Smartphones become pocket itinerary planners with the TripIt app
Feb 07, 2012
There will be no more rifling through pages of confirmation flight numbers, terminal information and e-mail receipts when travelers who book cheap flights to the UK use the TripIt travel app. The free mobile service manages their itinerary by sorting all flight numbers, gate information, rental car details and even loyalty program account numbers from any e-mail receipts that users forward to it. Using all of the applicable data, TripIt assembles a master trip itinerary that is accessible from anywhere.
The service is ideal for frequent business travelers as a tool to help keep them organized and punctual for meetings, flights to London and planned events. Available in the iTunes Store, Android Market and Blackberry App World, the app offers two options: TripIt Free and Pro. Worried travelers may benefit from purchasing the $49-per-year Pro version, as it notifies customers if they are eligible for a flight refund and sends mobile alerts about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes as soon as possible.
While a convenient tool, some travelers find the process of forwarding emails to a "middle man" who then organizes the travel data as a needless step. When vacation planners choose to purchase cheap flights to Paris last minute or buy them in person, they may not be able to forward any information to the app, thus creating an inaccurate agenda.
Other individuals who downloaded the service claim they cannot imagine a vacation without it. Blackberry app users emphasize its convenience for business travel - one reviewer even stated that the service notified her of connections, delays, cancellations and gate changes before the airline announced them.
Overall, users rated the app's functionality highest on the iPhone over its Android and Blackberry versions. The app also allows travel planners to sync with their Google accounts, allowing consumers to organize their emails through their account and automatically transport it upon completion. When customers have sent their emails and TripIt finishes coordinating the information, users will also have the option of sharing their itinerary with the community feature. This service allows business professionals to share their day-to-day agenda with a spouse or loved one, so he or she knows when the other may have some down time to chat.
Those considering trying out the app for their next big business or leisure trip can likely get away with downloading the free service, as the differences are few and slight between the two.
The service is ideal for frequent business travelers as a tool to help keep them organized and punctual for meetings, flights to London and planned events. Available in the iTunes Store, Android Market and Blackberry App World, the app offers two options: TripIt Free and Pro. Worried travelers may benefit from purchasing the $49-per-year Pro version, as it notifies customers if they are eligible for a flight refund and sends mobile alerts about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes as soon as possible.
While a convenient tool, some travelers find the process of forwarding emails to a "middle man" who then organizes the travel data as a needless step. When vacation planners choose to purchase cheap flights to Paris last minute or buy them in person, they may not be able to forward any information to the app, thus creating an inaccurate agenda.
Other individuals who downloaded the service claim they cannot imagine a vacation without it. Blackberry app users emphasize its convenience for business travel - one reviewer even stated that the service notified her of connections, delays, cancellations and gate changes before the airline announced them.
Overall, users rated the app's functionality highest on the iPhone over its Android and Blackberry versions. The app also allows travel planners to sync with their Google accounts, allowing consumers to organize their emails through their account and automatically transport it upon completion. When customers have sent their emails and TripIt finishes coordinating the information, users will also have the option of sharing their itinerary with the community feature. This service allows business professionals to share their day-to-day agenda with a spouse or loved one, so he or she knows when the other may have some down time to chat.
Those considering trying out the app for their next big business or leisure trip can likely get away with downloading the free service, as the differences are few and slight between the two.
