This Week's Must-Have Travel Apps

Photo courtesy OnCabs Facebook page.

OK, so you may not have an army of robots assisting you with all of your needs (yet…), but it turns out apps have done a pretty good job themselves.

On top of that, apps don’t take up any space, unlike “Megabot 3000,” which keeps crashing into things and frightening the children.

The tech-savvy basically live and breathe in accordance with their collection of smartphone apps.

Need to hitch a ride on a cab quickly and cheaply?

Done.

Need to share a photo of you and your friends exploring Italy?

Presto.

Need to find a “bed and breakfast” for your dog while you travel the world?

See ya later, Fido.

Here are five travel apps you need to download now.

DoggyBnB (iPhone, coming soon to Android, free)

Need to get away for the weekend?

Is your neighbor tired of watching over your dog?

Introducing DoggyBnB, a new app that makes it easy to find care for your dog, whether you’re traveling or you’ve moved to a new unfamiliar city.

Simply create a free account through the DoggyBnB network, set up your dog’s profile (complete with lovable photos), and then let the fun begin.

With the touch of a button, you can send out a “Woof” to your friends in your phonebook and social networks. From there, your friends can help you out. You’re able to easily manage the whole process through the app’s messaging service, offering rewards and paying right through your iPhone. You can even reach out to second and third-degree connections.

If you don’t own a dog yourself, you can also set up your own profile as a “Buddy” or “Boarder” depending on the level of services you’re willing to provide for people’s dogs.

One thing’s for sure: DoggyBnB users are certainly happy, considering nearly every review on the Apple Store has been five out of five stars.

Phramed (iPhone, free)

There are countless photo apps out there, but that doesn’t mean some can’t be unique.

The Phramed app is an example of a clever, fun photo app that is able to distance itself from the competition.

Using beautifully designed frames or “phrames,” users are able to include up to five photos in a single post, then share it with their friends and family on social channels such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Send out a single photo of yourself at the Grand Canyon or share a collage composed of five of your friends all in extremely embarrassing situations in Las Vegas (because we all know that’s what you will be using it for).

The app also comes with all the necessary sharing tools, including photo captions, text messaging, “likes” and comments.

Released on July 9, Phramed has already received some picture-perfect reviews.

MailChimp (iPhone, Android, free)

For travel businesses attempting to fully customize Internet users’ experiences, MailChimp has now made it even easier.

The MailChimp app helps users design and promote email marketing campaigns. It is so popular that it currently boasts more than 6 million users.

Now, businesses currently using the SocialCentiv program—which allows you to instantly send ads to travelers based on what they are searching on Twitter—can fully integrate this information into the MailChimp.

In effect, travel businesses can market just as fast and precisely through email with MailChimp as they do through Twitter with SocialCentiv, given they have contact lists appropriate to their business at their fingertips.

Targeting travelers has never been so easy (and, c’mon travelers, you know you want exclusive, personalized deals sent your way).

Ibotta (iPhone, Android, free)

Ever since Ibotta was founded in 2011, shoppers have been unlocking cash-back rebates to some of the biggest stores by completing fun tasks, games or surveys.

That extends to travelers, who can now save on some of their most desired accessories, gadgets and food at over 100,000 stores nationwide.

Ibotta boasts more than 3 million users who have saved a collective $8 million, earning travel items at brands and stores such as ChampsSports.com, CCS, Kohl’s, JC Penny and Foot Action.

The latest version (2.5.1) includes new features such as What’s Hot (the top rebates across all categories), better sorting ability, bonuses for including your friends and more sharing options.

Even if you dislike shopping, Ibotta makes it fun. While others are standing in long lines and getting crabby, you are sitting back and playing games and racking up cash to use for your next dream destination.

OnCabs (iPhone, Android, free)

Ok, so you’ve already booked your flight and accommodations, but you have no convenient or affordable way of getting to your hotel once you arrive at the airport.

Fortunately, us busy travelers have OnCabs, a free app that allows us to either pre-book a cab or book a ride on the go.

Servicing 84 major cities across the globe (including North America, South America, Europe and Asia), OnCabs provides more than 10,000 vehicles to whisk travelers to their destination. And the app compares the best rates, too, so you know it won’t be too hard on your wallet.

On top of that, all payments are secured online—eliminating the need to be carrying around a lot of cash—and businesses can even create a “ground travel account” to stay organized, accommodate their employees quickly and manage all their travel expenses in one place.

The app—originally released in September 2013—added London, Paris, Indianapolis and Sydney to its growing list of cities on April 30.

Follow @RyanRudnansky