SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – August 12, 2010) –  TripIt launched a simple innovation that makes organizing travel easier than ever before. Travelers who use Gmail or Google Apps can now ask TripIt to automatically import their travel confirmation emails to create and update trip itineraries. It’s a true “set and forget” experience that benefits travelers no matter how they access TripIt — via our free apps for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry, the mobile site (m.tripit.com), through calendar feeds, or on the Web. This new auto-import feature is currently in Beta, and is available now. Thousands of travelers have already linked their TripIt and Gmail accounts in the first 12 hours after the feature was launched.

“For the last few years we’ve worked hard to simplify travel for millions of consumers. Integration with the traveler’s inbox is an important step toward our vision for TripIt — a personal assistant that makes travel easier, no matter where you book your trip,” said Gregg Brockway, TripIt co-founder and president.

Set-up is easy and fast:

• If you are a Gmail user who is new to TripIt, create an account at www.tripit.com. Then, give TripIt permission to securely access your Gmail and automatically import travel confirmations. No additional action is required on your part. 

• If you already have a Gmail and TripIt account, just log on to TripIt, click the “Start auto-import” button, and follow the steps to securely link your accounts.

The link between TripIt and Gmail is built on OAuth, a secure web protocol that protects your privacy. We do not collect or store your Gmail password when you link your accounts. TripIt only scans email headers and imports plans from travel-related emails — nothing else. Linking your accounts is optional and you can disable the link any time through either account. TripIt is proud to be TrustE certified and built this new feature in compliance with best practices.

TripIt is an open itinerary platform. Auto-import is great news for the eco-system of 500+ developers who use the TripIt API to integrate itinerary data into mobile and web apps that make travelers’ lives easier.

TripIt is the first travel company to take advantage of interoperability with Gmail to provide greater utility for individual travelers. By integrating directly with email systems, TripIt is doing even more “behind the scenes” to aggregate information from across the travel, mobile and social networking worlds to deliver smarter, more useful personalized services for travelers. 

For more information visit our blog post at http://blog.tripit.com/2010/08/automatic-for-the-people.html, or check out our information page at http://www.tripit.com/uhp/autoImport 

About TripIt

TripIt, the mobile travel management company, helps people organize and share their travel plans no matter where they book. Travelers simply forward their travel confirmation emails from over 1,000 sites to [email protected]. TripIt automatically creates a master itinerary that combines all their travel plans plus maps, directions and more. With TripIt it’s easy to share and collaborate on trips with friends and colleagues using social networks or TripIt Groups. TripIt itineraries can be accessed online, via mobile device using free Android, BlackBerry and iPhone apps, or m.tripit.com. TripIt is an open itinerary platform that works with a growing eco-system of travel and mobile partners. TripIt Pro premium service for frequent travelers automatically monitors travel itineraries, providing mobile alerts, alternate flight options, frequent traveler point tracking and automated trip sharing. More at www.tripit.com