There are seemingly endless numbers of websites and online communities dedicated to teaching you how to maximize the joy of your travel. Some of them even occasionally touch on fishing possibilities. In fact there are some sites (endemic and non-endemic to the fishing community) that have provided us with some of our favorite travel tips. But who has time to read them all? I certainly don’t, and I (sort of) do this for a living.

Nevertheless, when I do come across a valuable website, app or tip, I try to pay it forward. Here are some of the best ones I’ve learned about recently. Ignore them at your peril:

Speedy Security – No one likes going through the TSA security process at the airport. It always seems to take longer than it should, and the rules seem to be ever-changing – one time your belt is ok, the other time it needs to be X-Rayed, one time you have to take your laptop out and the next time you don’t. I strongly advocate getting Clear and Global Entry to minimize these sorts of hassles, but beyond that, there’s a simple way to enhance your chances of getting through quickly – Choose the proper line mates. See that family with three kids and two strollers? They’re almost certain to have a full juice box in their carry-on, or to get stopped for some other reason. Whenever possible, get behind a business traveler, someone who looks like they do it a lot. There are no guarantees, but they’re more likely to know the process and less likely to slow you down.
Kayak Explore – Not sure where you want to go specifically, but you know that you want to go somewhere soon? Plug in your departure airport and a general area you’d like to visit (e.g., “Florida” or “Central America”) and a general or specific set of dates, and the website will offer up some good flight and lodging opportunities that you might otherwise have missed. In the Robbins family, we’re long-term planners, so this isn’t always a great option for us, but it’s a fun rabbit hole to go down, and at some point I’m sure we’ll end up in an unexpected but really cool place as a result of our searches.
Download Google Translate – If you’re headed to a foreign country or countries and you’re not fluent in the language, and don’t expect to have a bilingual guide/companion along, download the Google Translate app. It makes communicating, especially in exigent circumstances, far easier. You can also take a picture of a sign and it will translate it for you on the spot. If you don’t think you’ll have access to Wi-Fi when you need it, then download the entire library to your phone so you’ll never be without.
Best Hotel Rates – If you’ve decided on the hotel you want, or you’ve narrowed down the field of possibilities, a couple of simple web searches should give you the general range of prices for the room/s you want on the dates you want them. With that information in hand, call the hotel directly and ask for their best non-refundable rate. Remember, when you book through a third-party app, they may be paying a pretty hefty commission, so by booking your directly they’re saving that cost. They can pass all or part of it along to you. You might even be able to negotiate additional perks like free breakfast or Wi-Fi if it’s not included.

Google Translate app is a must for travelers heading overseas

Seat Guru – If you want to maximize comfort on your next flight, download SeatGuru (free), which crowdsources information about the seats on all sorts of commercial planes which may inform your seat choice decision or even the flight that you eventually take. It’s particularly useful if you’re going to spring for a premium business class or first class ticket and want to get the most bang for your buck. They color code seats (good=green, yellow=caution, red=bad) and provide a wealth of information about what’s good or cautionary about them. If you prefer a little more legroom or don’t want to end up sitting next to a busy restroom, you cannot afford to avoid this simple addition to your phone.

Mo’ Money – No matter where you’re going, you’re going to have to take some cash. Even if you don’t have to convert it from dollars to the local currency, there may be some items that can’t be purchased with credit cards, and of course gratuities. I’m not sure about the rest of you, but I hate carrying a fat wallet of bills. Not only do I feel like it makes me vulnerable in various ways, but I’m always afraid that I’ll lose them. One solution is to separate out your money among the different travelers in your group (e.g., husband and wife) so not all of your eggs are in the single proverbial basket. Another is to make sure you’re carrying the right kind of bills. When I’m tipping my fishing guide, I don’t want to give him singles, but I don’t think he typically wants hundreds, which may be hard to cash, either. But when I’m tipping an airport porter or someone else who gets a comparatively small amount, make sure to have the right change. They’re unlikely to have it, and it’s not fair to stiff them. Also, make sure that the bills are unmarked and untorn, as those might be tough for them to trade in some countries.

Auto Slash – If you’ve already rented a car for an upcoming trip, but you want to make sure that you don’t leave money on the table, enter your reservation on Auto Slash. Like the apps listed above, it’s free, and it takes into account any memberships you might have (e.g., Costco, AAA, AARP) and credit cards in your wallet for any applicable discounts. They’ll tell you whether you can do better than your existing deal, and then they’ll continue to monitor your options (you got a “no money down” rental, right?) so you can quickly change to a better option.
Don’t Forget Free – There are lots of fun, free things to do at many major vacation destinations, but in some cases the main attraction itself is costless. For example, in April all of the US National Parks waived entry fees for a day in honor of National Park Week. They’ll do the same on specific days in August, September and November. Military veterans, active duty members and members of Gold Star families are eligible for free lifetime passes to National Parks, with access provided to traveling companions who are occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR the veteran or voucher-holder and three persons (16 and older) where per person fees are charged. Other similar discounts may be extended to these groups and others – be sure to ask.