Apps and Websites to Use for Spontaneous Family Travel
Last-minute family travel can either be astronomically expensive or can translate to big savings on airfare and hotel stays, if you're flexible and let the deals guide your decisions. When the stars align, these too-good-to-miss deals can create opportunities for family vacations you weren't even expecting.
But if you don't know where to look for these deals, then you'll miss out on the joy of spontaneous travel. We're here to change that. The first thing you should do is start following @TPG_Alerts, of course, but then read on for some of our favorite apps and websites for planning and setting (spontaneous) family travel in motion.
HotelTonight
Every frequent traveler should have this last-minute hotel-booking app on their phone. This app helps you find well-priced, centrally located hotels in cities around the world.
Using HotelTonight is simple. Launch the app, enter the city where you plan to stay and the dates of your travel (it doesn't have to literally be just for that night). Then scroll through the selection of available hotels, which are categorized with descriptions such as "solid," "basic" and "hip." You can look for same-day deals on hotels, but most hotels give the option of searching 100 days in advance of your travel date.
HotelTonight recently announced a new multiroom feature on the app, so you can book a block of rooms for larger families or groups traveling together. However, note that only some of the hotels let you select whether you need one bed or two, so select the room type, if possible, before booking if your family needs to ensure it has two beds.
HotelTonight has its own loyalty program, HT Perks, which earns you tiered elite status after spending certain amounts on hotel stays booked through the site. Each status level awards extra discounts on the already-discounted room rates.
Skyscanner
A longtime favorite for finding cheap flights, the free Skyscanner app is also great to have on your phone when you need to find a last-minute car rental or hotel room. A particularly handy feature is how the flight options are broken down into either cheapest and best, with the latter category providing the most convenient connection times (something parents appreciate when it comes to those long-hauls with little ones).
If there's a route you're particularly interested in, you can sign up for the app's price-alert feature. When you're ready to travel, book through one of Skyscanner's partner websites; an airline website, so you can use your miles; or use your rewards at a booking a portal such as the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
Inspirock
When you book a family trip at the last minute, scrambling to pack will take precedence over planning a family-friendly itinerary -- that can wait until you're actually inflight, provided your kids are old enough to entertain themselves on the plane.
At times like this, an itinerary-planning website like Inspirock can be a real timesaver. The free website has a simple-to-navigate format: Enter your destination and dates. Choose your travel style (fast-paced or slow and easy) and click the kind of activities your family enjoys, with options such as museums, wildlife, historic sites, beaches, etc. Within seconds, the website suggests an itinerary that includes information on your destination, suggestions for side trips and other activities.
A recent search for a Florida trip listed impressive itinerary selections that included a visit to a museum specializing in Tiffany glass in Orlando and advice for spotting manatees near Tampa. The website is a resource for last-minute travelers to find travel information based on personal preference -- without putting in too much legwork.
PackPoint Travel Packing List
All parents know how stressful the scramble of packing for yourself and the kids can be, so having a packing list at the ready is a good idea for a family that wants to be on the go.
There are many list-making and packing apps out there, but PackPoint (free) is especially cool thanks to a few nifty features. When you first launch the app, it asks a series of questions about your trip, including activities you are planning and whether you plan to do laundry during your travels (genius, right?). The app checks the weather at your destination and generates a list of items to pack. You can whittle the list down by checking lines off as you pack or removing suggested items you don't need. The app keeps your list handy for future trips and makes it easy to share via email or social media.
Scott's Cheap Flights
I've been a premium member of Scott's Cheap Flights for almost a year now. I get wanderlust just reading the daily deal emails, especially knowing I am going to be chained to a desk for a while. Subject lines like "Big Europe Sale" and "Price Drop Sydney" are like travel catnip to me.
Believe me, as soon as I can take a break from my workload, I'm going to press "purchase" on one of the great flight deals the service keeps on my radar.
Scott's Cheap Flights focuses primarily on international airfare deals from airports frequently across the US. My city, Tampa, is frequently on the list, along with other cities you might not expect to have cutthroat rates. You can opt for a free subscription, which gets about a third of the deals emailed your way. I think it's worth paying for premium (there's a 30-day, money-back guarantee) because premium members get more deals and also are alerted about 30 minutes before other members (which can make a big difference in pouncing on a great deal). Premium costs $39 a year after the 14-day free trial, but the price is slated to rise in mid-April.
Once you find a deal, you should act quickly, but you can always pay with a card that awards fixed-value points so that you are taking advantage of a good deal while still keeping your money safely in your wallet.
Bottom Line
Families need all the apps and tools they can get to book the least expensive and most captivating trips. So take advantage of the wonders of the 21st century to make sure you get to spend more time with your kids and not fretting over travel chores and bills.
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.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.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.