WTOL.com: News, Weather and Sport for Toledo, OhioFour apps to help with holiday travel

(WTOL) – Technology can help during those unexpected snags in a holiday itinerary. even the best laid-out trips can get detoured by a weather delay or other mishap during the holidays. Just like a smart phone can help plan a getaway, it can help salvage it too.

If a missed connection results in being stranded in a not-so-familiar place, the “Around Me” application for iPhone users has become a go-to for finding restaurants, hotels, ATMs and other necessities, with a simple touch.

When a flight gets canceled, avoid the rush to the counter with everyone else and use the “On the Fly” app to research other options among multiple airlines and airports.

At the rental car counter? Car sharing is an option in some big cities, and the “Zipcar” app for iPhone and Android will point to the nearest cars, their make and model, not to mention lock and unlock a car too.

When on the go, sometimes a person has to “go”, and the “Sit or Squat” app for iPhone and BlackBerry boasts a database of more than 100,000 restrooms. it helps find the closest – some with reviews and photos.

One other travel tip: Load up the smart phone, tablet or laptop with plenty of entertainment, and invest in a battery-operated charger. Minor delays can turn into longer delays, especially now that AAA is predicting more people will be traveling this holiday than last.

Check with the airline company since most offer text alerts to keep travelers informed about what is happening with flights.

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