Apple introduces new travel-friendly features for Apple Pay, iPhone, and AirPods.

Apple aims to transform your physical wallet into a digital one.

The tech giant launched Apple Pay a decade ago, initially designed to simplify payments. It has evolved into a comprehensive wallet solution, incorporating credit cards, driver's licenses, event tickets, boarding passes, and much more. Currently, the platform supports an impressive 11,000 banks and networks.

Now, the company is back with enhancements that it believes will significantly improve the payment experience on your Apple devices.

During Monday's Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple revealed a range of new features set to debut this fall across all its product platforms. This announcement included important updates related to Apple Pay, alongside a variety of travel-friendly enhancements coming to your iPhone this year.

Here’s the latest update.

Apple Pay will now allow point redemption.

One of the most significant updates for TPG readers is that Apple Pay will officially accept points for transactions.

Traditionally, Apple Pay has only facilitated cash transactions via linked credit cards. However, this will change with the upcoming release of iOS 18 this fall.

When it launches this fall, you'll be able to use points for payments through the Apple Pay interface at any merchant. This feature will initially roll out with Discover and Synchrony, and will be available across Apple Pay issuers partnering with Fiserv.

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I anticipate that major players like American Express, Chase, and Capital One will also implement this feature in the upcoming months.

With this launch, you'll be able to redeem cash-back rewards from any eligible cards. Your points or cash-back balance will be displayed directly on the Apple Pay screen, and by tapping the "rewards" button, you can choose how many points (or how much cash back) you wish to redeem.

Redemption rates will be determined by your credit card issuer, so be sure to review the offers available in the app before making any redemptions. Often, savvy travelers might find better value by converting points into frequent flyer miles with partners.

However, for many cards, including the popular Citi Double Cash® Card, this new feature will simplify the cash-back redemption process during checkout.

Keep in mind that your issuer will adjust your statement balance on the back end when you redeem rewards. It’s a good idea to periodically check your balances to ensure everything has processed correctly.

Adding cards to Apple Pay is becoming easier.

Traditionally, adding your credit cards to Apple Pay involved manually entering the card number, expiration date, security code, and cardholder name into the Wallet app.

This tedious process was particularly challenging for someone like me with over 30 credit cards.

Fortunately, this procedure is receiving a significant upgrade this fall with the introduction of a new feature called Tap to Provision.

In the future, adding a new credit card to Apple Pay will only require a quick tap on the back of your iPhone. This will support eligible contactless cards and is sure to simplify the Apple Pay onboarding experience.

Apple Pay on non-Apple devices.

The tech giant is making a rare move by allowing users to transact with Apple Pay through third-party web browsers.

Apple usually maintains strict control over its technology, but starting this fall, users will be able to scan a QR code on other browsers, like Chrome, to make purchases with Apple Pay. This will enable you to redeem rewards or pay with cash via third-party web applications.

Apple's additional travel-related enhancements.

These new Apple Pay features are just the beginning of what was unveiled this week. In fact, every Apple device will receive significant enhancements through new, free software updates set to launch in the fall.

Many of the updates should greatly benefit travelers, including several highlights mentioned below.

Apple Intelligence

Every Apple device will come equipped with a built-in artificial intelligence assistant that works seamlessly across all apps. For instance, when you ask Siri for details about your upcoming flight or hotel, it will automatically check your email or calendar and provide the latest status, saving you the effort of searching yourself.

Revamped event tickets

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Whether you're attending a Taylor Swift concert or a sports event, the digital ticket experience is receiving enhancements that incorporate essential event details directly into the ticket.

This includes venue maps, parking information, in-seat food delivery, and local weather forecasts.

Hiking maps

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In the past, I've relied on AllTrails for hiking directions, but Apple is stepping up with hiking navigation integrated right into its own maps app.

Apple will include trails from all 63 U.S. national parks, along with other popular local routes, and you’ll have the option to save them for offline access.

Satellite messaging

When you're out hiking, there’s a chance you might lose cell or Wi-Fi service.

Previously, this meant you couldn't be contacted, but that’s about to change with the rollout of satellite messaging. With the new software, iPhones equipped with satellite transmitters (starting from the iPhone 14) will allow users to send and receive messages via satellites even when there’s no cell or Wi-Fi coverage.

This innovation is a real breakthrough for those who often find themselves out of signal range.

AirPods designed for travel

While navigating through the airport with your bags, accessing your phone to take a call or reply to a notification can be challenging.

However, a new feature for the second-generation AirPods Pro will allow you to simply nod your head to accept notifications or answer calls.

Additionally, the AirPods Pro will feature voice isolation technology, which will help eliminate distracting background sounds (such as boarding announcements) during calls.