iTech Post took a trip to Pepcom's DigitalFocus on April 11, 2013 and among the different technologies being showcased was the travel organizer service provided by TripIt.
TripIt was founded in 2006 to "simplify the Internet travel experience." TripIt organizes trip details into one itinerary, even if you book things on separate travel sites. The main itinerary also includes directions, maps and weather and gives you the option to book theatre tickets, activities, restaurants and more from within the itinerary itself. You can also check-in for flights and share your travel plans.
As TripIt's website states, "With today's myriad of travel sites, even the most experienced traveler has their hands full managing all the details of a typical trip. Booking airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and restaurants leaves you with lots of separate pieces of paper. Throw in maps, directions, things to do, and weather, and the chaos multiplies."
TripIt comes in three options, TripIt Free, Tripit Pro and Tripit for Teams. While TripIt Free comes only with the features described above, TripIt Pro costs $49 per year and also includes flight refunds, mobile alerts (for delays, cancellations, etc.), auto-sharing, alternate flight info and VIP privileges, which involves a complimentary one-year membership to Regus Gold, Hertz #1 Club Gold, VIP car rental and access to 1,200 business lounges. TripIt for Teams starts at $29 per month and leaves out these extras but includes travel dashboards, a team travel calendar, maps and the ability for admins to make trips for travelers.
TripIt is available for iPad, iPhone, Android, tablets, Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry.
Our impression from TripIt's presentation at DigitalFocus were that TripIt can definitely be useful in terms of travel organization. If you're a frequent traveler, then signing up for a free TripIt membership could definitely be worthwhile. We weren't sold, however, on the Tripit Pro and Tripit for Teams memberships, since they had features that didn't seem all that necessary, especially given the price.
If you travel often, then TripIt could be for you, but you'll probably only want to shell out the extra cash if you have plenty to spare, or are a hardcore travel enthusiast.
