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The ultimate guide to traveling for work: 35 best tips for business travelers

Before you travel…, 1. check your company’s business travel policy, 2. stick to carry-on bags only, 3. keep your essentials packed and ready to go in your suitcase, 4. keep your essentials handy when on the road, 5. pack both business attire and casual clothes, 6. keep security checks in mind when you pack, 7. make comfort a priority, 8. sign up for rewards programs, 9. make sure you charge your electronic devices, 10. fly non-stop, 11. make use of airport lounges, 12. use a suit bag, 13. bring a power bank, 14. bring your (travel size) toiletries, 15. pack healthy snacks, 16. choose your plane seat wisely, 17. do your research on foreign business etiquette, 18. download helpful apps, 19. bring a power adapter, 20. check in beforehand, during your business trip…, 21. choose water, skip alcohol, 22. if you have a meeting shortly after landing and need to be fresh, try drinking coffee two hours before the meeting, 23. layover tip: take the time to connect, 24. stretch, 25. adapt to meal times as soon as possible, 26. beat jet lag with exercise, 27. don’t be tempted to sleep as soon as you arrive, 28. try to stick to your most important daily routines, 29. take pictures of all your receipts, 30. store your receipts properly, 31. use a firewall when using public internet, 32. there are alternatives to working in your hotel room, after your business trip…, 33. don’t forget to report your expenses, 34. send thank you emails, 35. leave reviews, did you find this article useful.

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17 Incredibly Useful Business Travel Tips from a Frequent Traveler

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17 Business Travel Tips You Need to Know

After several months of traveling every week for work, I’ve picked up some very helpful business travel tips that make traveling for work easy and enjoyable.

Whether you’re a consultant like me and you travel for work every week, or you just take occasional business trips, these tips will help you improve your business travel experience.

More of my favorite travel tips and hacks:

• 15 Extremely Helpful Airport Tips
• 15 Tips for Long Haul Flights
• How to Stay Healthy While Traveling

Best Business Travel Tips Summarized

Low on time? Here’s a quick summary of the business travel tips below!

• Travel with a carry-on only. It saves you time and hassle at the airport.
• Invest in good luggage. You don’t need the most expensive brand name out there, but get something that’s good quality and will last a long time.
• Pack portable and spare chargers. You don’t want your phone or laptop to die while traveling.
• Pack wrinkle release spray. A game changer for making your work clothes look perfect without needing to break out the ironing board.
• Stick with a single loyalty program. You’ll rack up airline and hotel points and status faster.
• Check to see if you can join any status challenges. Corporate status challenges allow you to earn airline and hotel status much faster than you normally can.
• Download airline/hotel apps. Stay organized and save time with apps!
• Make the most of rideshare apps. You can earn rewards from Uber/Lyft and also combine them with other travel loyalty programs.
• Keep an extra set of travel essentials. One to have at home, one to always have on the road.
• Get Global Entry/TSA Precheck. The best $100 you will ever spend.
• Get airport lounge access. If you’ll be spending a lot of time in airports, might as well enjoy it!
• Remember to pack casual clothes. Pack clothes you can wear to work out wear for a casual dinner or exploring the city after work.
• Pack earplugs. The key to getting a good night’s sleep at the hotel.
• Note your preferences on your travel profiles. Things like whether you prefer an aisle or window seat or a high or low floor at the hotel.
• Simplify expenses. Snap a photo of all your receipts using an app like Expensify and set aside a designated time to file your expense reports.
• Prepare the night before. Avoid early morning stress by creating a pre-trip routine.

1. Travel with a carry-on only.

If you’re in consulting like me, you’re probably only traveling Monday morning through Thursday night in which case you really don’t need anything larger than a carry-on suitcase!

Packing in a carry-on saves so much time when you arrive at your destination because you don’t have to wait for your checked luggage to come out (or worry about it getting lost.)

2. Invest in good luggage.

You don’t need to get the most expensive or trendiest luggage, but investing in good quality luggage is a must for business travelers.

I travel with a carry-on suitcase and a large Longchamp tote bag. When choosing a carry-on suitcase, be sure to get one with spinner wheels (like  this one. ) Some business travelers also like to get a carry-on suitcase that has a laptop compartment (like  this one. )

Here are more of the top-rated suitcases for business travelers.

3. Pack portable and spare chargers.

A portable cellphone charger ( this is the one I use ) is one of my top travel essentials, and it comes in handy when traveling for work too.

I also pack a spare charger for my phone and laptop which I keep in my work luggage at all times.

4. Pack wrinkle release spray.

Wrinkle release spray is a lifesaver for business travelers!

It’s perfect for those mornings where you want to smooth out a wrinkled dress shirt but don’t want to go through the whole process of setting up the ironing board in your hotel room and pressing it.

5. Stick with a single loyalty program.

The best way to rack up airline miles and hotel points is by choosing one loyalty program and sticking with it. 

Once you reach status with an airline or hotel, you get access to so many perks like priority boarding/check-in, complimentary upgrades, bonus miles and points, and more.

This also applies to other travel loyalty programs, like rental car companies and train lines.

6. Check to see if you can join any status challenges.

A lot of companies have “status challenges” going on with airlines and hotels. This is especially common in the consulting industry.

When you join a status challenge, you will be able to earn expedited status with an airline or hotel by completing a certain number of trips/stays in a specific timeframe (usually three to six months.)

This is how I was able to earn Gold Medallion status with Delta, Platinum status with Marriott, and Gold status with Hilton within just a few months!

7. Download airline/hotel apps.

Downloading airline and hotel apps on your phone will save you a ton of time.

Most airline apps allow you to check in for your flight, make/change your seat selection, and get a mobile boarding pass so you don’t have to print one at home or at the airport.

Similarly, hotel apps can save you time and some even offer a mobile check-in and mobile key so you can go straight to your room when you get to the hotel!

8. Make the most of rideshare apps.

Unless you are getting a rental car, you’ll probably be taking a lot of Ubers/Lyfts when traveling for work. Both of these rideshare apps have special programs for business travelers that you can sign up for and earn rewards.

You can also link your other loyalty accounts – for example, Delta and Lyft have a partnership where you earn Delta SkyMiles for every dollar you spend on Lyft!

9. Keep an extra set of travel essentials.

Save time packing and ensure you don’t forget anything by having a designated business travel toiletries case to leave in your suitcase between trips.

This can contain items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, deodorant, earplugs, and any other items you may need for traveling.

10. Get Global Entry/TSA Precheck.

Getting Global Entry (which includes TSA Precheck) has been a lifesaver. It has saved me so much time and hassle at the airport. My company covered the $100 fee, but it’s worth paying for out of pocket if yours doesn’t. Some travel credit cards will also cover the fee for you.

With TSA Precheck, you get to skip the general security line and go through an expedited line where you don’t have to remove your shoes or take electronics out of your suitcase. If you’re traveling internationally, you can go through an expedited customs line upon arriving back in the US.

At just $100 and lasting for five years, Global Entry is well worth it for business travelers.

11. Get airport lounge access.

This is one thing I don’t have but wish I did!

If you’ll be traveling frequently for work, it may be worth it to you to pay for airport lounge access (or see if your company will pay for it!)

This is another thing that some travel credit cards cover. You can also get airport lounge access when you reach a certain status level with airlines.

12. Remember to pack casual clothes.

One mistake I made on one of my first business trips was only packing work clothes.

I wanted to use the hotel gym one night, but I didn’t have any workout clothes or sneakers to wear. So be sure to pack one or two casual outfits to wear if you go explore or have a casual dinner or use the gym in the evenings after work.

13. Pack earplugs.

I sleep with earplugs every night, but even if you don’t sleep with them at home they can be extremely helpful when traveling.

Hotel rooms can get super noisy at night. Between the air conditioner/heater switching itself on and off, the sounds of other guests, and other annoying noises, you might find it hard to get a good night’s sleep. A good pair of earplugs helps a ton.

14. Note your preferences on your travel profiles.

If you download airline/hotels apps (see Tip #7 above) most of them will have a place for you to update your profile with your travel preferences. Things like whether you prefer a window or aisle seat on airplanes, or a high or low floor at the hotel.

You should also update your travel preferences with your company’s travel booking platform or travel agency, if your company uses one.

15. Simplify expenses.

If you’re traveling for business, you are probably responsible for tracking and submitting your expenses in a timely manner. This can be VERY important if you are putting expenses on your personal credit card and need to be reimbursed by your company.

Some companies require you to save your receipts. If that’s the case for you, download an app like Expensify or Receiptmate to keep track of all your receipts by snapping a quick photo of them.

Also, set a recurring reminder on your phone for when you need to complete your expense reports so you never get behind on them!

16. Prepare the night before.

Avoid adding to the stress of early morning travel days to get everything ready by packing for your trip the night before you leave.

Go ahead and take care of anything that needs to be done before you’ll be gone for the week so when Monday morning rolls around, you aren’t stressed out trying to get anything done.

17. Make time for fun.

One of the best things you can do when traveling for work is making time for fun!

So many people take business travel for granted, but I look as it as a mini-vacation and a way to explore a new destination (for free!)

Yes, your main focus is work and not leisure, but there are plenty of fun things you can do in the evenings after work (or in the mornings before!) Check out cool restaurants instead of just ordering room service at your hotel, go see a local show, or take a nighttime walking tour.

All of these things are easy to incorporate and will make your business travels more fun.

I hope you found these business travel tips helpful!

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About Denise Cruz

Denise is a marketing executive who escaped corporate to travel the world… twice. A Brazilian native living in the U.S., she’s lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After side-hustling her way to financial independence, she curates solo destination guides, slow travel tips, and travel blogging advice on Wander Her Way. When she’s not on the road, you can find her in Miami with her dog Finnegan.

40+ Expert Business Travel Tips for a Smooth Business Trip

This article was originally published on our site Nomad Paradise. As part of a rebrand, we are publishing all our travel packing and tips content in one place for you to enjoy - The Travel Method. For world cuisine and recipes, you can keep visiting Nomad Paradise.

Business travel is a necessity. Whether you’re an intern or a CEO, the world of work is global. But where those traveling for leisure can afford the luxury of slipping into bed after a long flight, business travelers simply cannot. Important meetings will not be rescheduled because you made it in at 2 a.m. Conferences still expect you to speak, no matter how tired you are.

But in today’s age, business travel does not have to derail you. As travel has evolved, so have our methods of dealing with it. With the input of seventeen professionals who frequently travel for work, we’ve compiled a must-read list of over forty essential tips to help make your next work trip run smoothly.

Booking Tips

1. Dress for upgrades.  

Katherine Rothman, CEO of  KMR Communications , says it’s much easier to get upgrades when you board a plane or arrive at a hotel if you’re dressed smartly and look the part.

2. Always make sure you have an assigned seat. 

Katherine also says it is much harder for an airline to ‘bump’ you with an assigned seat, which could potentially be disastrous for your business trip.

3. Scan your accommodation’s Twitter posts. 

Nick Gray, founder of  Museum Hack , says it’s wise to scan your hotel’s Twitter posts before arriving. Many hotels run social media promotions that allow you to feel like a VIP without spending like one.

For example, sometimes, Kimpton Hotels post a social password on their Twitter account. When you say the social password at check-in, you’ll get a surprise, which could include a free bottle of wine, parking, a coffee mug, drinks at the bar, a room upgrade, dining vouchers, a hot chocolate kit, or an in-room movie.

4. Book your flight in incognito mode on your browser. 

Founder of  Talk Travel , Saurabh Jindal, always books flights through a new incognito window. Incognito mode does not store cookies (served by the website) on your system. Thus, it cannot track you.

Therefore, the website you are booking through cannot raise the price, which could be triggered when a user searches for the same thing more than once.

5. Check fares with Skiplagged.  

David Pike, founder of the  New York Trolley Company and advisor for startups at Founder Institute, always checks the Skiplagged app before booking. It shows you hidden fares to cities by missing the second leg of a flight.

For example, if you want to fly from New York to Nashville, Skipplagged might find a cheaper flight from New York to Chicago with a layover in Nashville. You wouldn’t board the second flight, hence saving money. You won’t, however, be able to check a bag.

Packing Tips

6. Pack as light as possible. 

Everything In Its Place  founder Eileen Roth packs skirts and dresses, as they are thinner than slacks. Blouses are also a good choice, as they are thinner than sweaters. Less weight means you can pack more.

If it’s cooler in conference rooms, add a sweater and suit jacket in a basic black to top off the outfit and change that every other day.

7. Wear the only pairs of shoes you bring. 

Frequent traveler Carmella says if you do, your shoes should be waterproof, airport-sensible, and business-appropriate everywhere from Canada down to Texas. Short black leather boots with the lowest heel are a sensible choice.

8. Even with TSA precheck, liquids are a gamble.  

Between reusable water bottles, mouth rinse bites, and solid shampoo bars, there is no need to carry liquids. Pare down the toiletries and replace them with dry products.

9. Leave your designer luggage at home.  

If you are traveling abroad, as much as you might treasure your designer luggage, leave it at home, says Katherine Rothman. Why advertise to thieves that you have money or make yourself more noticeable? This is not a time you want to stand out.

10. Keep a pre-packed travel bag at home. 

Emily Mandagie, photographer and one half of travel blog  The Mandagies , has a dedicated business travel bag on hand, pre-packed with travel essentials before any trip. Although you’ll need to pack certain things on-demand, like clothes and shoes, some items like toiletries, cosmetics, and other travel products will generally stay the same. This way, you can unpack quickly after a trip and repack, knowing you have exactly what you need for the next trip cycle.

These pre-packed items include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, lotion, and even a small container of shampoo and conditioner. When it comes to tech, Emily will also stow away a phone charger, extra batteries, and headphones.

Time-Saving Tips

11. Book non-stop flights.

Katherine Rothman recommends that you try booking non-stop flights whenever possible, even if it costs more.

If you are on a business trip where you may be meeting with prospective clients or partners, saving yourself the stress of potentially missing your layover if the flight is delayed pays off in the long run.

12. Sign up for TSA pre-check .

If you’re a United cardmember, you can have global reentry and TSA precheck reimbursed, Carmella says. Skip lines and rack up miles!

13. Utilize ‘priority luggage.’ 

This means your luggage will be the first to come off the plane. When you check your bags outside, you can usually tip $5.00 and say, “will you ticket me for priority baggage” and 99% of the time it works – people just don’t know it can be done. Katherine Rothman has used this time-saving technique many times.

14. Save all appointments (including addresses, names, and phone numbers) on your agenda. 

Local Insiders  founder, Silke Wolf, says this will save you time and make your trip so much more worry-free. The same applies to the information you need to prepare for your appointments.

To travel light and paper-free, save all documents to a specific folder on your Google Drive. (Don’t forget to make it available offline). This way, you’ll stay organized, and you can access all the information you need on the go.

Pre-Flight Tips

15. Before leaving, download important maps offline. 

Make sure directions, itineraries, and maps are downloaded to your phone offline, along with some music and podcasts for potentially bad service areas and the plane ride.

16. Take photos of receipts with an app. 

Alternatively, save the photos of receipts to Google Drive. Being prepared pays off when you least expect, as you never know when you’ll need to show proof of purchase.

17. Keep a Xerox copy of your passport.  

Katherine recommends keeping a copy of your passport in a separate place from your actual passport. If you lose your passport, this makes things much easier.

18. Never board a plane without two bottles of water and snacks.

Katherine also recommends buying two bottles of water and snacks before boarding the plane. You never know when your plane can be held on the ground for hours or diverted to another airport, and the airline crew may run out of food and drinks or not be allowed to serve.

19. Get organized with a list. 

Monica Kang, founder of  Innovators Box,  says that when you travel for work, you have to think about your dress code, what you bring, and, in her case, also a lot of materials she uses for workshops. It’s not fun when you bring the wrong outfit or not enough materials.

Monica recommends piling a list of things you want to bring in a room at home over a few days. That way, when you pack things last minute, you already have the core things you need to take with you readily available and won’t have a chance of forgetting them.

20. Don’t plan too much.

Silke points out that planning too many activities is one of the biggest mistakes business travelers make. Always consider travel times. And add some extra time in between meetings to accommodate factors beyond your control (traffic jams, late arrivals, etc.).

This will make your business travels so much more relaxed as you won’t have to rush around to be on time. This will give you peace of mind.

Essential Gear

21. Buy a lightweight suitcase.

Carmella says to find a lightweight, durable suitcase. Keep it extra small to fit in an overhead compartment on the express planes. If you have to check luggage, you can’t change flights to get home faster or to avoid bad weather.

Many flight attendants seem to use TravelPro, but there are also other quality brands on the market.

22. Use a 4-wheel carry-on case.

Management consultant Layton Cox says he lives and dies with three travel bags. The first is a simple four-wheel hard-case carry-on. In a perfect world, don’t get black. Everyone has black.

It also doesn’t have to be a huge brand name. Ninety percent of your clients will never see your luggage. He also suggests you find a bag with cloth or leather around the zippers, as the plastic and rubber tend to break after a while.

23. Use a briefcase with a slide.

Layton says the second bag every business traveler needs is a simple briefcase that fits over the handles of your carry-on. If you get a normal briefcase that does not fit over the handles of your carry-on, it becomes nearly impossible to operate your cell phone as you walk through the airport since both your hands are busy.

Make sure it has a laptop pocket. Your client will see this briefcase, so get black or brown leather. Nothing else.

24. Buy an anti-theft backpack.

If you’re worried about expensive and essential items being stolen, such as your trusted laptop, an anti-theft backpack is definitely worth looking into.

25. Travel with an electronics holder.

Layton’s third and final bag he always travels with is a simple electronics holder. It can be a packing cube filled with electronics and cords or a simple wallet-esque item that can hold a cellphone charger, headphones, and various other cords.

By having just one item with all of your electronics in it, you don’t have to worry if you packed your charger or that HDMI converter, as it’s always in the bag.

26. Use a rolling computer bag.

Eileen suggests that if you carry a laptop, you should use a rolling computer bag to carry papers, files, conference info/workbook, a pad of paper, and even snacks.

You probably will have extra room to add your makeup, hairbrush, and maybe a third pair of shoes or an extra purse.

27. Pack a travel adapter.

Victoria Thompson, Social Media Manager at Haystack Digital, says to always plan ahead and have a spare adaptor depending on which country you are visiting.

This will save you time and money in the long run, as adaptors at the airport always cost a fortune.

28. Bring a travel pillow.

Victoria also says packing items that are going to help you sleep is a must. Invest in a travel pillow that will help you sleep either in the hotel or on the airplane.

29. Use packing envelopes.

Nifty garment folders can help keep blouses, shirts, skirts, and slacks more wrinkle-free than trying to roll things or pack them in packing bags. Instead, use packing bags only for underwear and sleepwear.

30. Travel with a micro-router.

Team Building CEO, Michael Alexis, says the most useful item he travels with is a micro-router. You can connect a router to a wifi connection, for example, at a hotel or on a flight or cruise, and then connect all of your other devices to the router.

This setup has two major benefits. First, in cases where you pay for a connection, you only need one connection to service several devices. Secondly, you save time. Once set up, your devices connect to the router automatically, so you are entering login information only once.

Programs & Loyalty Schemes

31. Get a Rewards Credit Card.

Nicole Sutherland, travel photographer and writer at  Eat Live Travel Drink,  recommends the American Express Platinum. This gives her access to a bevy of perks that include airport lounges around the world, including their own private Centurion ones, Priority Pass, and Delta lounges.

32. Companion Pass Hack on Southwest Airlines. 

Nicole also recommends applying for both the Southwest Airlines personal and business cards if you run a small business. Each card gives you bonus miles when you spend a certain amount of money.

And, if you earn a certain number of miles in a year, you earn the companion pass, allowing a companion to fly free with you every time.

33. Get TSA Pre-Check, Clear, and Global Entry. 

Dave Pike says TSA Pre-Check, Clear, and Global Entry can save you hours every time you fly. The $85-$110 investment is well worth it and is deductible if your employer requires it.

34. Score free upgrades using airline loyalty programs. 

Torben Lonne, diving enthusiast and founder of  Dive In,  says one of his favorite travel hacks is getting a free upgrade to business class. Your chances are lower than scoring a last-minute seat change in the same class, but it’s still possible.

If you have air miles or loyalty points with your preferred airline, this increases your chances of getting upgraded to business class in the event of an overbooking. The passenger with the highest loyalty points gets automatically upgraded when this happens.

If there are more overbookings on the same flight, they will choose the passenger with the second most loyalty points and move down the list accordingly.

35. Get a co-working space membership.  

Upflex  CEO and co-founder, Christophe Garnier, says the last thing you want to think about is being confined to a coffee shop or hotel room for work.

When it comes to business travel hacks, the ability to easily find and book a good co-working space is paramount. It will help you save time and money while making local connections and making you more productive.

This is why co-working booking platforms are becoming business travelers’ new best friend – they aggregate available workspaces from around the world and let professionals book them on an as-needed basis.

In-Flight and Transport Tips

36. Make your final seat selection at the last moment.  

Torben recommends waiting until the last moment before making your final seat selection. You can do this through your smartphone via the web or the airline’s app and guarantee a window seat with a little patience.

Every flight has cancellations and last-minute seat changes, so all you need to do is wait until 30 minutes before boarding to book your final seat.

This is perfect when you’re stuck with a bad seat from when you booked the flight initially as a zero-cost ‘upgrade.’

37. Book your parking beforehand.

Head of Digital Marketing at YourParkingSpace , Gregory Golinski, says one of the worst challenges faced by business travelers is finding a parking space. You don’t want to be late for a meeting with a client because you’ve been circling around for an hour looking for a parking space.

He suggests pre-booking a parking space via online parking marketplaces such as Spothero in the US, YourParkingSpace in the UK, or Parkhound in Australia.

These platforms can help you book a private driveway or garage in advance so that you don’t have to look for a parking space for hours and can be on time. This can help you save time, money, and your sanity while on a business trip.

Safety Tips

38. If you are a woman traveling alone, ask for a room closer to the elevator in your hotel.

A safety tip for solo female travelers from Katherine is that you book a hotel room closer to the elevator. This way, you are not walking through long hallway mazes at night.

39. Make sure you get enough sleep and downtime.

Monica is extra mindful of where she spends her time, how much she sleeps, and what she eats. If she’s booking her time to meet other people and socialize, she will be too tired to deliver her work.

She also recommends downloading a few shows to binge-watch to decompress and rest. At the end of the day, if you show up feeling tired to do your work, why would they want to invite you back?

40. Be careful with the hotel wifi.

Ben Sadeghipour of Hackerone says it’s so easy to make fake wifi networks to track everything you’re doing online. At a hotel, you might see “Hotel Wifi” and “Hotel Free Wifi” and not know which one to pick.

Pick wrong, and a criminal will be able to track when you’re on their network or out of your hotel room. Also, never trust something that requires software to be installed. This is a sure sign of malicious activity.

41. Don’t post your boarding pass on social media.

Even if you cross out the numbers, you’re still at risk. There’s information hidden in QR codes that can be used to steal your personal data.

42. Be wary of public charging stations.

Public charging stations are a godsend when you are constantly on the go or your flight is canceled. However, anyone can steal information from your phone via USB. Always make sure you bring your own charger to plug into outlets or use a USB data blocker.

Essential Business Travel Tips Summary

No matter how important or time-sensitive your business trip may be, don’t let the stresses and strains of travel get in the way of your success. Use these expert tips from successful business travelers to plan a trip that runs smoothly, allowing you to deliver your world-class presentation or land that lucrative client.

We’d love to continue adding to this list. If you have a little-known expert tip, feel free to reach out to us and share your words of wisdom.

You Might Also Like to Read

• My Favorite Packing Tips and Hacks

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Author: Dale

Dale Johnson is a content creator from the UK. He has traveled full-time for over three years and to over 30 countries and writes on a number of travel-themed topics, including travel packing tips and the latest gear.

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7 business class travel tips and tricks from one first-timer to another

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am an expert economy-class flyer.

I've got TSA PreCheck and Global Entry . When necessary, I can unpack and re-pack quart-size toiletry bags, shoes and laptop computers at a security checkpoint in seconds … even with a toddler in tow. I can get my carry-on bag into the overhead bins in a second flat, and I find my preferred inflight entertainment on my United app within moments of fastening my seatbelt.

Put me in business class, though, and apparently I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.

In fact, I hadn't flown business class in over 10 years — until a few weeks ago. When I learned I'd be flying between Washington, D.C. and London, England in business class on not one, but two different airlines, I was over the moon. "More legroom!" I thought. "Lie-flat seats!"

I thought I had everything covered — until I talked to my TPG colleagues, Zach Griff and Nicky Kelvin, about my planned flights in United Polaris and Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class .

They opened my eyes to the world of perks and amenities available to me as a business-class flyer these days — few of which I'd even had an inkling of, and even fewer of which the airlines had bothered to alert me to in my reservation.

Had I not talked to my coworkers, I probably would have missed out on key components of the business-class experience. Even so, I felt lost, shy and sometimes confused when flying up front.

If you're soon to embark on your first international business-class trip in a while, here are seven travel tips and tricks you should know to make the most of your experience, all of which were new to me on my recent transatlantic journey.

Pick your seats wisely — because they're not all the same

"All the business-class seats are aisle seats," I thought to myself when looking at the seat maps for both my flights, "so they should all be great."

Not exactly.

As I learned, the configuration of business-class seats can vary widely ( even on the same airline and on the same plane type). Not only were my United Polaris and Virgin Atlantic Upper Class seats completely different from one another, but when looking at my various flight options on both carriers, I also found that different aircraft types had different kinds of seats on board. Plus, depending on the row, you could find slightly different seats even on the same flight.

To optimize your flying experience, you need to read up on which seats your specific flight will offer and find the best one for your preferences.

For example, the Boeing 767 I was on offered United's most up-to-date Polaris seats: individual pods with lie-flat seats next to small tabletops and a storage locker. On reading Zach's United Polaris guide , I learned that the window seats were best for solo travelers while the middle row had pairs of seats better suited to couples or friends.

Even among the window seats, the odd-numbered rows offer more privacy, with the seats closer to the actual window and the wide tabletop by the aisle, while the even numbered rows have the seats angled toward the aisle with the tabletop and locker by the window.

I had been assigned an even row seat, but I changed to an odd row based on that advice since I wanted the most privacy possible. (I admit that I took some pleasure in changing my seat assignment like I was a pro.)

Related: Top 5 business-class cabins in the sky today

On my Virgin Atlantic flight back, my seat looked fine and I lucked out. As I boarded the plane, I realized the Boeing 787-9 had the airline's older "herringbone" style of diagonal seats with their backs to the windows and angled toward the aisle. I had happily landed in what I would dub the "introvert section" along the port side of the aircraft, where the seats faced the backs of the middle row. However, the middle and starboard rows of seats faced each other, so those passengers ended up looking right at the person across from them. I suppose if you're there to make friends, you could choose these "extrovert seats."

Look for the dedicated airport check-in

Even before I got to the planes, though, I made some rookie mistakes.

When I arrived at Dulles International Airport (IAD), I saw signs for Economy and Premier Access check-in, but not Polaris. I asked an attendant in the Premier Access line where I should go but they simply had me check in there. It turns out that the official Polaris check-in was around the back at another set of counters — not that there were any signs pointing in that direction.

At Heathrow Airport (LHR), I knew that Virgin Upper Class had its own check-in hall in Terminal 3 … because my colleague, Nicky, told me. Since it's only accessible by car, and I was being shuttled to the airport by bus, I couldn't take advantage of that perk. However, there were no signs showing me where to check in for Upper Class in the normal departure hall, either. I had to waylay a staffer to find out that I should use the Delta premium check-in line.

The kind gate agent did direct me to the elevator that would whisk me to a private Upper Class security line. But when I got to the second floor, there were no signs pointing the way. I just assumed the security line I saw was the right one — but I was so flustered that I forgot to empty my water bottle and had to chug 16 ounces on the spot. Guess my mistake meant I was properly hydrated for my flight.

Moral of the story: Look at an airport map or otherwise determine where the VIPs get to check in so you can head confidently to the correct line and not have to own up to an airport representative that you have no clue where you're going. Agents at these dedicated counters are also usually better informed on which lounges you might have access to before your flight and how you can get to them through expedited security lines.

Arrive in time to enjoy access to fancy lounges with free food and drinks (and don't forget to tip!)

What secret do globe-trotting businessfolk keep from us economy-class peons? They get free access to swanky VIP lounges while we stand in long lines for expensive concessions or join the masses in the boarding areas.

Not once did any official United communication alert me to the existence of the Polaris Lounge at Dulles . Not when I got my confirmation number via email. Not when I checked in online. Nor when I showed up at the airport. So thanks again, Zach, for not only pointing me toward the exclusive hangout but recommending I get there early to enjoy its many amenities.

At least when I checked in for my Virgin Atlantic flight, the agent not only told me about the airline's famed Clubhouse , but also gave me directions to it.

These lounges are tricked out, so plan to arrive early to enjoy all the amenities. Both had enormous bars with plenty of complimentary drinks and all kinds of seating areas — some for comfy lounging and others geared for working, with loads of electrical and USB outlets.

The Polaris Lounge at Dulles had a separate, waiter-serviced restaurant where I assembled a delicious dinner by trying all the small plates: autumn squash soup, arugula and fennel salad, a quinoa samosa cake and a cheese plate (that really should have been on the dessert menu). I could have indulged in a glass of wine, but I was still nursing my strong cocktail from the lounge's bar. For dessert, I had a warm chocolate chip cookie that came out so piping hot that ice cream bubbled when it came into contact with the mini cast iron skillet the cookie was served in.

The Virgin Upper Class lounge had an online food ordering system where I could select the breakfast items I wanted and magically the staff knew where to deliver the food. Again, I admit to over-ordering, choosing the fruit salad and a full vegetarian English breakfast with fried eggs, baked beans and a vegan sausage. I probably should have ordered a mimosa to be fancy, but I stuck with tea.

The Upper Class lounge also has Peloton bikes and a pool table. Pre-pandemic, it offered massages and hair cuts in the dedicated salon and spa areas. You can even do some alfresco plane-spotting from an elevated outdoor garden. It's all included in the experience. Do your homework ahead of your flight to determine which lounge you can access and what fun awaits you — then get to the airport with enough time to enjoy it.

The only thing I wasn't sure about was whether I was supposed to tip all the lovely people bringing me free food and drink. I canvassed my coworkers on return who recommend tipping a dollar or two for drinks and $5-$10 for a full dinner in the U.S., but said to skip the tip in Europe or Asia, where there's less of a tipping culture.

Sorry, lovely lounge staff, for stiffing you. I won't make that mistake the next time around.

Related: The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge

Swallow your pride and ask for a seat tour

Business-class seats are works of engineering genius. The best seats smoothly convert into beds, the tray tables and storage nooks are hidden ergonomically throughout your little pod area, and outlets and reading lights pop up in all the right places.

Repeat after me: You are not an idiot if you can't figure out how to work everything immediately upon taking your seat (though I certainly felt like one as I fiddled with the various seat and entertainment controls).

On my United flight, I was too shy to ask, but managed to work out how to get the seat into lie-flat mode myself. On Virgin, the flight attendants were friendlier, so I started with, "Can you show me how to work this seat?" The kind gent in charge of my section gave me the full tour. I swear to you, I would never have found the tray table or the USB outlet without his help.

Even should your jaded flight attendant cast a scornful glance your way, don't let their attitude stand in the way of you getting maximum enjoyment out of your business-class flight. By asking for a quick tour of the seat, you can also figure out if everything is working properly, such as the seat controls or power outlets, and do something about it before takeoff if they're not.

Don't order a special meal or feel a need to pack snacks

I don't trust that airlines will provide a standard meal that will accommodate my dietary restrictions, so I often order a special meal. Unless you absolutely need one, though, I would say don't bother when you're flying business class, especially if you can check the menu ahead of time.

Both United's and Virgin's business-class menus included a fish and vegetarian option, and the kosher meal I ordered for my United dinner was so sad that I asked the attendant to bring me the regular breakfast. That meant I got to choose which of the three breakfast options I wanted. I was in the mood for something light so I ordered the continental breakfast with a fruit salad, yogurt and a croissant, with orange juice and tea.

If it's your first Virgin Atlantic flight, you might want to revel in the lovely presentation, real cutlery and the cutest little airplane-shaped salt and pepper shakers, fittingly named Orville and Wilbur after the Wright brothers. (I really really wanted to take them as souvenirs, but I restrained myself.) That said, items do sometimes run out, so if you have your heart set on a particular dish, ask the flight attendant showing you to your seat to set one aside for you if possible.

I'm also told that if you want to rock a shorter long-haul flight like a pro, including those from the East Coast to London, you might want to consider eating dinner in the lounge then trying to go straight to sleep once the plane takes off. Up to you.

On day flights, you also won't go hungry outside of meal times. On Virgin Atlantic, flight attendants came through the cabin several times with snacks and even had a basket set up in the Upper Class bar (Yes, there's a bar on the airplane! How did I not know that?) for passengers to grab and go whenever they wanted. Plus, anytime after the main meal service you could order additional food items like cream tea or a salad.

Ask for all the amenities

I'm the type of person who doesn't want to make a fuss, but I'm told you really need to ask for all the available amenities when flying business class these days.

You want pajamas for your overnight flight? Ask. Want a cocktail instead of wine? Ask. Want to skip dinner and have your bed made up right away? Just ring the call button and ask your attendant. Though some of these things may be offered proactively, sometimes they are not, and you wouldn't want to miss out.

Sometimes you can access an arrivals lounge when you land in your final destination. Many are still closed due to the pandemic, but if you'd like to use one, just ask. I asked on my United flight, but Heathrow's are not yet open.

Typically, business-class seats come with an amenity kit, which is a little zippered makeup bag with socks, an eye mask, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand and face lotion and earplugs. These weren't at our seats when we boarded the Virgin Atlantic flight, and the woman next to me was sad because she wanted to brush her teeth.

"Just ask," I told her, since I was now an expert business-class flyer with one flight under my belt. The flight attendant gushed his apologies for not having them out and set about giving everyone a kit.

Just enjoy the legroom

At the end of the day, the best part of the business-class experience for me was, in fact, the extra legroom.

Perhaps I'm a woman of simple pleasures. Perhaps I'm a hardy traveler who can deal with queues, crowds and mediocre meals. Perhaps it's just that I'm six feet tall and there is usually no comfortable place for me to cram my long limbs on a long-haul flight.

Despite the nice meals and the free drinks, my favorite aspect of this trip was that I could put my feet up and stretch my legs while I worked, watched movies and ate on board the plane. That — not the beverages or the fancy lounges — is why I'm trying to earn miles and elite status so I can have easier access to business class in the future.

At the end of the day, airplane food is fine but not necessarily blow-your-mind amazing. It can still be hard to sleep on a noisy, turbulent flight, even when lying flat. If you miss the lounge and never get that free cocktail, your business-class trip will be fine.

All that's true because at the end of the day, you will still have way more personal space than in coach. And that, in my mind, is all you need to have the best flight ever.

11 Business Travel Tips From Frequent Business Travelers

June 24, 2019

by Rob Browne

From figuring out what to pack to scheduling an itinerary,, preparing for a business trip can be more stressful and overwhelming than actually going on the trip itself.

Alleviating the pain of business travel begins with your preparation. Experienced business travelers begin preparing for trips days before they leave to ensure they are able to put their best work forward while conducting business on the road.

11 business travel tips from frequent business travelers

We surveyed leaders in the business travel industry to get their takes on how to best prepare for a business trip. They offered some insightful commentary that should quell your worries regarding any business travel on your horizon.

1. Never run out of juice

“Bring a portable battery (power bank) to recharge your cell phone, especially if you're going to be on a plane for a long time. Make sure it's in your carry-on luggage so you can use it on the plane. You don't want to risk a dead phone when you need it most!”

- Miguel A. Suro, Miami attorney and lifestyle writer at The Rich Miser 

“I attended a marketing conference a couple of years ago and neglected to pack a portable charger. I didn't realize how quickly I would drain through my phone's battery while I used the event app and live-tweeted from conference sessions. While several of the expo booths had chargers available, none of them worked with my phone, so I ended up needing to walk back to my hotel for my charger and wait there for it to regain battery life, missing a couple of valuable sessions in the process.”

- Kathryn Hawkins, principal, Eucalypt Media

2. Carry on the essentials

“The first and only key is to make sure everything fits in a carry on, like a great soft tote bag to carry extras, including your computer or tablet. Everything should be able to be folded and if your carry on has a place for suits, even better. Usually, three changes max is enough with two or three shirts. One pair of shoes to go to all meetings and another for travel. Cosmetics, toiletries, etc. can be in your suitcase or tote bag depending on how much room there is. I have gone all over the world like this and it works.”

3. Avoid shipping essential materials

“Never ship your business cards with any other collateral you might be shipping as you never know where the shipment will end up or how long customs will retain the package, etc. I once showed up to a trade show in Berlin and I had a small stack of cards with me and my assistant had shipped over a new box of cards, along with brochures, a little later (after the new order of biz cards had arrived.) Well, we never saw that box and I had to be super stingy with my cards, to the point it was quite embarrassing!”

4. Look into the benefits of frequent travel

“If you find yourself traveling by air for business on a regular basis, a travel rewards credit card could prove advantageous by making your journeys far more comfortable as well as netting you substantial savings.

When choosing a travel credit card for business, contemplate what kind of traveler you are. If you’re someone who regularly finds themselves sitting in airports, a high-tier, high annual fee credit card could bring you substantial value in the way of lounge benefits, expedited screening, steep rewards, and more. Access to such amenities will make business travel less stressful and far more comfortable. If you are someone who travels by air infrequently, a travel card with a high-annual fee will likely not be worth the cost.”

5. Don’t check a bag on your flight

“Don’t check a bag. Aside from the fact that bags can be lost, the time spent checking bags and waiting at baggage claim is a huge waste. It’s important to be efficient on business trips, and you can lose so much time if you check bags. Also, if you don’t have to wait for a bag, you can get way ahead of everyone who does, thereby avoiding long customs lines (if traveling internationally).”

6. Be smart about hotel location

“Book a hotel close to the client or business location to avoid early morning commutes, traffic delays, etc. Before booking, try asking your client if they have a preferred hotel in the city and if there's a discount that you’d be able to use.”

7. Prepare for international travel smartly

“If it is a longer trip, make sure you have an international driving license. You never know when you may need to hire or borrow a car. Check your documents the night before you fly, such as your passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, and tickets. You can usually check these via travel management software if you booked through work.

I always print them, as not every international airport allows you to scan from your phone. If necessary, make sure you have the hotel address written in the local language of your destination.”

8. Make a detailed itinerary

“Put together a schedule that includes your flight, your meetings, and the time you're expected to arrive at the hotel. Budget extra time to visit something fun at your destination. You'll regret missing the opportunity later on.

Share your itinerary with a friend or family member that you plan to stay in touch with. You can contact them if you lose information, and they will know where you're meant to be if your phone goes silent.”

TIP: Traveling to a unique destination and looking to add some personal time onto your trip? Check out our guide to bleisure travel!

9. Make sure you eat enough

“Even on the road, you have to keep your belly filled. Having been stuck waiting unexpectedly at airports and on airplanes, and having arrived at hotel rooms at haunting hours or found the only time to eat is in a taxi between meetings, I always pack a filling emergency snack.

That typically means a few energy bars. They are the most compact food that doesn’t make a mess and can be stuffed into a pocket. They are not the nutritional nirvana, but they are filling. And who can eat a salad in a taxi anyway?”

10. Find the right workspace

“If you’re one of those people who doesn’t get car sick, then lucky you! That means you have found some time while traveling to prepare for meetings and get things in order. Otherwise, make use of your hotel facilities in order to get a nice space to think. Of course, you can always use your hotel room, but many hotels have a business center or lobby as well that could be good for being productive. Or, feel free to explore the new city and find a cute coffee shop or park to do your work.”

11. Double check the dress code

“Always find out in advance where you may be visiting while you’re on your trip. I traveled to Hong Kong once with a very casual start-up company who had no dress code. The last thing I expected was to end up in a very dressy hotel restaurant where they had to make special dispensation for me to wear my shorts and flip-flops!”

Time to hit the road

With these tips in tow, you’ll be able to travel for work with the peace of mind that you’re equipped to handle any unforeseen issues. The ultimate goal of any business trip is to perform at your peak when conducting your business obligations, and a failure to prepare to perform your best on a trip is preparing to fail. If you're still overwhelmed, maybe it's time to look into hiring a travel management company ?

Business trips require a lot of moving parts. Read up on the 8 most common business trip mistakes to better prepare you for your upcoming trip! 

Rob is a former content associate at G2. Originally from New Jersey, he previously worked at an NYC-based business travel startup. (he/him/his)

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20 Business Travel Tips for Corporate Travelers

We know that business travel can be stressful, and sometimes uncomfortable, but don’t be discouraged! Following some rules can help you master everything you need to do when traveling for business.

In the following list, you’ll find a series of tips and tricks that will help you manage your business travel as if you’ve been doing it all your life.

1. Arrive at the airport early

Arriving at the airport on time is the most important part of the trip so you can check your luggage on time.

2. Follow your company’s travel policy

Before you decide and plan your trip, make sure you read and understand your company’s travel policy. In the travel policy, you will find the information you need to know on where to book, who to ask to validate the trip, how payments and refunds work.

3. Business etiquette

It is clear that respecting the traditions and local culture of the country you are traveling to is essential. Business etiquette is very important in order to avoid your country’s customs that are not considered as such in other countries, for example: shaking hands.

4. Choosing the right seat on the plane

Choosing the right seat can make all the difference, especially on long flights. You can find many websites on the Internet that advise you on the best seats for each flight.

5. Traveling with carry-on luggage

Choosing a carry-on bag instead of a bulky suitcase is the best solution, both for time saving reasons such as waiting for your luggage at your destination or if you lose it, and for ecological reasons, carry-on luggage is lighter and therefore consumes less fuel.

6. First aid kit

No one can know what might happen to you during your trip. Keep a first-aid kit handy with medications you usually take when you’re not feeling well. This kit can include, in addition to first-aid items, painkillers, vitamins, hand cream, hand sanitizer, antacids and your regular medications.

7. Non-stop travel

If you can, choose to travel non-stop, there will be less waiting time and you will be more relaxed. In addition to saving time, you don’t run the risk of having your flight canceled, overbooking and/or lost luggage.

8. Keep the necessary documents at hand

ID card, passwords, tickets, etc., keep them all handy to facilitate the check-in process.

9. Online check-in

Take the time to check-in online to organize your time in the best possible way and avoid waiting in line.

10. Wear clothes that are both stylish and comfortable

It’s important to wear clothes that are both stylish and comfortable in case something unexpected happens: you may need to be well-dressed for an important meeting or need to dress casual for dinner.

11. Think about security checks

To make security checks easier, keep items like liquids, electronics and chargers together so you can get them out quickly at the security checkpoint. The same goes for bracelets, watches and belts.

12. Loyalty program

If you are a member of a loyalty program, be sure to check for benefits that enhance your trip. If you’re not yet a member of the loyalty program, sign up to earn points and take advantage of all the offers.

13. External battery and charged devices

Make sure you always have all the devices you need charged for the trip, but also having external batteries to take with you is ideal for emergency situations.

14. Travel management apps 

Having cab booking and ride-sharing apps on your phone can simplify your trip. The iPhone offers Passbook as an app to manage all the flight details or reservations in general, while for Android, you can use Walletpasses.

15. Parking 

Reserve your parking spot in advance so you don’t have to waste time wandering around town and can arrive on time for your meeting.

16. Request a room near the elevator 

Generally speaking, rooms on higher floors are less prone to theft. But if you are a woman, we recommend that you request a room near an elevator so that you don’t have to walk the halls alone in the middle of the night.

17.  Pay attention to the internet connection

Check with your company’s IT expert about all the security methods you can implement on your computer to avoid possible attacks by connecting to networks that are not considered secure.

18. Plug adapters

Remember that not all countries use the same plugs, always carry your own adapter.

19. Use your time correctly

Traveling for several hours, plus jet lag, can be stressful, but sleeping as soon as you arrive is not a good solution. The best thing you can do is get used to the local time as soon as possible: you can use apps such as Stay Well, Jet Lag Rooster and Entrain to help you cope with the jet lag.

20. Save your receipts and send them in 

We recommend that you don’t throw away receipts or vouchers: you’ll need them later for your expense reports to claim reimbursement. If your company has expense management software, it can be helpful to download the app to your phone to keep track of your expenses. For added convenience, you can also take a picture of all your invoices so you don’t risk losing them.

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147 Business Travel Tips – the ultimate list of road warrior tips & tricks

The ultimate list of Business Travel Tips contains 147 (yes, you read that right) practical and useful business travel tips / frequent traveler tips to help you fo work travel smoother, more efficiently, and smarter. As a frequent business traveler myself, I’ve made many travel mistakes over the years. Along the way, I’ve learned a good deal about how to minimize business travel discomfort and maximize your enjoyment while traveling for work.

Because, let’s face it, traveling for business isn’t always fun (see my post on 9 Crazy Myths of Business Travel: Debunked! ).

In fact, many times it’s not .

You are zipping from one meeting to the next, stuck in an airline terminal waiting for your delayed flight, sleeping in an uncomfortable bed (although it’s usually a nice bed with some great sheets ), missing your family and eating crappy food. That’s right, business travel can be brutal at times.

That is – if you don’t know what you’re doing .

With the business travel tips listed here, you can exponentially improve your life on the road. So, fasten your seat-belt low and tight across your waist, stow your luggage, put your tray tables up and start learning how to travel smarter on your next business trip.

• By the way, if you’ve landed here and you have no idea what “business travel” is, head over to my section that defines it for you: Business Travel Defined .
• Also, just a quick note, if you are a first time business traveler staring down the barrel of your first work trip you might want to start here with 11 Tips to Crush your First Business Trip .
• NEW : Finally…we’ve updated this post with the latest travel advice and tips for traveling in a world facing a pandemic

PS, if you are not a business traveler – that’s ok . Many of the tips for work travel actually apply to leisure travelers too …so keep on reading!

Let’s get into ’em!

Business Travel Tips – the ultimate list of business travel advice

This list of business travel tips is loosely organized based on the linear flow of your travel experience. In other words, from booking, to packing, to flying, hotel, etc.

Tips are not necessarily provided in order or importance and are divided into the following categories for easier consumption (you can click on the headings below to jump directly to those tips, if you’d like):

• Booking Travel
• Packing & Luggage Tips

Travel Gear & Tech Tips

• Getting To/From and Through the Airport
• On the Plane – Flying Tips

Healthy Business Travel Tips

• Safety & Security
• NEW : COVID-19 Travel Tips & Advice
• Tips for eating on the road
• Enjoying & Surviving your trip
• Rental Cars

Loyalty Program Tips

• Apparel tips

As you are reading, pay attention for those “must know” business travel tips. I’ve identified them like this:

[ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ]

For gender specific tips, I’ve highlighted them like this:

[ Female-Specific Business Travel Tips! ]

[ Male-Specific Business Travel Tips! ]

Lastly, I’ve summarized the “must know” Business Travel Tips at the very end of this article for easier consumption!

Ok, already…let’s get into the business travel tips and tricks.

Business Travel Tips and Tricks for Booking Business Travel

Every successful business trip starts with booking your travel. By following the business travel tips in this section, you can lay the foundation for a more successful and smoother trip by making good booking choices.

1. Stick with a single Airline, Hotel, and Rental Car company . [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] Whenever possible, always consolidate your travel providers into as few as possible. This will allow you to build loyalty and status faster, and earn points quicker.

With status, you will start to qualify for upgrades, point bonuses and other perks that will make your business trip much smoother!

2. Book direct flights. Layovers are the enemy. They add extra time to your trip – extending the day longer than it often needs to be.

Where possible, book direct flights to improve your travel efficiency and get their quicker. Booking direct also minimizes the chances of you missing a connection and getting stuck in the airport.

3. Skip the redeye. The redeye flight might seem like a great option and often it’s a cheaper flight. However, that cheaper price comes with strings.

You will likely be far more tired when you arrive. For business travel you need to be on your A-game and a redeye will likely make that more difficult, especially if you are susceptible to jet lag.

Trust me…this is one of the business travel tips that if you listen to my advice….you and your body will thank me! 🙂

4. Book morning / mid-day flights to mitigate travel delays. Booking the last flight of the day can become problematic if they are any days. Miss that flight and you are staying the night at the airport which is never fun.

Sometimes it cannot be avoided, but whenever possible, book flights earlier in the day to give you some “space” in case your flight schedule blows up.

5. Be careful with layover times. It’s not always possible to avoid layovers. For example, if you live near a regional airport (instead of a major hub), you will likely have to connect somewhere.

Or, if you are traveling TO a regional airport (e.g. someplace like Grand Rapids, Michigan), a connection is likely required. When you do book connecting flights, pay special attention to the layover times.

Too long of a layover means hours and hours of airport boredom and stretches the travel day out longer than you really want it.

Too short of a layover means any little hiccup with your preceding flight might cause you to miss your connecting flight. Then you are stuck at the airport hoping to catch another later flight.

Also, do your homework on the airport itself that you are connecting in. Some airports make connecting easy. Others can mean a lengthy trek between terminals.

Take Detroit (DTW) as an example. If you are connecting to a regional flight (say State College, PA) you have to make a long trek to their commuter terminal. Make sure to allow enough time for the walk.

6. Use SeatGuru.com to pick the best seat on the plane. Picking the best seat on the plane can greatly improve your travel experience. Get stuck with a middle seat or next to a lavatory and your trip just got a whole lot worse. Exit rows are usually great, bulkhead seats can be nice (but not always).

SeatGuru.com allows you to search for the best seats on many different planes. You can find out the plane you are flying (e.g. 737) when you are booking the flight.

7. Do your research on the best hotel to stay at in proximity to your destination (e.g. customer site) while being safe. Don’t simply pick the cheapest hotel in your general area. Find hotels that are close to your final destination and that meet your standards.

Research the area’s safety, too. If your customer’s site is in the ghetto, maybe a longer commute in the morning is the safer way to go.

8. Consider staying close to the airport for those early morning flights home. Don’t be afraid to switch hotels the night before your early morning flight back home.

Staying closer to the airport for that 5:45am flight will give you a few extra minutes of sleep and reduce any goof-ups you might have from that early morning delirium.

9. Learn the unique characteristics and idiosyncrasies of different airports including different times of year, busy / off seasons, etc

There’s a golden rule for business travelers. You can fly TO Philly or FROM Philly, but never THROUGH Philly . That is, unless you want to get stuck in the airport under flight delays and have your flight go to crap.

Many airports have their own unique nuances – many of which are based on time of year, etc.

For example, pretty much any Florida airport in the summer is going to be insane. Disney World travelers, cruise ship travelers, etc. They are always slammed. Lost of kids and lots of irritated and tired parents.

Fly through Dallas in the summer? Expect thunderstorms and potential delays.

Fly through Phoenix during Monsoon season? You might get to see a haboob .

Make sure to learn the unique ins and outs of the airports you are flying to and adjust accordingly (like never to fly to FL…like ever). 🙂

Packing & Luggage Tips for Business Travelers

Getting the right luggage and then packing it correctly is a critical step in the success of your work trip. Here are some packing tips that will aid you in getting this phase of your travel right!

1. Pack light (and well) . [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] Fight the temptation to over pack. You need far less than you think you do. Packing light is an important business travel tip.

Over packing might mean you have to check your bag. Or it might mean you carry more than you need – and dragging extra weight around isn’t good for your body (you will be tired enough).

Get anal about your packing list. If you can reuse a pair of jeans, do so. Skip the extra pair.

Packing light is really more of a mindset than anything. You have to be ruthless about deciding to place something in your bag. Only pack the essentials.

2. Never check your bag . [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] If you like waiting in line to check your bag, waiting at the baggage claim to retrieve your bag and risking the change it will get lost, keep checking your bag.

The first rule of business travel is NEVER CHECK YOUR BAG .

There are very few reasons why the business traveler will need to check your bag. Perhaps its for an extended trip (e.g. >1wk) or you are packing tools that are best checked. Or maybe your traveling with someone unique like a firearm .

Aside from those very few reasons, no self-respecting business traveler is checking their bags – and you shouldn’t either.

Read my detailed comparison on checking a bag instead of carrying it on.

3. Invest in good luggage ! If you plan to be on the road, traveling for work, on a regular basis, you are going to need quality luggage. It might be tempting to scrimp and go with something cheap.

But don’t . Trust me .

A cheaper suitcase might seem ok – but it won’t have the lasting durability needed for someone tossing their bag into an overhead bin and jostling it through an airport every week.

Nor will it have the features that serious business traveler’s need. Like a garment bag. Or maybe a built in USB charging port.

Some luggage brands that tend to make great quality luggage are: TravelPro and Briggs & Riley . Always check the reviews of the luggage before you buy it.

I highly recommend the TravelPro Crew 11 21″ Carryon Suitcase . It’s what I am presently using and it’s the single best piece of luggage I’ve ever owned. You can read my review of it, here . Or read why I think it’s the best suitcase under 150.00 .

4. Get a 4-wheel roller or spinner suitcase

For many years I had a traditional 2-wheeled carry on suitcase and I honestly did not know any better. I saw people in the airport with the 4-wheel spinners, but I figured it could not be that much better.

I was so wrong.

Having now switched to a 4-Wheel Spinner (the TravelPro Crew 11 21″ ), I will never go back .

No longer do I have the added strain from the weight of the suitcase on my forearm as I lean the bag forward and pull it behind me.

Aside from it occasionally wanting to wander off, I love it. I also will set my backpack on top it and roll them both ever so easily. Again, less strain on the body. The nice thing about a spinner is that you can always lean it if you have to as sometimes is necessary on an uphill carpeted jet bridge.

5. Get a good backpack! [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] Skip the roller briefcase from day’s past. Have you ever tried wheeling a laptop briefcase through the streets of New York? Or stacked your wheeled briefcase on top of your carry on only to have it wobble and topple over?

Investing in a quality business traveler backpack will improve your travel experience in a big way. Make sure to get one that has a good pocket for your laptop.

I personally use the Ogio Metro Backpack and I highly recommend it (although I’ve recently starting using a KnackPack which has proved very interesting). You can read my product review of the Ogio Metro Backpack here .

Many times I will skip the carry on luggage altogether and simply use my backpack – thus allowing me to travel that much more efficiently and lighter. It is amazing how light you can really travel if you work at it.

One less bag to stow in the overhead bin = a little less worry when you forgot to check in on time.

The only downside is having to lug your backpack around instead of resting it on a suitcase most of the time but that is a small price to pay.

Pack smart and light, and travel more smoothly!

Consider investing in Packing Cubes too …although they are not for me they do have a place in the world

6. Mark & Label your luggage . Make sure you label your luggage (even your carry on). Most of us have black luggage and they can start to look the same. If, god-forbid, you are checking your bag, you definitely need to label your bag.

Consider a brightly colored travel strap to more clearly identify your bag (especially important if you’ve checked a bag).

7. Roll your clothes to minimize wrinkling and fit more in the suitcase. Roll your clothes to minimize wrinkling and fit more in the suitcase.

Do it. Live it. Love it .

This is an old trick I learned from the Marine Corps. You can keep the creases out of clothes and typically fit more into your bag. I made this switch years ago and never looked back.

8. Pack your clothes in sets then layer it in your suitcase for daily access. Pack your clothes in a set (e.g. pants, socks, undershirt, etc) then layer it in your suitcase for easy daily access.

Some people like to fully unpack their suitcase and use that dresser they provide you. I only do that if I am staying greater than one week.

Instead, I pack my clothes by day (or at least the pants and shirts anyway – I can tuck my socks, underwear and undershirts around things to get more storage).

Then I can save a little time by leaving everything in the bag and pull it out as needed and in order.

9. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase to reduce static (and improve smell!). This is a fun little trick that works pretty well. Simply add a dryer sheet to your suitcase somewhere between a few layers.

This will reduce odors (especially important if you traveling with dirty clothes on your way back) and it will reduce annoying static which is never fun.

10. Use a garment bag for pants and shirts – and leave them on the hangar . As a business traveler you are likely wearing business or business casual attire. That means slacks, suit jackets, dress shirts, etc.

Leave your clothes on the hangar, place them in a garment bag and then carefully fold the garment bag into your suitcase.

The benefit of this business travel tip is that it allows you to easily hang ALL of your dress clothes up in the hotel closet and minimizes some of the wrinkles. Now you don’t have to hang up 3 pairs of slacks, shirts and ties.

11. Leave the dry cleaning bags on to reduce wrinkles . If wrinkles are the bane of your existence, there’s an extra step you can take to reduce wrinkles. Simply leave the dry cleaning bag on them before you place them in your suitcase.

12. Wear your suit jacket on the plane instead of packing it . Suit jackets can take up a lot of space in your carry on bag – perhaps even causing you to briefly think about checking your bag (don’t do it!).

Instead, wear your suit jacket on the plane with you (even if you are wearing jeans…it still looks good). Then hang the jacket up when you board plane (if you got the upgrade) and if you didn’t get the upgrade, carefully fold it and store it up in the overhead bin on top of your suitcase.

This will also reduce the chances of serious wrinkles which you might get from stuffing it into your suitcase.

You can always use Weather.com to check on current conditions .

15. When it’s cold don’t pack your winter coat in your bag – this conserves space In the winter you need to bring an extra heavy coat. Get a nice one for sure, but also, don’t pack it. Wear it.

Carry it or wear it from your home airport, then store it in the overhead bin or have the flight attendant hang it. It will keep you from having to use the larger suitcase!

16. Get your travel toiletries in bulk ! If you are going to be traveling on a regular basis you will be going through your toiletries pretty quickly. A tube of travel toothpaste can set you back $1.25 in some cases, where buying a FULL tube of normal toothpaste might only cost you $2.95 or something.

Buy it on Amazon.com, in bulk and save yourself some significant money! You might be interested in this article on buying travel toiletries in bulk .

Can you bring deodorant on a plane? How about Tweezers ? A Razor ? We got you covered in this series of “What Can I bring on the Plane?”

17. On the night before your return flight pack your suitcase . This will save you a few precious moments in the morning before your flight or as you get ready for your last meeting that morning before heading to the airport.

Always get organized the night before when NOT under any stress or pressure. This will help ensure smoother sailing on the day of your return flight home.

18. Have some spare case (small bills too) Most of our business travel life can be dealt w/ via electronic transaction, but having a few bucks is handy. Tipping the shuttle driver or as a backup in case you lose your card. I try to carry about $40.00 with at least five dollars in singles.

19. Bring your passport as a backup form of ID. Nothing sucks worse than losing your ID.

Typically your Drivers License is all you need, but bring your passport as a backup form of ID in the event you need it. If traveling internationally, always make copies of key ID and store them in different pieces of luggage.

20. Store a backup credit card in your carry-on bag. In case you lose your wallet, you will have some form of payment, plus if you followed the previous business travel tip, you will have an extra form of ID.

21. Consider a laptop/purse combo bag. [ Female-Specific Business Travel Tips! ] If you want to look stylish AND still be able to lug your laptop around, skip the backpack and get a fashionable laptop travel purse . The UtoteBag Women 15.6 Inch Laptop Purse/Tote , below, might be the functional and stylish accessory your wardrobe needs!

If you are looking for inspiration on what books to get while traveling look no further that my article The 47 Best Travel Books of all Time – Ultimate List of Books to Read while Traveling for inspiration!

You need some good travel gear and tech! Here’s a great list of business travel tips for finding and using the best travel gear and travel tech!

1. Get some good noise canceling headphones (and a backup set)! [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] The serious business traveler needs to own a quality part of noise canceling headphones! Preferably something wireless. It will help drown out the hum of the jet engines and make binge watching your favorite Netflix show more enjoyable!

If you have a champagne budget, you can’t go wrong with Bose or Beats headphones .

If you are looking for something more affordable, the FX-Viktaria’s are not bad. You can read my product review of the FX-Vitkaria’s here .

Pro-tip: bring a backup set of wired headphones in the event your break your primary set (or they run out of juice).

2. Bring a multi-plug adapter / surge protector. This is a little less important these days w/ everything being USB chargeable, and the extra power bars you bring, plus all of the plugs you now see at airports and hotels.

But it is not a bad idea to find something just in case you have to compete for a spot or you are staying in an old Hampton Inn hasn’t been modernized for the business traveler.

Note: if you are traveling international, make sure you find the right connectors for the power standards at your final destination .

3. Use mobile boarding passes. I seldom use paper boarding passes anymore. The tech is much improved from a few years ago and has yet to fail me recently (last 4 years). The TSA checker is pretty good, but the Southwest boarding pass scanner is a little finicky IMO. Could be better.

Still no need to go find a printer and have something else to carry. Go mobile baby.

4. Keep your stuff charged. Rule #2 of the business traveler handbook is A-B-C. Always Be Charging. At the airport terminal before your flight, the customer’s site during the presentation, the rental car, wherever…always be charging!

5. Get a portable power charger. Because there are few things more frustrating than your phone dying make sure to invest in a good backup power charger…something portable.

I personally always use something from Anker :

6. Make sure your phone has a case. You will be in-transit a lot. Tossing stuff into overhead bins, walking from gate to gate, in and out of cars, etc. You WILL drop your phone. Make sure it is protected. Maybe you can get away w/out a case at home, but no way no how here on the road .

7. Use Facetime or Google Hangouts or Skype to keep in touch with loved ones at home. Most of us have some loved ones at home. I have 4 kids and wife and only while only 2 of my kids are still at home, I miss them all terribly. I always text my wife where I am at w/ my trip (e.g. Made it to the AP or Hotel), and I try to use Google Hangouts w/ the wife and kids a few times each trip.

It is a great way to stay connected to home.

Document your experience on social media for fun.

8. Download your content ahead of time to skip the Internet fee on the plane. [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] Some airlines (like Delta) charge an ungodly amount of money for Internet access on a plane and while Southwest is a bit cheaper, it’s still $$. I prefer to download a few shows, movies or books on my Kindle app using my home or hotel Internet and skip the fees. Plan ahead!

For me, this business travel tip has been a game changer and helps make the trip go a LOT faster.

For more tips on what to do on a work trip (alone!) check out this link

9. Prebuild good playlists for your Spotify app. Whatever app you use for music, prebuild a few good travel lists. I have lists for sleeping, for calm/de-stressing, for workouts and for pump-up times. Sometimes I will actually bring a small portable travel speaker (like the Oontz Angle 3 ) with me to get better sound in the room.

10. Don’t bring a face mask. You look stupid. Face/Eye masks are lame. You and I both know you are NOT going to sleep on that plane and you look like a goofball. Skip the eye masks and save the room in your bag!

Or something more traditional:

12. Bring your own conditioner and hair products. [ Female-Specific Business Travel Tips! ] The hair products in hotel rooms are notoriously tiny and likely not what you need to get your hair on point each morning. Instead, bring your own (within TSA rules, of course) and if necessary get some travel size toiletries containers like these:

13. Get an AC-vent mounted magnetic phone mount for your rental car. Many states now have hands-free laws and since you probably don’t know where you are going you are likely using your phone’s GPS navigation system. However, since it is not YOUR car…just a rental…your phone is probably sliding under the seat on every turn.

Fix that! Get a removable, AC-Vent mounted magnetic cell phone stand. It will easily attach to your rental car’s AC and allow you to keep your eyes on the road!

You can read my product review on the Wizgear Phone Mount here .

14. Bring some wet wipes . Travel size, of course. Tray tables are disgusting. Use the wipes to clean it off before you drop your phone onto it.

In the category of bonus business travel tips and tricks : you never know when the sandpaper toilet paper in the airplane lav isn’t going to cut it. You can also use them to wipe the hotel remote control down.

15. Install and use your loyalty apps. Every airline, hotel and rental car company has an app now. Some are better than others, but most seem to have your boarding pass sorted out and provide update on flights, etc. You can use them to check in, select your, even to unlock your hotel room if you really want to avoid people.

16. Take pictures of your receipts (or better yet use an App to track them). Keeping track of receipts while traveling for work can be a nightmare. I That is why I recommend using an app to store them. Personally, I use the Concur expense reporting app because it ties into my corporate system, but there are many other apps that help you track your expenses.

At a minimum, take a picture with your phone camera of any receipts you get (unless you already get an electronic copy).

17. Stay on top of your expense reports! It is easy to get behind on expense reports if you are not careful. And once your behind it is you that is footing that credit card bill not your company.

Make expense reporting part of your routine .

I often will start them on my trip and finish them on the very first full business day I have back in the office.

18. Use apps like Tripit to integrate w/ your calendar. I like Tripit because it loads all of my flight and hotel information right onto my calendar. No need to go hunting for emails or printing itineraries out. The address of my hotel, the phone number, the next flight, etc. It is all there for me right from my calendar.

19. Get travel size Lint roller. It is likely you will have less lint to deal with on the road than you do at home, but a small travel sized lint roller is a nice addition to your travel kit.

20. Bring a travel size sewing kit . If you pop a button on your shirt or need to fix a stitch, having a travel sewing kit handy can be incredibly useful. I usually don’t bring the scissors and instead simply use a pair of toenail clippers to snip any pieces of thread.

21. Bring a small eyeglass screwdriver . You never know when something will fall apart especially if you have glasses. I always carry a small tool with me. Something that will not geet flagged by TSA as the next terrorist threat.

Something like the Wallet Ninja , perhaps.

22. Bring Backup eye-ware. I wear glasses and there’s few things more frustrating them losing or breaking your glasses while on a trip. I used to bring an actual backup pair of glasses in a hard case. However, now I have switched to a pair of disposable contacts which is a much smaller load to carry.

Business Travel Tips for Getting To/From and Through the Airport

Getting in and out of the airport has the potential to be a real hassle. But that is only if you don’t know what you are doing. Here are some business travel tips focused on getting you to the airport, through security and on your plane.

Then, flip it around for your return home.

1. Get your parking situation sorted out . Parking your personal car at the airport can be an expensive and time consuming process. If you park too close, you pay an arm and leg. Too far, and you add way too much shuttle time to you trip (on both ends).

Do your research for your home airport and make sure you find a good happy medium.

The first few times you use a lot, keep track of the time to/from the garage on the shuttle and then adjust your future trips to that schedule or select a different parking lot.

Better yet, if you can find an airport lot that is not too expensive but still close enough to walk you’ve hit the jackpot! For example, Ontario airport (in California) has an option exactly like this. Check out my article on the Ontario Airport Parking options if you are a local.

2. Take a picture of your parking spot and the phone # to your shuttle company – keep it handy . I actually enter the phone # for my parking lot shuttle right into my phone contacts, but taking a picture is fine too.

If you are the forgetful type or going on a very long trip (or, like me, spend so much time traveling they all blur together and it is hard to remember where you parked you car because you are there so often!), take a picture of your parking location.

3. Get really good at the security checkpoint process . [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] This is one of the most important business travel tips I share! If you have ever seen the moving Up in the Air with George Clooney (I love this movie) you will get a good sense of how some of us business travelers see the security checkpoint line and some ideas even on how to get through it quickly.

Here are some things I do :

• First, make sure you know the rules (e.g. 3:1:1 rule for liquids , or electronics rules, etc).
• Get TSA Precheck if you can
• I take my belt off, store my wallet, 2nd phone, etc in my backpack BEFORE I enter the line.
• My pockets are empty except for my ID and Phone w/ Boarding pass on it.
• After getting the green light from the TSA agent I drop my ID and phone into my backpack.
• As I approach the bins I will unzip my laptop bag early for easy removal.
• BONUS Business Travel Tip: Some airports make me take my belt off, some don’t. So I just take it off now.
• My shoes are not slip off, but they do slip off quickly w/ no untying. Easy on and off.
• I always grab two bins. It is all I need. One for my laptop, one for my shoes. If you need more than that…you might want to reevaluate your packing list.
• I stack the bins on top of each while on the table. Latptop bottom, shoes top
• I keep my backpack and luggage OFF the table until the last minute . I figure,save the space for everyone else, and easier it is easier than trying to push everything along while you wait for the belt to catch it.
• I also try to pick the lines that have more business travelers in it. This is common sense. If you’ve ever been stuck behind a family who hasn’t traveled in 9 years, or college students who have no clue what is going on, you learn to seek out the pros. This doesn’t always work, because sometimes you get just get screwed.
• BONUS Business Travel Tip : I am a bit of a germaphobe. So, I never stand on the yellow footprints outside the xray machine. I stand to the side of them. My little silent protest if you will, but also…yucky sweaty feet.
• On the other side of the line, depending on the pace of the scanner I will either start putting some of my stuff back together at the belt or pick everything up and get the heck out there making room for others.
• There is usually a bench or something nearby for you to put your life back together again.

For more details on getting through airport security check out how to get through security faster . As a reminder here are the TSA Rules for Traveling with food

4. Get TSA Precheck . [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] The security checkpoint process can be a daunting and time consuming proposition. However, the Homeland Security department has provided a golden opportunity for travelers that are willing to go through a background check and get fingerprinted.

Once you get approved with TSA Precheck you can use an entirely different security line, one that is often shorter.

You will not have to remove your shoes or laptop during the screening process.

For a mere $85.00 (for five years!) and the minor inconvenience of a background check and fingerprinting you can optimize your travel experience in a BIG way. IMO, our government is leaving money on the table as I would pay 3 times that for the convenience.

Follow this link to learn how to sign up for TSA Precheck .

5. Get Global Entry when doing international travel . The US Customs and Border patrol has a similar program to TSA Precheck known as Global Entry. This program allows approved travelers to more easily re-enter the United States after international travel.

By getting pre-cleared you can save significant amounts of time getting back into the United States after an international trip. And by significant, I mean meaningful amounts of time! LOL. It’s a huge and when you sign up for Global Entry you get TSA Precheck too. Bam.

Here’s how to get Global Entry. (and if you are military, you may qualify for various free military benefits including TSA PreCheck .)

6. Learn the airports . Each airport has it’s own idiosyncrasies. Some airports have smoother security checkpoints. Others not so much.

Some airports have the ticket counter and security lines on the same floor. Others require you to take escalators up/down.

When connecting through an airport, try to figure out how much you really have to get from one gate to another. Larger airports may require you to take a train or walk for a long distance to get to your gate.

Over time you will start to get familiar with airports you frequent and this will give you an edge up over the huddled masses struggling to get from place to another.

7. Learn the boarding system for your airline and then try to board as early as you can . Each airline has their own unique airplane boarding process and it’s important you learn your airlines process and policies (and how you can use your status to travel hack your way to better seating and placement options for your carry ons).

For example, Southwest Airlines boards their planes using a letter-based grouping system . Passengers check in no earlier than 24 hours before their flight and receive a number and letter combination (like A23 or B14). Passengers line up in groups of five, loosely in order and board when your group is called. It’s open seating on Southwest so you get pick your seat.

This means the higher your letter and number the better seat you are likely to get. An “A” boarding pass is far more valuable than a B or C boarding pass. Get a C Boarding pass? You are almost guaranteed to get a middle seat. But status, or things like early bird check-in can help mitigate that.

Delta has their own unique process too as do United , American, etc. Make sure you learn how it works, and how varying levels of status might improve your boarding position.

8. When riding shuttles (like between terminals or to the baggage claim) go to the front of the shuttle car to board. By boarding towards the front you can debark the shuttle ahead of everyone else and move that must faster not having to wade between hordes of slow travelers.

9. When riding a shuttle bus (like to the rental car facility) try to sit near an exit and your luggage. This will allow you to get off a little quicker and not have to wait for other travelers struggling with their luggage.

Infographic – Pin Me!

On the Plane – Some Flying Tips for Business Travelers

Once you get on the plane, it’s time to relax. Or at least it should be. Here are some travel tips and tricks for business travelers once you get on the plane.

1. Say howdy to flight attendants as you board. Be kind. Make a point to greet the flight attendant – even if it’s early. You can make a funny comment if “super chipper you” is not present. In addition to simply being a nice human being, acknowledging the FAs could score you an extra drink or something along those lines.

This is one of those secret business travel tips that has a big payoff. When you think about it, it’s kinda obvious, but I am surprised how many people are just rude. And then shocked when THEY get treated like crap on the plane.

2. Find your seat, stow your bags, and get out of the aisle as fast as possible. The rest of us business travelers thank you for getting out the way so the rest of us can board! Make an effort to stow your gear and get out of the aisle as quickly as possible.

Common mistakes travelers make include not being ready. They are a hot mess getting on the plane with gear in different bags, overstuffed bags, and more.

Or they are just oblivious to the fact they are holding things up.

Don’t be that person. Get prepared, have a system and employ it.

3. Don’t use the bathroom during the boarding process. Go before you get on the plane! Trying to fight your way through the herd of boarding passengers is senseless. Go before you get on the plane, or wait until the seat belt sign is turned off.

4. Stow your bags as close to you as possible – preferably above you. Never stow them behind you. By stowing your bags behind your seat you are absolutely 100% guaranteeing a frustrating deplaning experience. You will have to swim upstream to get y our bags adding additional wasted time.

The one exception to this is obviously those cases when you have boarded so late you are pretty much screwed on overhead bin space.

5. It’s ok to stow both of your bags up above if you are tall/big. If you are small…not so much. This business travel tip typically causes a fair amount of discussion. There are good arguments on both sides of the table here, but for my money, if you are tall, it’s perfectly fine to stick both of your bags in the overhead bin.

If you are short, stick your smaller bag (e.g. laptop bag, purse, etc) under the seat in front of you)

6. Don’t stick your bag under YOUR seat – it’s for the passenger BEHIND you. It is surprising how often this rule gets violated – especially for folks sitting in the front row (aka bulkhead row). The area beneath your seat is not for you. It’s for the passenger behind you and their feet or their bag.

Don’t be the goofball that stows your stuff under your seat.

7. Learn the boarding process for your airline For your airline, make sure you research the nuances of it’s boarding process and then adapt your routine to follow. This is one of those business travel tips that will definitely make your travel more enjoyable.

8. If you are boarding early (before many other passengers) life will be easier. Whenever possible board as early as you can. The early you board the more likely you will be able to get adequate overhead bin space for that bag you didn’t check!

Boarding late? It’s going to be tough to find a spot near your seat to stash your bag.

9. If you are boarding later (after MANY other passengers have boarded) it’s time to get creative. Occasionally, as a business traveler you might find yourself boarding late in the process. This doesn’t happen all that often (given our status we usually board early), but from time to time it does happen. Maybe you switched to an earlier flight or booked something last minute, or were delayed an moved to a later flight.

Whatever the reason, it does happen. And when it does it may be time to get a little creative with finding spots for stowing your bags.

When boarding late, take the first open bin you find – even if it’s not directly over or near your seat. There may not be free bin space near your seat! Of course, make sure it’s at least in front of your seat – never stow your bags behind your seat.

10. If you are flying Southwest, use these travel tips to get the best seat Southwest has it’s own unique boarding and seating process. I’ve written an entire article on picking the best seats for Southwest . Check it out for some great tips!

11. Grab your headphones, snack and book/iPad – but keep most of your stuff in your backpack. No need to fully unpack everything from your backpack. Just grab the essentials and quickly sit down. Usually it’s just your headphones (hopefully already out and on your person) and maybe a snack.

Leave the rest in your bag. If you do need them standing up to get them will give your back a break!

12. Embrace the wonders of the takeoff nap. The takeoff nap is a wonderful business travel tip. Those first few minutes when your tired body hits the seat upon boarding until the flight hits 10,000 feet are glorious. I regularly use the takeoff nap to recharge my engines!

13. Skip the sleep mask. Never wear a sleep mask for your eyes on a plane. You look dumb.

And who are you kidding anyway? You and I both know you are not going to get any real sleep on that plane.

14. Use your travel pillow (but no need to bring it on every flight). Travel pillows are the rage these days and they’ve made a lot of improvements in the technology. For longer flights, bring a good travel pillow, like the Trtl , below or the Trtl Plus . No need, though, to bring it on every flight because it might just take up extra space.

On international flights, definitely bring it.

15. Remember, there are no more blankets on most flights. Most airlines don’t offer blankets anymore as part of their cost savings exercise. Honestly, you really don’t need one.

You can usually find one on international flights, and first or business class. If you do find yourself a bit cold, use your jacket and save the space in your luggage. Or invest in a travel blanket designed for easy storage.

16. Get water from the flight attendant instead of soda or alcohol. Flying is a great time to hydrate without filling your bladder up to the brim with a gallon of water. Top yourself off with a glass of water from the flight attendant and skip the booze.

Staying hydrated helps your body fight jetlag. Alcohol does the opposite.

You might be interested in: How to get over jet lag while you travel

17. Keep your stuff charged. Always. Be. Charging.

Establish a charging routine. Charge your stuff the night before your trip and even in the car on the way to the airport. In fact, charge whenever you can – including on the flight if need be using your portable USB power charger (like the Anker PowerCore 10000 – check price ). Check out my review of the Anker PCore1k .

Nothing more frustrating than your phone dying in the middle of Better Call Saul as you are flying over Oklahoma.

18. Use the bathroom that’s farthest away from you seat – and use the walking time to stretch your body out. This is really more of a business travel hack than a business travel tip. Using the lavatory that is farthest away from your seat gives your body a little time in a different position. Loosen those muscles up on the walk!

19. Don’t recline your seat (unless you are in the middle seat) . I hate it when people recline their seat backs. I have long legs and it means my knees are getting squished. As a general rule I don’t recline my seats as a courtesy to the travelers behind me.

Some exceptions, of course, are if you are in the middle seat, where all bets are off, or if you are in first or business class where there’s usually plenty of room.

20. Get up and stretch periodically. On longer flights this is important. Get up, walk to the back or front of the plane and back to your seat a few times. Stretch your body out along the way. I often will do this in the galley at the back of the flight (if it’s not too crowded).

21. Use the lavatory in your class of ticket. In other words, the first class lav is for first class ticket holders, not you. Stay within your class of purchase and avoid getting embarrassed when the flight attendant send you back to your cattle car, head hanging in shame.

You might be interested in checking out our travel memes for some great laughs!

Click here to laugh your arse off!

Or if you are interested in purchasing one of those comfortable hotel mattresses you slept on check out our article 11 Best Hotel Beds

Ok…let’s get back to the business travel tips and tricks!

NEW: COVID-19 Business Travel Tips & Advice

In the face of the arguably the world’s worst pandemic, the face of travel has changed since early 2020. Now, travel of all sorts – be it business or leisure – looks different in many ways. We felt it necessary to add a section that specifically highlights some of the current COVID-19 Travel Tips & Advice business travelers might need when traveling in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

While business travel has slowed to a crawl, it is still occurring and it continues to slowly increase. It may be years before business travel fully returns to the pre-COVID levels, but the business traveler will continue to exist. There’s just a few things to keep in mind:

• Face Masks Required. Pretty much everywhere you travel these days a face mask is either required or makes sense. Most airports, airlines and hotels now require face masks or face coverings when traveling. Some, like United or Delta , might ban you from using their services if you fail to comply. Bottom line: you need to buy and wear a face mask when traveling .
• Hand Sanitizer, Wipes and a healthy dose of germaphobia doesn’t hurt . Nowadays, bringing hand sanitizer with you on a business trip is a must. Clorox wipes and a general sense of awareness of where germs can live, touching your face, washing your hands more rigorously, etc, are now worth seriously considering on every single business trip.
• Cancellation policies are pretty lax right now . These days, travel providers need the business and as such, they are pretty loose with cancellation policies. If you’ve not traveled for work in a while, brush up on your hotel, airline or rental car policies – you may be able to leverage them to you or your company’s advantage.

Check back for more coronavirus business travel tips as we continue to update this section with the latest ideas, advice and suggestions on traveling for work during a pandemic.

The business traveler is faced with the very real challenge of staying healthy while you travel. It can be a difficult proposition – especially with your body being exposed to many different germs, exhaustion and unhealthy food. But you can take some important steps to try to stay healthy while you travel.

Here are some recommended steps, and for more read my article The 7 Habits of the Healthy Business Traveler: How to Stay Healthy While Traveling for Business .

1. Bring your workout gear (and actually workout…). Throw your workout shoes and some workout shorts (or yoga pants if you are a gal) in your bag. Working out while you travel is CRITICAL to staying healthy on the road.

And if you bring your gear…actually use it! Make a point of it.

In fact, here is the most essential workout gear you need to get the most out of your trip

2. Workout BEFORE dinner. The Healthy Business Traveler works out before dinner. This travel tip is something I have employed religiously and it has done more than anything to keep my health in check when I travel for business. By setting a firm rule that when the day is done you are going to get a workout in before you go out to eat with the customer or your colleagues is a game changer.

Here’s why. The chances of you working out when you get back from dinner is next to nil. After a few glasses of wine and a steak, it isn’t going to happen. Get it in before dinner! Plus you will find you will have less of an appetite and be more inclined to make smarter menu choices.

3. Pack a healthy snack (and skip the airport snacks). You gotta eat. Sometimes you get snacky. Rather than eating something unhealthy like a Twix bar or spending $7.00 for something at the airport, pack a healthy snack with you.

Here are some ideas on healthy snacks to bring with you while you travel: 9 Healthy Travel Snacks

4. Hydrate your body (but not so much you have to go to the bathroom 9 times on the plane). Aside from gorging on delicious meals, this is the hardest tip for me to follow because I don’t like water. Frankly, it’s boring. And in my family, the men are always going to the bathroom and I hate running to the lavatory multiple times on the plane or in a customer meeting.

So, I tend to not follow this advice as much as I should. I try to make up for it by hitting water hard the night before a flight, and getting after it pretty heavy at my hotel at night.

According to According to OneMedical.com , staying hydrated has multiple benefits including: removing toxins from your body, improving cardiovascular health, keeping your body cool, making your skin supple (translation: less wrinkles) and more

Greatist notes that regular water consumption may promote weight loss, improves mood, fights fatigue and much more. In fact, I have not found anyone who thinks drinking water is a bad idea.

Besides, if you’ve had a kidney stone in the middle of the night stuck in a Nashville Hilton like I have, well, it’s agonizing. You don’t want it. Trust me on that. Had I drank more water I likely could have prevented that unpleasant experience.

You might consider getting a travel water bottle that you can easily fill up on the other side of the airport security lane:

Check out my review of the Nomader Collapsible Water Bottle

5. “Go” whenever you can, but especially before flights and on layovers. In the military we often follow a few key rules: Eat when can, sleep when you can, and go when you can. You never know when you might have the chance again.

You can employ these precepts on your business trips – and this is especially true with regard to bathroom use. Always go when you can and definitely before you get on a flight.

For example, you might encounter turbulence which means the seat belt sign stays on longer than your poor bladder can endure. It can make a flight excruciating.

6. Build a medical kit (or at least some band-aids, pain relievers, and Cold Medicine, cough drops). Build a medical kit (or at least some ban-daids, pain relievers, and Cold Medicine, cough drops).You never know what will hit you while traveling. You are tired, in a different time zone, around other people in a confined metal tube, etc. My go to kit is (preferably in travel quantities):

• Pain Relievers: Aleve, and Tylenol PM (to help get to sleep if needed – only if needed)
• Kleenex/Tissue
• Cough Drops
• Claritin D Allergy Pills
• Vitamins (which, btw, you CAN take with you)
• Something for the tummy, not much is worse than a stomach issue on a plane
• Any meds I may be on at the time

7. Bring some hand sanitizer! While traveling for work you will encounter numerous surfaces that have yucky germs all over them – just waiting to infect you. Tray tables, lavatory bathroom handles, hotel remote controls, seat belts and more.

Avoid the plague by bringing a travel size bottle of hand sanitizer (check price) with you and using it liberally!

8. Stretch regularly. Maybe even do some yoga! While traveling your body gets into some kinked up positions. Make sure to take time to stretch it. Maybe it’s on the plane, or maybe just in your hotel room in the morning.

I prefer to do some yoga stretches in the mornings in the comfort of my  hotel room.

Your body will thank you!

9. Skip the escalator and especially the people movers. Burn a few extra calories by taking the stairs or walking next to the people movers if you have the time. I make it fun by trying to race-walk someone who is on the people mover. Of course, the people mover can be a lifesaver when you are hustling to catch a flight.

10. Train your body to not care what time zone it is in Seasoned business travelers will be less effected by jet lag. This is because we are simply used to being in multiple time zones and having to be “up” for customers or colleagues. It doesn’t always work (sometimes you are just dog tired), but with practice and training you can start to tune your body to be less dependent on the actual time zone it is in or coming from.

If you are struggling with Jet lag, read my article on how to get over jet lag when you travel .

Hotel Tips for Business Travelers

I’ve written extensively on hotel tips and I would encourage you to check out the following articles for more information:

• 9 Hotel Safety Tips You Need to Know
• 10 Great Hilton Honors Hotels Hacks You Need to Know
• 31 Amazing Hotel Hacks Travel Pros Use all the Time
• Best Hotel Sheets
• Best Hotel Beds

But here are a few hotel tips for business travelers that will get you pointed in the right direction:

1. Get to know the staff (if you are staying there for a long time or multiple visits). Get to know the staff (if you are staying there for a long time or multiple visits).I stayed in a single hotel in Sacramento 3 days a week for 4 months. 2x a month in NYC for almost 2 years and lately 1x a month for a year now in Nashville.

The staff got to know me and started to do things like leave extras in my room (beyond my status stuff) or welcome me warmly when I arrive.

2. Use the Hotel’s HDMI cable. Most modern hotels have HD cables/tvs. Instead of watching your favorite Netflix show on the small window of your cell phone or tablet, connect your laptop to the TV via the HDMI cable and enjoy the latest episode of Peaky Blinders in full color!

If need be bring your own HDMI cable !

3. Take advantage of late check in / out. With status you likely get the ability to do a late check in (e.g. at 1am after you finally arrive from 3 hours of flight delays at Midway airport). If you don’t have status you will need to call the hotel and inform them that you will be checking in late.

4. Know what you are entitled too w/ your status. You’ve earned the status. So use it!

Make sure you understand what you are (and are not) entitled too. For example, as a Hilton Diamond Member I get free waters, snacks and access to Executive Lounge (among other things).

If the clerk forgets something, gently remind them (no need to lord it over them, of course).

Get what’s yours!

5. Ask for the upgrade! Doesn’t always work but every once in a while you can get an upgraded room, car or even a boarding positions. This happens more when you have status with the company but it also helps if you are nice and at least ask. Give it a try.

6. Be nice to the staff! Sometimes you might get a free upgrade too. Or at the very least, when your hotel room shower doesn’t work the desk clerk might actually work with you get you a new room instead of telling you to suck it up. Be nice, show interest. Smile.

7. Use the hotel’s lotion if you forget aftershave or shave cream if you forgot yours. [ Male-Specific Business Travel Tips! ] Even the savviest business travelers forget or lose stuff. One business travel tip I’ve learned is that, in a pinch, I can use the hotel room’s lotion or even shampoo as crude shaving cream and of course the lotion works as an ok aftershave!

The downside is you will smell like lilac butterflies (or whatever crappy flavor their lotion is) all day. LOL

* Update : A female reader informed me that this travel trick applies to women too…so there you go!

8. The hotel usually has replacement toiletries. Almost all hotels will give you a replacement toothbrush or toothpaste if you forget yours. You won’t get deodorant or anything more serious like that, but it’s a nice to remember they got your back!

Safety & Security Tips for Business Travel

Occasionally travel can be a little unsafe. Here are some business travels tips to stay safe and secure on the road!

1. Keep your computer’s firewall on when using the public Internet. No real explanation needed for this one. Networks are not safe. You should know that by now. If want more depth on this business travel tip, you can jump over to my post 7 Cyber Security Travel Tips, Don’t get hacked on your business trip !

2. Keep your antivirus software up to date and be careful what sites you visit . I probably don’t need to explain this one. Just do it.

3. Flip the door latch in your hotel room. I can’t tell you how many times this has paid off. From another traveler who was given a key to my room by the front desk, to the cleaning crew, you never know when someone will burst into your room. Also,it is a good idea from a safety perspective.

4. Glance at the alternate exit plan for the hotel. Glance at the alternate exit plan for the hotel.Just about every hotel has a sign on the inside of the door that shows the emergency exit route. Believe it or not, I have actually been rousted out of my room at 3am because the hotel was on fire.

You will be one step ahead and if you really need it (e.g. 9/11 scenario) it could save your life. Also, grab your backpack on the way out (but skip the suitcase).

5. Put the do not disturb sign on the door when you leave the hotel room. I use this trick when I don’t want the staff in my room when I head down for breakfast or out for a beer.

Obviously if you want them to clean the room, take the sign down. If I go out for a beer I am usually leaving my laptop in the room. No need to make it easier on the staff. The illusion that someone is room might be enough to deter them.

6. Turn the TV on when you are not in the room. This business travel safety tip can be used in conjunction with the preceding tip. By leaving the TV on (and the do not disturb sign on the door) potential intruders are likely going to find an easier room to rob.

Unless they are Chinese hit men and you are their target.

7. Don’t leave valuables in your suitcase (and if you do, make it hard to get at). Generally, I don’t travel w/ too much stuff of value, but occasionally I have to leave my laptop in the hotel or something like that.

When I do, I employ a little trick I think works (although I have no idea). In addition to burying it beneath a stack of clothes and zipping it up and sticking the suitcase in the closet, I throw a pair of underwear on top of it.

Gross right. I figure they aren’t touching it. #LevelUp

8. Take your tooth brush with you during the day – don’t leave it in the hotel room. I’ve heard horror stories about maids jacking with people’s toothbrushes. I don’t know if this is actually true, but I’m not taking any chances.

I always bring my toothbrush (and toothpaste) with me each day.

Bonus: I can brush my teeth after lunch!

9. Carry a personal safety alarm . [ Female-Specific Business Travel Tips! ] This is another business travel tip shared with me by a fellow female traveler. She noted that sometimes you need to feel safe or be safe. Having the ability to trigger a siren on a key chain is comforting.

Better yet, learn Krav Maga .

* Update : I was informed by a female reader that this applies to men as well. Although, I’ve had several other female readers suggest that’s not the case. I give us. If you feel unsafe, maybe this travel tip or trick will help you…

For more travel safety tips check out 9 Travel Safety Tips to help you stay safe on your next trip

Tips for Eating on the Road

You gotta eat! Here are some business travel tips for eating while on the road.

1. Skip the chain restaurants and eat local. The thought of another Applebee’s meal makes me nauseous. Besides, there are so many good local restaurants. Find something local and non-chainy.

Not only will you support small businesses, but you might have a better dining experience. Often the hotel clerk can point you to something good. Or ask the customer!

2. Don’t forget to eat healthy . Nuff said.

Ok, I will say one more thing. One the hardest things to do on the road is to consistently eat healthy. This didn’t make the top 10 list of “must know” business travel tips, but perhaps it ought to: make an effort to eat healthy! If you need some suggestions on healthy travel snacks check out my article 9 Healthy Travel Snacks to eat smarter on the road .

3. Use Yelp to pick a good restaurant . Yelp is a great tool to try to find reputable restaurants while you are traveling. Use it liberally!

4. Better yet, go shopping for food (especially if you are on an extended stay). For longer stays I may shop for food at the local grocery store in my destination town. It saves money, and you can eat a little healthier – usually.

It also helps if you have a hotel that has a kitchen!

5. Eat at a nice (expensive) restaurant for lunch . Without blowing your daily per diem you may be able to sample some of the nicer restaurants in an area by visiting them for lunch (instead of dinner) where you can find a cheaper version of some of their favorites.

Get your Instagrammable experience for less $$.

Enjoying (and surviving) your Business Trip

To get the most out of your trip employ some of the following business travel tips designed to increase enjoyment…and survival.

1. Learn the history of the area you are visiting . Learn the history of the area you are visiting (e.g. Wiki Minot, ND).I was briefly a history major in college and I grew up literally reading encyclopedias. Regardless, I always try and learn a little bit about where I am staying at (check out my guide to Salem Oregon which also includes a brief history lesson on the town).

I once visited Minot, ND. Pretty cool little town w/ some interesting history. It might give you something to talk about w/ the customer or impress your colleagues with your vast knowledge. And you might be able to squeeze in a quick visit to some cool American attraction that you’d never otherwise see.

At the very least it’s something to do in the Hotel room besides watching John Oliver on HBO. This is one of my favorite business travel tips! I hope it is for you to.

2. See if you can squeeze in a quick visit to the major tourist attraction . Of all of the business travel tips, this is probably my absolute favorite! Seeing the sights while you travel for work is often hard to do because on business travel you are rushing from one place to the next.

Still, there are times when you can squeeze something in. For example, I visited a cavern when I was working in Sierra Vista, AZ w/ a colleague for a month.

I’ve toured a lighthouse during a long drive up the Oregon coast. Visited NYC attractions during long stints in the City (like a Yannkees game). Went to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial and the 9/11 Memorial. The Foodies among us are always on the search for the great food places.

You are THERE so you might as well try to see some of this great country.

3. Take the long way back to the airport / Maybe even get lost on purpose! I love this business travel tip. If time permits I will try to take a different or longer way back to the airport so I can see more of the area I am visiting.

In many cases (again, if time permits) I will intentionally turn my GPS off and allow for the possibility I get lost! You can read my entire article on this unique business travel tip here: My favorite Travel Hack Don’t Use your GPS and Get Lost!

4. Figure out where you are going the next day and map out your route and arrival times . Figure out where you are going the next day and map out your route and arrival times.I always put my destination address in Google Maps the night before to see how long I need to travel.

Then I add a little buffer time, perhaps adjust for traffic if needed and then start setting up my alarms.

No one likes late people.

5. Have a good routine and stick to it . It’s probably the Marine in me, but this is one of those business travel tips that just came naturally to me.

Personally, I always unpack immediately after I get to the Hotel Room. I hang my clothes. Iron the next day’s clothes (usually just a shirt, as my pants are always wrinkle free) and lay out the rest of my stuff (socks, etc).

I also set my toiletries out and on especially early mornings I go so far as to lay the towel out on the floor next to the tub, physically move the shampoo into the shower, hang my towel next to the shower, and get the coffee pretty close to ready.

I will even lay out my Allergy pill and partially open it (sigh..anal much??). Usually, I in a different time zone, and know I will be running on fumes in the morning.

Those extra few seconds seem to add up and give me a little buffer if I am running slow.

6. Set 2 alarms for the morning . Set 2 alarms for the morning.I always set two alarms for the next morning. Usually 15 minutes apart. This is especially important if you are dealing w/ a big time zone swing (e.g. West Coast to East Coast).

7. Never use the hotel alarm clock . It’s likely not the right time, and often is not worth learning how to use.

8. Allocate time to warm your car up and scrape the ice off your windows in colder destinations . When in colder climates expect some ice / frost on the windows and that you will need to warm you car up for a few minutes. Allow time in your morning schedule for this and don’t be late because you’ve never scraped ice off a window before!

9. Consider joining your airline airport club system . These can be a little pricey, but with airline status you can often get discounted rates (or even gratis). The lounges are nice places to briefly relax before a flight, or snag a quick meal.

But where they come in really handy is when your day turns the crap and you are stuck with a serious delay. They can be a little haven for you while you weather out whatever the business travel gods through at you.

10. Document your experience on social media for fun (or start a blog!) . You are traveling, and it can be fun or at least seem to be fun to other people. Might as well upload a pic to Instagram or Facebook and tell everyone where you are.

You will see some funny stuff while you travel for business so take a pic! I am on social media w/ a bunch of other business travelers and we always post our itinerary using the airport codes and see if we can figure out where they are. (SNA to ATL to MSY anyone!?!)

11. Stay even-keeled and realistic . [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] Travel can suck sometimes. You will have delays, you will be tired, you will get stuck in a middle seat sometimes.

The hotel bed will suck, the lady in the hotel room next to you is enjoying the pleasures of matrimony all night, etc, etc. Sometimes there is nothing you can do. There are things beyond your control.

So just roll w/ it.

I’ve been stuck in a middle seat for 6 hours on the way back from JFK. It sucks, for sure.

But it doesn’t last forever .

I’ve also done that same flight in first class. You win some you lose some. No need to lose your ever-loving mind because you had to store your backpack under your seat for the flight back from SLC to SAN. Remember, nothing lasts forever.

Rental Car Tips

If you travel for work, you will likely spend a decent time in rental cars. While each rental car company has their own unique elements (don’t even get me started on Avis..ugh…they are terrible), for the most part they operate the same.

Reserve a car. Pick up car. Use Car. Gas up car. Return car.

Rinse and repeat.

Here are a few business travel tips to make your car rental experience a little better.

1. Skip the rental car if you can (and use Uber or Lyft). The first rental car tip is to avoid them when you can! Many times the cost of a taxi or Uber will be cheaper than renting a car for multiple days. Make sure you do the math on this though (and if applicable, factor in parking!).

Additionally, in bigger cities, renting a car is likely going to result in hassles the whole way. Hassles like finding parking (and cheap parking at that).

Whenever attending a big city it’s likely a Taxi or Lyft is going to be your best option.

Sign up for Lyft Ridesharing and get $5.00 off your first ride

2. Skip the rental car insurance. [ Saving money business travel tips! ] Rental car insurance is a scam. No other way to say it.

If you are on a work trip there’s about a 99% chance your company’s insurance policies will cover any damage to the vehicle. Many companies prohibit their employees from getting the insurance (and they should!)

Even if you are renting it for personal use, you likely don’t need it. Your current car insurance company (for your personal vehicle) will likely cover you and many credit card companies oddly have some coverage here.

Check your insurance company, credit card company and company travel policy for all the details.

3. Sign up for the rental car rewards program. Oddly, many business travelers don’t sign up for the rental car rewards program. While they may get approved to rent a car, they don’t go the extra step of getting fully on-boarded into the system.

Check out all of our rental car hacks

Renting a car can be a smooth process or a real hassle. By signing up for the rental car rewards program you can check in/out quicker, earn free rentals, and occasionally receive special offers.

4. Return the rental car the night before your flight home. This business travel tip falls under the category of saving time and reducing hassle. If you have an early flight the next morning (you know, one of those 6am flights), return your rental car the night before and take the hotel shuttle in the morning (or an Uber).

Of course, this only works if you are actually staying near the hotel. But, it can save you the hassle of dealing with getting a car back in, riding in a rental car shuttle, etc.

5. Always gas up your rental before you return it. Rental car companies are more than happy to fill up your gas tank for you when you return it – “saving you time.” But not saving you money!

The gimmick here is that they are going to charge you for a full tank of gas – regardless of how full your car’s gas tank actually is. Only used 1 quarter of your tank? Pay for a full tank.

Skip the idiot charge and fill it up yourself before you return it.

6. Download the Rental Car Company’s Mobile App. Most rental car companies now have a mobile app. It can be used, in many cases to find the vehicle you are renting (thus skipping the rental car counter and saving you time.

It can also be used to reschedule or change a reservation. Occasionally, I will use it mid-trip to book a car when originally I thought I didn’t need one.

Lastly, it will likely provide easy access to support and roadside assistance numbers which could helpful if you get stuck somewhere with a flat tire or dead battery.

7. Make sure you know if the rental car facility is on-airport or off-airport . This is important as it can mean the difference between needing to RUN to catch your flight or taking a casual stroll.

Many airports utilize off-airport rental car facilities. Anywhere from a 5 – 20 minute ride in a shuttle to get your car (and it’s the same for the return). Keep this in mind as you plan your rental car return times.

8. Use your credit card to scrape ice off the window of your rental car if you don’t have an ice scraper Rental car companies that serve cold weather destinations will almost always include an ice scraper in the rental car during winter months.

But occasionally they don’t or it’s simply not there.

One option is to use one from the hotel front desk (many have one for this exact purpose). You could borrow one from a colleague or a random stranger.

But, a trick that works ok is to simply use your credit card (or Costco card…).

Usually you will have to turn your car on and start defrosting it to get it a little loose, but it works like a charm – aside from it taking longer and being a bit messy.

1. Get the best credit card you can to maximize your points . It is likely you are getting reimbursed by your company and travel is expensive. That means some serious dollars are going through someone’s credit card.

If you can, use your personal credit card and start racking up the points.

It might be easier to use a completely separate card for this, so you can track your expenses. Use the points to get cash back, free vacations, and more.

I prefer the Southwest Chase Card and the Delta Amex, but there are lots of great credit cards out there that offer various rewards.

I also use my cards for personal expenses (like the water bill) to maximize points. We took a week-long trip to Hawaii (5-person family at the time) and the only thing I had to pay for was 2 rental car days, food, and entertainment.

And we got upgraded to a SWEET suite!

2. Actually sign up for the loyalty programs! As was mentioned much earlier in this article, try to stick with a single airline, hotel and rental car brand so you can earn status and points quicker. But don’t forget to actually sign up for the loyalty rewards program!

For example, Hilton (my chosen hotel) has their Hilton Honors program. It’s easy to sign up for and there are MANY benefits to those who earn status. You can read all about them in my article on the Hilton Honors Rewards Program a fresh look .

And for some bonus Hilton Hacks, check out my article 10 Great Hilton Honors Hotels Hacks You Need to Know .

3. Even if you are not flying on you preferred airline provider – sign up for hte loyalty program. I am a Southwest Airlines guy through and through. Occasionally Delta . But if I have to fly say United ever, I still maintain a United loyalty account.

If I have to travel United I will be sure to earn some points which I may be able to transfer somewhere else. Make sure to sign up for any of the loyalty programs for the providers you use regardless of frequency of use. You might be missing out on some points!

By the way, you might be interested in The Mileage Run a Frequent Flyer Travel Hack You Need to Know!

Apparel tips and tricks for business travelers

You want to find that balance between looking professional and being comfortable. Here are a few business travel tips under the category of apparel for business travelers.

1. Get comfortable shoes (and maybe orthotics) . The business traveler will be on his/her feet a significant amount of time. Your feet will be barking as you lug your bags through the airport after standing in a trade show booth all day.

Take the time to find comfortable shoes that work for YOUR feet.

I have larger, wider feet so finding good shoes is a challenge. But once I find a pair…I usually get a few pairs to have in case they are discontinued.

I also starting using Orthotics a few years ago and that has been an absolute game changer for me. The brand I currently use is made by Archmolds (check price) and they are superb!

2. Buy wrinkle free clothes. I hate ironing. Seriously. I really hate it. I did a ton of it in the USMC and came to despise it. But with the life a business traveler it is hard not to do it sometimes.

That said, I try to buy wrinkle free clothing whenever possible. I have personally found that wrinkle free dress shirts are hard to find (polos are no biggie) so I still have to iron them in many cases.

3. Use the “shower trick” to dewrinkle your clothes (and avoid the iron). [ Must Know Business Travel Tips! ] If you do have some minor wrinkles, shut the bathroom door, hang the pants or jacket on the back of the door and start the shower and steam up the room.

This trick works WONDERS. 10 minutes of a steaming shower and the wrinkles will fall right off your favorite slacks.

4. Dress Comfortable. Some folks suggest you should dress nice. Maybe it’s for the mental confidence boost it gives you. Power suit!

But I disagree. Instead, dress comfortably .

On my outbound flights I am often not meeting w/ anyone until the next day. I usually wear jeans and polo shirt.

On the return flight I am usually leaving a customer site or office and am in business gear. I will often change into jeans after I get through security. Sorry, comfort outweighs image.

But don’t be a homeless looking bum, either!

Of all the business travel tips this is one that tends to cause a lot of discussion. What do you say?

5. Get a reversible belt [ Male-Specific Business Travel Tips! ] In the spirit of packing light, invest in a reversible belt (see price) (black on one side, brown on the other). It’s one less belt to carry with you!

6. Get a Navy Blue Blazer [ Male-Specific Business Travel Tips! ] Every man should own a Navy Blue Sport Coat/Blazer. This allows you to quickly toggle from casual to business casual in no time. This is a great travel accessory / clothing item to add to your travel kit.

The Rest: a catch-all of tips when you travel for business

1. Skip the airport souvenir shop. Shop local instead. Airport souvenir shops are notoriously expensive! Ever paid $3.50 for a candy bar? That’s an airport gift shop price!

Occasionally, I like to bring something home for my kids (not every trip or they’d be spoiled). To save money I will try to visit a local Wal-Mart or other similar store and buy something local there (like a I Heart NYC shirt or something).

2. Be nice to the staff! (airline, shuttle drivers, hotel desk clerks, etc). As a general rule being nice will get you a lot farther while traveling. Could be an upgrade to a bigger room. Maybe a nicer car.

I can’t tell you how many times simply being nice has paid off.

Additionally, by being nice you might actually have an interesting conversation and/or meet some fascinating people.

#Don’tBeAnAHole

3. Tip the shuttle drivers, etc. [ A “be kind” business travel tip! ] Driving a shuttle or portering your bags is not a high paying job. Tips are important to these folks. Tip when appropriate and go big when exceptional.

$2.00 for a carry-on, $5.00 for a big bag. But, if the don’t lift the bags, you are under no obligation to tip – nor should you.

Oh…and add a thank you.

4. Share your wisdom w/ the younger travelers. I took my first business trip to Phoenix on a Southwest flight. My second trip was to Oklahoma and my checked bag got lost.

I could have used some business travel tips back then! Share your wisdom with your fellow travelers, colleagues, newbies and more.

In fact, leave us a comment below – what are some of your business travel tips?

Summary of the [ Must Know Business Travel Tips ]

For easy consumption, I’ve summarized the business travel tips that you absolutely must know (and follow):

• Stick with a single Airline, Hotel, and Rental Car company .
• Pack light (and well) .
• Never check your bag .
• Get a Good Backpack
• Get some good noise canceling headphones (and a backup set)!
• Download your content ahead of time to skip the Internet fee on the plane.
• Get TSA Precheck .
• Get really good at the security checkpoint process .
• Use the “shower trick” to de-wrinkle your clothes and avoid the iron
• Stay even-keeled and realistic .

There you have it…the top 10 business travel tips that every savvy traveler needs to know.

Agree? Disagree? What would you add to the list? What business travel tip did we miss?

Business Travel Tips – closing arguments

This concludes the massive list of business travel tips. While it’s possible you already knew about some of these business travel tips I hope that some of the travel tips and hacks we’ve shared will be game changers for you on your next work trip!

If you are looking for business travel news check out our Travel News Section

Join the conversation by leaving us a comment below. And, don’t forget to follow us on social media including Twitter , Instagram and Facebook . We want to hear all about your next work trip!

By the way, if you are interested in more business travel tips and travel advice, you might like these great articles:

• 27 Amazing Hotel Pillows the Best Hotel Pillows You can Buy
• Best Travel Purse
• Zoom Backgrounds
• Things to do when stuck at home
• 53 Amazing Gifts for Business Travelers in the 2020 Gift Guide for Travelers
• 9 Healthy Travel Snacks to eat smarter on the road
• 11 Best Hotel Beds and where to buy that Hotel Mattress you Love
• Ultimate Bitcoin Travel Directory : How and where to use crypto for travel
• 101 Travel Hacks for the Business Traveler
• 26 Must Have Travel Gadgets & Gear to add to your travel kit
• 9 Travel Safety Tips to help you stay safe on your next trip
• The Best Travel Gifts for Her
• The Ultimate List of the Best Travel Blogs
• TSA Food Rules
• What is the best business travel backpack ?
• Best Travel Drone – compare and contrast the top rated drones for travel
• Top Travel Pillows
• Anker PowerCore 20100 Review
• Why Frequent Travelers should buy their Travel Size Toiletries in Bulk!
• TSA Drone Policy – do they have one?

Pin these for later:

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Jeremy Ballou is the editor of the CBoardingGroup.com and a long-time writer in both the travel and tech industry. Most days he's in thinking about travel or writing about it.

Travel Tip Tuesday #39 – Bring ear plugs…but ditch the eye mask

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Wow you gathered so many tips and covered all aspects that are really important. I always carry a power bank – it could be a real life savers sometimes.

Not everyone will agree on all these. I disagree with the 4 wheel spinner suitcase. I travel a lot and have found that the spinners work really well if….you don’t have to roll them outside much. Many times I find myself in the snow, a cobblestone street, rain, gravel parking lots, etc. So a good 2 wheel suitcase will far outperform in those situations. Also if you do pick the spinner do it for the right reasons and pick a good quality suitcase like the one you mention. The cheap or off brand spinners won’t hold up and don’t roll good. Also if you are using a spinner to roll down the airplane aisle it shouldn’t be because your suitcase is too heavy for you to handle. I also disagree with reclining your seat. You shouldn’t really do this at all on daytime short haul flights in economy. Doing this in the middle seat is the worst because you are reclining into another person in a middle seat where they have no room to move already!

I have a spinner and it’s great on smooth or even smoothish surfaces. As you say, when the surface is rough a two wheel works better. That’s when I pull it on two wheels.

Problem solved

Exactly what I do!

This is some really good information about traveling for business. I liked that you pointed out that you should bring a multi-plug adapter. That does seem like a good thing to do if you are traveling to a different country that could have a different electrical grid.

This is a very enlightening and thorough post. I appreciate the tips!

So true! There was so much info on this post. Red eye flights were always an issue for us haha

Thanks for sharing this awesome list. Keep posting more in the future.

Definitely the best post on travel tips in the web, thank you!

My tip is to plan your wardrobe for your trip in the same color family. I used to travel weekly and one week would be blue suit/pants/skirts, next week black, following week brown. This cuts down on the number of shoes you need to bring. I could usually get away with one pair of dress shoes for the week.

This is really great advice Lisa! Thanks for sharing.

The video perfectly shows problem faced by frequent air travelers. I appreciate you shared the list of business travel tips. Quite useful

Whenever I visit your website I enjoy reading your content because of the good articles.

Usually, my company books me a flight, hotel, etc. for my business trips but these tips are helpful in any case. Also, I recommend traveling with a backpack if your business trip is 2-3 days 🙂

I found this article is very helpful for travelers. It gave me an idea of what useful things I can pack to make my traveling experience more enjoyable. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing advice here.

It is very easy to explain the difference between heading and heading in this blog. Thanks for sharing. JetBlue Airways reports that you can check in online and print boarding passes up to 24 hours before Departure.

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Learn Business Travel Hacks For Your Next Business Trip

• 18 February 2024

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Travelling for business can be thrilling and difficult at the same time, but it's necessary for professional development. Getting around airports, adjusting to different time zones, and maintaining productivity when travelling all require a planned strategy. This article provides you with a carefully compiled collection of business travel tips and tricks that will make your next trip more organised and productive.

Strategic Planning

1. Capsule Wardrobe: Put together a mix-and-match capsule wardrobe consisting of adaptable pieces. This reduces the need for bulky luggage, which speeds up the packing and unpacking process.

2. Tech Essentials: Bring the required cords, an international power adaptor, and a portable charger. To ensure uninterrupted work while on the go, make sure your gadgets are charged before leaving.

Time Zone Adjustment

3. Preparation: A few days prior to departure, modify your sleep schedule to match the time zone of your destination. To help with acclimatisation, stay hydrated throughout the travel and schedule your exposure to natural light carefully when you arrive.

Efficient Meetings

4. Virtual Meetings: To cut down on frequent travel, use video conferencing technologies for meetings that aren't absolutely necessary. Without being physically there, platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams enable productive conversation. 5. Agenda Planning: To increase productivity, carefully prepare the agendas for meetings. Establish designated periods for talks, demonstrations, and intermissions to guarantee a smoothly run meeting.

Accommodation Hacks

6. Central Location: Choose lodging that is conveniently close to important business locations. By doing this, travel time is reduced and accessibility to crucial meetings is improved. 7. Loyalty Programmes: Join loyalty programmes for hotels and airlines to earn points for future business travel. Benefits from these programmes frequently include priority boarding and hotel upgrades.

Expense Management

8. Digital Receipts: Utilise applications that let you store receipts digitally. This reduces the possibility of misplacing paper receipts and expedites the expenditure reporting procedure. 9. Corporate Travel Card: Get a business travel card to help you keep track of your spending. This makes reconciliation easier and gives a clear picture of the money spent on business expenses.

Health and Wellness

10. Stay Active: Whether it's a quick walk or a hotel gym session, make physical activity a part of your daily regimen. This lessens the tendency for business travel to be sedentary. 11. Eating Healthily: Make wholesome meals a priority and drink plenty of water. Steer clear of excessive alcohol and caffeine use as they can interfere with sleep cycles.

Sensitivity to Culture  

12. Research Practices: Learn about the customs and cultural norms of the place you are visiting. This shows deference and improves your capacity to handle business dealings with ease.

Safety Procedures

13. Secure Connections: Give priority to secure Wi-Fi connections, particularly when gaining access to confidential company data. For more security, think about utilising a Virtual Private Network (VPN). 14. Digital Security: To protect yourself from online attacks, install security software on your devices and set up two-factor authentication for your accounts.

SKIL Corporate Travel - Your Ultimate Corporate Travel Solution

SKIL Corporate Travel is a leader when it comes to effective corporate travel management. Being a top corporate travel management company, SKIL arranges smooth business travel by fusing industry knowledge with a customer-focused philosophy. They stand out for their dedication to accuracy, economy, and individualised service.

With SKIL Corporate Travel, you are making your way to experience some amazing benefits. 

1. Tailored Solutions: SKIL is aware that every company has different needs when it comes to travel. Their staff creates customised solutions that complement your business goals, guaranteeing a successful and individualised travel encounter. 2. Cost Optimisation: SKIL Corporate Travel applies strategic cost optimisation strategies, offering organisations transparent and cost-effective travel solutions. From negotiated prices to effective scheduling, they put your bottom line first. 3. Global Network: SKIL guarantees the seamless execution of your business travels, both domestic and international, thanks to its extensive global network of partners and acute grasp of the nuances of foreign travel. 4. 24/7 help: SKIL provides round-the-clock help since it understands that business travel can be unpredictable. Their hardworking staff is always willing to help and makes sure that any unforeseen issues are taken care of right away. 5. Technology Integration: To improve the traveller experience, SKIL makes use of state-of-the-art technology. Their tech-savvy strategy, which includes real-time information and faster booking processes, is in step with the evolving needs of contemporary enterprises. In conclusion, strategic planning, tech-savvy methods, and cooperation with a seasoned corporate travel management organisation are all essential to mastering the art of business travel. SKIL Corporate Travel is the pinnacle of excellence in this field, offering companies the know-how and resources they need to improve their travel encounters and create smooth trips that complement their organisational objectives.

d 18 February 2024

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19 Business Travel Tips for Frequent Corporate Travelers

Whether it’s been a while since you’ve engaged in corporate travel or you’re a first-timer, you might benefit from these business travel tips.

With the rise of video conferencing and other technological tools that help us to connect from afar, it’s easy to assume that traveling for work is a thing of the past. That’s certainly not the case! There are many reasons that people still need to make their way to remote offices and distant locations to get the job done. Whether it’s been a while since you’ve engaged in corporate travel or you’re a first-timer, you might fit from some business travel tips.

Gather the Team Together for a Scavenger Hunt

If your company is holding an annual conference or training event, consider a team-building event customized by the experts at Let’s Roam! We offer over 20 team-building activities , including virtual and hybrid events for those unable to engage in business travel. Contact us today to find out how we can help you plan effective exercises just for you and your crew!

Things to Do Before You Leave Home

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or you’re about to embark on your first-ever business trip, you should do a few things before you leave home. It’s never a good idea to travel for work without making arrangements in advance. If you travel on a whim without making any preparations, you may end up missing critical meetings, leaving something vital at home, or without a place to stay.

Book with Familiar Providers

Whenever possible, book reservations with airlines, rental car companies, and hotels that you’ve frequented before. By doing so, you’ll be familiar with how things work and the level of service you can expect. For example, you’ll know the terminal you’ll depart from and return to if you make reservations for your next business trip with your usual airline.

If you read travel blogs, you might be advised to bundle all your travel plans with one service provider, such as Expedia, Travelocity, or Priceline. While that can streamline the reservation process, it’s also a risky endeavor if you need to change your plans down the line. Even if you’re successful at changing your plans, you may end up paying a premium or you might not get a full refund if you shorten your stay or return your rented vehicle early.

Sign Up for Rewards Programs

Like your local yogurt store might give you a punch card that will entitle you to a free dessert after you collect ten punches for verified purchases, businesses in the hospitality industry often have loyalty programs that enable frequent business travelers to accumulate points they can later redeem for savings. You don’t have to travel often for these programs to benefit you.

Signing up for rewards programs is somewhat akin to offering future business to a provider. When you’re a member of loyalty programs, you may enjoy some perks like an upgraded seat, hotel room, or vehicle even if your rewards balance is zero because the provider wants you to use its services again down the line. In other words, providers may try to woo you with free upgrades to get you to book with them again.

Members of rewards programs often enjoy more conveniences, too. A rental car company may deliver your rented vehicle to you if you’re a member of its loyalty program, for example, while non-members may have to take the dreaded shuttle ride over to the company’s hub to get their automobiles.

Follow Your Company’s Travel Guidelines

Depending on the business you work for, your company may have a travel policy. If your organization has such a policy, make sure you make arrangements that are in keeping with those guidelines. The travel policy may require you to use a travel credit card instead of your own personal credit card if you want to be reimbursed for expenses incurred during your work trip. You may only receive a limited stipend for meals, too.

A typical travel policy varies from one company to another. Even frequent business travelers should review their company’s travel guidelines regularly to ensure they remain in compliance and won’t have to come out-of-pocket for non-reimbursable expenses unexpectedly.

Store Customer Service Numbers in Your Phone

As you firm up your travel plans, make sure you store the relevant customer service numbers in your phone. Having those numbers handy will be a big help if your plans get disrupted or you’re dissatisfied with the service you receive for any reason.

One of the best travel hacks you’ll ever receive is to follow your providers on social media. By following your airline, rental company, and hotel on social media, you won’t miss out on any promotions they offer. Some hotels share exclusive passwords on their social pages. If you use the designated password when you check-in, you may be privy to free perks, such as:

• In-room movie
• Hot chocolate kit
• Bottle of wine
• Preferred parking
• Drink or meal vouchers
• Room upgrades

Depending on the carrier or hotel you book with, you may be able to solve customer service issues on social media, too. If you tweet at an airline because you missed a connection or got bumped, you may be able to resolve the issue on Twitter and avoid waiting in line at a kiosk with the rest of the weary masses.

Dress Smartly

How you dress on the day you travel matters. If you dress professionally, it’ll make it more likely that you’ll receive preferential treatment and perks that can make your trip markedly more pleasant than it would be otherwise.

In addition to dressing well to possibly enjoy some benefits, you should dress with the TSA security check in mind. To make getting through security less of a hassle for you and everyone in line behind you, don’t wear a belt or metal accessories except for your wedding ring. Don’t forget to wear slip-on shoes so you can remove them and put them back on quickly without causing a traffic jam that will prevent you from winning any popularity contests.

Even if you book a direct flight, which is always a good idea to avoid oft-wasteful layovers, you may still wind up spending time in the airport lounge. Pick an outfit that will allow you to fit in during this travel time rather than making you stand out for all the wrong reasons.

Remember, there’s always a chance that you’ll run into one of your peers, competitors, or clients before you reach your destination. Always dress to impress with practicality and comfort driving your clothing choices.

Reserve Select Toiletries for Travel

You don’t need to be a frequent flyer to know that there are few things worse than arriving at a destination for a business meeting only to discover that you forgot your deodorant, conditioner, or favorite toothpaste at home. Having your preferred toiletries on-hand can be the difference between a successful work trip and one that literally stinks.

To ensure you’re comfortable during your trip, grab a small tote and fill it with all the toiletries you’ll need whenever you travel. Don’t use the items in that tote unless you’re traveling and replenish your supplies as they run out so you won’t have to rush around at the last minute before your next business trip.

Do you absolutely, positively need a certain item that you know you can’t travel with like a particular razor or aerosol spray? If so, consider ordering what you need from Amazon and having it shipped directly to your hotel before you arrive on-site. Be sure to alert the hotel about your package so the staff will know to keep an eye out for it and have it waiting for you in your assigned room.

Stick with Carry-On Luggage

Unless you’re going to be away from home for months at a time, you should do your level best to pack light. When you pack light, you’ll be able to avoid having to check bags, which can save you money and prevent delays waiting for stowed luggage to make its way to the baggage terminal.

Check with your airline to see how big your carry-on bag can be. Carry-on luggage is normally smaller than suitcases that are stored under a plane’s seating area, so start thinking in the realm of backpacks. As you pack, make sure you include an extra set of clothing among your things in case something spills on you during your flight.

You should also put essential items where you can access them easily. Rather than stuffing them at the bottom of your carry-on bag’s main compartment, put them in a separate pocket that you can lock.

If you’re traveling with a laptop, you’ll need to remove the device from your bag as you go through the TSA security checkpoint. Keep that in mind while you pack so you don’t bury your computer and charger underneath delicate items you’d prefer the public not to see, such as your underwear.

Are you going to pack clothing that needs to be wrinkle-free when you arrive at your destination? You may want to bypass your carry-on and stow them in a suit bag. Alternatively, you may want to wear the outfit on your travel day to keep it as wrinkle-free as possible.

If you don’t want to wear your good outfit on the plane and you’re required to check a suit bag, roll your clothes to keep wrinkles at bay. In addition to preventing wrinkles, rolling your clothes will enable you to fit more in your carry-on.

Pack Healthy Snacks

Too often, a business trip involves irregular mealtimes and unhealthy food choices. Even when you’re traveling in business class or first class, your meal options may only include processed foods that are devoid of taste and substantive nutrition.

You can avoid allowing yourself to get sucked into a food coma by preparing some delicious and nutritious snacks for long flights before you leave home. If your trip requires international travel, you can bypass a hassle at customs by ordering healthy snacks from Amazon and having them sent to your hotel.

Register for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

Do thoughts of having to go through airport security turn your smile into a frown? If that’s the case, know you’re not alone. Luckily, you can turn your frown upside down by signing up for TSA PreCheck. Created by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, TSA PreCheck allows registered travelers to sidestep certain security measures to expedite the airport screening process.

If international travel is a must for you, it might be wiser for you to sign up for Global Entry. This program also hastens the screening process, and it enables you to get through U.S. Customs faster when you re-enter the United States as well.

Both programs charge a modest fee for a five-year membership. If you find the cost of membership off-putting, contact your travel credit card provider to see if the bank offers a credit you can apply to cover the cost of registering in one or both programs.

What to Do During Your Business Travel

While business travel is different today than it was just a few years ago thanks to changes thrust upon the world as the result of the pandemic, some basic rules will always apply. One of those rules is to be courteous and compliant with an airline’s requirements. If, for example, your carrier requires passengers to wear a mask, do it, making sure you cover both your nose and mouth.

Everyone is tired of wearing masks, not just you. There is no point in giving an airline attendant grief because you don’t want to mask up. Similarly, it’s not your responsibility to chastise someone for not wearing a facial covering. Although you may think you’re being helpful, instructing someone to put a mask on can cause problems for airline attendants and other passengers, so let the professionals handle non-compliant travelers.

Another timeless “rule” of traveling is to familiarize yourself with the dos and don’ts of airline travel . Being familiar with these guidelines and adhering to them will ensure you’re viewed as a best-in-class passenger, which is definitely the reputation you want to have as a business traveler.

Book Your Seat at the Last Minute

Cancellations and seat changes are the norm for most flights. With this in mind, wait until about 30 minutes before takeoff to book your seat. By waiting until your flight is just about ready to board, you can increase the odds that you’ll reserve the best seat currently available. In other words, waiting to book your seat is kind of like giving yourself an upgraded seat in many cases.

Drink Water Instead of Booze

A lot of leisure and business travelers consider an airplane ride to be a great time to indulge in an adult beverage, two, or more. You should resist the temptation to do the same, especially if you need to get right down to business when you land.

Even if you’ll have a few hours to yourself when you reach your destination, you should still refrain from drinking during your travel time. Staying hydrated is a must if you want to avoid jet lag, so skip the booze and drink bottled water instead.

Sitting for long periods of time can negatively influence your circulation and it can result in neck or back pain. To keep your blood flowing and avoid a painful back or neck, stretch periodically during your flight. Be careful to not infringe on anyone else’s space when you stretch unless you like getting dirty looks and being on the receiving end of wisecracks.

Set Yourself Up for Success During Layovers

If you have to change planes during your business trip, use the time between flights to set yourself up for success. Connect to the secure Wi-Fi in the airport lounge and get caught up on work communications like emails. Check industry news outlets for any breaking news so you’ll be up to date when you arrive at your final destination. Doing these things is particularly important if you have to walk into a business meeting shortly after your next plane lands.

Once you’re caught up with work, use your cellphone to download some music, movies, or television shows. Once they’re downloaded to your device, you’ll be able to watch and listen to the programs even if you end up having to spend some extra time in a space that doesn’t have a Wi-Fi connection.

Are you planning to catch some shuteye during your connecting flight? Visit one of the airport’s retailers to look for things that can facilitate sleep, such as an eye mask and some quality earplugs. Resist buying a travel pillow or anything else that’s too bulky to fit into your carry-on. Adding bulk or too much weight to your carry-on is the last thing you want to do during a stopover.

Like staying hydrated can help you avoid jet lag, so can exercise. If you have some free time between flights, consider booking a training session for the morning or early afternoon on the day you’ll arrive at your destination to offset the effects of jet lag. Refrain from scheduling a workout in the evening or the session may negatively affect your ability to adapt to a different time zone and a new schedule.

Keep Your Boarding Pass to Yourself

Whenever you’re on a work trip, keep your boarding pass private. Even if you use a Sharpie to block out the numbers on the pass, people can still steal personal data if you share pictures of your pass on social media. The QR code on your pass contains sensitive information. If that information makes it into the wrong hands, it could compromise your identity and even your safety.

Use Your Own Charger

Many airports and hotel business centers have public charging stations. While public charging stations are convenient, they’re also dangerous. That’s because people can swipe information like your credit card number from your electronic devices via USB. To keep your information safe, bring your own charger or use a USB data blocker if you have no choice but to use a public charging station.

Save Your Receipts

Does your employer reimburse you for the expenses you incur during a business trip? Do you itemize your federal taxes? In either case, you should save all your receipts. It’s also wise to use your cellphone to take pictures of your receipts as you get them in case you lose the paper receipts.

Steps to Take After Business Travel

You may think the work is done when you return home after a business trip, but that’s normally not the case. There are still a few things you’ll need to take care of.

Report Your Expenses ASAP

It’s easy to put off completing an expense report, but you shouldn’t. Fill out your expense report as soon as you can while your expenses are still fresh in your mind. You’ll be more likely to notice discrepancies or missing charges if you complete your expense report sooner rather than later. Also, you’ll get your money back that much faster.

Send Thank You Notes or Emails

At the earliest opportunity, you should send thank-you notes or emails to everyone you met with during your trip. Although emails are quicker, handwritten thank you notes are often perceived as more thoughtful and personal.

Connect with Family and Friends

When you return from a business trip, especially a prolonged one, prioritize reconnecting with your friends and family members. Planning a virtual game night with Let’s Roam is one simple way you can reconnect with loved ones no matter where they’re located.

Frequently Asked Questions

Avoid falling prey to rookie mistakes, like going rogue, booking the cheapest flight or hotel, and not tying up loose ends at the office. These business travel tips should keep you on track!

There are many things to remember when traveling on business . For starters, re-read your company’s travel policies, try to tie things up at the office before you leave, and travel as lightly as possible.

Follow business travel tips from the experts! Adhere to your company’s travel policies, save your receipts, stick with carry-on luggage, if you can, and stay connected with loved ones !

Need help planning a team-building event?

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Updated: Dec 16, 2021 23 Comments · by Kate Antoniades

Business Travel Tips and Tricks

Business Travel Tips for Women · Career · Off-Site Workwear · Travel | posts

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Whether you travel every week for work or it’s rare that you find yourself at an airport for a business trip, travel can be a series of small hassles — but a little planning can be a huge help. It’s been a while since we’ve talked about business travel — although we’ve shared plenty of posts about all kinds of travel topics, such as:

• Planning future work trips when you’re secretly pregnant
• Looking professional on long flights
• Packing for a one-day business trip
• Professional, small suitcases for an overnight business trip
• Packing for months away from home  and for a summer working abroad
• How to travel internationally in comfort and style
• The best rolling travel bags
• Traveling with your coworkers
• Packing for conferences
• Planning for your first business trip
• Top tips for work travel  (including Kat’s video for how to pack your blazer )

These are some of the Corporette readers’ favorite items for business travel …

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see  here . Thank you so much for your support!

Great Business Travel Tips from the Readers

We’ve rounded up a bunch of helpful business travel tips that readers shared in recent comments:

Use a list:  It’s easy to forget something key like pajamas or your iPad charger, but a checklist makes packing pretty foolproof. You can use a packing app or buy a pre-printed pad  — or just type up a list to print out each time. Some people even make a spreadsheet or draw their outfits .

Be realistic:  To save space, be honest with yourself about whether you  really  need both pairs of black pumps, or whether you’re  really  going to make it to the hotel gym this time.

Don’t assume you’ll carry your carry-on:  If you’re bringing something truly essential like your contact lens case, daily prescription, etc., keep it in your purse or laptop bag just in case. Especially if you’re flying on a small plane, your carry-on may end up checked for space reasons.

Update: Use a trolley sleeve!

Hunting for lightweight carry-ons with a trolley sleeve for your rolling bag? As of 2023, Tumi , Lo & Sons , Cole Haan , Vera Bradley , and Baggalini are your best bets if you’re looking for quality — but here are some other options (including super affordable Amazon ones) below. (Kat has this one and likes it!)

Coordinate colors.  Pack neutrals, and colors that complement each other so you can mix and match — it’ll reduce the number of items you have to bring, and also help you get the most wear out of your shoes.

{related: travel-friendly suits for women }

Check the weather forecast.  Sure, this seems like a pretty obvious thing to do, but a trip I once took to Denver made it clear that not everyone does this. We arrived on a sunny, 70-degree day and were met by a blizzard the next — which forced several of my colleagues to make a snowy trek to buy gloves and warmer clothes.

Make it foolproof: Get an extra umbrella (a small one like this Shedrain one ) and just leave it in your carry-on. Other things to always have handy in your carry-on bag to reduce the number of things you need to pack each time: gum or hard candy, travel-size hand sanitizer, travel-size lotion, pocket tissue packs, detergent sink packs , saline nasal spray .

If you’re checking a bag:  Don’t put anything valuable in your checked suitcase. Again, this one seems like an obvious tip — but unfortunately, some baggage handlers are still finding a lot to steal ( CNN ).

Plan your in-air outfit.  Put on your heaviest and bulkiest things — your coat, jeans, your more substantial shoes — and consider wearing the jewelry that you’d worry most about losing.

Keep certain things easily accessible.  Make sure you can quickly reach your bag of liquids/toiletries for the security line, and if you pack a coat rather than wear it on the plane, put it at the top of your suitcase.

Pack a plastic bag or two to put your socks, underwear, and wear-once clothing items in each night.

Be a more efficient packer.   Packing cubes keep everything neat, make it easy to find things, and help you regroup more quickly after your suitcase has been singled out for a security check. Roll your clothes instead of folding them, and fill otherwise wasted space by putting socks inside shoes, etc.

(Pictured at top:  Airport morning 5 a.m. , originally uploaded to Flickr by Manuel .) All other pictures via Stencil.

Ladies, what business travel tips do you have to share? 

About Kate Antoniades

Editor of Corporette since 2014, Kate Antoniades lives in her hometown of Rochester, NY. A cat person and Oxford comma loyalist, she loves thrift shopping and has too many craft supplies.

Gail the Goldfish

04/20/2015 at 2:17 pm

I’m traveling enough that I bought duplicates of my makeup and keep a makeup/toiletries bag packed that I can just throw in my suitcase. Saves the morning hassle of trying to remember if I packed mascara, etc, before I dash to the airport.

Speaking of business travel tips–Is anyone signed up for TSA Precheck? Does it really save much time and is it worth it if you travel regularly? (Like a couple of times a month)

04/20/2015 at 2:22 pm

TSA precheck is incredible. Relatively painless to sign up and makes passing through security much more pre-9/11-like. When traveling with colleagues, though, it does raise that old “first class/coach” awkwardness because if your colleague doesn’t have TSA precheck, should you still use yours?

04/20/2015 at 2:26 pm

I usually offer to get through and stake out a good seat at the bar and order the first round (we spend a lot of time in airports).

04/20/2015 at 2:42 pm

Love that solution!

04/20/2015 at 2:52 pm

Just had a friend do this for me on a business trip last week and loved it! was not offended at all that she used her pre-check.

I have Global Entry which gives me TSA Precheck domestic benefits in addition to the international expedited screening.

OMG yes. Get it. Get it! It saves a ton of time and hassle, and if memory serves, the cost was $100 for 5 years.

04/20/2015 at 2:25 pm

I have Global Entry, which includes TSA Precheck. For me, it’s been worth it. I’ve flown internationally twice since I got it and had no wait at the touch screen kiosks coming back into the US. I’ve gotten Precheck every time I’ve flown on every airline (they say you may not, but I have). It means I’m through the security line in 30 seconds to 5 minutes, usually on the low end, every time. No shoes off. No crap out of my bag. Easy.

And for me the “worth it” calculation was time only, as my AmEx reimbursed the $100 fee. So, it was the half hour out of my day to go to a little office complex near the airport and have a 30 second interview with border patrol.

I travel on average once a month, sometimes more sometimes less.

04/20/2015 at 2:39 pm

Definitely worth it (and see if you have a credit card that will cover the fee, as RR mentioned). You just put your bags on the belt & walk through the metal detector (w/shoes on and tissues in your pockets). Global entry is $15 more than Precheck and covers both ($100 vs $85, I think), so if you travel internationally even rarely, probably makes sense to just go for the global entry, and then you have it for 5 years.

04/20/2015 at 2:48 pm

Road Warrior3tt3 has talked about it quite a bit, so you may want to check for her take as well.

Catherine Scholze

04/20/2015 at 3:39 pm

TSA Pre-check is a must have in my book. It makes getting through security much faster and more bearable. In big airports you don’t have to remove your laptop or liquids (though the same size rules still apply) or take of your shoes. Fast!

04/20/2015 at 4:10 pm

Yes, I have Global Entry (which includes TSA Pre-Check) and it is so unbelievably worth it.

04/20/2015 at 2:37 pm

Yay! I love these tip’s and have one of my own. Whenever I travel for busness, I alway’s bring some chewing gum b/c when you go in the plane, it is stuffy and my ear’s pop. So chewing helps a lot. The other thing I remember is alway’s to wear schrunchie’s on the plane b/c you do NOT want to have your hair getting all over the place and touching the dirty seatback’s more then you have to. My Grandma Trudy also loaned me her babushka so that I can just throw that in the wash after I use it. It also help’s keep men from stareing at my hair b/c it is blond and guy’s love my blond hair and they get all kind’s of idea’s if I did NOT have a schrunchie and now the babushka. YAY!!!!

04/20/2015 at 2:56 pm

In addition to miscellaneous locations, I travel to the same office each month….I actually keep a bag of personal items in a drawer in a shared office there (extra socks, flats, underwear, deodorant, hairspray, toothbrush, contacts, brush, phone charger, etc) because I have forgotten these things so many times!

S in Chicago

04/20/2015 at 3:23 pm

Tip for anyone attending a conference with a TON of walking. Pack a spray can or bottle of nu-skin. (It’s clear and the consistency of rubber cement when applied to the back of your heels.) No blisters and easy to wipe off at night. I also pack a couple of extra baggies so I can make some ice packs for my feet, if needed. (Can you tell how much I love working at conferences?)

04/20/2015 at 4:24 pm

The baggie idea for ice packs is pure genius! Baggies come in handy for so many things.

Coach Laura

04/20/2015 at 5:34 pm

Yes to baggies. Wet swimsuit, banana peels. Also, I love Nu Skin – have some at work, at home and in the car for vacations.

In the Pink

04/21/2015 at 8:51 am

I always have small and large size ziplocs in all suitcases. Also envelopes – great for bringing back maps, receipts, etc.

Have used this stuff called Body Glide. It is a lotion but dries to a powder. Excellent to prevent rubbing,chafing, whatever and I put it on thighs where pants seams are, including the inseam. Seems to do a fab job with seam marks and rubbing from sitting or even reclining on long international flights. Also good for miles of walking or when I’ve got thermals underneath slacks.

04/21/2015 at 8:52 am

link to product (used to be called body glide for skin in a white tube with blue/red print – this works the same way)

http://www.amazon.com/Bodyglide-Glide-Anti-Friction-Liquified-Powder/dp/B0031Y4S0U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1429620688&sr=8-4&keywords=body+glide+for+runners

04/21/2015 at 9:38 am

Advil. I ended up needing to buy more after my last conference in Vegas. Between my aching feet and legs, I really needed it to last for the whole week of standing/walking.

Anonymous Associate

04/20/2015 at 4:03 pm

Get duplicates/minis and keep a toiletry make-up bag packed at all times. With this, I can pack in 15 minutes flat.

Get Global Entry/TSA pre-check. Don’t balk at the $100. AmEx reimburses it anyways for Platinum and Black cardholders.

Don’t check a bag. I went to a 3 week trial with a carry-on. Trust me, you can do it too, especially for shorter trips. This is harder when traveling internationally, given some airlines (esp. Asian carriers) strict requirements for carryons. But there is an international size carry-on that is shorter and will work for most flights to Europe.

Fly one airline, and get complimentary upgrades, or upgrade with miles on long flights. Worth it, especially if you get a lay-down bed.

Calibrachoa

04/20/2015 at 5:39 pm

Baby wipes (or, okay, other moist towelettes) are your friend.

05/01/2015 at 12:41 pm

I swear by the Flight 001 SpacePak compression bags. I packed for a 9 day trip to Alaska in April (I live in Texas) in a standard carry-on using those things.

http://www.flight001.com/all-products/packing-bags/spacepak.html

Marion Parsons

12/03/2015 at 8:33 am

Thanks for the tips! I am gonna have my first business trip next months, and I really want to be very well prepared. I need to make a research about the weather and the dress code, so I will know better what to prepare! Greetings

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9 Top Tips for Successful Business Travel

Business travel is an essential part of any successful multinational organization. These trips can be for meetings, events, trade shows, seminars, audits, or corporate retreats. And now that we are returning to pre-pandemic life, business trips are also slowly returning to normal. 

Maybe you’re on your first business trip or the first trip in many years and need a way to ensure everything goes smoothly. In that case, you’ve come to the right place because we break down the top nine tips every business traveler should use for a successful business trip. 

Don’t get taken to the cleaners booking your next business trip. Call Business Class Experts to find the best deals on business class tickets, even when traveling last minute . Our experts are standing by to help you unlock the cheapest airfare!  

The Perks of Business Travel

Traveling for work can have its pros and cons. But with air travel returning to pre-pandemic levels, it’s apparent that corporate travel is also rebounding. Although you can’t show up to meetings in your PJs, there are plenty of other perks to business travel, such as:

• Time out of the office – Whether you commute to the office or work remotely, the same old grind can get old. Nothing puts a new pep in your step than taking time away from the everyday routine, and business trips are the perfect way to be productive and refreshed. 
• Work reimbursement – From meals and hotel accommodations to car rentals and fuel, many companies have policies in place to reimburse travel costs. Some organizations even allow some travel spending allowances or per diems to cover expenses. 
• Business class seats – Companies want productive travelers, which means spending time in business class instead of economy. In business class, passengers receive more comfort, amenities like in-flight Wi-Fi, and electronic plugs for in-flight work. 
• Travel experience – Employees without experience in travel for business are more likely to make cultural faux pas or encounter challenges balancing performance. As employees engage in more business travel, they build the skills needed to maximize business trip effectiveness. 

Corporate travel programs are sending employees from North America to global destinations. Although the focus of business travel is to forge new deals, audit far-flung offices, or launch new products, an employee who gets to experience a business trip can come back inspired with new ideas.

The 9 Best Tips and Tricks for Business Travel

Whether you’re a newbie business traveler or a seasoned professional, there are always new ways to help boost the comfort and effectiveness of your next business trip. Here are a few favorite strategies frequent fliers use that you’ll want to add to your next business outing. 

Download Business Travel Apps

Modern smartphones can power more than social media, and a booking tool or travel management app can make planning a business trip even easier. Countless apps are available, and many corporate CRMs can help track details while providing real-time notifications if something changes. 

Book Your Airfare with a Trusted Travel Agent 

If your company doesn’t have a dedicated business travel manager and you must plan the trip yourself, it can reduce stress by coordinating your trip with a travel agency. Trusted travel agents or travel management companies (TMCs) can unlock discounts and find premium seats; some can even help book other accommodations for your trip. 

Don’t trust just any provider to book your next business trip; trust an expert — trust Business Class Experts. Our dedicated team has excellent relationships with airlines and can provide the best price on first and business-class tickets . Call us today to see why we’re travel industry leaders for premium flights!

Build Airline Loyalty Points

Virtually every airline has some form of reward mile program. Airlines will even partner with credit card companies, such as American Express , to provide dedicated cards with generous welcome points and plenty of loyalty points for every trip. If possible, try to book airfare for your favorite airline and rack up the points and additional perks. 

Choose Non-Stop Flights

Non-stop flights are like gold, and flying direct has more benefits than being good for your mental well-being. Direct routes offer improved environmental sustainability and lower emissions while also allowing passengers to avoid layovers, missed connections, or lost baggage.

Register for TSA Pre-Check

Airport security is a fact of life, but if you’re a frequent flier, you can streamline the process by signing up for TSA PreCheck . TSA PreCheck is available at more than 85 airports across the United States, allowing passengers to avoid removing shoes, laptops, liquids, and belts. 

TSA PreCheck lasts five years, so even though the registration process requires some legwork, you won’t have to renew for quite some time. To register, you must fill out an online application, appear for fingerprinting and background check at an enrollment center, and add your travel program number to your booking reservations.

Get Work Done in Lounges

Business class passengers have access to private lounges at many airports. Airlines engage in partnerships to allow travelers access to quiet spaces away from everyday airport traffic. These lounges often include meal services, full bars, shower options, personal assistants, and workspaces. 

Pack Extra Attire in Your Carry-On

Passengers flying business and first class have extra baggage allowances. However, we all have that horror story of how our luggage didn’t arrive where we did. The last thing you want is to head into a critical business meeting in casual attire. You can avoid this awkward scenario by packing extra clothing, especially business clothes or any essential items, in your carry-on. 

Regularly Review Your Itinerary

When you’re on a business trip, your actions reflect your organization, and not being prepared gives a poor impression. That’s why you should review your itinerary regularly. Know your departure date and times, airport gates, lodging accommodation locations, meeting locations, and essential contact information.

You also should review the process for reporting delays, asking for support, or completing company check-ins, if required. You can further minimize your travel risk by understanding your cancellation rules and travel insurance policies. The better you prepare for your trip, the smoother it will go. 

Confirm Company Travel Policies

Every organization has different policies and procedures surrounding corporate travel. These policies include reimbursements, booking approvals, travel spending, and per diem. You should follow these company travel policies to the letter to avoid any unwanted consequences of your trip. Additionally, be sure to brush up on after-trip expectations and reports! 

Book Your Next Business Trip with Business Class Experts

Traveling for business has many purposes, like building relationships with potential clients, evaluating the performance of company branches or facilities, or learning seminars. While the world returns to business trips instead of Zoom meetings, you need a guide to ensure a smooth journey. 

You can make corporate travel much easier when you employ a few tips, such as using a travel management app, building loyalty points, and registering for TSA PreCheck. When you enjoy your business trip, you are more likely to see the benefits that corporate travel brings!

Make your trip even more comfortable by booking your next flight with Business Class Experts. Our expert team can find huge discounts on business class tickets aboard your favorite airlines. Call us today to see how much you can save on your next business trip!  

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14 Business Travel Tips : Making Travel Easier

Feb 15, 2023 | Aiport Concierge , Airport Life , Business Trip , Travel

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How often do you schedule business trips? Planning a successful work trip: what works best? Is your business suffering as a result of flight cancellations? Incorporating business trips into your schedule is a must if you want to see your company flourish, and you can do so more easily if you prepare beforehand.

Traveling is much more than just taking a vacation. For many, business trips are a regular occurrence. Furthermore, there is more to planning for a business trip than merely packing and attending meetings. You’ll need to have a system in place.

An Airport Meet & Greet is an excellent point for business travel tips, whether your itinerary includes visits to clients or suppliers, in-house meetings, training sessions, trade shows, MICE travel, or the promotion of new or existing products.

Top 10 Business Travel Tips

Here are some 10 business travel tips to get the most out of your next conference, trade fair, faraway business meeting, or corporate event :

1- Look Into Hotels Neighborhood

Do some reading up on the hotel and surrounding area to make the most of your stay. An enjoyable itinerary can transform a work trip into a holiday. If your corporate group is going to be walking around on foot, it’s extremely crucial that you ensure the area is secure.

2- Pack Light, But Smart

The average length of business travel is less than a week. You don’t need to bring enough stuff to warrant checking a bag for that length of time. You shouldn’t need anything more than a carry-on. Use every last inch of the bag you brought with you.

• Any pertinent travel documents (boarding pass, passport, etc.)
• Credit cards (business and personal)
• Your phone and a charger
• A laptop or tablet, as well as an adapter if you’re going on an international trip
• A limited wardrobe, including travel outfits, a pair of sneakers, and your business clothes
• Everything you need for your meeting or convention
• Your basic hygiene toiletries

3- Optimize Your Airport Experience

Make use of airport lounges as Airport lounges can make business travel much more pleasant as businessmen always need a calm place at the airport to rest and relax or complete their work without any interruptions.

airssist provides multiple services for business travelers in more than 700 airports worldwide, such as Airport Lounges service are often filled with complimentary amenities such as premium food and snacks, fully stocked bars, modern shower facilities, fast Wi-Fi, plentiful power outlets, and comfortable working areas.

Meet and greet service in addition to Chauffeur & Limousine Service for business trips which include business traveler’s transportation from/to the airport, full-day transfer, or inter-city transfer for business travelers movement inside the city, a Wide variety of luxury vehicles available for booking, Multi-lingual licensed drivers who are well acquainted with the requested city.

4- Consider the Timing

It’s preferable to arrive at your destination with extra time in hand so that you may settle down, have breakfast, and maybe even take a nap before starting work.

5- Create A Detailed Itinerary

For a fruitful business trip, follow the plan laid out in your itinerary. Utilize it to keep track of your hotel reservation information, transportation schedule, and names of people you’re meeting. Plan for some downtime, meetings that run long, and delays in traffic by adding some buffer time.

6- Make Backup Plans For Important Arrangements

You are prepared for changes in the future that frequently occur thus, Knowing at your fingertips is crucial. Plans for a business trip could suddenly change course. Try to foresee the changes as much as you can, and if necessary, locate alternate routes. Keep a timetable of backup hotel reservations, home-return alternative flights, and local limo services close at hand.

7- Fly Non-Stop

Avoid layovers by booking non-stop flights whenever you can. Traveling will take less time, and you will arrive more rested. Additionally, you will have a better chance of avoiding scenarios like delays, cancellations, overbooking, and misplaced baggage

8- Download Helpful Apps

In the modern world, apps can give you access to a simpler way of doing things, whether it be through your company’s travel and expenditure management software or your hotel and rental car providers Additional useful apps for business travelers, booking co-working and meeting rooms.

Book airssist Meet & Greet services at the airport for your upcoming trip to improve your airport experience. You’ll skip long lines and travel more quickly. with the airssist app ( Android | IOS ), which will put you in touch with a variety of airport concierge services around the world.

9- Schedule Online Meetings at the Airport

Plan some online meetings to pass the time while you’re at the airport, there are now a whole host of great web conferencing solutions available for those times when you are out of the office but need to continue collaborating with others. but keep in mind that if you travel regularly for business, it may be worth investing in a more comprehensive system that will allow you to screen share, video, and chat, and accepts unlimited data streaming.

10- Purchase Revocable Tickets

In the corporate world, things may change very rapidly, and that’s something everyone here understands. This means that any upcoming meetings will need to be rescheduled as soon as possible. Therefore, if you can, it’s best to get refundable tickets instead of spending money unnecessarily. If you accomplish this, your boss will think highly of you.

11- Maximize Efficiency

To make the most of your time on the road, plan your itinerary and meetings carefully. Consider booking transportation options with airssist chauffeur & Limo service for business travelers to enjoy a punctual and relaxed journey, ensuring you stay on top of your business travel game.

12- Secure Important Documents

Safeguarding crucial documents such as passports, visas, and travel insurance papers is paramount for a worry-free business travel experience. Ensure these essentials are stored securely to avoid any unexpected hiccups during your journey.

13- Airport Travel Butler Services

Looking for a handy business travel tip? Well, consider this: Airport Travel Butler Services!  These professionals can provide a smoother airport experience, helping you navigate the terminals with ease and efficiency. Whether you need assistance with check-in, security, or accessing airport lounges, these services can be a game-changer for your travel journey.

14- Know About Best Airport Venues for Meetings

As conscious  business travelers, part of the travel tips playbook is knowing where to find the best airport venues for conducting meetings and sealing deals. Many airports now offer well-equipped business lounges and meeting spaces, allowing you to make the most of your layovers and downtime. Stay in the know about these valuable resources, and you’ll be able to maximize productivity while on the go, turning travel time into an opportunity for growth and success.

Depend On airssist Anywhere!

At airssist we create a whole range of airport experiences in every city in the world, whether you are a big family who loves to travel together; a couple who needs a romantic gateway; a VIP, or even a VVIP, who needs extra privacy; a businessman attending a congress or just a traveler with his expected annual holiday- with Our expertise extends to corporate and financial roadshow transportation , Chauffeur and Limo Transfers, making sure you get to your meetings on time, every time. .

At airssist, we will keep you and your employees compliant, provide superior service, and control your costs while providing VIP services. the point is, we got you covered with airport services and more…

Note : Please note that the information on this page is generic & subject to change due to fluctuations in airport services. Kindly confirm service availability with our team, as offerings may vary daily.

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In the fast-paced world of business, travel is often a necessity. Whether it’s for meetings, conferences, or networking events, getting from point A to B efficiently and comfortably is paramount. Here’s a short guide to booking flights for business travel that balances cost, convenience, and comfort. 1. Early Planning is Key The adage ‘the early […]

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Tripit Now Offers a Desktop App for Mac

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Tripit, which I’m a big fan of, has always had a pretty good mobile app. A couple of days ago they announced that they were launching a desktop app for Mac users. However it’s only available for OSX Catalina users, so if you’re on an older version of the Apple operating system you won’t be […]

Upgrading your flight for the first time? Here's how to avoid being the most annoying person in first and business classes.

• Travel expert Gilbert Ott has tips for your first flight in a premium cabin.
• To blend in with seasoned first-class passengers, don't ask if everything is free.
• Don't hover over passengers, especially those in seats with doors.

With welcome gifts, multi-course meals, and private seats made for lounging, who wouldn't want to fly in premium cabins ?

Business and first-class flight tickets aren't cheap. But credit card and airline rewards programs have made the luxurious cabins accessible for those accumulating points and miles.

If you're upgrading a flight for the first time, Gilbert Ott has a few tips for those who want to blend in with the first-class crowd and avoid annoying more seasoned premium passengers.

From airport lounge manners to TSA PreCheck etiquette , the air travel expert who flies an estimated 200,000 miles a year shares tips to help other passengers have better experiences.

Don't ask if everything is free in first class.

"I think the etiquette is that first class is about indulgence," Ott told Business Insider, adding that it's best not to ask flight attendants if each bonus offering is free because everything is complimentary, from meals to sparkling wine.

He added that there's nothing wrong with "filling your boots" to make the most of the perks.

Don't expect too much in business class.

While first-class passengers often get personalized experiences where they're greeted by name, business-class passengers shouldn't expect the same level of attention.

"Business class is about efficiency. It's a comfortable seat where you can sleep or work," Ott said.

But staff members serve dozens of people in business class, whereas first-class cabins typically seat less than 10 passengers, he added.

"There's a lot of work that goes into all those meals and drinks," Ott said. "So if you're looking for an over-the-top experience, then first class is where you can expect staff to make the flight awesome. And that's what you're paying for."

Don't hover over passengers in doored seats.

Some business and first-class cabins have added doors to each seat to give passengers more privacy. Ott said you shouldn't infringe on another traveler's space to fetch items from overhead bins .

"Don't awkwardly hover over the person because the whole idea of doors is that people can't look in on you," Ott said. "So when you wake up and someone is looking over your space, it's odd."

Don't take up too much overhead bin space.

BI previously reported that premium cabin passengers are often entitled to overhead bin space , and according to Ott, the bins are usually not too crowded. But that doesn't mean you should bring extra bags and put them wherever you want, as Ott has seen many passengers do.

Instead, Ott suggests keeping your limited belongings in the space above your seat.

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Temple tourism: 10 tips and tricks for planning your next spiritual getaway in India

T he temple explorer has a lot to choose from the various devotional and spiritual wealth in India, but every location is specific to the preferences and the beliefs one has when deciding to visit the places. Most of the visits are based on preferences related to devotional places or temples of importance be it the Jyotirlings to Shakti Peths and family gods or goddesses known as Kul Dev or Kul Devi to Guru Parampara followed in their communities and more. An ideal pattern followed by pilgrims or temple visitors is divided into a few large agendas - The famous Char Dham Yantras, the 12 Jyotirlings Darshan during the holy month of Shravan, Divya Desham Stan of Sri Hari Vishnu to Devi Shakti paths spread across the Bharat Bhoomi. (Also read: Benefits of spiritual travel: Rejuvenating mind and soul through journeys of inner discovery )

Must-Know Tips for Exploring India's Spiritual Wonders

In an interview with HT Lifestyle Giresh Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect discussed a few important tips and tricks that you must keep in mind while planning your next spiritual getaway.

1. What are some popular spiritual destinations in India?

Ayodhya, Varanasi, Haridwar, Mathura, Rishikesh, Amritsar, Bodh Gaya, Puri, Tirupati, and Dwarka are some of the popular spiritual destinations in India. The key agenda to visiting the said locations is to explore the heritage and culture attached to these shrines and take the blessings of the deities who may show a lot of blessings in return on the visit is what the eternal belief has been for ages.

2. What is the best time of the year to visit these spiritual destinations?

The best time to visit these spiritual destinations may vary depending on the specific location. Generally, the winter months (October to February) offer pleasant weather and are ideal for visits. However, it's advisable to check the local climate and festival calendars of the specific destination before planning a trip. Travel Plans connected to special festivals around the temple visit need to be incorporated for better logistics and crowd management planning from the Sr. Citizens' to little toddlers’ point of view.

3. Are there any specific rituals or practices that visitors should be aware of?

Visitors should be aware that some spiritual destinations in India have specific rituals and practices that are followed. It's recommended to research and understand these rituals beforehand to ensure respectful participation and adherence to local customs.

4. Are there any specific dress codes or attire requirements for visiting temples or other spiritual sites?

Many temples and spiritual sites in India have dress codes that require visitors to dress modestly. It's generally expected to cover shoulders, and legs, and especially avoid wearing revealing clothing. It's advisable to wear comfortable attire and carry a shawl or scarf to cover oneself if required.

5. Are there any local customs or traditions that visitors should be familiar with?

Learning some local customs and traditions before visiting spiritual destinations can enhance the experience. Greeting locals with folded hands (Namaste) or using respectful language is considered polite. It's also important to be aware of cultural sensitivities and to seek permission before taking pictures.

6. How can I find accommodation near these spiritual destinations?

There are various online platforms, travel agencies and official websites that provide information on accommodation options near spiritual destinations. It's advisable to book in advance to secure the preferred accommodation. There are various temple-operated guest houses or Dharma Shala undertaken by the state tourism department for the convenience and comfort of the tourists. There are initiatives supporting the stay and bed and breakfast format of offerings in all small and big temple towns - available with the best of the local cuisines or delicacies.

7. Are there any guided tours or packages available for spiritual and devotional trips in India?

Yes, there are several travel agencies and tour operators that offer guided tours and packages specifically for spiritual and devotional trips in India. These tours often include visits to multiple destinations, temple visits, and local insights. The initiative powered by the Ministry of Tourism of various states, temple management and travel and tour operations acts actively to guide the pilgrims with the historic, cultural, traditional and ritualistic sentiment of the locations with in-depth information on the annual festival schedules and more.

8. What are some nearby attractions or activities that can be combined with a spiritual trip?

Many spiritual destinations in India have nearby attractions worth exploring. For instance, Rishikesh offers adventure sports and scenic views, while Mathura and Vrindavan are associated with Lord Krishna and offer cultural experiences. It's worth researching such attractions to make the most of the trip. Kashi has its own Ganga Aarti to experience, Tirupati has a variety of daily festivals to participate and the Golden Temple at Amritsar has its own important service to the community through the community kitchen - Langar - a must-experience element of a lifetime.

9. What are some safety tips to keep in mind while travelling to these spiritual destinations?

It's advisable to carry a copy of important documents, avoid displaying excessive wealth, be cautious of pickpockets, and opt for registered transportation options. Additionally, it's recommended to drink bottled water, eat from clean and trusted establishments, and ensure personal safety during crowded religious gatherings.

10. Are there any specific dos and don'ts that visitors should be aware of when visiting temples or other spiritual sites in India?

When visiting temples or other spiritual sites, it's important to remove footwear before entering the premises and follow the instructions provided by the signage or temple authorities. It's customary to avoid touching idols, maintain silence, and avoid public displays of affection. Photography may be restricted in certain areas, so it's important to check beforehand.

Read more news like this on HindustanTimes.com

How to Find Cheap Flights: Tips and Apps

Reema Tuqan

If you love to travel always and explore new cities and cultures, you need to learn some tips and tricks on how to find cheap flights. If you are looking for affordability and flexibility, you should check which application/websites is best for flight booking and learn to apply useful tricks when you book your flights. In this article, we will share some tips and apps to walk you through how to find cheap flights.

How to Find Cheap Flights: Important Tips to Consider

1. Choose Flexible Suggested Travel Dates 2. Use Incognito Mode When You Book 3. Use Flight Search Engines 4. Remove Cookies 5. Compare Prices Before You Purchase Tickets 6. Book Ahead of Time 7. Sign Up for Alerts 8. Enjoy Rewards 1. Choose Flexible Suggested Travel Dates The first thing you need to consider when you book your flight is to write down more than one suggested date. Many websites and applications offer deals and discounts on different days and times, this is why we recommend you check different options and choose the best price you can find after you compare different prices, days, and dates. 2. Use Incognito Mode When You Book Another important trick to consider is: use incognito mode on your browser when you book your flights. This help stopping prices from going up when you repeat searching as the browsing history will not be stored. You can also consider using gadgets like computers, smartphones, and laptops when you buy plane tickets. 3. Use Flight Search Engines This tip helps you compare many flights, prices, and routes on search engines. 4. Remove Cookies Make sure to clear your cookies before using the incognito mode. As you know, cookies store all the details needed to track your preferences, this is why you need to delete your cookies before searching flight deals. 5. Compare Prices Before You Purchase Tickets The best and old tip you should consider is to compare many prices before you buy your tickets. Check flight booking platforms, applications, and search engines. Evaluate and compare the different prices you will be getting and choose the best price that meets your requirements. 6. Book Ahead of Time Time is always key as it gives you more flexibility and options. When you want to book your flights; it is advisable to book in advance to get better deals on the dates and routes you want to choose. 7. Sign Up for Alerts When you check and compare prices on flight websites, you can activate the options: Alerts. This way, you will be receiving notifications on deals when there are any available. These alerts usually provide: updates, promotions, and discounts. 8. Enjoy Rewards Loyalty programs are always helpful as they can offer you great rewards on flights. You can enjoy upgrades, bonus points, or transport services.  

How to Find Cheap Flights: Platforms and Apps to Use

1. Skyscanner 2. Google Flights 3. Kayak 4. Momondo 5. Expedia 6. CheapOair 7. Kiwi.com 1. Skyscanner Skyscanner is known for being: “the travel company who puts you first.” It offers many search options and user-friendly design. Founded in 2003, Skyscanner presents flight deals across various airlines and destinations. Its "Everywhere" feature lets travelers plan their flights to any destination in the world. 2. Google Flights Google Flights provides flexibility and insights for different flight fares and routes. Google Flights has a user-friendly interface that allows users to compare prices from airlines and booking platforms. It offers you many features such as price monitoring and flexible date options to get affordable flights always and save money. 3. Kayak If you are planning your next trip, you might want to check Kayak. It is a great choice among flight booking websites. Kayak has a range of flight options and user-friendly search features. Its unique: "Hacker Fares" feature helps users save money by combining one-way tickets. Kayak also offers a fare prediction tool that assists in making informed decisions on when to book the best deals. 4. Momondo Momondo is a great option for finding good deals and flights. The platform carefully searches the internet to discover every available discount as well as special fares. Momondo offers an option to navigate the interface with powerful search filters to tailor your flight search and showing you the most affordable options. 5. Expedia Expedia is a worldwide well-known travel agency. Expedia provides many options of flights, hotels, and vacation packages at competitive rates and prices. Expedia is also known for their loyalty program: “Expedia Rewards.” This program lets travelers earn points on bookings and discounts. 6. CheapOair CheapOair is specialized in providing flight choices and exclusive deals. ChepOair provides an option called: “Price Match Guarantee” that ensures customers get the best prices available. Their customer service team is ready to help with any questions or concerns during the booking process as well. 7. Kiwi.com Kiwi.com has a virtual integrating technology. The platform is changing the game in how travelers book their flights by linking routes from different airlines to create cost effective travel plans. The "Nomad" feature on Kiwi.com caters to individuals who are looking for destination trips, great value, and flexibility. Overall, finding cheap flights can be total fun but it requires time, flexibility, patience, and some tricks and tips to use. In this article, we have walked you through how to find cheap flights. We hope you find the tips, tricks, and details shared useful for your next adventure. Happy Travels!

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Can I Leave the Airport During a Layover? [Insider Tips and Tricks]

James Larounis

Senior Content Contributor

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Why You May Want To Leave the Airport

Considerations when leaving the airport, storing luggage, passing through customs on a connecting flight, final thoughts.

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After a long flight, you’ll want nothing more than to grab some fresh air and leave the airport, even if you have an onward connecting flight to your final destination. While there are certainly some perks to leaving the airport on a layover, it’s not always the best idea.

In this guide, we’ll discuss why you might want to leave the airport, when it’s a good idea, when it’s a bad idea, and the strategies to help streamline your layover should you decide to leave the airport.

There are many reasons why you may want to leave the airport during a layover, but here are some of the more common ones:

• During an extended layover, sightsee in the city where you have the layover
• During an overnight layover, sleep in a hotel before your onward flight the next day
• During any layover, grab a bite and eat at a local restaurant
• During any layover, get some fresh air and leave the terminal complex

Of course, you can purposely plan a longer layover to leave or plan an intentional overnight stay in the layover city, which is the best-case scenario.

In general, leaving the airport on a layover isn’t a “can you?” issue (you can), but rather a “should you?” issue.

There are many things to consider when deciding whether to leave the airport on a long layover.

• How long is your layover?
• What are the traffic conditions outside of the airport or the availability of public transit options?
• How long are the security lines at the airport when you return?
• Are there any specific logistical needs for your onward flight?

First, you need to consider how long your layover is. If it’s less than 2 hours, it’s generally not advised to leave the airport, as you won’t have enough time to pass through security coming back and won’t be able to make it anywhere worthwhile off-site. Since most flights board about a half hour before departure, sometimes longer if it’s a larger aircraft or international flight, passengers are advised not to leave the airport.

Even if you make it outside the airport, you need to worry about your accessibility to the city or whatever attraction you’re trying to see. Many airports aren’t accessible with good public transit, or there can be extensive traffic on the roads.

When you return to the airport, be aware of the potential for long security lines. Smaller airports, like regional airports that only accommodate smaller jets, typically have shorter security lines at all times. However, larger airports, such as Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) , which are known for their lengthy queues, can have extremely long wait times. Budget your time accordingly, and make sure you can return through security.

Some airports have apps that allow you to track the length of security lines, check-in lines, and other points where you may need to wait. This can be particularly useful for monitoring when you need to return to the airport if you leave.

One of your other considerations needs to be the logistics of your connecting flight. You may need to participate in additional check-in formalities if it’s on another airline. If it’s a smaller commuter-type flight, it may be in a remote terminal that takes more time to get to.

If your layover is in an international city, you need to be sure you’re even allowed to leave the airport in the first place. Local or country regulations may not even allow this; even if it is, you may need a special visa or permit to visit that country. Leaving the airport on an international itinerary is much more complex , but it is certainly doable, depending on your trip.

If you’re going to head out, you’re certainly not going to want to take your bag with you. Some airports have luggage storage facilities, though most do not, thanks to security concerns post-9/11. If you’ve got a long enough layover, train stations usually have more luggage storage options.

Of course, you can also rent a car and leave your bags with the car, or perhaps work with a local hotel on storage.

People often wonder whether you need to pass through customs on a connecting flight in the U.S., which could influence your decision to leave the airport or not.

If you’re flying in from a U.S. destination connecting flight to an international flight, there is no exit control or customs before your departing flight. Because of this, there’s no need to arrive extra early before departure. Leave enough time to make it through general security.

If you arrive in the U.S. from an international destination without pre-clearance and then connect to a domestic U.S. flight, you must typically recheck your luggage and pass through customs and immigration at your entry point. You’ll then come out past security, where you’ll need to re-clear security again before your onward connection.

Please note that these policies only apply to U.S. airports. A different policy may apply if you’re connecting to or arriving at an international airport.

Leaving an airport on a layover can come with some challenges, but when planned right, it can provide an opportunity to get some fresh air and potentially see some of the connecting city. Be sure to check the security queues to see what wait times look like, and don’t underestimate crowds — things can get busy at a moment’s notice! The longer the layover, the better. This way, you don’t have to worry about rushing back to the airport or, worse yet, missing your flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it ok to leave the airport during a layover.

Depending on your time, it’s perfectly okay to leave the airport on a layover. Just ensure you have plenty of time to make it back.

How long of a layover is enough to leave?

If you’re leaving the airport, you might consider having a minimum of 4 hours between flights. This will allow plenty of time to grab a meal and return and pass through security.

Is it against the rules to get off at a layover?

In the U.S., leaving the airport during a layover is not illegal, though some international cities may have restrictions.

Can you leave airport after going through security?

Yes. Even if you go through security, you can always exit security, which you’d need to do on a longer layover if you wish to leave.

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About James Larounis

James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.

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