on yourself with a few of the best travel apps on the market.

Airmule

Airmule

Subsidize the cost of your next flight overseas by selling your empty luggage space to TSA-certified shippers, and let Airmule pick you up from the airport. List your trip on the Airmule app and get connected to someone who needs to ship a package. In March 2017, Airmule introduced flat rate airfares of $300 for travelers going between Los Angeles and Beijing or Shanghai, in exchange for two checked bags of space. Currently, Airmule only operates between the United States and China.

One:Night

The Standard

Developed by the Standard Hotels, One:Night offers heavily discounted deals for same-day stays at luxury hotels in New York City, Miami, LA, Austin and other cities. Deals start at 3pm every day.

Hotel Tonight

Hotel Tonight

Similar to One:Night, Hotel Tonight connects you with unsold hotel rooms at steep discounts. Hotel Tonight is available in 35 cities and partners with 15,000 hotels, which are rated and reviewed by fellow travelers. In addition to grabbing last-minute deals, you can also book up to a week in advance.

Freebird

Freebird

If your flight gets canceled, delayed by four hours, or you miss a connecting flight, Freebird will let you book a new flight across any airline, starting at $19 for a one-way ticket. Freebird buys your new ticket and you keep your old one, and you can book directly for your phone. Note: to use this app, you must register your flight online first through Freebird’s website.

Camp & RV

Camp & RV

Discover the best camping sites, rest stops and nearest national parks with the Camp & RV app, which is perfect for the summer you’re finally ready to drive across the country. Tons of filters will help you pick out the best route and sort your options by affordability. Camp & RV can be used even without an internet connection.

AutoSlash

Autoslash

Use AutoSlash to track your rental car reservation and stay posted on competitive pricing for the dates you’ve booked. If the rental you picked drops in price, Autoslash will tell you when to rebook.

Airbnb

Airbnb

Yes, Airbnb is great for booking a unique and affordable place to stay during your vacation, but did you know that you can also use the app to plan activities? With Airbnb’s new Trip feature, you can book “experiences led by local experts” like cooking classes, hikes and cultural excursions, and get tips on the best local places to grab a quick bite or get the best haircut.

Lola

Lola

Chat with a team of travel agents who are available 24/7 on Lola, where you’ll get recommendations for hotels and flights based on your personal preferences. The app is free and so is booking the hotel through a Lola agent, but there may be service fees for other forms of travel.

Concur

Concur

Especially useful if you’re traveling for work, Concur lets you keep track of all your expenses and manage expense reports from your phone. Capture receipts for later, stay in policy when booking everything from your flight to the rental car and have your itinerary on hand at all times.