Master & Dynamic hit the mark with the MW07 Plus…

For years I’ve been frustrated as a traveler forced to bring multiple pairs of headphones on a trip, or compromise on imperfect solutions. It’s hard to trade noise cancelling on flights, but it’s also hard to trade in the comfort of in ear buds, rather than over ear, particularly when trying to sleep.

After far too much online research, and trying a few pairs which didn’t quite make the grade, I took a shot on Master & Dynamic’s MW07 Plus wireless buds, with noise cancelling and ambient listening, not to mention some of the best battery life in the game. The results are simply wonderful…

Master & Dynamic Price Point

The first step for most in search of wireless buds, including myself, is to decide on a price point.

There are lots of solid solutions under $100 which will appease the average listener, but as a former record producer, I get a little particular with the way I like things to sound and also seek a few extras like prolonged battery life, fit comfort and things which make wireless buds viable for a long haul flight, or long day of travel in general.

In the USA, these buds seem to go for circa $299 regularly, but in the UK it’s not uncommon to see the Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus on sale under or around £200, a price which I snapped up. Why go for something double the price, when solid options exist? With these buds, quite a few reasons…

In the box…

In the box, you’ll find your MW07 Plus buds, 5 sizes for ear seal tips, 3 sizes for ear fit tips, a USB-C cable, the cloth case that covers the recharging case and of course, your recharging case as well. I’ve got big ears and the largest size for the ear fit was perfect for me, but the standard size worked well for my partner, and if she needed smaller, that option was there.

The instant happiness I found with this product was the reduction in bag share. By that, I mean the case which can recharge the buds up to 4 times is tiny and easily fits in my pocket, unlike my previous Bose QC35 over ear buds which took up considerable space. With noise cancelling on the MW07 Plus, I no longer need both.

Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus Key Features

Four things stuck out to me when I started digging into the tech and overall package of the MW07 Plus: design, noise cancelling, “ambient mode”, and 10 hours of battery life. Starting with the least, or most important part of the equation depending on your point of view, these Master & Dynamic buds look super. There are a variety of stylish acetate covers from tortoise shell to matte black, and jazzier options as well.

One thing I loved right away was that once paired, they pair so quickly on every subsequent opening. You pull the bud out of the charging case and immediately hear a pinging, which lasts no more than 3-5 seconds before they pair to your device. Taking them out automatically pauses, and you can use them with just one in without issue. If you leave one out for an extended period, it tends to just turn back on.

If you want to one ear it, each bud has microphone and all the same features, so it doesn’t matter which one you take out and wear solo. This was really attractive to me from the get go, particularly as I make calls while walking around the house.

Also, with an IPX5 rating, these Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus true wireless buds can withstand serious water spray, let alone a bit of sweat. Most headphones in similar price points are IPX 4, and this represents a big jump.

Ambient Mode = Awesome Mode

The next most interesting feature on the MW07 Plus is ambient mode, which I totally didn’t fully grasp when I bought the buds, but was curious to find out. Ambient mode effectively allows you to hear your surroundings around you with the press of a button, even with your music on.

I tested this first at my local coffee spot where they know me, and were less likely to be offended. With the press of the ambient button, the built in microphones blend in outside noise into your ears, so you can actually hear someone without taking the buds out. I found this particularly useful when interacting with cabin crew during flight.

I’d seen reviews that say Sony’s WF-1000XM3 buds have better noise cancelling, but I’ve gotta say this does the trick as well as any in ears can be expected to. If Sony is indeed better, that’s great, but It’s all about the seal you get with the right sized ear tips and even flying or in transit I was never impacted by outside noise.

With longer battery life on the Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus, and also the addition of better water resistance certification, those were the deciding factors for me against other models.

MW07 Plus Performance And Comfort

For the big test, I took my Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus with me for a trip from London to Amsterdam, followed by a connection to New York.

All in, they were in for 10+ hours of rigorous noise cancelling and ambient mode use. I think they lasted a full 9 hours before they got down low, so I quickly popped them in the rechargeable case and was back to near full battery in well under an hour.

I really think these are all about the time you put into the initial setup, ensuring you get the right fit for the unique wing tips that help keep the buds in your ears, as well as the in ear tips which create a great sound seal. The buds are light, easy to take on and off and I just really never felt uncomfortable, surprisingly.

So How Do The MW07 Plus Sound?

The Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus really shine on clarity in the mid range, and accurate punchy bass, without frustrating distortion. It’s plenty big for any dance music or hip hop fans, but avoids being overdone and drowning out vocals or instruments with distorted tones. It’s clear, it’s sharp and it’s got enough dynamic range, thanks to the beryllium drivers.

Think of it this way: I’d say you’re hearing the music exactly as it was intended when it left Dr. Dre’s studio, or Coldplay’s. All those lovely little nuances and nuggets are noticed, and the drivers just create amazing accuracy and punch in the low as well. I hate headphones that are drowned out by ridiculous bass that sacrifices clarity, and these definitely avoid that. It’s bright and beautiful sound.

Would I Recommend These Master & Dynamic True Wireless Buds?

Yes, in a heartbeat. After trying quite a few competitors, this finally seems to be the pair with the fewest blind spots or weak points. Battery life is top 3 in the game, noise cancelling separates them from even pricier B&O buds and the sound is rich and detailed. I hear layers with the Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus I haven’t heard in a while, which is fun for audiophiles.

I think the stylish features coupled with the real emphasis on comfort makes these a real winner and I’m not sure I’ve ever been happier with a purchase, where I instantly feel that they’re worth it.

If they continue to function as they do now, I won’t be in the market again for another pair for quite a while. With the ability to get four charges wirelessly from the small case, I can’t think of any trip I’d take where they wouldn’t pass the test.

The post Travel Tech Review: Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus Travel Wireless Buds appeared first on God Save The Points.

Everyone has their own special pre-airport routine. For most, it usually goes something like phone-keys-wallet-passport and just hope you didn’t forget anything essential. That’s part of mine, but it’s less than half.

While that may sound stressful, it’s also why I find that I’m rarely stressed when in transit.

As someone who often spends more time in airports than at home, there are things I’ve learned that I just cannot be comfortable travelling without, for more reasons than can be counted, like ketchup stains. Here’s what they are, and why they may be game changers for your travels too.

Quality Face Moisturizer

Continuing with the dehydration theme, planes are one of the worst places for your skin. Having a quality daytime moisturizer under 100ml allows you to combat the effects of dry airplane air and arrive looking like less of a train wreck than others.

Your skin will thank you, as will loved ones or potential suitors! My pick: the Hydration Vaccine.

Bluetooth Adapter For The Plane

Even the newest airplanes haven’t really caught up with the times, which means that if you want to watch something on an airline screen – you need to plug your headphones in. That’s okay if your headphones have a plug – not so much if they don’t.

This year I finally learned about wireless bluetooth adapters you can plug into the headphone jack, which then beam the signal to your personal favorite wireless earbuds. I’ll never leave home without them again.

Wireless USB Power Bank

Airports, hotels, cars and airplanes are getting better about offering power ports, but they’re hardly standard.

One of the greatest travel FOMO’s comes from that moment your phone hits the “red” and there are people you want to talk to. A good portable, rechargeable USB charger will run about $20 and is worth every cent.

T2 Tea/Water Bottle

When it comes to caffeination or hydration, don’t play on other peoples terms. Flying is one of the most dehydrating activities in the world, so bringing your own water bottle, which you can refill at will is huge.

Drink your tea or coffee on the way to the airport, empty it for security and then refill at any bar, coffee shop or restaurant in the terminal. Side note: the T2 can keep things hot or cold for more than 4 hours, so a cup of tea will last an entire flight!

Offline Media Content

Don’t trust airplane wifi. Don’t trust airplane entertainment. Occasionally you may hit a home run, but quite often what’s put in front of you isn’t quite what you’re looking for. There’s only one way to solve that.

Get Netflix, Hulu, Prime, or your favourite podcast and download it offline. If you do, it doesn’t matter what happens with the wifi, or what someone in an office decided to show you on the seat in front of you.

Spare Socks, T Shirt, Undies

Three things you’ll always find in my carry on are a spare set of every essential from socks to undies to t-shirts.

You never know when you’ll be stuck overnight without your main bag, so having a back up to keep you feeling fresh is essential. Plus, I spill ketchup on myself all the time. So there’s that…

V60 Coffee Setup

A V60 coffee setup may sound like a part on NASA rocket, but it’s incredibly basic. It’s just a nice way of creating filtered coffee, and takes up virtually no room. All you need? Boiled water, ideally just about 30 seconds after it’s boiled. Get some fresh beans and stay well caffeinated wherever you are. Getting setup is like $12 bucks…

A Simple Dark Blazer Or Bomber Jacket

I swear this is one of the best unisex items to pack. I’m a jeans and t-shirt type person, but a blazer instantly changes that from laid back slouch to modern business casual, opening the door to bars or restaurants with strict dress policies.

It’s easier than packing a separate suit, or “going out” outfit but usually gets the job done just as well. Basically, it saves space. Bluffworks makes wrinkle free options.

Mobile Fitness App

From FIIT to 7 Minute Workout, there are so many cool apps which get you a sweat without the need for equipment or even a trip to the hotel gym. These apps are effective enough, but simple enough to work out in your room.

Downloading these apps in advance allows you to rest assured that you can stimulate the body in even the tightest of settings, without needing to seek out classes, trainers or anything. Not that that’s a bad thing…

Universal Power Adapter

Some things just don’t plug in to a USB. When you’re traveling, especially throughout Europe, outlets can change by the country. For comfort sake, it’s just great to have a simple universal adapter.

These adapters come in smaller sizes than ever, and at under $40, they’re a real gem. Few things suck like not being able to watch Netflix because your computer died.

Noise Cancelling Headphones

It’s no secret that I have strong opinions about babies on planes. For anyone that doesn’t know: that opinion is that they have equal right to be there.

Babies can’t buy noise cancelling headphones for themselves – but you can. I love Bose QC35 II for over ear, Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus or RHA wireless for in ear but lots of people love Bang & Olufsen.

Essential Number Backup

I’m one of the weirdos who has their passport, credit card and frequent flyer numbers memorized. Yet even with that, I’m never comfortable with the idea of being stuck without access to funds, or help if my passport is stolen.

I keep a secure backup of any details which might be handy, should my wallet, passport or anything else go missing. It’s also good to photocopy your passport and keep it with you.

Bonus: A Swimsuit

Travel is about fun and pools are fun. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been somewhere and heard “I wish I brought a swimsuit” when a jaw dropping pool, or just “a” pool unveils itself.

Bring a swimsuit, because swimming is fun, and if you run out of underwear… no judgement.

The post 12 Travel Accessories To Never Leave Home Without (2020)… appeared first on God Save The Points.

I don’t know about you, but my phone doesn’t have a headphone jack, and my phones headphones are now wireless. Because of this, every time I get on an airplane, I find myself deeply frustrated at the need to carry a separate pair of wired headphones with me. And that’s before we even get on the subject of airplane food, but that’s for another day.

For years, I’ve used over the ear headphones that are wireless, but have a jack to plug in a 35mm audio cord for flights, but I recently decided it was time to move to a slimmer, in ear model, which was easier to sleep on. Only one problem: on tiny wireless ear buds, there’s no little jack for a cord – it’s wireless or bust, and on airplanes, there is no wireless – so it’s bust!

If only there was a wireless adapter… oh wait – it turns out, there is.

I was on my way from London to New York when I spotted a friend across the aisle. To my disbelief, he appeared to be chuckling along to his in flight entertainment with wireless ear buds, which prompted me to rudely tap him on the shoulder and say “WTF?!”.

It turns out, the one thing that had always kept me from buying wireless in ear headphones already existed.

Call me dumb, uninformed or whatever you want, but I just didn’t know that a company had already anticipated this frustration and built the perfect device: a slim, easy to connect bluetooth adaptor that plugs into your seat, and instantly, wirelessly connects to your headphones. Apparently, the rest of the world is finding out rather quickly too – it’s now sold out in most stores.

RHA Audio created a tiny bluetooth adapter which fits in the palm of the hand, works for at least 16 hours between charges, is designed for flights and works anywhere you need to take an audio feed without bluetooth and broadcast it to something bluetooth.

It’s so small, it’s superb in economy too.

And side note: it can pair two headsets at once, so you can actually stream something from a device or screen with a friend and watch or listen in tandem. It’s a bit niche, but if you’re travelling with someone it’s an awesome feature.

The device works for the single jack headphone connections, but has a second prong for flights. It also recharges rather fast via USB-C. The RHA Audio Bluetooth Flight Adapter runs £39 in the UK, or $49.95 in the USA, and is actually available in every major airport in both countries.

If only I’d actually thought to ask someone at an airport electronics store about this sort of thing, I might have known about this a fair bit sooner, and would’ve been sleeping better on planes for months. Fortunately, I have one now, and can finally make that wireless in ear purchase I’ve been putting off out of fear of being useless on planes…

The post The Game Changing Travel Accessory For Wireless Headphones… appeared first on God Save The Points.

As a traveller who spends far too much time in transit, I occasionally obsess over various elements of the travel experience, like luggage, and how to make it not suck whilst also looking presentable.

I’ve tried lots, hated lots, broken many a contender – and eventually landed on the Away Carry On, which I absolutely swear by. It’s faithfully been with me for years, virtually untarnished despite the awful conditions (and airlines) I’ve subjected it to, but sometimes I just can’t quite fit everything into the rolling carry on itself.

Enter: the Away accessory backpacks and bags, my new obsession.

Earlier this year, my friend Ceci surprised me with the very generous gift of an Away “Everywhere Bag” to match my carry on. She knew I was pretty evangelical about the brand, and though I’d seen the accessory bag launched online, I must say, it was never on my radar.

Honestly, I thought it was expensive, which it is, and didn’t imagine it to actually be all that helpful, and I was wrong about one of those things. I already had a backpack I wielded on top of the carry on, and it wasn’t perfect but hey, it worked and it was like $20 bucks on Amazon.

Once in possession of this Away upgrade of course, I walked a very different walk.

The first thing that drew me in, is a specific slip on the bag, which seamlessly fits over the handles of the Away Carry On. It’s like a perfect glove, that slips on and off easily, but does everything you want like perfectly balancing and stabilising your accessory bag on top of your carry on. You can even tilt it sideways and there it sits, balanced and poised. The best way to actually see what I’m talking about is to watch the little video they have, buried in the product photos here. Click, watch and return.

As noted, I’ve long struggled with backpacks and other bags that I would place on top of my carry on, which would eventually fall off, but until this bag landed in my lap, forcing me to take the leap of faith – or rather, to try a new bag which was actually meant to work in harmony – I had no idea how much better it actually was. No more elephant balancing on a skateboard.

I’ve now taken this carry on duo on the road, hitting Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the Americas and it’s hard to express how happy I am with the combo, other than to say that I really, really am. There are all sorts of handy compartments both hidden and not, which create places you can easily access, and others which would require someone to undo a few zips before they got to the good stuff.

I bought my own Away carry on, I liked it so much I bought one for Laura, and other than the generous gift from my friend Ceci (who doesn’t work at Away), I get nothing from Away here. With some of the bloggers these days, it’s nice to spell that out clearly. Basically, I’m now sold – and as proof, we just ordered a similar accessory bag for Laura, so that we can be even more tragically matching in airports around the world.

At the moment, Away has a very cool looking collection of these bags, including a limited edition Japanese leather camouflage version. Of course, camouflage is legitimately illegal in 11 countries, but there are plenty of non camouflage options as well, and honestly I won’t be setting foot in too many of the ones where it is illegal. Would you like me to say camouflage once more, for good measure?

This backpack design borrows a similar concept to the handle bag I use, where a perfect fold opens to slip the bag onto the handle of the carry on, allowing for seamless wheeling through the airport and wherever else life takes you. Being able to control your entire travel rig with one hand, while also multi tasking or just sipping coffee with the other is a very welcomed option.

Starting at $145, these things definitely aren’t cheap, but if you happen to use Away, or another 4 wheel spinner carry on, the seamless functionality of this bag just can’t be beat. Or maybe it can, but I haven’t seen it yet. In practical terms, this would count as your “small personal item” which every traveller is entitled to bring on board in addition to a full sized carry on.

By maximising the two, you really can fit a whole lot of sh*t, without needing to check a bag. When you think of at least $50 per checked bag round trip, $145 for a game changer to help get you out of checking a bag isn’t a bad lifetime price. I can only speak from personal experience, and I am hooked. Thankfully, my Away Travel small personal item is too…

The post My New Obsession: The Away Travel Accessory Bags… appeared first on God Save The Points.

Google Fi is just about everywhere you want to go, and it’s cheap too…

Google Fi is the phone service you may have heard of, but likely have questions about. To me, It’s the service that makes you feel like James Bond when you land in over 200 countries and counting, and your phone immediately works, without the stress of insane data charges abroad.

Unlike most plans, it’s not widely marketed, and you probably haven’t seen it on any television commercials either, but after two years paying and using the service, it’s the not-so-secret phone plan we just can’t live without, especially when we travel. And no, sadly we don’t get it for free. Here’s everything you need to know, before you consider taking the plunge and switching over to Project Fi.

Pricing

Google Fi is shockingly reasonable. The plan costs $20 a month for unlimited call and texts, and $15 for each additional user and is limited to travelers with U.S. residency, but the service works seamlessly in over 200 destinations.

Data costs $10 per gigabyte, but you’ll never pay for more than 6 gigabytes. If you go over, Google gives you up to 15 more, for no additional charge. Now what’s cool and innovative about your data usage, is that each month you only pay for what you use.

If you use .9 gigabytes, you’ll pay $9, instead of $10. If you use 1.5 gigs, you’ll pay $15, rather than 20. It’s calculated down to the last .1, which can save lots of money versus other plans. The kicker here? Wherever you travel, nothing changes with your data charges.

I love landing in Doha, Singapore or Mexico City and knowing i’ll pay for data just the same as if I was at home.

The Google Fi Plan

There’s no long term contract behind Google Fi, which makes it very attractive for people who are prone to indecision! No judgement here! But the real talking point of this service is how useful it is for traveler, which is why we got it. Google Project Fi allows unlimited text and $10 per gig data in over 200 countries.

There are no daily fees while you’re abroad, so other than phone calls, you just use your phone as if you’re at home, since it costs exactly the same. You’ll get a message each time you land, saying “you’re covered here”. In addition to your phone, you can grab a SIM card for your tablet or other devices, which allows you to use data at the same rate of $10 per gig on other devices.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of Google Fi, is that it seamlessly switches between partner networks, depending on whichever has the strongest signal. This is a unique differentiator to competitors which only utilize their own towers and won’t put you onto a better network. We’ve had numerous times where others did not have coverage, yet our phones did.

Of course, it can go the other way too. Here’s the map to check your coverage.

Phones

In *theory*, the Google Fi service should only work on approved Android devices. But like many things in the world, there’s usually a way around that.

With that said, there are many data points that it can work with other phones. Many of the best phone cameras in the world work on the Google Fi service, so it’s an excellent choice for anyone keen to ditch the “big camera” and go mobile only for their travel snaps.

I believe the only downside to using a non approved Google Fi phone is that many phones don’t have the automatic network switching, which makes the service so effective.

Google offers truly unlimited cloud photo storage for free, which is an additional money saver, considering Apple charges a small fortune for the privilege of saving photos on the web. We’ve used the Google Pixel and find it to be highly reliable, though many people are partial to Samsung Galaxy and Huawei P20. It’d be great to see Google Fi officially include both Galaxy and Huawei phones, even if they technically work anyway.

Referral

One fun aspect of Google Fi is that rather than spend money on marketing, the service allows users to save money on their bills by doing the marketing for them.

If you refer a friend to Project Fi, they receive $20 off their service, and you do too. You can receive an unlimited amount of referrals, which can make an already fantastic service price even better. If you’d like to use our code, 4AY5E8 will take $20 off your bill, and we’ll of course enjoy our savings too. Thanks : ) This is a great way to bring fellow travel friends along for the ride.

FAQs

The most popular question: can I bring my number? Yes. You can easily transfer your mobile number from virtually any phone service over to Google Fi, and if you cancel, you can bring it back with you to another company, or the same one you just left!

The next most popular Google Fi question: do they have family plans? Yes, you can create Group Plans. The first person is charged $20, and every other person in the group is $15. Everyone uses the same $10 per gig data, and for a group of two, you’re never charged for more than $100 for data (10 gigs), even if you use more.

All photos taken using Google Pixel phone.

The post In Depth Review: Google Fi || Amazing International Phone Service… appeared first on God Save The Points.

You’ll never truly know what a good pair of travel headphones can mean to you- until you sit down next to that screaming baby and press the button. We’re talking about the button that makes your ordinary headphones into noise cancelling headphones, drowning out any (and all) unwanted noises. As one might come to guess- this is priceless, so here are the best headphones for all budgets.

Top Of The Line: Bose QC35 Wireless Headphones

Pros: Extremely comfortable. Memory foam. Active noise cancelling. Airline plug in jack. Fast USB charging. Bluetooth capable. Sleek protective case. We use these ourselves (and paid for them).

Cons: Expensive. That’s about it…

Price: $349.

Medium High Line: AKG N60 NC Wireless Headphones

Pros: Solidly comfortable. Noise cancelling. Plug in options. Fast USB charging. Bluetooth capable. Small protective case. Great sound for price!

Cons: Noise cancelling is not as good (but still nice). Not quite as comfortable.

Price: $199.

Medium Low Line: Backbeat Pro Wireless Headphones

Pros: Soft ear cups. Pair multiple devices at once. Noise cancelling. Plug in options. Fast USB charging. Bluetooth capable. 24 hours of sound. Portable case.

Cons: Sound quality is solid but incomparable to top range. Wear down faster.

Price: $129.

Affordable Value Line: Cowin E7 Wireless Headphones

Pros: Decent Noise cancelling. Plug in adapters. Excellent battery life. Bluetooth capable. 30 hours of sound. Good sound quality for the price.

Cons: Padding not as soft as others. Sound not as rich. No carrying case.

Price: $39 (limited time deal).

Interesting tidbit: I was once a music producer. 

What Are Your Favorite Travel Headphones? Leave A Comment!

The post Here Are The Best Travel Headphones For All Budgets… appeared first on God Save The Points.

Does your carry on cost less than $225, charge your phone up to five times on the go, compress your clothes for extra space, have a laundry bag built in, offer a lifetime guarantee, look badass in the process and come in cool colors? Assuming you said no, it’s time to tune in and learn about the Away carry on, the bag we can’t buy enough of…

We have no financial arrangement with Away. We just love their bag and swear by it…

For Quality Luggage, It’s Affordable…

$225 is a lot of money, no doubt, but when similar (inferior) luggage fetches $600 and above, and bargain luggage that breaks goes for $100+, this is a legit deal. If you refer a friend, they even kick in $20 for each friend who purchases luggage, which is nice if a couple friends plan to grab.

It Really Charges Your Phone, Tablet Up to 5x…

There’s virtually no point in your air travel journey where power ports are easy. Thankfully, all you need is a cord to charge anywhere. The Away carry on has a rechargeable battery which can boost a device back up to the lovely green battery up to 5 times. Recharging is a breeze too.

The Quality, Construction Is Truly Noticeable…

When you’ve felt wobbly handles, and wheels that decide to become bricks, you appreciate a winner. The Away carry on is built on the idea that they (Away) cut out the retail middle man, sourcing the same quality components that go into luggage with a 3x price tag, but not jacking up the price so that it’s displayed in malls. Basically, amazing wheels, hard case and handle…

There’s A Color For Every Personality, Which Is Cool…

The carry on comes in regular (recommended) and XL, which is massive. One fun element of the bag is it’s artistic sensibility. There’s a wide range of carefully selected colors, ranging from artsy travel inspired brighter or more earthy tones from different trips the designers have taken, to standard colors suitable for the most discerning, serious business travelers.

A 100 Day Risk Free Guarantee Is Crazy And Cool…

If you haven’t figured it out yet, we believe in this bag. Away has a crazy (cool) policy where you can theoretically try your bag out for 100 days and if you don’t like it, you can return it for a full refund risk free. We’ve bought one for just about everyone we know, and so far no returns…

The post Simply The Best: The Greatest (Affordable) Carry On Luggage Ever Created appeared first on God Save The Points.

The Pixel Has “The Best Camera Ever Put Into A Phone”, And That Actually Seems True…

All of these photos were shot with the Google Pixel using the standard camera app, and lightly edited with Snapseed, Google’s editing app. The raw images offered absolutely amazing depth of detail and light, which made editing them into Instagram worthy shots a breeze. I find it incomparably better to the iPhone camera so far.

And You Really Can Use Your Data In 135 Countries…

We switched to Google Project Fi for two compelling reasons. First, there’s no charge to use your data abroad. It’s the same as using it at home, so long as you stay within your data allowance you can use it in any of the 135 countries offered through the plan. The second reason is that if you go over, you don’t pay penalties, you just pay $1 for every 100mb. If you have a 2 gigabyte per month plan and you use 2.2, you’ll pay an extra two bucks. If you happen to only use 1.5, you actually get 5 bucks back. We’ve used it abroad, and it’s all legit.

The Google Assistant Tells Me When To Leave For The Airport…

Ok, ok, for artificial intelligence it’s brilliant. The Google Assistant, unlike Siri, can actually reason. I can ask it questions like “what time is my flight on Sunday?” and it will provide me with a detailed response, as well as the visual confirmation. I can talk to it (through secure voice recognition) without touching my phone, which makes it much like the home devices we’re seeing. Coolest of all, it tells me WHEN I need to leave for the airport. Once at the airport, it automatically pulls up a terminal map and updates my gate. Cool? I’d say.

Calendar Integration Anticipates My Moves…

We get travel info pushed right to the phone. The calendar automatically sorts through your email account to find your travel plans and updates them (you can turn this off), offering directions and helpful information at each turn. This has eliminated the need for third party apps like TripIt and makes organization easier than ever while on the go, with confirmation numbers and contacts at the ready.

Instant Reviews, Wherever You Are…

Simply walk by a cafe and the Google App will pull up reviews, websites and relevant information. This has been massive when looking for a morning cup of coffee or trying to pick an impromptu dinner spot. Using the assistant you can also ask questions like “where’s the best bagel spot nearby” and a legit list of places comes up. We’ve yet to be disappointed.

The post How Google’s Project Fi And Pixel Phone Are Changing The Way We Travel… appeared first on God Save The Points.

No Roaming Or Data Charges In 135 Countries!

It does not matter where you open your plan. You can use text and data in 135 countries without paying an additional cent. I live in the US, but if I’m in Tokyo, Singapore, the UK or any of the other places I’ll be this year I can use text and data just like I’m at home.

$10 Per Gig Of Data, No Penalties, Just Rebates…

In the U.S. it’s $20 for the monthly service ($15) for additional users and then just $10 per shared gigabyte of data. If you sign up for 2 gigs of monthly data and only use 1.5, you’ll get $5 back. If you sign up for 2 gigs and use 3, you’ll just pay $10 extra that month, with no obligation or need to change your plan. That’s in 135 countries…

Call While Abroad At Low Rates Or WiFi For Free…

If you must make a call while traveling the Google Project Fi rates are a fraction of mainstream carriers. You’ll pay up to 20 cents per minute in far away places, but 5 minutes of talk for a dollar isn’t going to change anyone’s life. If you’re connected to WiFi, Project Fi will automatically use the WiFi to place your call, making it free.

Unlimited Free Full Resolution Cloud Backup…

Google’s new Pixel phone (which we chose) is regarded as having the best camera in any cellular phone on the market. Regardless of what size hard drive you get for the phone, all Project Fi plans come with unlimited back up in full resolution to Google Photos. If your phone gets low on memory it automatically begins to shift stuff over for you so you never run out of space, while keeping every photo you’ve ever taken in full resolution…

And Google Assistant Is Incredible…

Any review will tell you that Google Assistant is the future of artificial intelligence. Pixel, the phone we got with the plan has Google Assistant built in, which features actual learning and begins to anticipate needs on the go. I’m very excited for my new assistant to make my life easier, seamlessly handing out directions, boarding passes and dinner reservations.

And It’s Cheap…

We 0% financed 2 brand new Google Pixel phones which added about $54 a month to our monthly bill. The service clocks in at $35 for two users for Project Fi calling and text, as well as $20 for our starter 2 gigs of data. All in we’re looking at $109 a month for phones and data we can use in 135 countries without thinking twice, adding coverage, changing plans, inquiring about roaming or anything else. I’m hooked.

If you decide to switch, please consider using this promo code to save $20. We get $20 too…

The post Why Google Project Fi Is The Best Phone Service For Travelers… appeared first on God Save The Points.

I originally wrote this article for Conde Nast Traveler and loved it, so I shared it here…

GateGuru- Security Wait Estimator, Gate Change And Delay Notifier, Airport Guide…

http://gateguru.com

For those who want to master air travel with ease, this is your one stop app. When in transit, you’ll get up to the minute notifications about security wait times, flight delays, gate changes, amenities and more. Aside from keeping you in the know, the app will give you a simple, easy guide to all the shops and restaurants in your terminal with reviews too.

ROME2Rio- Point To Point Guide To Get Anywhere, With Prices…

http://rome2rio.com

Whether you’re in Rome, Rio or any other wanderlust city around the world, this brilliant app will get you navigating like a pro and probably save you some money at the same time. This free resource allows you to type in any starting point and destination, showing you exactly how to get from Point A to Point B as quickly and economically as possible. Train, plane, bus, bike, it’s all there…

LOLA- Futuristic One Message Travel Agent

http://lolatravel.com

Lola is the future of travel booking, where you send simple messages like “I need a flight to London and a hotel” in a Facebook Messenger style conversation to a super travel agent. The app uses a combination of artificial intelligence based on your travel profile and a helpful real live person to book your travel perfectly ever time, keeping in mind your individual tastes. It’s simple, fast and easy and most importantly, done in one tap…

Hipmunk-  Easy Trip Inspiration, Planning And Deals…

http://hipmunk.com

If you need travel inspiration and perhaps a great deal to make it happen, Hipmunk is your go to. The app offers easy recommendations like “beach”, “city break”, “ski” or “live music” before finding you the best possible deals for your selection all around the world. They even throw in a link to book everything at the best prices. You can be as flexible as “anytime this year” or super precise. They’ll even alert you if prices on your bucket list trip drop, for free…

TripIt-  Super Trip Organizer With Up To The Minute Notifications

http://tripit.com

Most trips involve booking quite a few separate pieces and no one wants to be the one holding up the line looking through emails to find a confirmation number. Fortunately, TripIt organizes all your itineraries and confirmations in one place, in a beautiful dashboard just by forwarding them to an email address. Not only will everything be there, you’ll get notifications about where your gate is and directions to things like the rental car area. Pretty nifty.

LoungeBuddy – Instant Access To Airport VIP Lounges For Everyone

http://loungebuddy.com

Raise your hand if you love long layovers and delays? Thought so. Using this exciting app you can turn delay chaos into a relaxing visit to a swanky airport lounge instantly, even when flying economy. Trade in the crowded terminal for some complimentary drinks, food, wifi, comfy seating areas and in some instances, even a shower. It’s pretty awesome.

Mobile Passport- Breeze Through Immigration With A Selfie

http://mobilepassport.us

For the selfie obsessed and those who just can’t bear another paper form, or another hour waiting to get another passport stamp, this is a dream come true. Without having to pay for a trusted traveler program like Global Entry, users can process their United States Immigration from their phone, using a selfie snap and a few taps on the electronic customs form. Easy, and yes, very fast.

SeatGuru- Color Coded Guide To Getting The Best Seat In Any Cabin

http://seatguru.com

Not every seat is created equal and that’s especially true when flying economy. If you’d like to grab a few extra inches of legroom or at the very least, a seat further from the busy lavatory, you’re going to want to check SeatGuru. The app shows you a map of every airplane with a traffic light color coded guide to the best and worst seats. Sometimes you don’t even need to pay extra to grab one of the best seats, thanks to this insider info.

AirHelp- Flight Tracker That Gets You Money If Your Flight Is Delayed Or Cancelled…

http://airhelp.com

AirHelp is a really easy way to find out if any flight you’ve taken in the last three years is eligible for compensation. Governments around the world have cracked down on brutal flight delays, requiring up to $600 per person for a delay. If a flight you’ve taken is eligible (which you can sync your inbox to find out) they process the whole thing, dealing with the airline and getting you your refund, minus their 25% cut for all the legwork..

Google Translate- Speak To Anyone In Any Language With Instant Voice Translation

https://translate.google.com/

Konichiwa, Bonjour. Never fear getting lost in translation again wherever you are, thanks to Google Translate. The app which has been helping travelers interact in just about every language for years, just by speaking into your phone and instantly having it translated to a foreign language  is now “offline” allowing you to use it even without phone service or roaming charges. Muy bien!

Award Wallet- All Your Points And Miles Balances And Info In One Place

http://awardwallet.com

We all keep hearing about frequent flyer miles and how they’re going to unlock amazing free travel, but we can’t seem to even unlock our frequent flyer accounts, let alone remember which ones we have. Never again! Award Wallet organizes all of your loyalty programs and account balances in one place. The premium version even keeps track of all your logins and expiration dates to ensure you never miss a mile…

The post The 10 BEST Travel APPS For Every Step Of Your Journey (Which Also Make You Look Like A Pro)… appeared first on God Save The Points.