Best Apps to Help You Beat the Memorial Day Travel Rush

Memorial Day traveling can put a strain on your bank balance, just like any other time when large parts of the country hop on a plane for a vacation. So if there’s a way to save money, you’re probably going to take it, even if the airlines hate.

Skiplagged makes the outrageous claim that it’s so good at finding cheap flights, United Airlines sued them for it. And the lawsuit did actually happen. Airlines are unhappy with Skiplagged because in some cases the company gets the cheapest flight by recommending passengers book a flight with multiple stops beyond their destination, because it works out cheaper. This means you’re booked on a connecting flight but you skip it. You can book hotels and flights through the app.

If air travel is too much hassle—and let’s face it, these days it’s a lot of work—then the old fashioned road trip can still be a fantastic way to go on vacation over Memorial Day weekend. The Roadtrippers app helps you plan your route, and also gives recommendations on places to eat, visit, and stay along the way.

When flights are all booked and airports are full, it only takes the very slightest hitch to cause a chain reaction of delays and frustration. The best way to stay on top of that is to monitor the flights as closely as possible. Flightstats does just that. You just enter your flight details and get all the data you’d need, and you can even check the flightpath. This app also comes in handy if you’re picking up a friend or relative from the airport.

How early should you arrive at the airport before a flight? If you get there too early, you face a lengthy and boring wait at the gate, where wi-fi is often sparse and you’re lucky if you can find an outlet for your phone charger. But get there too late and you may find yourself stuck in the security line, desperately trying to yank off your shoes before you miss your flight. To help with this dilemma, the MyTSA app tells travelers how long a wait is expected at an airport security line, and any delays to flights in that airport.

Hopper is another great tool when booking a flight. The app tells you when is the best time to book in order to get the best deal. If you make sure you book your flight at the right time, you’ll have more cash to spend on the part of the vacation you’ll actually enjoy.