The Essential Apps These Globetrotters Won't Travel Without
Apps have revolutionized the way we travel in so many ways. From booking the best points and miles hotels to helping us pack for a last-minute trip, apps have made traveling around the world much easier. In addition to a standard mapping app and currency converter, apps can be useful in getting around — and even keeping us safe — when traveling alone. Regardless of who you travel with or where you go, most travelers have an app or two to help guide their adventures. We decided to get some insight on the best apps for travel from our favorite frequent flyers.
Cindy Ko, Flight Attendant, Emirates
Travel stats: Cindy has traveled to over 80 countries.
Cindy's go-to travel apps: WhatsApp, Skype, Google Maps, Uber, Trip Advisor, Yelp, PackPoint
"I've come a long way from my days living in Thailand at 20 with no smartphone or laptop, counting on letters and internet cafes to stay connected. Since then, I cannot live without WhatsApp or Skype to keep in touch with my loved ones while living abroad. Google Maps keeps my wanderlust soul from getting lost, and I can always find a ride with Uber. TripAdvisor and Yelp keep my foodie heart happy, Fresh Body Fit Mind allows me to take my yoga sessions with me, and PackPoint keeps me organized — no matter what hotel, AirBnB or country I find myself in!"
Oneika Raymond, Host, One Bag and You're Out
Travel Stats: Oneika's travels have taken her to more than 100 countries and six of seven continents.
Oneika's go-to apps: WhatsApp, Snapseed and TripAdvisor
"WhatsApp is imperative for keeping in touch with my family and friends who live all over the world! I like that it's free to make calls, send texts, photos and videos — as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. Another must-have app for me is Snapseed. I love taking photos of the interesting things I come across on my travels, and Snapseed allows me to quickly and efficiently edit my photos and post them to two of my other favorite [social media] apps, Instagram and Facebook. Lastly, TripAdvisor: From restaurant recs to accommodation assistance, TripAdvisor hooks it up. I like that it's free to use and has loads of reviews for practically every country on the planet."
Gloria Atanmo, Travel Blogger, The Blog Abroad
Travel Stats: Glo has traveled across 60 countries and six continents so far.
Glo's go-to apps: Maps.Me, Rome2Rio, Meetup and Insight Timer
"Map.Me is a free, Wi-Fi-less map of anywhere in the world that allows you to find the nearest restaurants, hospitals, Wi-Fi spots, cafes, hotels, etc. of any city in the world. Rome2Rio is an incredible app that lets you search how to get to any destination in the world as cheaply as possible by combining plane, train, bus, ferry and car travel. Meetup is a social app that allows you to search any city in the world and find people to hang with who have similar interests as you. It is great for free events like photography walks, language exchanges or just a group night out at the pub! Lastly, Insight Timer is a free meditation app, and I think it's important to remind people that travel isn't always sunshine and rainbows. And allowing yourself just five-to-10 minutes every morning to meditate or decompress is an important ritual to add to your travel regimen."
Kristen Bor, Travel Blogger, Bear Foot Theory
Travel stats: Kristen’s travels have also taken her to nine countries: Tanzania, New Zealand, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, Nepal, Canada, Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Kristen's go-to apps: All Stays Camp & RV and iOverlanders
"As someone who travels by campervan, my favorite app is All Stays Camp & RV. I like to know that where I'm camping is safe and legal, and this app shows all of the nearby camping areas, along with the important details like cost, whether there is water available, and directions from your current location. You can even find dispersed (free) camping areas on the app if you are looking to save money. It's a great tool for being able to plan on the fly so you don't have to have all of your campsites mapped out ahead of time. Another great camping app is iOverlander, which relies on users to submit up-to-date information on campsites and amenities for van and RV travelers. The cool thing about iOverlander is it's worldwide, so whether you are traveling in the US or road tripping the Pan-American highway in South America, you can get the latest info on places you can safely park for the night."
Zach Honig, Editor-at-Large, The Points Guy
Travel stats: Zach has visited more than 55 countries.
Zach's go-to apps: Google Maps, Uber, Trip Advisor and SlingPlayer
"I actually keep it really simple! The only apps I use are Google Maps, Uber and TripAdvisor. I also use SlingPlayer to watch TV that's streamed from my home in New York, so I can watch live television or pull up content from my DVR on the road."
Audrey Bergner, Blogger, That Backpacker
Travel stats: Based in Peru, Audrey has travelled to six out of the seven continents (Antartica is the last one to go!), and visited 63 countries.
Audrey's go-to apps: Google Maps, TripAdvisor, as well as airline apps (AirCanada since I'm Canadian)
"If you're a frequent flyer with a particular airline, it's always a good idea to download their app. This will generally allow you to manage your booking, check-in, receive flight updates and get your boarding pass all in one place. Some airline apps also give you access to in-flight entertainment, which is how I like to spend my time on a plane. Another app that I use a lot is Google Translate. Whether I'm trying to decipher a restaurant menu, shop for groceries or ask for directions, this app can come in really handy. There's a function where you can scan text using the camera on your phone and get an instant translation; you can even download your most-used languages in order to translate offline."
Cèline Bossart, Travel Writer, The Staycationers
Travel stats: Cèline has traveled to 37 countries and counting.
Cèline's go-to apps: VSCO, Uber, Google Maps and Hotel Tonight
"Uber is always a comfort to me when available in a new destination. I prefer this to a traditional cab in any part of the world as I like to know the cost of a ride upfront versus riding on a meter. However, I do love to walk as much as possible, so Google Maps is a lifesaver when it comes to navigating on foot. Hotel Tonight is such a great resource for booking last-minute hotels. VSCO is by far and away my most favorite photo editing app of all time; I love to document each place I go, but it's important to me that I'm able do so in my own cohesive aesthetic. I fell in love with one specific filter ages ago and I've been using that pretty much exclusively ever since; it gives all of my travel shots — no matter where they've been taken — a common color scheme and thus a uniform look to my Instagram feed, which I love."
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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.