Technology to Ease Your Travels
The Best Travel Apps & Websites
Normally this space is where I talk about a destination I love or somewhere you might want to go next. But this week I’m taking a different tack.
If you’ve been watching the news — or trying to fly anywhere lately — you’ve probably noticed the friendly skies haven’t been especially friendly. Flight delays have been stacking up across the country thanks to weather, congestion, and operational hiccups. Fuel prices are creeping up again. And with the government shutdown, some TSA and air traffic control employees are currently working without pay, which is creating additional strain on an already stretched system.
None of this means you shouldn’t travel. It just means it helps to be prepared. Two other things I’ve written to help you prepare for the unexpected:
What to Do if the Airlines Lose Your Luggage (Hint: You are going to go shopping and spend $1400.)
So instead of a destination this week, I’m sharing a handful of apps, tools, and websites that can make travel smoother when things get unpredictable. These are things I actually use myself — and the kinds of small tricks that can make a big difference when the travel day doesn’t go exactly according to plan. ✈️
TSA Touchless ID (this is the future, and it’s already here)
Airports are rolling out facial recognition at security, meaning you can go through TSA without handing over your ID or boarding pass. It’s called TSA Touchless ID, and if you opt in (usually via TSA PreCheck + a participating airline), you just walk up, look at a camera, and keep moving. I have TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry and I had to manually opt in to Touchless ID on all airlines. I found that it was easier to find this on airline apps than websites.
The “Misery Map” (before you head to the airport, check this)
So many flight delays this past week!! So many clients were frustrated but there was really nothing you could do but be patient. Wanna know how things are looking at your local airport? The FlightAware Misery Map shows, in real time, where delays and cancellations are stacking up.
MyTSA App
This is TSA’s own app, and it’s surprisingly useful. It shows estimated security wait times and what you can/can’t bring through security. Download this before your next big trip!
Global Entry App
If you have Global Entry, please download this app and set it up before your next trip. With the shutdown, Global Entry lines are getting longer. The Global Entry app helps you clear yourself on your phone, bypassing the airport kiosk.
Mobile Passport App
Everyone should download this app and set it up now — regardless of whether you have Global Entry or not. At the beginning of the shutdown, Global Entry was not available. Travelers who had the Mobile Passport app were able to bypass long immigration lines.
The True Size Of
With the conflict in Iran and other world events, I’ve been doing what I can only really call “geography coaching” a lot these days. For example, if you can sort of imagine Tehran as Long Island, NY, Athens Greece would be in Montana. Or if London is Vancouver, Rome is Las Vegas. The True Size Of gives you an idea of how your destination compares to the size of the United States. Fun to play around with!
Flytographer (photography sessions)
Traveling soon and want some great photographs? Flytographer has photographers available in multiple destinations all around the world. You can review their portfolios and schedule a session online.
International Driver’s Permit
If you’re renting a car abroad, you should have an International Driver’s Permit (IDP). It’s basically a translation of your license that many countries legally require—even if rental agencies don’t always ask for it. You can get these at any AAA location but now they are super easy to get online!
Flighty (tracks airport delays)
Flighty predicts delays before the airline announces them—sometimes hours earlier. It pulls from FAA data, inbound aircraft tracking, and real-time patterns. If someone is connecting through JFK in summer thunderstorms, this is the difference between “caught off guard” and “already rebooked.”
Timeshifter (jet lag solved)
Timeshifter gives you a minute-by-minute plan for light exposure, sleep, and caffeine based on your exact itinerary. Clients who actually follow it arrive functional!
Google Lens (the underrated travel weapon)
Point your camera at anything—menus, signs, ingredients—and it translates instantly. For food-focused travelers, this removes 90% of friction in non-English destinations.
Airalo (e-sims for international data)
If you’ve worked with me, you’ve heard me say…don’t be cheap with your cell phone. Your phone should work abroad the same way as it works at home. And if you’ve paid $1500+ for flights, what is wrong with paying $12 a day for your phone to work? But I get it…people are still nervous about using their phones abroad. Check out Airalo—for eSIM data abroad. It offers local, regional, and global eSIMs in 200+ countries and regions, which makes it a very practical fix for the “I landed and now I have no data” problem.
Splitwise (sharing expenses during travel)
Very useful for family trips, girls’ trips, and multigenerational travel where people are constantly covering dinner, taxis, museum tickets, and guides. It is specifically built to track shared expenses and balances for trips and group
Priority Pass App (people forget this exists)
Many of you have this through credit cards and never use it. The app shows lounges and restaurants that you can access with your membership. Set this up please! I’ve had some great Priority Pass experiences in Lima, Peru and Guangzhou, China. Double check your credit card benefits and see if you have this!
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is something no one wants to talk about. We all assume nothing will happen to us while we are traveling abroad. But man, the stories I could tell you. (Aside: From taking care of my mom for so long, I learned that most falls occur when you have a change of environment. Travel is a change of environment!)
With geopolitical issues, many people are asking me “What if…” Here’s the thing: War is not a covered reason for trip cancellation. If you are worried about geopolitical issues, you need to purchase travel insurance with something called a “Cancel for Any Reason” waiver. This allows you to cancel you trip for ANY reason — not just covered reasons like broken legs. The catch? You can’t just buy CFAR whenever you want. In most cases, you must purchase a CFAR waiver within 14 days of the first payment towards your trip. Two other important factoids about CFAR: 1. CFAR is not cheap. 2. CFAR will only get you a max of 75% of your trip costs back. (Think of the other 25% as a convenience tax for cancelling your trip because you just don’t want to go.) Remember…”fear” and “worry” are not covered reasons for cancellation…you need CFAR.
And hey, at the very least, if you’re not worried about losing any pre-paid, non-refundable expenses, you should say your trip costs are $0 and then you’ve at least got medical and evacuation coverage abroad! Travel insurance hack…
Final Thought
Travel will always involve a little unpredictability — that’s just part of the deal when you’re moving millions of people through the air every day. But a few smart tools and a little preparation can make a surprising difference when things don’t go exactly according to plan.
I hope some of these tips make your next trip a little smoother, a little less stressful, and maybe even a little more fun. And of course, if you’re planning a trip and want someone keeping an eye on all the moving parts for you, you know where to find me. ✈️
About Krista
I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and I have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Before building my travel business, I spent 20 years in the investment management industry and over a decade living and working in London, England. I’ve personally traveled to 80 countries and now design thoughtful, highly customized trips for travelers who value expertise, access, and a seamless experience.
I offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation for travelers considering a custom itinerary or luxury cruise. Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
For travel inspiration and real-time updates, you can follow along on Instagram or connect with me on Facebook. I also share a curated list of travel products I genuinely use and recommend in my online store.
What I Offer…
Custom itinerary design for complex, multi-stop trips
VIP hotel benefits through Virtuoso and preferred partner programs (including complimentary breakfast, hotel credits, and priority for upgrades where available)
Luxury ocean, river, and expedition cruises with added onboard credits
Vetted villa rentals with concierge services worldwide
Private guides, small-group touring, and unique local experiences
Private aviation and yacht charters through trusted partners
Airport transfers, VIP arrival and departure services, and full ground logistics
Travel protection and support when plans change
I work best with travelers who want expert planning, trusted partnerships, and someone in their corner from start to finish. That’s what I am best at! Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
