Company Profiles: Spotlight on Travel and Tech

In the world of wanderlust, life’s daily rituals don’t usually become monotonous or commonplace. That feeling is multiplied when you share adventures with other people—notably significant others who know your tastes and life goals.

And, sometimes, a loving relationship centered on exploring the globe can result in an even more romantic relationship. In the case of Scott and Collette Stohler, their migrant journeys encouraged them to base their professional lives around their own recreational interests.

If you have to fly from Point A to Point B—whether for business or for pleasure—wouldn’t you like to be comfortable doing so? While a first-class or business-class ticket may score you a wider, more cushiony seat and extra legroom along with perks like pre-flight drinks and meals served with actual metal utensils, they also carry a hefty price tag. So, what’s an economy flyer with a limited budget to do?

Would you to pack up and move your life to a completely different location? Many people travel for leisure and business, but there are those for whom travel is a way of life. These adventurous individuals must surely face many hurdles given the costs associated with such a style of living.

Did you know that unlike airlines and most hotel chains, car rental agencies do not penalize you for canceling and rebooking? A website called AutoSlash takes advantage of that phenomenon by checking your booking information multiple times per day, looking for a better rate from virtually all rental agencies and if it finds one, automatically rebooks for you.

Do you hate lugging heavy bags to and from the airport? Are you tired of hauling luggage while wrangling your children? Have exorbitant baggage fees decimated your travel budget? Have you ever spent half of your vacation waiting for lost suitcases to arrive? If so, it might be time to turn the tables and let your luggage wait for you instead.

It can be certainly be argued that the digital age is one of simplification, where individuals literally have the world at their fingertips and possibilities are endless.

However, sometimes clutter can intensify. That is where companies like Umapped form a bridge between information, global industry brands, travel advisors and their customers.

If you’re like most of us these days, you probably enjoy saving money on travel. After all, discount booking and rate comparison websites abound to help us do exactly that. But what if you could make the world a little better while scoring an exclusive deal? You actually can—if you use Kind Traveler.

RewardExpert recently spoke with Jessica Blotter (CEO) and Sean Krejci (COO)—Kind Traveler’s co-founders—about the inspiration behind the give-and-get hotel booking platform and how you can use it to save money on your next vacation.

According to industry powerhouse The Knot, the average U.S. wedding costs $35,329—including $16,107 for the venue, $2,783 for a photographer, $1,245 for a deejay, $582 for a cake and $278 for an officiant. That’s an astounding outlay for a one-day celebration, and it is amazing that any of today’s couples have money left over for their honeymoons at all.

Have you ever shown up in a foreign destination and not known what to do? Doing research ahead of time can certainly help, though you might end up sorting through a sea of endless sponsored ads and hackneyed tourist traps.

You have your plane tickets, your luggage and you’re  ready for takeoff. The only issue is, who will get you once you arrive at your destination?

That’s where companies like Blacklane come into play. The professional driver service company covers the first and last miles of your journey, which are usually rides to and from the airport.

For the millennial generation, cultural immersion is an important part of any travel experience. According to one survey of individuals between the ages of 18 and 30, 86 percent said the desire to experience a new culture was their strongest travel motivator. If it’s also yours—and you want to eat local foods, experience local activities and get to know someone who actually lives there while on your next vacation—you should consider Homestay.com.

There are lots of services these days all designed to help plan that next trip, from accommodations to transportation and sightseeing.  Yet, what are your options when it comes to finding a travel buddy? Well there’s Stitch for folks over 50 looking for people to explore the world with.

Planning a trip can be a real hassle, starting with choosing which airline would provide the most bang for its buck.

Luckily, things are arguably easier than ever before thanks to companies like FareCompare, which doesn’t sell plane tickets but does allow travelers to compare ticket costs.

If you’ve ever applied for or renewed a passport, you’re probably well aware that the process is neither simple nor fast. According to the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, routine processing times for passport services are currently six weeks from the time of application—and that’s only if you completed everything correctly the first time around. If you need to obtain a tourist or business visa for your destination, the process will take even longer.

According to AAA, 35 percent of Americans will travel as a family in 2017. While these excursions can be a great way to unplug, relax, reconnect and make memories, they can also be stressful—especially when children are involved.

From diverse preferences regarding destinations, accommodations and activities, to backseat disputes over who gets a window and who is touching who, planning a family getaway that makes everyone happy can feel downright impossible.

Planning the wedding of your dreams isn’t complete without the perfect honeymoon. So, what will it be? Will you wine and dine your nights away in Paris? Or just lounge on the beach in Bali?

When looking for hotels, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options. With each site claiming to have the lowest price, how does one know they’re actually getting the best deal? Even if you’re a veteran trip planner, you could still be missing out and not even know it.

Maybe you’ve flown across the country and want a car for tooling around town. Perhaps you’re planning a road trip and need a vehicle that can hold your passengers and gear. Whatever the reason, you’ve found yourself at the counter of a car rental company, answering the inevitable question: do you want economy, standard or full size? If you have your heart set on a specific make, model or color, you’re likely out of luck—unless you choose to rent from Turo.

The days of sitting in an airplane and worrying about your possible demise are over.

SkyGuru, a company that provides flight travelers with real-time aviation data, is the first iPhone app that merges mobile technology and professional aviation to analyze and predict fight process. It guides passengers through potential anxieties that come with traveling in the clouds. Denis Frolov, a representative for the company, talked to RewardExpert.com about the benefits.

While taking time away from the daily grind to explore a new destination can be an exciting and invigorating way to recharge and unwind, the pre-trip planning process is often overwhelmingly stressful. Fortunately, the developers of TripSee have found a way to eliminate the need for the cumbersome spreadsheets, endless email chains, and stacks of written notes many of us previously relied on when creating a family or group vacation itinerary.