10 Best Travel Apps of 2012

FlyersRights.org

Unsure about what compensation (if any) you're due for an on-the-tarmac delay? Download the FlyersRights.org app and you can see what your legal rights are as a passenger and use its GPS system and map to log your delays in real time. ($0.99 for Apple)

Next Flight

Is your flight delayed or canceled? Did you miss your connection? If you have the Next Flight app, you won't have to fight the lines to speak to a ticketing agent or spend hours on hold with the airline. The app will show you a list of all available flights from more than 1,200 airline carriers for the same day and the next two days. Nothing works with your schedule? You can also search for hotels, cabs, and car rentals. ($2.99 for Apple and $3.99 for Android)

Skyscanner

We picked the Skyscanner flight search engine as one of our most invaluable booking sites, and its mobile app is just as good. Skyscanner searches the major airline sites as well as online travel agencies (OTAs) for the lowest fares. Just daydreaming? You can also search from your home airport to "everywhere" and see a list of the cheapest flights on certain dates to destinations all over the world. (Free for Apple, Android, Windows, and Blackberry)

RoadNinja

Save gas (and never drive miles off an interstate only to find that a rest stop is closed) with RoadNinja. This app lets you find nearby attractions, lodging, food, and rest stops, making your road trips easy. RoadNinja also features promotions and specials to help you save along the way. (Free for Apple and Android)

JetBlue

We'll pay a little extra to fly on JetBlue for the free DirecTV, snacks, and extra legroom, so we were thrilled that the airline finally got with the times this year and launched a mobile app. Use the JetBlue app to search for flights on the airline and its international partners, see customized fares and deals, get updates about flight delays, learn about your destination with City Guides, and share your travel plans with friends. (Free for Apple and Android)

Google Translate

Instantly translate more than 65 languages—speak a phrase into your phone and it will read it back in another tongue, or read foreign scripts with the Google Translate app, perfect for traveling to countries where you don't speak the language. You can even use the app's conversation mode to converse in a foreign language with a native speaker or fellow traveler. (Free for Apple and Android)

TripIt

Organize your travel plans with the TripIt app. Simply email your flight, car, or hotel reservations to TripIt and the app will keep all your plans (and confirmation codes) in one place. Upgrade to TripIt Pro to get instant texts and emails about flight delays, cancellations, and gate changes, plus track all your frequent-traveler reward accounts. (Free for basic TripIt or $49 per year for TripIt Pro for Apple, Android, Blackberry, and Windows)

Waze

Your GPS might not be able to give you a heads-up about an upcoming traffic jam, but the Waze app can. This app uses real-time data from other drivers to automatically alert you to police presence in the area, road hazards, traffic jams, and the cheapest gas stations. Don't worry about being distracted by your cell phone—Waze is hands-free and voice activated. (Free for Apple and Android)

Pocket

Get the most out of your tablet or smartphone even when you don't have access to the Internet. Download the Pocket app and you can save Internet articles, videos, or web pages to read offline at your leisure—perfect for in-flight entertainment or reading maps without getting socked with international data-usage charges. (Free for Apple, Android, Windows, and Blackberry)

ICE 4 Travel

The ICE 4 Travel app could be a literal lifesaver if you get injured or sick while abroad. The app lets you store medical information like allergies, medications, and emergency contacts on your phone and translates it all into seven different languages. ($2.99 for Apple)

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