Tech Tips for Travelers

Travel is back in a big way

After years of postponing plans over pandemic concerns or just plain wanting to avoid the hassle of getting on a plane or hitting the road, more and more people are ready to get out of town again.

For those who’ve been bitten by the travel bug, here’s some advice on how you can take advantage of the latest in technology to have a smooth trip.

Check in online for flights

While the option to check in online before a flight has been around for years, not everyone is on board. This just might persuade those on the fence: Skipping the airline counter can save loads of time. And major carriers typically close check-in 45 to 90 minutes before a flight, so there’s risk of missing your plane altogether. Plus, the earlier you check in online, the better your options may be for unassigned seat selection.

Check security wait times

Waiting in security lines at the airport is inevitable, but with a little bit of planning, travelers can hedge their bets with tech. The MyTSA app has detailed information on terminal checkpoints, TSA PreCheck lanes and any FAA-issued delays. There’s also historical data available so passengers can plan their flights in advance with security wait times in mind.

Mobile hotspot device

Your dream getaway may be relaxing in a remote cabin or a road trip to the Grand Canyon, but it might be tricky to find a Wi-Fi connection sometimes. Mobile hotspot devices might be the answer in many places. Essentially acting as little modems, with a mobile hotspot, your devices can share your cellular network connection to access the internet.

Portable battery pack

To help charge your devices, always have cables and a portable battery pack (power bank) at your disposal. Even a small, candy-bar-sized battery may be enough to get you out of a jam.

VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) is a powerful tool to keep you secure and anonymous while browsing the web. A VPN can help protect your data, especially if you’re using a public Wi-Fi.

Back up your life to the cloud

That great shot of you climbing Machu Picchu or standing atop the Eiffel Tower could be lost forever. Phones can be lost and laptops can be stolen. That’s why it’s a good idea to back up your pictures and videos — as well as important documents, copies of IDs and credit cards, and a list of contacts — to the cloud.

International roaming charges

Before embarking on that trip to Paris, you’d better make sure your smartphone will work there. Check with your carrier on international roaming activation. If you are interested in reviewing AT&T’s international calling options, go here.

Translator apps

Planning a trip to Rio but don’t speak Portuguese? Let an electronic translator do the talking for you. There are popular (and free) options out there, but they may not be practical on the fly. Some apps will translate in near-real-time, which could come in handy when ordering cocktails in Ipanema.

This article is AT&T sponsored content written by Paul Martella, a TechBuzz contributor and an AT&T employee. The statements in this article are his own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.