Tips for travel (update)

This is a followup to a Tips for Travel post I had created several years ago.

Over the course of time there have been technology changes that I wanted to address. Also I have accumulated additional advice that I think will be helpful updates to the prior tips.

Technology updates
I still use my iPhone heavily when I travel. The apps I use like CamScanner and Maps continue to be some of the most important items on my phone. One update is that Maps will provide audio prompts which is much safer than trying to check the phone while driving.

Some other apps that are useful include the apps provided by airline, hotel, and rental car companies. I often use these apps to make travel changes without having to find a computer or connection for my laptop. With the airline apps I will check in with my phone and save the boarding pass to my Wallet app. This reduces the paper I have to print and carry.

The other apps I use most often are Audible, SiriusXM, and Podcasts. I have a subscription with Audible which provides me with 2 audiobooks every month. A typical book is around 15 hours which gives you plenty of entertainment while you are traveling. We have Sirius radio in our car, so I downloaded the Sirius app which allows me to listen to music, talk radio, etc while I travel. Note that if you are not connected to wifi, then the Sirius app will use quite a bit of data. Finally there are several Podcasts I listen to on a regular basis. The latest episodes can be downloaded to your device when you are connected to wifi then listened to at your leisure in order to save data usage.

Lastly, I am a fan of Amazon Prime. With my Kindle device I can download movies and TV shows I've purchased, but also with a prime membership you can download movies or shows that are available for streaming. This allows you to watch something when you are not connected to wifi, such as on a plane or sitting in an airport. I have noticed that my Bose in-ear headphones allow me to hear the shows much better, especially when I'm on a plane. Also as a prime member I can use the Kindle lending library to read some books for free. Note the selection is pretty weak, but you can probably find something that would do in a pinch.

Travel updates
Enroll in TSA PreCheck. Most airports have different lines for PreCheck which will allow you to get to your gate much faster than going through regular security. If you travel internationally then you should look into the Global Entry program, but for domestic flights PreCheck is all you need.

Accept the fact that you will have flight delays. Between weather issues, mechanical problems, and cascading delays it's almost surprising that flights leave on time at all. When you want to get home or if you are in a hurry to get to a client's site, delays can be very frustrating but you have to remind yourself to accept the things you cannot change. Stressing about these delays only hurt yourself. Given that, you should always check your flight connection times to ensure that you give yourself enough time to reach your next gate.

I don't have memberships to the airline clubs, but with their credit cards you can get a one-time pass for a reasonable amount of money. If I know I have a multi hour delay I will sometimes take advantage of that feature to spend time in the clubs. The free house drinks, free wifi, snacks, and comfortable chairs makes those delays pass by much faster. With a good audiobook or a downloaded movie on my Kindle, the time goes by even faster.