7 useful apps to organize and store travel photos
If you're stuck at home with no travel plans in the near future, you can guide all that bubbling wanderlust into something productive. If you're anything like us at TPG, you have thousands of travel photos on your phone and computer. These may or may not be organized, categorized, backed up or put into albums.
Here's a list of our favorite apps to store and organize your shots, making them easier to view, share and print — keeping those fabulous travel memories alive.
Dropbox
The Dropbox app is all-encompassing — you can use it to save all your photos and have certain folders and files available offline on your phone and synced to your computer. Sharing is easy -- just invite others to view your photos by sharing the folder via email. You can also set the app to automatically upload every photo you take. If you have a business account, you can connect your personal account with it. 2GB of space is offered for free, and paid plans are available for more space.
Download for free on Apple and Google Play.
Google Photos
Google Photos is ideal if you want to create specific albums for many different trips, places or events. It's similar to Dropbox in that you can set it to automatically upload all the photos you take and you can share specific albums with others. The app can be set to upload any shots you've snapped on your phone, or also use it to take photos from a camera you've put on a desktop or laptop computer. If you love using Google Docs, Google Drive, Gmail and Google Sheets, this app integrates seamlessly with all of them, making it easy to share photos (and documents) across the board. Rate plans through GoogleOne are available if you need more space (backing up photos, mail and drive) but if you're willing to limit the resolution of your photos (16mp) and videos (1080p HD) you'll get free unlimited storage.
Download for free on Apple and Google Play.
Tripcast
If you're traveling in a group and want to share photos, or it's important that family and friends back home are updated on the play-by-plays of your adventures, Tripcast is the app for you. With an easy-to-use photo map feature, you can track your photos by place, and everyone on your trip can upload to the same album. Once you get home, you can easily download all of your (and everyone else's) photos for safekeeping and offline access. Although the app feels a bit like social media, it's private, sharing your memories only with the people that you allow to access.
Download for free for Apple and Google Play.
Amazon Photos
If you have an Amazon Prime account, you can get unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos as a benefit of your yearly membership. Although you'll only get 5GB of space for videos, this isn't a bad deal, as the $119 annual fee (more if you pay month-to-month) comes with this as well as a variety of other benefits like movie streaming and free shipping. The app could also be worth it for serious photographers, as it allows you to store not only JPEG files but also raw images. Keep in mind, that if you cancel your membership, you'll lose this perk (and your photos), so this app is best for those who plan to have Amazon Prime indefinitely.
Download for free for Apple and Google Play and then enter your Prime login information to access your account.
Related: The best credit cards for Amazon purchases
iCloud
Diehard Apple users should consider using iCloud, which automatically uploads and syncs your photos and files between all of your Apple devices -- iPhones, iPads and MacBooks. If you're someone who constantly upgrades to the newest iPhone, iCloud will make these transfers easy, backing up all your important files and transferring them to the new device. The first 5GB are free with iCloud, and paid plans start at 50GB, with options for 200GB or 2TB (these last two plans you can share with your family).
Look for iCloud on your iPhone, iPad or Mac under settings.
Microsoft OneDrive
With both business and personal/home plans, OneDrive syncs all of your documents and photos between your computer, tablet and phone. Those who love to use Microsoft Office in addition to organizing photos will find that OneDrive integrates well with all of the Office apps. Get 5GB of photo storage for free or 100GB for $1.99 per month. For those wanting Office, too, pricing starts at $69.99 for 1TB of space plus Office apps such as Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as Skype.
Download for free on Apple Store or Google Play.
Snapfish
Snapfish is best for those who want to also print their photos, offering 100 free prints per month (but plan to pay for shipping). You can also link your social media accounts to upload photos from them, as well as create photo gifts, books, calendars and more. Although the app offers unlimited storage (each image must be150MB or less), it's best for selective photo storage, since your photos must be manually uploaded, though you can upload several at a time. Automatic uploading isn't an option, and the app doesn't offer video storage.
Download for free on Apple Store or Google Play.
Bottom line
With lots of time at home these days and likely over the coming weeks now is the ideal chance to get your photos in order -- imagine the sense of satisfaction!
(Featured photo by Brad Fickeisen/Unsplash)
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.