Using Your Mobile Device on the Road

Contributing Editor Carl Unger believes that every trip is worth taking. He loves an extended trip to Europe as much as he enjoys exploring the towns and landscape near home. Basically, you'll find him wherever there is good food, fresh air, and plenty of stories to bring home.

Carl has been writing for SmarterTravel since 2005. His travel writing has also appeared on USA Today and the About.com Boston travel guide.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "It's not revolutionary, but a small Moleskine notebook is my one travel must-have. It's great for noting things you want to remember and it takes up hardly any space in your bag."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Japan. I'd love to take a month off and visit the cities, temples, and countryside. I'm fascinated by the country's juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern ambitions."

Travel Motto: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” –Terry Pratchett

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Window."

See recent posts by Carl Unger

Mobile technology isn’t new, but travel providers are still finding fresh ways to use on-the-go connectivity to make traveling a little smoother. Here are a few ways you can use your mobile device on the road:

Boarding Passes

Cell phone boarding passes aren’t new, but the ability to use your mobile device both to check in and board your aircraft is becoming more widespread. Here’s a list of airlines that allows you to board with a bar code downloaded onto your mobile phone:

Other airlines, such as British Airways and Southwest, have apps that let you check in from your mobile device, though you’ll still have to print out your boarding pass. Still more airlines, like JetBlue, have streamlined mobile sites where travelers can check in, select seats, or change a reservation.

**Update, March 12** American just added 19 more airports to mobile boarding pass program. United has also added the option.

Still Need a Room?

Hotels are starting to roll out mobile apps that let people book rooms or manage reservations from the road. Hilton debuted its app last summer, and now has individual apps for seven of its brands, while Choice Hotels, Starwood, Omni Hotels, and the Four Seasons have apps as well. Intercontinental Hotels has one due this spring.

Priceline also has its Negotiator app, which lets you book on the go.

Put it All Together

Expedia recently launched TripAssist, a free iPhone app that lets travelers book, track, and change a reservation. You can also sign up for flight-specific text or email alerts.

Of course, this just scratches the surface of what your mobile device can do on the road. For more information, read our Top 10 Mobile Apps for Travelers and Ed Perkins’ take on the most popular travel apps.

Readers, do you use a mobile device when traveling? Share your tips and secrets, whether it’s a great app or simply a smart way to utilize your phone’s capabilities. Thanks!

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.