In the past, traveling for work meant losing out on productivity in between meetings. Now, with everything accessible digitally in your back pocket (quite literally), it’s nearly business as usual wherever you are.
With the right device and the top apps, the savvy corporate traveler saves time at every step of the process. Packing, keeping up with your itinerary, storing new contacts, and getting around unknown areas are streamlined the whole way.
How, you might ask?
Well, it’s all dependent on you using the apps that do the jobs for you. Before you head off on your next company destination, pack these four apps on your device.
1. PackPoint
Is packing for your trip the most stressful part? If so, you’re not alone. Many travelers worry about forgetting important items or squeezing enough clothes and accessories into a carry-on to avoid paying baggage fees.
PackPoint simplifies the job for you. It’s a packing list app that uses the details of your trip to tell you what you should pack.
You’ll enter things like where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and the purpose of the trip. PackPoint analyzes the data, checks the weather, and gives you a customized list of what you should bring.
Chances are, you were going to try to predict the weather forecast and access to laundry facilities yourself, then guesstimate what clothing to bring. PackPoint takes the guesswork out and does this all for you for the low cost of $2.99 for premium features. It also integrates with TripIt, our next best app on the list.
2. Tripit
Your bags are packed, your rooms and flights are booked, and you’re ready to go.
But wait!
What time was your flight? How long is your layover? The hotel chain has multiple business locations in the area; which one are you staying at again?
These are all common and essential questions for travelers to know. Instead of heading to your email inbox and searching for the different answers, use Tripit to keep track of the details.
Tripit stores your flight info, including your frequent flyer and TSA PreCheck numbers. It keeps track of the rental car details, your hotel reservation number and contact info, and any scheduled meetings on your itinerary.
Once you connect your email with Tripit, the app asks you if you want to segue any bookings into its handy dashboard. Or, manually forward the confirmations when you get them.
When you’re ready to see the trip’s schedule and details laid out in front of you, click on the button, and Tripit turns it all into one visual display.
The basic app is free, and premium features are available for a $49/year subscription.
3. CircleBack
The goal of business travel is to pave the pathway to a solid return on investment for the company. One way to do this is for the traveler (you) to create connections while on the road.
What do you do with those business cards, social media profiles, and phone numbers after you collect them all? Do they get lost? Sit around collecting dust?
CircleBack solves this problem. The app uses patented updating artificial intelligence technology to store your contacts and their professional info, then update it when they change jobs, emails, phone numbers, and other pertinent contact details. You’ll never have to chase down your contact’s new info, and when they switch jobs, it won’t be a surprise.
CircleBack gives you the tools you need to capture digital signatures and add them to your address book when you get new emails. Group contacts into particular categories, delete duplicates, connect networks, and more in one easy-to-use app.
4. Citymapper
If you plan to explore more than your hotel, Citymapper is the app for you. This travel software shows you a real-time map of your city, including your transit options and schedules.
Whether you’re walking, biking, or taking public transit, Citymapper has the route laid out for you to follow, along with all the costs associated with it. The app works in major cities in the U.S. and Europe.
Some cities have premium features available, such as access to a pass that pays for your transit.
Conclusion
Ready to make your next trip more productive without doing a lot of extra work? Download these apps, and you’ll increase efficiency and save valuable time searching for answers and organization.
