TripIt Introduces an Easier Way to Communicate Travel Plans On the Go, By Making Specific Trip Plans and Flight Status Alerts Shareable

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- TripIt, the all-in-one travel organizer from Concur CNQR, now makes it easier for travelers to share specific trip details and flight status alerts on the go, with family, friends and colleagues. TripIt's update coincides with the first in its new series of 2014 travel and technology trends research*, which shows an increased appetite for mobile devices on the road. More travelers plan to buy smartphones and tablets than laptops in 2014, which correlates with the FAA's ruling allowing gate-to-gate use of mobile devices.

To easily communicate travel plans and stay connected on the go, TripIt users can select an individual trip item – such as a flight, hotel, restaurant reservation, meeting or other activity – and share it via email or text message from their mobile device**. Messages are pre-populated with vital travel details, and users can add personal notes.

"Nobody wants to be stranded on an airport curb at the end of a long trip," said Dan Hoffer, Head of Product. "Now, you can easily text your arrival time, so your ride is waiting when you land. Our customers have been asking for more flexible and powerful ways to share information and stay connected, and we're excited to deliver these features in time to make 2014 travel less stressful, more organized, and easier than before for our millions of users."

Additionally, TripIt Pro users can now share their flight status alerts with others to keep them instantly informed about delays, cancellations or on-time arrivals. Now, travelers can easily notify a colleague and adjust plans if they are going to be late for a meeting.

Travelers Plan to Purchase Flight-Friendly Gadgets in 2014

According to new research from TripIt, increased mobility – like that provided by TripIt's sharing update – is a top priority for travelers in 2014. More travelers expect to buy tablets than laptops this year, which signals a shift, as predicted[1], towards even greater ability and flexibility on-the-go.

TripIt's 2014 travel and technology trend research was conducted among travelers in the weeks following the FAA's gate-to-gate gadget ruling, which expanded the use of personal electronics like smartphones and tablets during the duration of flights (in airplane mode), but excluded laptops.

Smartphones are expected to retain their place as travelers' top technology tool, with 65% of travelers expecting to invest in a new smartphone this year. Following close behind, more than half (58%) of travelers surveyed plan to buy new tablets in 2014. Less than half (48%) plan to purchase new laptops.

Smartwatches are also poised for growth among travelers, with 18 percent planning to purchase one in 2014. The hands-free nature of these devices may explain why travelers could outpace other demographics in adopting this new mobile technology[2]. For example, TripIt's app for the Samsung Galaxy Gear – launched in September 2013 at IFA – makes it easier for travelers to access flight, hotel, and other trip plans, while leaving their hands free to carry luggage or belongings.  

In summary, here are the percentages of travelers who anticipate buying the following technologies new in 2014:

• 65% smartphone
• 58% tablet
• 48% laptop
• 18% smartwatch
• 10% electronic bag trackers

*TripIt will share additional results from its 2014 travel and technology trend research in the coming weeks. For questions about survey methodology or to get an advance look at the results of the survey, please contact press@tripit.com.

**This feature is currently available for iOS and will soon be available on Android devices. For specific timing and availability, or to request high-res product images, please contact press@tripit.com.

About TripIt from Concur^®
TripIt, the all-in-one travel organizer from Concur, organizes all your plans in one spot for non-stop travel peace of mind. Simply forward your travel confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com, and TripIt automagically creates an indispensable itinerary you can access on any device, at any time using our free mobile apps. TripIt Pro has all the organizing power of TripIt, plus stress-free features for frequent travelers, like real-time flight alerts, seat tracking, refund notifications, and more. Companies can also extend the power of TripIt to the entire office with TripIt for Teams. For more information on how TripIt organizes and delights millions of travelers worldwide, please visit us at www.tripit.com, follow us @TripIt, like us on Facebook, and watch us on YouTube.

About Concur
Concur is the leading provider of integrated travel and expense solutions that help companies and their employees control costs and save time. The Concur open platform enables the entire travel and expense ecosystem of customers, suppliers, and solution partners to access and extend the Concur T&E cloud. Concur systems adapt to individual employee preferences and scale to meet the needs of companies from small to large. Learn more at www.concur.com or the Concur blog.

[1] IDC, "IDC Forecasts Worldwide Tablet Shipments to Surpass Portable PC Shipments in 2013, Total PC Shipments in 2015," 28 May 2013. http://bit.ly/1aAYN4X

[2] On Device Research, "Wearable technology far from tipping point," 4 September 2013. http://bit.ly/1arTFA6

SOURCE TripIt