Apps to help make business travel easier for financial advisers

A little online research can make the difference between a good and bad experience.
DEC 13, 2016
At times, we need to travel for business. No matter how enjoyable it might seem when saying yes, travel has its own set of inconveniences and dilemmas. Before agreeing to a trip, at least one of these questions must be answered with a yes: Do I really need to go? Do I want to go? If you can't answer yes to at least one of those questions, pass on the trip! We're too busy to travel unnecessarily. However, once you've made the decision to travel, your first step is making reservations. A little online research, with the help of a few handy apps, can make the difference between a good and bad experience. The first question is when. If there is flexibility, consider traveling when there is something fun happening at the same time. A great app for concerts is Bandsintown. You can set the search area to any city and radius of your choosing. The app will automatically search according to artists you like (based on your music library) and additional acts that match your taste. Another timing aspect is tacking on an extra night or two. If minimizing hotel nights means an 18-hour plus day, don't do it! Even if airfares don't justify the cost of an extra night, your health does. Travel tools such as Travelocity or Kayak can work well for cost comparisons and scheduling as well as using specific airline apps (for those who smartly concentrate flights within one or two preferred airlines) like apps for American, Southwest or Delta. If you must take a flight with a plane change, consider potential weather impacts and the connecting airport. Would you rather fly through Atlanta or Dallas, where crowds and delays are routine, or through Las Vegas, where you can amuse yourself on slot machines if the plane's late or Austin, where there are cool shops and often live entertainment? Once you've booked your flights and hotel, simply forward your confirmations to TripIt. TripIt will keep all of the details of each of your trips in one easy app. And, the Pro version will remind you to check in (very useful when flying Southwest), provide you with gate numbers and keep you informed of delays in real time. Once you're on the road, Concur is a great app for tracking and documenting expenses. For getting around, check on availability of Uber or Lyft in your destination city. Don't fret if they don't operate there. Often cities will have their own ridesharing services. For example, in Austin, you might want to try RideAustin. Finally, don't forget TripAdvisor and Yelp for locating good restaurants nearby. Happy holidays and happy travels! Sheryl Rowling is head of rebalancing solutions at Morningstar Inc. and principal at Rowling & Associates. She considers herself a non-techie user of technology.

Latest News

Advisor AI startup Zeplyn adds ex-LPL leader Kabir Sethi to board
Advisor AI startup Zeplyn adds ex-LPL leader Kabir Sethi to board

The two-decade veteran, whose career also includes a stint at Merill Lynch, will help shape strategy for the Google engineer-founded fintech.

US wholesale inflation surprises on food, energy prices
US wholesale inflation surprises on food, energy prices

The latest PPI print, clocking in north of 3 percent, adds to concerns that inflation is far from tamed.

Robinhood earnings surge as TradePMR acquisition plan rolls along
Robinhood earnings surge as TradePMR acquisition plan rolls along

The DIY investment giant's positive earnings surprise, surpassing $1 billion in revenue for the first time, puts it on strong footing for future expansion.

Advisors expect revenue boost this year as Secure 2.0 provisions kick in
Advisors expect revenue boost this year as Secure 2.0 provisions kick in

Most retirement plan specialists anticipate gain of up to 10%.

Debt has become a way of life for working Americans, report warns
Debt has become a way of life for working Americans, report warns

And they would have to work extra hard to pay it off.

SPONSORED Record growth: Interval funds emerge as key players in alternative investments

Blue Vault Alts Summit highlights the role of liquidity-focused funds in reshaping advisor strategies

SPONSORED Taylor Matthews on what's behind Farther's rapid growth

From 'no clients' to reshaping wealth management, Farther blends tech and trust to deliver family-office experience at scale.