Alyssa Ponticello // In Good Taste

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Travel Apps I Can't Live Without


4 BEST TRAVEL APPS I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT


Unlike most people these days, I try to keep apps to a minimum on my phone. Call me crazy, but I just don’t like the clutter on my screen. Ha! However, I make an exception for travel apps because, not to be dramatic or anything, but I truly can’t live without them. We do a lot of last minute travel and I always get questions about how we pull it off (and also do it for less than what it would cost normally) and the answer is simple- travel apps. More specifically, the ones I’m talking about below. Keep reading for all the apps we use for extra perks, money back, the best last minute hotel rates and how to keep track of all the things in places and spaces near and far.



BEST TRAVEL APPS


SAFARA

great for getting $$ back on boutique hotel stays

This is the newest travel app on my list of favorites so we haven’t gotten to use it much, but I’m obsessed! Here’s why- every time you book a hotel through them, you get 10% back to put towards your next booking. Yes, 10% back. And yes, every single time. Plus, they have a huge curation of some of the best, most beautiful properties around the world available and they also will do rate matching. Oh, and did I mention that every booking is carbon neutral??! I mean, truly, what’s not to love?! P.S. If you sign up through this link, you’ll get $50 off your next hotel booking on Safara!

TABLET

great for extra hotel perks and upgraded rooms

If you like boutique, luxe properties AND extra perks when you travel (Who doesn’t tbh?!), then Tablet, hotel selections curated by the Michelin Guide, is for you. While anyone can use their platform to book travel, trust me when I say that you want to be a member. Yes, there is a yearly fee to be one, but I’m telling you, it practically pays for itself with the perks you get on the first trip alone. Member benefits include things such as free room upgrades, late check out, welcome gifts and daily credit to use (last time we booked a hotel through Tablet we got a $25 a day credit).

HOTEL TONIGHT

great for hotel deals, especially on last minute getaways

One of my favorite OG travel apps, I remember talking about it and using it long before it became something that everyone else knows and loves; we’ve used this for so many trips to so many different places, but my favorite was the time we used it on our cross country drive to book hotels wherever we ended up for the night. We still use it to this day, and while you can now book nights further in advance (when the app first came out it only allowed you to book for that night or the next), I still find it to be especially best for last minute getaway. P.S. If you use code APONTICELLO you can get $$ off your first booking!

OUT OF OFFICE

great for organizing all the things near + far

I feel like I’m an unofficial spokesperson for OOO with the amount of times I talk about this app, and the amount of people I’ve gotten to download it because I truly LOVE this app, and don’t go anywhere without utilizing it! It’s the best for keeping track of all things travel and happenings. Think hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, hikes, museums, activities, etc. Long gone are the days of searching in the black hole of screenshots, or Instagram favorites folders for that one spot you saved in that one folder that one time but now for the life of you can’t find (I know you know what I mean). You can create lists of places you’ve been as well as wishlists of where you want to go, all sorted by location with all the vital info (website, address, phone number) included. You can also see photos, reviews and recommendations from friends (and others). Plus, you can even plan out itineraries (with or without dates) right in the app (and share it with whoever you’re traveling with). I reference it constantly whether I’m looking through my list of saved local restaurants for a new spot to try here at home in Los Angeles, or I’m looking for recommendations and spots to save in a place we’re visiting. You can follow me here to see all of my recommendations, wishlists and trips.