Thanksgiving is around the corner. So you are not electronically savvy but need to learn if you are going on our single special river cruise in July? Bribe your grandchildren at turkey time, and upgrade your travel app skills.

There are a few bits to learn, that is if you intend to travel and have a smart phone.

1—-Go to your airline site via google on your phone. Do not click a site other than the official one.  Example,  delta.com is the official site for Delta. Under search term: ‘Delta flights’, you also see Travelocity, Sky Team, flights.com, Orbitz, Expedia, ESky. 

The airline app is usually a box like picture. Again look at its identity and click on it.

Follow step by step to add the app to your phone. It will load onto your screen. Click on it, enter your travel information. You now have a quick and direct way to look at everything related to your flights. Some apps now also show exactly where your luggage is. No need to buy a smart baggage tag.

2—-You don’t have Global Priority/Trusted Traveler or are waiting for it? Wait time is up to a year. Add the mobile passport app to your phone. Here it is:  https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control   Now enter passport information, a photo you self take. You cannot complete the information until you land in a US airport. When you land, add the flight number, time, and whatever else is needed. You now have a document for faster immigration lines.

3—-The third app you need is www.rome2rio.com which helps find any transportation from x to y, its cost and time involved. Travel agents and tour operators use this app.

4—-Uber is the fourth; use it overseas with the US version. If Uber is not available, there are a few competitors like Sixt. Ask the hotel.

5—-Fifth is Whatsapp, a free wifi based phone, texting app. It is owned by Facebook which some of you dislike. But with wifi, you get quick mostly encrypted calls, texts and images.

Since most of you glazed over, after the first paragraph, I stop here. Now call your grand children and bribe them. Feed them. Get them to upgrade your practical knowlege. Travel Tips from The Women’s Travel Group. Award winning tours for women. Contact us by phone: 646 309 5607.

We are working on 2024, with solo special river cruises, both exotic and European trips.