tips for business travellers

17 Incredibly Useful Business Travel Tips from a Frequent Traveler

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17 Incredibly Helpful Business Travel Tips

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.

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22 Business Travel Tips for Frequent Corporate Travelers

If you’re frequently on the road for work, use these tips to make the most of your time away from home.

Business Travel Packing Tips

1. Use only carry on bags. Lugging a large suitcase through a foreign city or having your luggage lost before your destination is no way to start a business trip. Pack light to keep all your belongings in your allotted carry on bags.

2. Keep essentials packed between trips. Having extra toiletries, chargers, office supplies, and business cards already in your bag can save you time each time you travel.

3. Pack dress shirts in plastic garment bags. The plastic bags your dry cleaning is delivered in can help keep shirts from wrinkling in your suitcase.

4. Include casual clothes, not just suits. Having business-appropriate clothing is important. However, you’ll likely have time to explore your surroundings on foot and have a casual dinner one night. Packing gym clothes is also important.

5. Pack with security checkpoints in mind. Depending on where you’re traveling to, you will have to follow various security protocols. Your liquids and electronics should be easily accessible.

6. Invest in good luggage and accessories. A suitcase that is easy to pack and maneuver is worth the investment. A small digital scale that fits in a side pocket can help you avoid costly charges for a suitcase over the airline’s weight limit.

7. Pack items that help you sleep. Prioritize a pillow, headphones, or eye mask to help you sleep while at a hotel or on the plane. A good night of sleep is more important than a fourth pair of shoes.

8. Products like packing cubes can help you stay organized so you can easily find items when you need them. Each cube can hold a day’s outfits or contain a particular type of garment like evening wear or swim gear for that nighttime dip in the pool. Cubes can also keep dirty clothes sequestered from clean ones and make packing the morning of departure less chaotic!

Tips for Smooth Business Travel

9. Join rewards programs. Take advantage of your corporate travel to gain points or miles on your airline, hotel, or travel credit card of choice. You should also choose a credit card without foreign transaction fees.

10. Charge electronics before you fly. Your phone, laptop, and tablet should all have plenty of battery to help you pass time productively in the airport and on your flight. You won’t need to fight for an outlet at your gate either.

11. Use programs that speed up your travel. Check in to your flights online and print your boarding pass before heading to the airport. Apply for TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry to gain access to faster-moving security and customs around the world.

12. Book non-stop flights. Layovers lengthen trips. A two-or three-hour stop mid-trip can mean spending an extra day on the road, waking up earlier than necessary, or having a suitcase that didn’t make the same transfer you did.

13. Pay for an airport lounge membership. Most airlines provide lounges with plenty of food, outlets, and quiet space for a reasonable cost. Spend your time waiting for your flight away from the hustle and bustle of everyone waiting for your flight.

14. Print important confirmation numbers. While no one likes to think about losing their phone, it is possible to run out of battery just as you need your boarding pass or confirmation number. Print your itinerary and keep a copy in each of your bags.

15. Find (or pack) healthy food. Travel is hard on your body, and you need to continue to do your job well on the road. Packing or buying healthy snacks will help you stay well while traveling.

16. Use a travel management company (TMC). TMCs can help your company save money and optimize business trip itineraries. They can also simplify expensing and other forms of record-keeping required by business travelers.

Tips for More Business Travel Fun

17. Combine business and leisure. Add a few personal days to the beginning or end of a business trip to make it a “bleisure” trip! Bleisure trips are cost-effective and can help you be at your best personally and professionally!

18. Make more time for fun. Business trips can be stressful, especially when there are multiple locations or venues to visit. Plan ahead or use a travel management company to optimize itineraries. Renting a car instead of using ride sharing apps or waiting for cabs can save a lot of time and money.

19. Skip the hotel gym but don’t skip working out! Instead of staying on hotel grounds, use your daily jog as an opportunity to explore your surroundings. Research which areas of a location are safest and consider sticking to public areas like parks. Let family members or coworkers know you plan on venturing out on your own.

20. Find workspaces that double as leisure spaces. Hotels are converting rooms into WFH spaces complete with thoughtful amenities to accommodate the remote work revolution. Perks could include discounted meals and relaxing surroundings like poolside cabanas.

21. Avoid jet lag. Jet lag can really throw a wrench in your trip, especially when traveling internationally. Trying a melatonin supplement or any one of these tips can help you overcome jet lag and better enjoy your downtime.

22. Explore your hobby. Expand your horizons by researching what connections your destination has to your favorite hobby. Maybe there’s a museum dedicated to your hobby’s history or a unique retail store devoted to selling hobby-related products and services.

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The top business travel tips for the first time business traveller

10 essential tips for the first time business traveler

Heading off on your first business trip and not sure how to prepare?

From packing like a pro to working and adapting to the local time — we've got the top business travel tips to help you master it all! These travel tips will help you save time and avoid the most common issues. Just sit back, relax and keep reading to get ready for the first of many business trips.

1. Pack like a pro

Start with proper carry-on luggage and take the time to pack light. Packing cubes and internal pockets can make all the difference for business travel. Bypass the lineups and head straight to your destination – you're on a roll! Read our packing personalities tips to find out which packing personality you are.

Here are a few key tips for carry-on luggage:

Good quality materials
Lightweight
Easy to maneuver (4 spin wheels are the best!)
Security lock

2. Papers, please

As a first-time business traveler, you might be nervous about forgetting important documents. Let's do a quick review. For international travel, you need a current passport with at least six months until expiry.

And there's more. Do you need a visa or other authorizations? Do you have the correct type of visa for business travel? Starting in 2025, US passport holders traveling to Europe will need to apply for visa authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System ( ETIAS ).

There are many potential paperwork disasters on business trips, but lucky for you, your dedicated agent knows it all.

Check out the Traveler Resource Hub for more helpful information on travel visas.

3. Is your business travel covered?

Before you take to the skies, check business travel insurance off your to-do list. Whether it's a short trip or a long one, on a first business trip, we want to make sure you're covered.

Money may not buy happiness, but it can get you an annual policy – saving you time, money and many headaches later. One last thing: don't forget to scope out the risk landscape of your destination to make sure it's in policy. Questions? Your dedicated Travel Consultant is in the wings.

Ask about business travel insurance coverage for trip interruption and emergency medical treatment. Corporate Traveler offers a range of insurance products both for single-trip and multi-trip annual plans. Contact your Travel Manager for more information .

4. Level up your airport experience

Airline lounges can reduce the stress of flying and lift you out of the chaos and noise of the main concourse. Step into peace and quiet, showers, healthy snacks and drinks for free (hello, morning mimosa!).

Business Class fares generally include lounge access, but some are available for a fee. Credit card rewards programs can also give you access to airport lounges. There is no better place to be if you're riding out flight delays or prepping for important business meetings.

If you're on a business trip during a busy time of year, this guide to airport survival for the holidays shares the top airport tips.

5. Going the distance

The carry-on bag is stowed and you're settling in. If you're on a business trip to a different time zone, try to eat and sleep during the flight based on the local time zone you're heading to. Body clocks are hard to reset, and it's better if you can start the transition mid-air.

While sleeping in Economy Class can be a challenge, earplugs and noise-canceling headphones may help. If your business meeting is crucial, upgrading to a Business Class fare could be the thing you need if your travel policy allows.

For long-haul trips, make sure your member numbers are locked and loaded so you can maximize loyalty programs . Once you land, eat a meal, stay hydrated and move around a bit to beat jet lag.

6. Take advantage of tech

Apps exist for almost everything, and they can make your first business trip more relaxed, too. Keeping all of your travel itinerary together, finding a place for dinner, or translation apps are all at your fingertips.

We've selected the 9 best travel apps to help you plan ahead and stay organized while traveling. Get travel tips from other travelers and locals too!

7. Always ask about amenities

Global travel is a huge industry, and many operators are adopting sustainability programs. Small changes can make a big difference, especially on business trips.

It's now common for certain services and supplies to be on request at business travel hotels as part of efforts to reduce waste. Daily housekeeping, razors, lotions, and other amenities are still available, but they might not be stocked in the hotel room by default. Pack light and ask what's available when you check in.

What's the strangest perk we've seen? A full set of gym clothes and shoes to borrow while staying at a hotel.

8. Counting costs

A greasy burger or room service? Should you use a limousine, take a taxi, or use public transportation? Check with the boss before you travel on what counts as travel expenses rather than return to a chilly reception and a bill you have to pay.

Hold onto all your receipts and make a note on them if they're low on details, like a taxi ride.

9. Work smart and stay refreshed

It's easy to go from meetings to drinks to dinner to bed and repeat. It's important you keep a check on your mental and physical health while you travel. Jet lag can sneak up on you. The first day, you feel fine, and then, to your surprise, you wake up at 4 am every day.

With the rising trend of digital nomads, business travelers have come up with new ways to find balance while on the road. A physical change of scenery can help.

Instead of working in the evening in your hotel room, why not answer emails in the lobby or patio of the hotel? Set a clear divide between work and travel, then your mind will be clearer, and you'll look and feel fresher.

10. Flawless first impressions

When you travel on business trips, you're representing your company and yourself. And your country. But a few travel tips can help you make a good impression. Know the local laws, be courteous and tip when needed.

Pro travel tip: watch what you eat and drink on a business trip. It may be fun to experiment on the deep fried delights from a street food vendor but why take the risk? Stick to bottled water in some destinations and avoid ice if you can.

Want to learn more? Subscribe to the CT newsletter to get ready for your next business trip.

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The Ultimate List of Business Travel Tips

32 Business Travel Tips

The life of a business traveler is less glamorous than perceived. In addition to the stress that comes with travel, business travelers face many health risks as a result of frequent travel. Trying to figure out how to make business travel better? We have rounded up the most comprehensive list of business travel tips from start to finish. Following these tips may not eliminate all of the health risks caused by frequent travel, but it will make your next trip less stressful.

Before You Travel

See Related: How to Sign Up for TSA Pre-Check
Sign up for Global Entry. If you travel internationally, invest in Global Entry. Global Entry provides the same benefits at TSA Pre-Check, PLUS expedited processing at Customs and Border Patrol at airports upon arrival into the US. The cost for Global Entry is $100.
Join travel loyalty programs. Before your trip make sure you join the loyalty program for each brand you will encounter during your trip. Update your reservations with your loyalty information. Many hotels offer perks such as free wifi to loyalty members (even during your first stay!).
Be a Loyal Traveler: As much as possible, fly on the same airline, rent a car with the same rental company, and stay with the same hotel brand. Have a back-up brand, and use that anytime you can’t travel with your preferred brand.
See related: 5 Reasons to Find an Airport Lounge During your Layover
Charge Up: Charge all electronics 100% before you leave for the airport. You never know if you will have access to an outlet at the airport or in-flight.
Print Your Itinerary: Make sure you have your travel information available someplace besides your phone. The thought is cringe-worthy, but your phone could easily get lost or break during travel.
Out of Office : Set your out of office reminder, even if you are replying to email, let your recipients know the response may be delayed. This will keep your stress down and set expectations for the recipients.

Apps to Download Before Your Business Trip

TripIt: TripIt is a travel management app that builds and tracks your travel itinerary. The paid version ($49/ year) has many other features including flight tracking, gate change notifications, and the ability to find alternative flights.
Expense Report App : There are a number of apps that provide expense reports. You take a photo of the receipt and upload it in the app. Forget worrying about losing your receipts! And you can avoid dealing with the dreaded mountain of receipts at the end of the month.
Ridesharing Apps : Download both Uber and Lyft and create accounts with both before your trip. Some places only have service from one (such as the Orlando MCO airport- Uber only!). If you prefer to take a taxi, or simply want whichever services can arrive the fastest, also download a taxi app such as Curb.
Airline App : Download your airline’s app so you can access your mobile boarding pass, gate information, and more!
Rental Car App : Download your rental car agency’s app. Many allow you to check-in online and skip the counter when you arrive.
Hotel App : Download the app for your hotel to find your reservation information. Many hotels offer mobile check-in (huge time saver during busy check-in times. And, the ultimate hotel app bonus is using the app to access your digital key (meaning you can head straight to your room with even going near the registration desk).
OpenTable : OpenTable will make it easy to find quality restaurants, make reservations, and entertain clients during your trip.
Best Apps to Manage Life at Home on the Road
5 Meditation Apps for Travelers
Best Apps for the Airport

Business Travel Packing Tips

Carry-on vs Checking Luggage : Business travelers tend to prefer to carry-on only, especially for shorter trips. This reduces the change of lost luggage and saves time when you arrive. Some frequent travelers hate lugging luggage through the airport and always check a bag. Personally, I think carry-on the way to go, even for long trips. If you are traveling for more than five days, plan on getting your dry cleaning done at your hotel or locally to save luggage space.
Invest in Luggage : After you figure out if you will be a “carry-on only” or “check only” type of business traveler, invest in a lightweight, durable piece of luggage that has a warranty. The same goes for a laptop bag. Whether you choose a shoulder bag or backpack, make sure it has a lot of padding and distributes weight evenly. You do not want your luggage breaking in the middle of an airport.
Rolling vs Folding : This is the age old packing debate. Personally, I am a huge fan of rolling, unless I am using packing cubes, in which case I will roll and fold, depending on what the clothing is. It seems the best method for most travelers is a combination of both.
Pack Minimally : Do not pack more than you need. Plan your outfits before your leave. Document each outfit by taking a photo and pack. Planning outfits ahead will also make sure you do not pack two black sweaters or two black jackets. Coordinate outfit colors with shoes to pack minimal pairs of shoes.
Make a Packing List : Create a master packing list and use it for every trip. I have one in my phone memo. This ensures I don’t forget my laptop charger (it has happened), make-up bag (also happened), and other essentials that I am using up until I head to the airport.
Buy Duplicates and Leave Them in Your Luggage : Once you take a few trips, you will see what you always need to travel with. Identify these items and buy one of each for your travel bag. Leave those items in the bag when you get home. A few items that never leave my travel bag include headphones, phone charger, lint roller, and all liquid toiletries.
Pack Workout Clothes : If you pack the clothes you will have one less excuse to skip your workout. Working out reduces jet lag, stress, and has many other benefits for business travelers.

Healthy Business Travel Tips

Reduce or Eliminate Alcohol Consumption : On your day of travel, avoid drinking any alcohol. Drinking in-flight will cause you to be dehydrated and increase jet lag. Once you arrive, keep the alcohol to a minimum. In addition to disrupting your sleep, alcohol will pack on unnecessary calories that add up over time.
Skip Free Treats : The more frequently you travel, the more perks you will receive. Often these perks include free food and usually the food is not healthy (like the famous DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies upon check-in). Just like alcohol, these empty calories will add up.
See Related: 10 Tips for Eating Healthier During Business Travel
See Related: 30 Healthy Travel Snacks for Flying
Exercise : Whether you hit the hotel gym, workout in your room, or take a walk to explore the area you are visiting, be active!! There are many benefits of exercise for business travelers, including stress reduction, increased productivity and decreased jet lag.

More Business Travel Tips

Customize Your Travel Schedule : If you are an early riser, enjoy one more night of sleep in your own bed and take an early flight. Or, if you like to be on location in advance, fly in the night before and get situated in your hotel.
Reap Your Rewards : You earned the points and miles, take time off to enjoy them! Find out what your points are worth and cash them in for some fun. Bleisure travel (adding a few vacation days onto your business trip) is a great way to vacation without taking as much time off.
Stay Organized : Keep your laptop bag and luggage organized. This includes cords, medications, papers, and anything else that has a tendency to get tossed into the bag. The more organized your bag, the less likely you are to lose or forget something along the way. Packing cubes, plastic bags, cord organizers, and smaller travel bags are all useful tools to stay organized.
See Related: Travel Friendly Electronics
Keep Your Routine : As much as possible, follow your home routine on the road. Traveling is stressful enough, don’t make it worse. If you workout in the morning at home, workout in the morning during travel. If you eat breakfast before work at home, eat breakfast before you leave the hotel. Keep your bedtime routine as well. If you drink tea before bed, bring tea and have some before bed. Following your night-time routine will improve your quality of sleep on the road.

What are your best business travel tips? Please comment below!

Business Travel Life

Business Travel Life is an online resource supporting the road warrior lifestyle. We give business travelers the tools they need to maintain their wellness and productivity when traveling. The topics we cover include business travel tips, travel workouts, healthy travel hacks, travel products, general travel tips, and industry trends. Our goal is to make business travel a healthier experience – and to make healthy travel practices more accessible to all road warriors.

Kristina Portillo, CPT, MS

Kristina is the founder of Business Travel Life. Her love of fitness and travel unified to create a resource for business travelers and road warriors who want to take a healthier approach to business travel. She has traveled for business on and off for the past eight years. Kristina received a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University and received her Bachelors of Arts in Business Marketing from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

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Hi Kristina Portillo, I felt this blog was a tip for every corporate traveller. Thanks for sharing it, I personally feel that as a corporate traveller using Corporate and Business travel service providers would further reduce the stress, and would be so easy to handle.

Very nice tips. The getaway away from the usual rat race and the stress of your daily routine and work is good for employees.

Thanks for your fantastic travel tips. It really amazed everyone.

Great tips! Thank you for sharing your experience with us!

Thank you for the worthwhile travel tips that you have shared. I like the articles especially the packing tips. It is very informative.

So glad you enjoyed the business travel tips!

I’m always surprised that people use so little vacation. I encourage my team members to use their time because they earned it. And I set a good example by using all my days! Thanks for sharing Great article!

I like this article very much, it has some great tips that helps a business traveler a lot.

Hi Kristina, I am glad that I came across this blog and I will definitely share this blog with others who are going for a business trip. These are some best and helpful corporate travel tips which will help us a lot. Thank you for the worthwhile travel tips that you have shared and do keep up the good work!!

That’s a great point to customize your travel based on what you like. For example, take into account whether you’re an early riser. My boss is looking at going on a business trip in a few weeks. To make sure the trip is awesome we’ll have to follow these tips as well as look for luxury travel concierges.

Thank you for these wonderful advices. I will certainly use it in practice.

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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.

Expert business travel tips (list of ideas 1-10 from the article)

Booking Tips

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.’

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

27 Business Travel Tips to Streamline Your Journey

Business travel is essential for many companies. In a survey by Deloitte , 53% of US companies said they expect their travel spend to exceed three-quarters of 2019 levels by the end of 2023, and these numbers are only getting better. 71% of US companies expect a full recovery in travel spend by the end of 2024.

In another study by Morgan Stanley Research , corporate travel budgets showed dramatic improvement, with 2023 budgets reaching 98% of 2019 levels, on average.

Need some business travel tips to help you navigate corporate travel management ? You’re in the right place!

27 Best Business Travel Tips

Whether you’re new to business travel or it’s been a while since you’ve traveled for work, you’re likely asking yourself, “What are the most important things to consider when planning a business trip?”

When traveling for business, you’ll need to consider things like the weather at your destination, accommodations, how to save money during your trip, how you can balance your daily work with your travel schedule, and so much more.

We’ve put together 27 tips for business travelers to help you on your journey, including some tips specific to international travel.

Whether you have a corporate travel management team to help streamline the process and venue sourcing on your behalf or you’re working alone on your travel plans, these business travel tips are for you!

1. Know Your Corporate Travel Policies

Every company has its policies, and you should know yours. This can include daily expense limits, means of travel allowed, expected etiquette and dress code, and more.

2. Familiarize Yourself with Your Destination

Whether you’re traveling domestically or abroad, you’ll want to know what to expect when you get there. Research things like expected weather, public transportation cost and availability, bliesure opportunities, and most importantly, cultural differences and customs.

3. Plan Your Essential Itinerary First

To avoid overbooking yourself, plan out your itinerary with essential meetings and activities first, then add in opportunities for fun activities and sightseeing. Everyone wants to enjoy their work trips, but if you plan too much for yourself, your work, sleep, and health can all suffer.

4. Budget for Unexpected Delays

When booking flights, rental cars, and appointments, make sure you budget for delays. If you plan a meeting too close to your arrival time and your flight is delayed, your entire schedule could be affected.

5. Explore Travel Membership Programs

Want a bit more bang for your buck? Find out whether your company already participates in airline rewards or hotel rewards programs. If not, sign up for them yourself! The more points you rack up, the more perks you get while traveling.

6. Choose Your Hotel Accommodations Wisely

When searching for hotel accommodations, you’re looking for more than the right price. In addition to pricing and member rewards, consider:

Types of hotels
Types of hotel rooms
Hotel room amenities
Whether you’ll stay in a sustainable hotel
Best hotel for business travelers
Whether you can stay at an all-inclusive resort

7. Consider Travel at Your Destination

When you touch down, how will you be getting around? Rental car? Public transport? Rideshare apps? If you’re planning on a rental car, be sure you book early to lock in better prices and ensure there are cars available for your selected dates.

8. Ensure Your Travel Documents Are in Order

If you’re traveling domestically in the US, ensure you have an unexpired ID with you, including either a license or passport. For now, any state license will suffice, but by May 7, 2025, all domestic travelers will require a REAL ID to travel.

*Note: The deadline for obtaining a REAL ID was previously 2023, but that deadline has been pushed back. Still, if you need to renew your license any time soon, it’s a good idea to switch to a REAL ID so you’re prepared for the change.

9. Print Files in Advance

If you have presentation files, meeting files, or other documents you’ll need printed, don’t assume you’ll have access to a printer when you get to your destination – print it in advance.

10. Back Up Your Technology and Documents

Losing a phone, laptop, credit card, or ID can make things exceptionally difficult. Make photocopies of your IDs and bank cards, and back up your technology using the cloud or an external hard drive.

11. Charge Your Devices

An obvious yet forgettable one – make sure your tech is charged before your trip!

12. Download Useful Apps

Your phone can be your best friend when traveling. Before you leave, download your event app , local maps in case of poor service, translation apps, and travel apps like Uber and Lyft.

13. Pack Light – Don’t Check a Bag

For your own sake, only bring the essentials in your carry-on and personal item. Skip the extra pair of shoes (and the long checked baggage line), and consider what you really need for your trip.

Check out the packing list at the end of this post to help!

14. Check In at Home

If you’re not checking a bag, there’s no reason to wait in line at the airport to check in. You can do it all online, including choosing your seat and downloading a digital boarding pass to your phone.

15. Confirm Your Reservations

To ensure you’re all set for your trip and have no surprises waiting for you, confirm everything in advance. We’re talking flight status, transportation to the airport, hotel reservation, rental car, meetings, etc.

16. Pack with Airport Security in Mind

Travel safety and TSA are no joke. Even if you skip the check-in lines, security can take forever – especially if you’re unprepared. Here are a few airport security tips for business travelers:

Budget about 45 minutes to get through security.
Check the size of your liquids! Any liquids you pack in your carry-on or personal item must be 3.4 ounces or less and fit into one clear, quart-sized bag.
Organize your bags so everything you need to remove for security is in the same place. Be sure you only have to open one bag and that you can easily remove what you need to and get it back in your bag once you’re through security.
Read the signs! Depending on the airport and security line, you may not need to remove your shoes or anything from your bags. In others, you’ll need to remove everything – shoes, belts, tech, food, liquids, etc. Know what’s expected so you can move through the line quickly.

17. Follow Business Travel Etiquette

Beginning with your travel attire, you’ll want to be sure you’re following business travel etiquette. You reflect your company, so if you should be dressed up – especially if you’re flying business class – make sure you are, and follow all corporate travel policies.

18. Prioritize Expense Management

Whether you’re swiping your own credit card or a corporate card, make sure every expense is documented. Expense management is critical at every stage, from booking flights and rental cars to paying for meals during your stay.

Track your expenses and save all your receipts so you can account for all expenses and the reason for each purchase. Consider taking pictures of all receipts or uploading them to a third-party app so you don’t have to worry about losing them and missing out on being reimbursed.

19. Focus on Boosting Your Productivity

Maximizing productivity during travel should be a huge priority for corporate travelers. To boost your productivity, try these time management strategies for business trips:

Use your hotel business center to improve focus.
Book meetings in advance so you can plan your working time around them.
Schedule breaks in your itinerary to avoid burnout.
If you have time to work while traveling, do it – you never know when your on-site activities will get in the way of work.
Stay connected with your team – the more you keep in touch, the more accountable you’ll be.
Identify quiet areas on site where you can work during your downtime without having to return to your hotel or room.

20. Plan Networking Opportunities in Advance

Networking can take up a big chunk of time, whether it’s a networking meet and greet or a one-on-one meeting. Plan these networking opportunities in advance so they’re built into your schedule and you can plan around them.

21. Try Stress Reduction Techniques

Stress takes many forms, but especially for business travelers, there’s a lot to stress over. To make things easier on yourself, try these stress reduction techniques:

Plan ahead – the more details you’ve planned in advance, the less you’ll have to worry about while you travel.
Practice meditation and deep breathing to keep calm during stressful situations.
Stay hydrated! Dehydration can lead to fatigue and stress – not to mention headaches and illness – so keep the water flowing.
Stretch, exercise, and get your blood pumping. Exercise is a great stress reliever!
Sleep, and take breaks. Your body and mind will thank you.

22. Leave Room for Swag!

If you’re attending an event where you can expect to pick up some swag, or you plan to do a little shopping in your downtime, make sure you have room in your luggage to take it all back with you!

Additional Tips for International Business Travel

Traveling to a foreign country? Here are a few tips specific to international business travel.

23. Research International Travel Requirements

When traveling abroad, make sure you know the requirements for entry and visiting. Research visas, laws and regulations, valid identification, and requirements for renting a vehicle (some countries require international driving permits ).

24. Learn Some Key Phrases

If you’re traveling to a country where English is not the primary language, make sure you have a few basic phrases down so you can make your way around.

Hello / Goodbye
Do you speak English?
Please / Thank you
Where is the bathroom / train station / airport?
Where is “name of your venue?”
Can I have the check, please?

25. Ensure You Have Phone and Internet Access

Need phone and internet access abroad? If this isn’t supplied by your company, you’ll need to research your own phone/internet plan to make sure you have service while traveling.

26. Study the Cultural Customs

Don’t be a fish out of water. Before you pack for your trip, research acceptable attire, cultural activities and events happening during your stay, customs to participate in, polite behaviors, greetings, hand gestures to avoid, and more.

27. Bring a Credit Card with No International Fees

Converting currency or withdrawing funds at the airport aren’t always the cheapest options. To avoid fees and the hassle of withdrawing cash (if you’re in an area where cash isn’t preferred), consider getting a credit card with no international transaction fees.

Essential Items to Pack for Business Travel

What are the essential items every business traveler should pack? That can depend on the nature of your business, where you’re headed, how long you’re staying, and many other factors.

That said, there are a few packing essentials for business trips that just about everyone needs when traveling for work. Here’s a general packing list to help you get started:

The real challenge of packing the right clothing for your business trip isn’t in choosing what you’ll wear – it’s in making sure you’re not under or overpacking. Here’s what you should consider when packing your business clothing:

Pack items that are versatile: Bring clothing you can wear both during the day and in the evening for more formal dinners and events. That way, you’re only wearing one outfit per day.
Bring more tops than bottoms: Pants and skirts can easily be worn more than once, but you’ll need a clean shirt or dress for every day of your trip. Try to mix and match multiple tops with one pair of bottoms to help save space in your suitcase.
Be prepared to dress up: If there’s a fancy banquet or networking event on the agenda, make sure you have something dressier to wear for this event. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need an entirely different outfit – it could mean bringing jewelry or a dinner jacket to spiff up your daywear.
Pack 1-2 pairs of shoes: Weather permitting, you only need one comfortable pair of dress shoes and one pair of casual shoes for your downtime. Of course, if you’re traveling somewhere with rain or snow, you’ll need weatherproof shoes. Perhaps those could double as your casual pair!
Don’t forget the basics: Pack one pair of socks and underwear for each day of your trip, and don’t forget pajamas!
Company clothing: If you have company swag or a uniform you’re meant to be showing off during your trip, make sure it’s in the bag!
Specialty clothing items: Consider whether you’ll need workout clothing, swimwear, a special outfit for an event, etc. Check out your itinerary and see what kind of downtime you’ll have and whether any events or activities you’ll be attending require specific attire.

*Hot Packing Tip: If you haven’t heard, rolling your clothes is all the rage – and for good reason! Fold your clothes along the seams, then roll them. This will save you space in your suitcase and cut down on iron/steaming time once you get to your destination.

Business Essentials

Laptop or tablet and charger
Phones and chargers (including personal and business)
Headphones or earbuds
Adapters/converters (for international travel)
Notepad and pen (even in the digital age, these still come in handy!)
Business cards (or have your digital business card link ready to share)
Printed business files (see tip #9)
Comfortable business bag (laptop bag, purse)
Passport or ID for legal travel to/from your destination
Copy of itinerary , including car rental and hotel reservation details , in case your technology is lost or loses battery
Boarding pass (this can be digital)
Photocopies of critical documents and resources (see tip #10)

Personal Items

Purse and/or wallet (limit yourself to one functional purse)
Glasses/contacts
Refillable water bottle
Jewelry and watch
All-weather items (hat, sunglasses, umbrella, waterproof shoes)
Entertainment (download podcasts, books, TV shows, and movies to your devices so you can enjoy them when you don’t have internet access)
Sleep essentials (ear plugs, eye mask, neck pillow)

Personal Hygiene Items

Toothbrush and paste
Shampoo and conditioner
Brush or comb
Lotion, skincare products, and sunscreen
Makeup and styling products
Hand steamer
Essential medications
Emergency kit (include band-aids, pain relievers, cold and sinus medication, etc.)

*Note: While you might find some of these items at your hotel, they aren’t guaranteed. Check with your hotel before packing to see which of these items you should bring yourself.

Need a bit more help planning your trip? Check out more great business travel tips here !

Hope Salvatori

Hope is a Senior Content Marketing Associate who has been with Cvent for more than two years. She has 8 years of experience producing content for corporations, small businesses, associations, nonprofits, and universities. As a content professional, she has created content for a wide range of industries, including meetings and events, government and defense, education, health, and more.

41+ Business Travel Tips For Professionals: Travel For Success

Business travel is a common aspect of our professional life, whether you're a corporate employee or a digital nomad . It can facilitate growth and foster communication between enterprises. With practical business travel tips, whether your business trip is domestic or international, you can easily and confidently travel.

Depending on the nature of each business trip, there are certain things to consider. For client meetings and deal negotiations, having a business attire plan for both meetings and networking events is essential. For industry conferences and workshops, note-taking items such as a notebook, a laptop, and a comfortable pair of footwear are necessary for long hours of educational seminars.

As the landscape of business travel is continuously evolving, business travellers should practise travel tips that promote productivity as well as personal well-being. Here is our list of expert-approved travel tips for business travellers.

Pre-travel: Business Travel Packing Tips

Travelling with a cabin-friendly and practical backpack is convenient.

CabinZero Classic Backpack . IG: @umbelentini

Depending on the specific requirements of your business trip, you can tailor your business trip packing list accordingly. Remember to always have a list of all the essentials and take local weather into consideration when choosing the appropriate clothing.

1. Bring Essential Travel Documents

What does every business traveller need? Travel documents such as a valid passport, a visa if required, and a travel itinerary to keep track of meeting schedules, flight details, and reservations.

If you plan to drive, having an International Driving Permit (also known as "IDP") is a must. Furthermore, You should also have digital copies of important travel documents for unexpected cases.

2. Stay Powered With a Battery Charger And Power Bank

In today's digital age, having electronic devices on every business trip is the norm. From your smartphone to your laptop or tablet, these devices play an essential part in work-related tasks and in your personal life. Having battery chargers and portable power banks in your packing list will ensure your devices stay powered. When picking a power bank, it is important to consider factors such as capacity, compatibility and weight.

3. Bring An Extra Set Of Clothes (And Undies) In Your Carry-on

In case your flight is delayed or the checked suitcase disappears somewhere, you will have a fresh set to change into. It’s one of the best business travel hacks everyone should know about. Plus, extra underwear is never a bad thing.

On a side note, do bring casual clothes for a night out. Or at least some comfort clothes that you can wear both in and out of the room. It’s a pain to put your only set of formal clothes on just to go outside to grab some ice bin or food down the hall.

4. Use Carry-on Luggage

For a stress-free travel experience, choosing the right carry-on luggage is crucial. Having a practical and cabin-friendly backpack not only saves you time at long check-in queues but can also significantly reduce your risk of lost luggage. Start travelling efficiently and travel in style with CabinZero's diverse range of uniquely designed backpacks now.

5. Have Multiple Supplies/Copies Of One Thing

Laptop and phone chargers, socks, important documents, etc. should be available at least in two, one in your carry-on and one in your suitcase. That way, you lower the chances of forgetting your essentials.

6. Bring Noise-cancelling Headphones

Ambient noise, including flight engines, chatter from other passengers, and noise in public spaces, can be distracting for a long period. Using noise-cancelling headphones is not only great for cancelling out these unwanted noises, but it also allows you to relieve stress by having uninterrupted entertainment on the go.

7. Stay Refreshed With A Travel-sized Toiletry Bag

Having a versatile toiletry bag for every trip is a game changer for many travellers, especially business travellers. It is no secret that dressing smartly and having good personal hygiene can leave great impressions in professional settings. Choose travel-sized toiletry and opt for a waterproof bag with organisational compartments to carry all your toiletry needs.

8. Travel Light

Travelling light increases your mobility in crowded airports and ensures your efficiency in transit while taking public transportation. On top of all that, travelling light can lower your stress levels associated with unpacking and safeguarding your belongings. Remember to choose versatile clothing, consider layer clothing and evaluate your necessities.

On The Road: Tips for a Smooth-Sailing Business Trip

Flying in first class gives you more cabin space and privacy. Photo by Angelov on stock.adobe.com

Now that we have got the packing in order, it’s time to get started on your trip preparation. These few extra steps ensure you will hit the ground running once you land.

9. Digitalise Your Travel Documents And Working Files

It is a good practice to make digital copies of your travel documents such as passports, visas, flight tickets and reservations for unexpected cases of missing your original copies. There should be at least two backup copies, one on your phone, and another in your cloud storage.

For business trips, there are necessary files and documents required for meetings, workshops, etc. It is logistically better to have your working files in digital forms.

10. Make Use Of Expedited Security Programs

If you are a frequent traveller, one of your top priorities is probably to get through security screening faster . Using expedited security programs such as TSA Precheck or Global Entry can certainly expedite the screening process as verified passengers use dedicated lanes and are subjected to a more simplified process at security checkpoints.

11. Opt For Credit Cards With Free Lounge Memberships

Travelling for long hours can be tiresome. Instead of waiting at crowded terminals, treat yourself and stay in comfortable airport lounges to recharge during your business trips.

Airport lounges also have amenities such as stable Wi-Fi, power outlets, bathrooms, and working places to catch up on your pending work tasks. Most airport lounges come with an entry price. However, you can use a credit card that offers free lounge memberships to make the best out of credit cards' perks.

12. Get Sufficient Sleep To Avoid Jet Lag

One of the best travelling for work tips is to get enough sleep. This not only helps you mitigate the effects of jet lag, but it also gives you enough energy to get work done during your business trips. Depending on the length of your trip and the time difference in your new time zone, you can gradually adjust your sleep schedule and take naps strategically.

13. Be Mindful Of The Cultural Differences

For a successful work trip, navigating through the cultural differences mindfully is the key. Researching the cultural norms of your destination countries before travelling to understand the basic local customs and etiquette. This is an effective way to navigate interactions and initiate communication. Always be flexible with different working styles and embrace the diversity in your business trips.

14. Get Upgraded To First Class

There are various reasons that flying first class is appealing to business travellers: comfort, priority boarding, extra cabin space and premium amenities. One of the most appealing yet underrated perks of flying first class is networking opportunities with other business travellers and industry professionals. The good news is there are many ways to get upgraded to first class while travelling , including joining loyalty programs and using credit cards' perks.

Good Night's rest: Tips For Great Business Hotel Stays

Having Wi-Fi allows you to catch up on pending work tasks. Photo by Mint Images on stock.adobe.com

A comfortable and productive hotel stay is crucial for a successful business trip. Whether you're seeking a quiet haven or a convenient workspace, these tips will help you navigate your hotel stay like a seasoned traveller.

15. Bring Your Own Cleaning Kit

Whether you plan to stay just a night in a hotel or stay long-term for work, having a cleaning kit with you can help keep your space safer and more germ-free. Some useful items you should include in your travel cleaning kit are all-purpose cleaners and disinfectant wipes or wet wipes.

16. Check For Bed Bugs

Bed bugs might be small, but they are troublesome for all travellers. Handling bed bug infestations is not easy. Therefore, it is better to avoid bed bugs in the first place. You can inspect your bed to check for bloodstains, eggs or faeces. Using your flashlight or black light to check the frame joints and cushions for bed bugs is also useful.

17. Optimise Travel Loyalty Program

Frequent business travellers are often offered special benefits in travel loyalty programs by hotels. These benefits usually include special bonuses, points to use in hotel services and privileges for room upgrades. If your work requires taking frequent business trips, you can save costs substantially by optimising travel loyalty programs at hotels.

18. Pick An Airline or Hotel Chain To Be Your Favourite

Sticking to one airline or hotel chain makes it easier to accumulate points and rewards. It’s simple, just pick one to be your favourite, and try to book them as much as possible. Plus, it helps when you wake up to a familiar hotel room, which can be a big different when you have to travel for business a lot.

19. Location, Location, Location

A business traveller generally has different priorities than a leisure traveller when it comes to booking a hotel. to your meetings or work location to save time on commuting.

Using a map to anticipate the proximity of the potential hotels to the areas that your business trip is based around. If you plan on using public transportation frequently, you should consider the proximity of your hotel to nearby buses or train stations. Safety should be your top priority, therefore, choosing a secure area to stay at is highly recommended.

20. Pick Your Accommodations Wisely

Places that cater to tourists will provide different services to those that are business-oriented. Aside from having a convenient location, good amenities, efficient transportation and staying within budget, the ideal hotel for business trips should have business amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi and a business centre.

21. Have A Universal Power Adapter

Keep your working devices powered and stay connected during any work trips by having a universal power adapter. As countries have different electricity standards and voltage, using a universal adapter is a simple, lightweight and safe option for your power needs.

Thriving on Business Trips: Tips to Stay Healthy and Positive

Socialising at business events can lower your anxiety and build mutually beneficial relationships. Photo by bnenin on stock.adobe.com

‘Mens sana in corpore sano’ (healthy mind, healthy body); you can’t do much with an exhausted body and mind. Business travel can take its toll, especially on a frequent basis. Here is what every business traveller needs to know to stay in tip-top shape, both mentally and physically.

22. Use The Gym

Maintaining a consistent fitness routine is important for your health, especially if you travel often for work. Most hotels have a gym, a pool or a fitness centre that you can use to keep a regular workout schedule on the go. A good practice is to schedule your workout time in advance and consider it like a work task so that you can keep up the routine.

23. Take A Walk

Simply taking a walk is among small business travel tips that generate big impacts in the long run for business travellers, whose work often requires sitting for long hours at meetings or on flights. Walking has numerous health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health, retaining bone strength and promoting brain function.

24. Mind What You Eat

Eating healthy on a business trip can be easier than you think. The rule of thumb is to avoid packaged and processed snacks. There are better options at the airports, hotels, and local vendors. If possible, try to pack healthy snacks in your carry-on . Nuts, seeds, dried fruit, string cheese, granola bars, veggies, Greek yoghurt, and whole-grain crackers are a few good examples.

25. Bring A Tea Sachet Or Two To Feel Calm

When you are in a new place, something that reminds you of home is a lifesaver. The simple act of preparing and enjoying a familiar tea can do wonders for your mental health. Likewise, waking up to a familiar room layout of a hotel chain that you stick to can calm you down and let you have a good start to the day.

26. Stay Hydrated With A Reusable Water Bottle

Needless to say, staying hydrated is an important part of staying healthy when you travel for work, especially when some countries lack drinkable tap water. According to LinkedIn , you should aim for 8 ounces of water per hour of flying as the cabin air can be dry. Water with electrolytes is also a good choice (alcoholic and/or caffeinated beverage is a no-no, though).

27. Build Relationships And Socialise At Events

Having healthy relationships is believed to reduce stress and anxiety. Work-related relationships and socialising at business events can make your work more enjoyable. Thus lowering your stress levels and negative emotions that might arise during long work trips. Establishing good work relationships can further advance your career in the process.

28. Explore Local Area In Your Own Time

To keep a good balance between life and work; it is a good idea to have time to unwind during your business trips. And exploring the local area is a perfect idea. You can use travel apps to find hidden gems and interesting things to do. A quick research gives you an overview of nearby attractions and tasty local dishes to try.

Slash Your Expenses: Saving Money On A Business Trip Tips

Staying organised with your travel expenses can lower the overall costs of business travel. Photo by Mediteraneo on stock.adobe.com

29. Save All Receipts For Reimbursement

Each company has a different reimbursement process; however, saving receipts is required for most cases. Work travel expenses need proper documentation, such as receipts, to process. This helps ensure accountability and transparency. From transportation to meals, you should keep track of all receipts.

30. Use Free Lounge Memberships

Some credit cards offer travellers free lounge memberships in airports around the world. This is among the top business travel hacks that every business traveller should know for a comfortable flying experience. You can skip the highly-priced airport food and drinks by enjoying the complimentary food at airport lounges.

31. Stay Organised By Tracking Your Expenses

Regarding work trip expenses, there are accommodation costs, food and drink costs, transportation costs and more. To stay on top of your expenses, you can use tracking tools to record all transactions and expenses that occurred during your business trips. Keeping all receipts should be a consistent practice for travel expense audits and reimbursement.

32. Plan Ahead And Book Early

Booking in advance is a common travel practice for many reasons. It allows travellers to have more time to plan whilst saving more. If you have time to compare your options, you can select the best ones that fit your needs and your budget. On top of that, many airlines and hotels offer corporate rates for business travellers. Booking early means you can have time to negotiate better deals.

33. Be Aware Of Common Business Travel Mistakes

For inexperienced travellers, knowing the common travel mistakes that can happen during work trips is useful to actively avoid them beforehand.

For example, one of the most costly mistakes is overpacking or underpacking. This can lead to excess baggage fees, lost time checking bags, and missing essential items. Another example is careless spending and missing out on trivial expenses such as exchange fees and taxes when auditing. Other common ones include but are not limited to:

Booking travel arrangements at the last minute
Forget important documents and essential electronics
Underestimate travel times between avenues
Neglect your health and don’t sleep enough
leave behind important documents like your passport, visa, travel insurance, or itinerary
Ignore your company’s travel policy
Forget to schedule some downtime
Put all your money into one place.

34. Review Your Corporate Travel Policy

An effective corporate travel policy allows both employees and employers to find time-efficient and correct solutions to common matters in business travel. By reviewing your company's travel policy, you can know what expenses are eligible for reimbursement, the criterias used in selecting travel arrangements and so on.

Travel Smart: Business Travel Tips To Stay Safe

It is advisable to keep your important travel documents and other essentials in a safe place when travelling. Photo by hafakot on stock.adobe.com

Just like any travel trip, especially if you are going alone, travelling on a business can come with its fair share of risks. Here are some common business travel hacks to help you stay on the safe side.

35. Be Alert And Aware

Do your homework. Research beforehand to know your hotel and the landmarks. At least learn to know what areas are dangerous and should be avoided. Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas, especially at night.

Share your travel itinerary, contact information, and accommodation details with a trusted person back home. And last but not least, If something feels off, avoid the situation and trust your instincts.

36. Be Prepared With A Medical Kit

Travelling with a medical kit is one of the basics of business travel tips safety. To prepare for cases of minor injuries and health issues during your business trips, you can include first aid basics such as bandages, antiseptic solution and a small pair of scissors.

For medications, common over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers, motion sickness medications, flu remedies and anti-diarrheal medications are recommended. If you take prescription medications regularly, be sure to bring them along with your prescriptions.

37. Leave Your Essentials Packed In A Safe Place

Securing your valuables should be the top priority. This includes vital documents, local currency, credit cards, electronic devices, work-related documents and more. You can use a safe to keep your essentials safe or have them on you in a secured bag.

38. Use Travel Apps Wisely

There is a great number of travel apps available for travellers. Each app has certain functions that can help you ensure your safety on your work trips. Smart Traveler is an app created by the U.S. Department of State to provide safety guidelines on foreign destinations and is available on both Android and iOS . VPN apps are a virtual private network that allows you to browse freely and keep your data safe from hackers when travelling.

39. Have An Accessible List Of Emergency Contact

In cases of emergency and stressful situations, having a list of important contacts accessible can save you both time and energy. In an emergency, the first responders should be able to call your trusted contact or insurance company for you. Therefore, having a list of easy to find and accountable emergency contact with you on your work trips is highly recommended.

40. Dress Appropriately And Be Mindful Of Local Cultures

If you are heading to a completely new country, it is always a good idea to research online about local customs and cultures. By understanding more about cultural norms, you can be more aware of local people's religious beliefs and traditional practices, which influence your choice of clothings and interactions.

41. Use Social Media Mindfully

Social media can be useful platforms to share your experiences with family, friends and co-workers. However, it is essential to keep in mind that ill-intentioned individuals, such as hackers, can use the information you share to create serious problems.

You should use your social media mindfully and avoid sharing details that are too specific about your travel plans. For example, posting your passports, flight tickets, and hotel room numbers is not a safe practice.

42. Get A Business Travel Insurance

Travel delays, trip cancellations and loss of personal belongings are among the top common issues that are linked to business travel. A well-rounded business travel insurance should cover trip cancellation, medical expenses, travel delays, and loss of personal items and baggage. Having business insurance can help you better cover unexpected cases and lower your stress levels in urgent situations.

43. Invest In Travel Safety Products

Travel safety gadgets help ensure your personal safety while on business trips in foreign countries. Simply investing in a few useful travel safety products such as secondary door locks, anti-theft backpacks, and luggage trackers, can give you peace of mind.

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Travel For Success: Business Travel Tips For Professionals

One of the best business travel tips is careful planning. With this business travel tips guide, you can streamline your travel plans and ensure productivity in your future business trips. Remember, do not forget to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal time to avoid burnout in the long run.

Save this article for the next time you are preparing for a work trip. Share this article with your fellow business travellers to make the most out of every trip.

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11 Business Travel Tips From Frequent Business Travelers

May 17, 2024

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.

See the best travel management software of 2019

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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7. check in to your flight online, 8. don't check your bag, 9. don't fall for jetlag-defying myths, 10. schedule in some "you-time", did you find this article useful.

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Businesstravel.com is still in development. get early access to the only booking website designed specifically with business travelers in mind., 8 business travel hacks you need to know, these eight business travel hacks—including when to book your flights, how to pack efficiently, what apps to download, and more—will help you become an expert on the road..

Travel Tips — Published March 01, 2022 | 5 minute read

Regardless of whether you’re a rookie or a road warrior , traveling can be a challenge. Even seasoned business travelers are always on the look-out for ways to make life on the road easier.

Enter these eight travel hacks. You may know most of them. You may know none. But it never hurts to learn new practices, or think differently about how you approach a business trip.

We’ve put together a list of the best tip s, from when to book your flights, how to pack, and what apps to download, to which giveaways you should seek out at a convention.

1. Book your flight 30 to 45 days before your trip, and always try to get the first flight of the day.

The optimal time to book domestic flights—according to data from travel sites Skyscanner , Kayak, and the transaction services provider Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC)—is anywhere from six to three weeks out , although the earlier you can book, the better. High prices for last-minute tickets are very real.

As far as flight times, your schedule will determine your return. For your departure, though, fly as early as you can. Data shows flying earlier in the day increases your chances of reaching your destination on time, with the window between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. the best.

2. Pack strategically.

Packing strategically is about more than remembering to bring essentials. It’s also about maximizing your space, comfort, and time.

Some best packing practices include the following:

Define the attire decorum, so you don’t bring clothes you won’t wear. (Do you need a blazer or sport coat? Jeans or slacks?)
Roll your clothing , and use packing cubes to organize everything so it’s easy to unpack upon arrival .
Buy travel-sized containers at a drugstore, and fill them using your full-sized toiletries. This will save you money—travel-sized toiletries cost more per-ounce than typical sizes—and reduce single-use plastic waste.
Keep your travel toiletries ready to go in a Dopp kit, even when you’re not traveling. It will save you that step when it’s time to depart.
Bring a travel pillow that you can use on the flight and at the hotel, in case the hotel pillows are subpar.
Pack high-quality insoles, in addition to wearing versatile shoes . They’ll make all the difference when you’re walking from place to place or making the rounds at a trade show.

3. Use TSA Precheck, and check in as soon as possible.

Would you pay $17 a year for shorter security lines and waits in airports? Of course you would. TSA PreCheck costs $85 for a five-year membership.

With TSA PreCheck, you get to leave on your shoes and belt, and keep your laptop in your bag. As of January 2020, 94 percent of travelers who used TSA PreCheck had wait times of five minutes or less.

Also, always enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN) when you’re purchasing your ticket. By doing this beforehand, you can head straight to the PreCheck line as soon as you arrive at the airport, rather than spend time checking in.

Finally, always check in online as soon as your airline sends a link, and select a seat. Doing so will reduce the likelihood of you being bumped from an overbooked flight.

4. Don’t ever check a bag.

Unless your trip extends beyond a week, don’t check a bag. First, you’ll get in the mindset of packing more efficiently (see above). Second, you’ll save time exiting the plane. This could potentially save you money on transportation, as surge-pricing for ride-sharing apps comes into play once passengers leave the airport in mass.

5. Use apps to navigate trade shows and save money on your trip.

If you’re heading to a trade show or convention, download the app before you arrive.

Most, if not all, trade shows and conferences offer an app with a map that helps you navigate the labyrinthine layout, usually MapYourShow or something similar. You can plan your movements to optimize your time at your destination.

You should also use apps so you can save money: Instead of shelling out for expensive room service, use Caviar, DoorDash, GrubHub, or another similar food delivery app. GoPuff is useful beyond snacks, too. The app will deliver everything from toiletries and over-the-counter meds to headphones and, if you so choose, beer. Keep it handy.

6. Always stay at the same hotel chain.

Whenever possible, stay at the same hotel chain, and make sure you’re a member of its loyalty program. Even the act of joining will net you all sorts of benefits (like late checkout), and when you start accruing serious points, you can score room upgrades, discounts, and more.

Similarly, ask what member discounts they offer (such as military or AAA), and always take advantage of them.

7. Practice proper trade show etiquette.

The last day of trade shows is usually a wind-down day—and, frankly, a recovery day, as many people consider the penultimate evening party time. Unless you’re already scheduled to meet up with people, write it off for networking and more informal conversations.

Similarly, try to avoid talking shop first thing in the morning unless you’re bringing someone coffee as a kind gesture. The first hour or so of most shows is spent setting things up, and people running the booths won’t be able to give you their undivided attention.

As always: Pack extra business cards. Bring more than you think you might need, and then bring even more than that.

8. At trade shows, seek out—and offer—high-quality giveaways.

Giveaways are a sure-fire way to get people to come to your booth, but make sure they’re high value. Nobody who attends conventions and trade shows regularly needs another drawstring bag.

Consider items that help business travelers stay comfortable as they move about, such as Salonpas back patches or shoe insoles.

Another favorite option? Go eco-friendly by handing out reusable, branded straws. You’ll be surprised at how popular these items are.

3 Quick Tips To Prepare For Your Next Business Trip

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147 business travel tips the frequent traveler's guide

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 best ideas to travel smarter for work

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

Image with Text that States Business Travel Tips for Booking 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.

Text noting that that Booking Direct Flights whenever possible is a good business travel tip

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.

Airport Meme from 300 movie about Florida Airports being crazy

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

Business Travel Tips for Packing and Luggage Header Image for Section

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 .

Luggage stacked on top of itself with text noting 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.

147 Business Travel Tips to Change your Life

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.

Business Travel Tips - pack the night before your return flight

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!

Business Travel Tips for Travel Gear and Tech

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

Business Travel Tips for Getting To From 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 donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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 youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve ever been stuck behind a family who hasnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t traveled in 9 years, or college students who have no clue what is going on, you learn to seek out the pros. This doesnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢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 alsoÃ¢â‚¬Â¦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!

147 Travel Tips Infographic - Biggest List of Travel Tips Ever

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.

Take seat please travel memes, airplane memes, airport memes

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.

Business Travel Memes - when the guy reclines his seat

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.

Business Travel Tips for Staying Healthy

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 Ã¢â‚¬â€œ 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

Business Travel Tips for Safety and Security

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.

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 ]

A summary image for 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:

The Ultimate List of Business Travel Tips

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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 itâ€™s great on smooth or even smoothish surfaces. As you say, when the surface is rough a two wheel works better. Thatâ€™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.

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 !

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The Ultimate Packing List for Business Travelers

Marty Levart

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

Business travel can be both exciting and stressful. Having the right items with you can make your trip more comfortable and productive. In this article, we will provide you with the ultimate packing list for business travelers, ensuring that you have everything you need for a successful trip.

Editor’s Note: This article was partially generated using AI technology.

When it comes to professional attire, it’s good to consider the level of formality of your trip. Business suits are a professional staple, providing a polished and put-together look for any occasion. For a more business casual situation, dress shirts and blouses paired with slacks or a skirt are a good option. Pieces that can be dressed up or down, like a linen blazer or a black dress , allow you to create multiple outfits with minimal packing.

In terms of outerwear, consider the climate of your destination. Blazers and suit jackets are popular choices, providing a structured and put-together look. Sweaters can be worn over dress shirts or blouses for a relaxed yet professional appearance. For colder destinations, a tailored option like a peacoat or a well-fitting lightweight puffer jacket will do the trick.

For footwear, consider dress shoes such as oxfords, loafers, pumps, flats, or dressy boots. It is important to choose shoes that are appropriate for the workplace while still being comfortable enough for any sightseeing you have planned.

In addition to business attire, pack a few casual items for after-hours activities and for the flight. These can include comfortable pants , jeans , t-shirts , and sweaters .

The ultimate business trip packing checklist should always include:

Business suits
Professional dress shirts and blouses
Slacks and dress pants
Skirts and dresses
Jackets and sweaters
Shoes (at least two pairs)
Socks and underwear
A tie and belt (if applicable)
A scarf (if applicable)
A hat (if applicable)

It is essential to pack toiletries for a business trip, especially if you will be away for more than a few days. Consider packing items such as:

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap and body wash
Razors and shaving cream
Hairbrush and comb
Facial cleanser and moisturizer
Makeup and cosmetics
Menstrual products
Skincare products (including facial cleanser and sunscreen )
Contact lenses and solution (if applicable)
Prescription medications

When it comes to personal hygiene and self-care, it is essential to have a few items on hand. The most basic necessities include a toothbrush , toothpaste , shampoo , conditioner , soap, body wash , deodorant , and any skincare products part of your typical routine. For those who prefer a clean-shaven look, don’t forget your razors and shaving cream.

For hair care, bring along a hairbrush or comb , hair styling tools , and any hair products you use on a daily basis.

Lastly, individuals who require prescription medications should always have them readily available. Pack any necessary medication in your carry-on or personal item to ensure that they reach your destination safely.

Electronics

Staying connected on-the-go is never more important than when traveling for business. Make sure to bring the following items:

Cell phone and charger
Any necessary external hard drives or flash drives
Power cords and adaptors
Portable Wi-Fi device
Portable charger

A laptop is a must-have for any business traveler as it allows you to work on important tasks and stay connected with your colleagues and clients. Additionally, a cell phone is essential for communication and a tablet can be useful for reading documents or presentations on the go.

Headphones can be useful for listening to music on the plane or taking calls in noisy environments. A portable Wi-Fi device can provide you with reliable internet access while on the move. Lastly, a portable charger can be a lifesaver when you are running low on battery power without an outlet in sight.

Be sure to bring important travel documents on your business trip, such as your passport, driver’s license, copies of your itinerary, and tickets. In addition to these typical travel necessities, make sure to print out any contracts, reports, or presentations you may need for your trip. Keep all of these documents in a folder or bag that you can easily access.

Miscellaneous Business Essentials

When traveling for work, make sure to pack all the business travel essentials needed to complete your job for the duration of the trip. This can include additional accessories like a briefcase or laptop bag , business cards, notebooks , and pens . If you’re giving a presentation, make sure to bring all the necessary equipment and materials, such as presentation notes, cables, and extra batteries .

Lastly, make sure to bring any industry or job-specific items that your work may require, such as name tags, ID cards, building keys, specialized gear or equipment, or uniforms.

Miscellaneous Travel Items

There are a few items you’ll want to have in your suitcase no matter the type of trip. These include:

Travel-sized laundry detergent
Travel pillow and blanket
Travel-sized umbrella
Snacks and water bottle
Travel-sized first aid kit
Travel adapter for charging devices
Travel-sized sewing kit
Travel-sized stain remover

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Delta Business Traveler program: How it works and how you can benefit from signing up

Delta Air Lines is known for business travel — it's earned the top spot in Business Travel News' annual airline survey for 13 years running. Now it's trying to broaden its presence in the space with a new program called Delta Business Traveler.

If you're familiar with Delta's existing SkyMiles for Business program (formerly SkyBonus), this isn't replacing it — in fact, the two programs are designed to complement each other. Here's everything you need to know about the new Delta Business Traveler program: who it's for, what perks it offers and how it works in tandem with SkyMiles for Business.

Related: What hotel loyalty program is best for business travelers?

What is the Delta Business Traveler program?

Delta describes Delta Business Traveler as a "complimentary offers program that provides individual business travelers with exclusive offers from both Delta and our partners." In short, it's aimed to serve business travelers who don't have a corporate travel arrangement with Delta or don't qualify to join SkyMiles for Business. It's designed for small-business owners, employees of small to midsize companies and corporate business travelers.

To join Delta Business Traveler, all you have to do is be a Delta SkyMiles member and identify as a business traveler. To sign up, head to this link . You'll need to enter your SkyMiles number and some information on your company and role, but there's no employer verification required.

Benefits of the Delta Business Traveler program

Delta Business Traveler rewards members with discounts, bonus miles and other perks at various partners. These include:

Six months of complimentary Hertz Five Star Status and a faster track to President's Circle Status
3 additional bonus miles per dollar spent on Delta Stays and car rentals through the end of 2024
A free month trial and discounted access ($99 per month) to Industrious' global network of over 200 premium workplaces with the Industrious x Delta Business Traveler Pass
Special offers on vacation packages from Delta Vacations

The above benefits are listed on the Delta Business Traveler page. However, if you sign up for the program (which is free and took me about 10 seconds), a host of new offers will appear in your account. Mine include the following:

A $250 sponsored job credit if I create a new employer account with Indeed
A "unique offering" of annual protection plans from Allianz Travel Insurance
A discount on an annual Clear Plus membership if I enroll by Dec. 31
20% off Someone Somewhere products like backpacks and totes
30% off a MasterClass membership

These offers may be targeted, so yours may look a little different.

As you can see, the program doesn't offer many rewards for actually flying Delta for business. What it does offer are discounts and perks on various travel purchases. These could be particularly helpful to business travelers who want to extend their stay after their meeting or conference by, for instance, booking a hotel or rental car on their own dime.

The program also provides benefits at work-related places like Industrious and Indeed, which may be useful to remote workers and small-business owners. Basically, for just $99 per month, you can rent an office space through Industrious' network of premium workplaces.

Related: Delta adds Hertz status for all Medallion elites, revamps earning structure for rentals

Delta Business Traveler vs. SkyMiles for Business

If you've heard of Delta's other business program, SkyMiles for Business, it's understandable if you're a little confused. Delta Business Traveler is a separate program designed to complement SkyMiles for Business by serving a different group of business travelers.

While Delta Business Traveler is designed for anyone who travels for work, SkyMiles for Business is geared for small and medium-size enterprises. To enroll , you must be a business or owner administrator of a company. You will be required to provide a valid tax identification number or value-added tax number, and you may need to show written proof of authorization from the company.

The basic member tier of SkyMiles for Business is open to all companies, regardless of size and annual revenue. This tier provides tailored offers from Delta and third parties, similar to Delta Business Traveler. It does not allow your business to earn SkyMiles , although individual employees will still earn miles on Delta and partner flights as SkyMiles members.

To reach the higher tiers, your company must have at least five unique employee travelers and spend at least $5,000 in eligible flight revenue every calendar year. If you meet these criteria, your company will earn SkyMiles on eligible flights taken by employees, while the employees will continue to earn miles on flights as they normally would.

As you can see, SkyMiles for Business is more rewarding for larger companies with at least five employees who travel and an annual spend of at least $5,000 on flights. Delta Business Traveler, on the other hand, is open to anyone who identifies as a business traveler, no matter how much or how little you travel.

Related: Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it

Bottom line

Delta has reaffirmed its commitment to the business travel sector with its newest offering, Delta Business Traveler, which is accessible to anyone who travels for work. The program's benefits aren't groundbreaking, but it's free and easy to join. If you travel for work at all, it's worth enrolling in the program to see what kind of discounts and offers you may get.

Business Insights

How to stay business connected while travelling, august 23, 2024.

Staying business connected while travelling

Have you ever been on a business trip and struggled to stay connected with your team or clients due to unreliable Wi-Fi or expensive roaming charges? This is a common challenge for many business travelers.

But what if there was a way to ensure seamless communication, no matter where you are in the world? Enter eSIM technology a game-changer for staying connected while on the go.

How can this digital innovation keep you seamlessly connected to your business, free of the usual hassles? Let’s explore the tools and strategies that make business travel smoother and more productive.

Why staying connected matters

Consistent communication with your team, clients, and partners is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring that projects stay on track. When you’re traveling, being out of the loop can lead to missed opportunities, misunderstandings, and delays.

Staying connected helps you manage expectations, provide timely updates, and make informed decisions. With eSIM, you can maintain seamless communication by switching between mobile networks without needing a new SIM card, ensuring you’re always connected, wherever you are.

Essential tools for staying connected

Whether you are working remotely, socializing with friends, or simply just staying informed, these tools can make your life easier and more enjoyable. So, let’s explore some of the most indispensable options.

One of the most significant tools for staying connected while traveling is the eSIM. Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIM is embedded directly into your device, enabling you to switch between different mobile carriers without physically changing the SIM card.

This is especially useful for frequent travelers who move between countries, as it eliminates the need to purchase and carry multiple SIM cards.

For those traveling within the UK, using an eSIM UK plan can provide a seamless experience, allowing you to easily download a new data plan in minutes. This ensures that you always have access to local networks, which can be faster and more cost-effective than international roaming.

Convenience : No more hunting for SIM cards at the airport or dealing with language barriers. Simply activate a new plan through your device settings.
Cost-effective : eSIM allows you to choose the best local rates for data and calls, helping you avoid costly roaming charges.
Flexibility : You can manage multiple profiles on one eSIM, making it easy to switch between personal and business numbers or different data plans depending on your location.

Mobile devices

Your smartphone, tablet, or laptop is your primary tool for staying connected while on the move. Make sure your devices are updated, secure, and equipped with the necessary apps to keep your business running smoothly. With eSIM technology, your mobile devices become even more powerful, enabling uninterrupted connectivity across different regions.

Communication Apps : Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom allow you to stay in touch with your team and clients through chat, voice, and video calls.
Project Management Tools : Apps like Trello, Asana, and Monday.com help you manage tasks, track progress, and collaborate with your team.
Cloud Storage : Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive enable you to access and share files from anywhere.

Portable Wi-Fi hotspots

A portable Wi-Fi hotspot is a must-have for any business traveler. These devices provide secure, high-speed internet access wherever you are, ensuring that you can connect to your work without relying on public Wi-Fi networks, which can be slow and insecure. An eSIM-compatible portable hotspot allows you to easily switch to the best available network, enhancing your connectivity.

When using public Wi-Fi, it’s crucial to protect your data from potential threats. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection, keeping your business communications and data secure. Popular VPN services include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost.

Traditional SIM card vs. eSIM

The difference between sim card and esim

Strategies for effective communication

To ensure your message is conveyed accurately and understood by your audience, it’s essential to employ various strategies that enhance the clarity, coherence, and impact of your communication. The following points outline some key techniques you can use to communicate more effectively:

Schedule regular check-ins with your team

Regular check-ins with your team help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that any issues are addressed promptly. Schedule daily or weekly meetings based on your travel schedule and time zone differences. With eSIM, you can easily maintain these check-ins, even as you switch between networks or countries.

Use time zone converters : Tools like World Time Buddy can help you find suitable meeting times across different time zones.
Set clear expectations : Let your team know your availability and preferred methods of communication while traveling.

Prioritize important communications

Not every message or call requires your immediate attention. Prioritize your communications by focusing on urgent and high-impact tasks. Use tools like email filters and priority notifications to manage your inbox and ensure that you don’t miss critical messages.

Utilize asynchronous communication

When you’re in different time zones from your team, asynchronous communication can be a lifesaver. Tools like Slack and project management software allow you to leave messages, updates, and instructions that your team can act on even when you’re not available in real-time.

Maintaining productivity on the go

Traveling doesn’t have to mean a drop in productivity. With the right tools and mindset, you can continue to work efficiently, regardless of your location. Staying connected allows you to respond quickly to issues, manage your workload, and ensure your business continues to thrive.

The flexibility of eSIM technology adds to this productivity, enabling you to access the best available mobile networks in different regions, ensuring you have a strong and reliable connection.

Self-care tips for travelers

Traveling can be physically and mentally exhausting, so it’s essential to prioritize self-care. Staying healthy and well-rested will help you maintain your energy levels and focus on your work.

Stay hydrated : Carry a reusable water bottle and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Get enough sleep : Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule, even when crossing time zones.
Exercise regularly : Incorporate physical activity into your routine, whether it’s a walk, a hotel gym session, or a quick workout in your room. Staying active helps reduce stress, boosts your mood, and keeps you energized for the demands of your work.
Eat healthily : While it may be tempting to indulge in local cuisine or convenient fast food, maintaining a balanced diet will help you stay focused and productive. Opt for nutritious meals that include fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to fuel your body and mind.
Mindfulness and relaxation : Practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation can help you manage stress and maintain mental clarity. Even a few minutes of mindfulness each day can make a significant difference in your overall well-being while traveling.

Does the thought of staying connected during your travels stress you out? It doesn’t have to. With the right tools, strategies, and a little help from eSIM technology, you can keep your business running smoothly, wherever you are.

Imagine being able to switch to the best local networks with just a few taps, avoid costly roaming charges, and never have to worry about swapping SIM cards again. Sounds like a dream, right? But it’s entirely achievable.

By planning and embracing these innovations, you can turn business trips into opportunities instead of obstacles. So, are you ready to stay connected and productive, no matter where your journey takes you?

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Smart Meetings

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Smart Travel: 2024 Global Tourism to Set Records, Travel Tips for Women and More

by Kate Zaliznock

August 23, 2024

businesswoman on airplane talking into earphone

Welcome to Smart Travel, our weekly column where we share our latest tips and tricks to stay up to date on the can’t-miss news in travel. Today, we have details on a new U.S. Travel initiative, data on global tourism, advice for solo female business travelers, Boeing’s latest hiccup and the most recent addition to Universal Orlando’s upcoming Epic Universe theme park.

Booking.com Spotlights Tips for Solo Female Business Travelers

With most professionals in the meetings industry being female, we want to make sure you stay savvy and safe during your next business trip. Research your destination’s travel restrictions, safest transportation means and emergency phone numbers, and check the local news before you leave so you are aware of any climate or political issues that could affect your trip. Avoid posting your tagged location, real-time movements and photos of your accommodation or ticket details on social media. And consider these other tips as well:

Get travel insurance to avoid stressful situations when unexpected circumstances arise.
Make sure you travel with a portable phone charger, so you are never left without a means of communication.
Ask your hotel concierge about areas to avoid and other local safety knowledge.
Carry only the cash you need and leave the surplus back in your room—or stick with secure digital payments you’ve researched prior to arrival.
Give feedback to your company after your trip; did you feel your destination was a safe place to conduct business or would you recommend a different location instead?

Read More : Be Aware: Tips for Women Business Travelers On the Road

U.S. Announces New Task Force on Global Sporting Events

The United States has no shortage of upcoming international sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2031 Rugby World Cup. In a move led by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), the Task Force on Global Sporting Events will implement new solutions for better travel experiences, stronger safety protocols and maximized economic benefits. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of U.S Travel Association, applauded the development, calling it an “unmatched opportunity to showcase U.S. destinations and cement our position as the top global travel destination.”

Read More : Sports Arenas and Stadiums: On Game for Meeting Planners This Year

2024 Expected to Set Records in Global Tourism

In a wild swing from the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, this year global travel is shaping up to be at a record peak. As a result of what many call “ revenge travel ,” alongside elements such as a surge in remote work and an upward trend in wanderlust social media content, 2024 has seen more packed planes, trains and automobiles than ever before. Also, finance isn’t the primary focus it once was for many travelers; a recent study released by AMEX showed 77% of respondents care more about the right travel experience than about the cost of the trip.

Read More : ARVO Conference in Seattle Opened Eyes to Lingering International Travel Challenges

This swell of international travel has major implications for popular destinations—many of which are far from positive. Don’t be surprised by an increase in strikes and protests as locals respond to issues such as displacement of the working class and strain on outdated infrastructure. In the U.S., workers in Boston, New Haven, Providence and Honolulu voted overwhelmingly to authorize strikes, with major hoteliers such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and Omni Hotels at risk.

Boeing’s Latest Setback: Grounding 777-9 Test Planes

In yet another engineering hurdle, Boeing has announced the grounding of its 777-9 test planes, a project designed for distance travel and whose release has already been delayed by years.

Routine maintenance uncovered an issue with a structural component within the engine housing of the planes, designed to carry 426 passengers over a distance of more than 7,200 nautical miles. Boeing has notified the Federal Aviation Administration that updates will be forthcoming.

Universal Unveils Plans for 500-Room Helios Grand Hotel as Part of Universal Epic Universe Theme Park

Epic Universe, the mega theme park set to open in 2025, will include a “majestic Mediterranean-inspired escape” in the form of Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room resort that will be located in Celestial Park, one of Epic Universe’s five “worlds” (the others being Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic).

The accommodations will include spacious suites, a rooftop lounge, a resort-style pool, a fitness center, a game room, plenty of dining options and a Universal Orlando Resort store and, most notably, a dedicated entrance to Epic Universe. With no shortage of competition between theme parks, attractions and adjacent accommodations, it will be interesting to see how Universal intends to elevate Helios Grand Hotel above the rest.

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August 22, 2024

The Future of Business Travel: The Latest Trends and Expectations

New data suggests mixed business travel intentions in the months to come.

Article Highlights:

Business Travel Trends: In 2024, 82% of professionals plan to travel as much or more, with 74% combining business and leisure (bleisure) activities.

Gender Differences in Travel Protection: Women tend to use crossbody bags for valuables, while men prefer zippered pockets or no protection.

Work Models and Travel: Hybrid work models increase travel opportunities, affecting the recovery of business travel post-pandemic.

Business travel is undergoing a slow, but steady, transformation shaped by evolving work models and changing expectations. According to the Global Rescue Summer 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey a blend of optimism and caution grips the attention of business travelers, including trends in travel, the impact of changing work models, and the growing phenomenon of “bleisure” travel.

5 Key Points Regarding About Business Travel Expectations in 2024:

Mixed Travel Intentions: A significant portion of professionals (82%) expect to travel about the same or more for business in 2024.
Expectations of Recovery: While 59% believe business travel will match or exceed pre-pandemic levels, a notable percentage (26%) foresee business industry travel to be significantly lower than before.
Business Destinations: A majority of business travelers (65%) plan to travel both domestically and internationally.
“Bleisure” Travel Rise Continues: The trend of combining business trips with leisure activities is on the rise, with 74% of professionals adding personal days to their trips.
Work Models: Nearly half (47%) identify as hybrid workers, balancing time between remote and in-office work.

Evolving Business Travel Patterns

The glossy, outdoor walls and stairway of a professional building with people ascending.

The changes in patterns and expectations of business travel are driven by a mix of emerging trends and shifting attitudes towards in-person interactions. Companies and professionals are adapting to new dynamics, balancing the need for face-to-face engagement with the convenience of virtual alternatives. Below, we delve into key aspects shaping the future of business travel.

Increased Travel Intentions

According to the survey, 27% of professionals anticipate traveling more for business in 2024 compared to the previous year. The majority (54%), however, expect their travel volume to remain consistent, while 18% foresee a decrease. This mixed outlook suggests that while many companies are resuming pre-pandemic travel habits, others are still cautious, reflecting a more conservative approach to business travel.

“It’s a promising indicator for the business travel industry, and one reason why travel growth continues,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services, and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “In-person meetings are more effective at establishing and maintaining relationships.”

Contributing factors for this cautious attitude include budget constraints, advancements in virtual communication, and the ongoing evolution of workplace dynamics. Companies are weighing the benefits of in-person meetings against the convenience and cost-effectiveness of virtual interactions. As we move further into 2024, it appears that business travel is on an upward trajectory, with many professionals eager to reconnect face-to-face.

Business Travel Expectations: A Return to Business Travel 2019 Volumes

Digging deeper into the expectations surrounding business travel, 24% of respondents believe that travel will exceed pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, 35% expect their travel to match or nearly match those levels. This optimism indicates businesses recognize the importance of personal interactions in building relationships and closing deals.

But not everyone shares this optimism. A portion of respondents—about 12%—anticipate that their travel will be only about half of what it was before the pandemic, while 14% believe it will be less than half. This divergence in expectations underscores the varying degrees of recovery across different industries and organizations. For some, the push towards digital communication tools may have reduced the necessity for travel while others, particularly in sectors reliant on face-to-face interactions, may feel the urgent need to travel more extensively.

Travel Destinations: A Balanced Approach

The survey results show a strong preference for a mix of domestic and international travel among business travelers with 66% of respondents indicating they will travel domestically and internationally. This trend reflects a broadening of horizons as businesses seek to explore new markets and strengthen existing relationships across borders.

In contrast, only 5% plan to travel solely internationally, while 29% will exclusively travel domestically. This inclination towards a hybrid travel approach suggests professionals are keen to leverage local opportunities and global networks. Companies that can facilitate travel to both domestic and international markets will likely gain a competitive edge in 2024.

The Rise of “Bleisure” Travel

A woman works on her laptop inside a lush greenhouse.

The popularity of “bleisure” travel—combining business trips with leisure activities—continues. Three out of four respondents (74%) expressed their intention to add extra days to their business trips for personal or leisure travel. This trend indicates a growing desire among professionals to balance work and life, making the most of their travel experiences.

The rise of bleisure travel can be attributed to several factors, including the flexibility of remote and hybrid work models. Employees who want to maximize their travel experiences are turning business trips into opportunities for relaxation and exploration. Companies that acknowledge this trend and allow for flexible scheduling can enhance employee satisfaction and productivity while fostering a culture of work-life balance.

Work Models and Travel Behavior

The shift towards remote and hybrid work models has significantly impacted businesses. Among respondents, nearly half (47%) identify as hybrid workers, balancing time between remote and in-office work. As remote work becomes more ingrained in business culture, the question arises: does this work model encourage more travel?

“With the potential for increased work-related travel and a growing emphasis on bleisure experiences, business leaders must stay attuned to employees’ evolving needs, especially when updating their duty of care provisions,” Richards said.

Interestingly, 63% of respondents believe that remote or hybrid work models encourage them, or their friends and family, to travel more. This finding suggests that the flexibility afforded by these work models allows professionals to explore new destinations while maintaining their work commitments. The ability to work from anywhere offers a unique opportunity for individuals to blend work and leisure seamlessly.

Conversely, 37% of respondents do not feel that remote or hybrid models encourage travel, indicating that not everyone is taking advantage of this newfound flexibility. This divide may reflect personal preferences, financial considerations, or varying levels of job responsibility, which can influence an individual’s travel intentions.

A Complex Landscape Ahead

As we look ahead, it’s a bit of both optimism and caution that’s defining current business traveler attitudes. While a significant portion of professionals are eager to travel more, many are adopting a wait-and-see approach.

Regardless of trends, it’s critical for employers to update their duty of care provisions, as Richards mentioned above. And some employers are behind in doing so, while many others haven’t re-examined their duty of care requirements since the onset of the pandemic, which cut an entirely new facet to this obligation. Meeting your duty of care responsibility is a benchmark that has changed and will continue to evolve for the post-pandemic workforce.

Contact us to learn how Global Rescue can help you fulfill your duty of care obligation .

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General TotalCare Disclaimer:

©2024 Global Rescue LLC. TotalCare and the TotalCare logo are service marks of Global Rescue LLC. All Rights Reserved. Global Rescue LLC provides technical and administrative services to Elite Medical Group, P.C. (“Elite Medical”), a professional corporation owned by licensed physicians that employs or contracts with physicians licensed to practice medicine where medical services are provided. It is not guaranteed that a prescription will be written, nor will any DEA controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs and certain other drugs which may be harmful because of their potential for abuse, as a result of a TotalCare consultation. Elite Medical physicians reserve the right to deny care for potential or actual misuse of services. The Global Rescue Mobile App is designed for operation on the current versions of Android and iOS operating systems. Availability of services is subject to your equipment compatibility, connectivity and signal in your location. There is no guarantee that all features and functionality will be available in your location. Use and availability of the Mobile App is subject to your service provider’s plan and may be subject to additional fees from your provider.

Extended Plan TotalCare SM :

For individuals 85+, medical transport is not included in membership. Members 85+ may purchase medical transport on a fee for service basis.

Mobile Apps:

Global Rescue Mobile Apps are designed for operation on the current versions of Android and iOS operating systems. Availability of services is subject to your equipment compatibility, connectivity and signal in your location. There is no guarantee that all features and functionality will be available in your location. Use and availability of the Mobile Apps are subject to your service provider’s plan and may be subject to additional fees from your provider. The download and use of a Global Rescue Mobile App is subject to the terms of your Member Services Agreement and the applicable End User License Agreement (EULA).

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IMAGES

6 Tips for Business Travellers
7 Business Travel Tips to Make Traveling Easier
Infographic: 6 Tips for Spending Less on Business Travel
Helpful Travel Tips for Business Travellers
Essential Business Travel Itinerary Templates for Successful Trips
What Are Some Tips For Consistent Business Travellers?

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The guide to travelling for work: 35 best tips for business travellers
15. Pack healthy snacks. For many business travellers, a work trip often means irregular meal times and unhealthy snacks. With a little preparation, you can actually avoid this: pack enough healthy, balanced snacks to keep with you not only on the plane but also whenever you're on the go. 16.
17 Incredibly Useful Business Travel Tips from a Frequent Traveler
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.
22 Business Travel Tips for Frequent Corporate Travelers
15. Find (or pack) healthy food. Travel is hard on your body, and you need to continue to do your job well on the road. Packing or buying healthy snacks will help you stay well while traveling. 16. Use a travel management company (TMC). TMCs can help your company save money and optimize business trip itineraries.
26 Business Travel Tips & Hacks [Packing, Hotel, & More]
2. Take care of yourself. Don't neglect your health while you're on the road. Choose healthy, well-balanced meals, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and stick to your regular exercise routine by hitting the hotel gym, going for a jog, or sneaking in a quick workout in your room.
10 essential tips for the first time business traveler
These travel tips will help you save time and avoid the most common issues. Just sit back, relax and keep reading to get ready for the first of many business trips. 1. Pack like a pro. Start with proper carry-on luggage and take the time to pack light. Packing cubes and internal pockets can make all the difference for business travel.
30 Best Tips for Business Travel (With Video)
30 Best Tips for Business Travel. In this video, Ingrid shares packing tips for when you need to go from a plane to a meeting to happy hour - and take only a carry-on. Throughout your career, you may need to travel for business. Because you will be meeting people or attending important events, you want to ensure every aspect of your travel goes ...
20 business travel tips
If you opt for cash, get small bills you can offer as tips for any meals you grab. Of course, check in advance if tipping is popular at your destination to avoid any unpleasant surprises. 14. Try to add a bit of leisure time. Business travelers might have noticed the rise of bleisure - a combo of business and leisure.
The Ultimate List of Business Travel Tips
Business Travel Packing Tips. Carry-on vs Checking Luggage: Business travelers tend to prefer to carry-on only, especially for shorter trips. This reduces the change of lost luggage and saves time when you arrive. Some frequent travelers hate lugging luggage through the airport and always check a bag.
Expert Business Travel Tips for a Smooth Business Trip (40+ Ideas)
Invest in a travel pillow that will help you sleep either in the hotel or on the airplane. 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.
The Ultimate Guide For Business Travel
There are plenty of apps on the market with both free and subscription offerings for keeping track of business travel expenses. Two apps for expensing business travel stand out in the field: Expensify and Zoho. While keeping physical receipts is still a good practice, these make tracking expenses a breeze. 4. Plan & Debrief
27 Business Travel Tips to Streamline Your Journey
Business travel is essential for many companies. In a survey by Deloitte, 53% of US companies said they expect their travel spend to exceed three-quarters of 2019 levels by the end of 2023, and these numbers are only getting better. 71% of US companies expect a full recovery in travel spend by the end of 2024.. In another study by Morgan Stanley Research, corporate travel budgets showed ...
41+ Business Travel Tips To Gain Success In 2024
7. Stay Refreshed With A Travel-sized Toiletry Bag. Having a versatile toiletry bag for every trip is a game changer for many travellers, especially business travellers. It is no secret that dressing smartly and having good personal hygiene can leave great impressions in professional settings.
11 Business Travel Tips From Frequent Business Travelers
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.". - Suzanne Wolko, Phila Travel Girl. 7.
10 Business Travel Tips You Probably Forgot Since Your Last Trip
9. Pack a Backup Battery. In this era of conveniences, it stinks to be inconvenienced by a delayed flight, stalled train, stuck elevator, and what have you. Having a backup battery on hand, also ...
How to Make Traveling for Work Easier: 21 Business Travel Tips
Take advantage of frequent flyer perks—like free or reduced plane tickets, seat upgrades, airport lounge access, and other travel rewards—by booking with the same airline whenever you travel for work. United Airline's Perks Plus and American Airline's Business Extra are two top-notch business travel reward programs available.
The 10 ultimate travel tips for your first business trip
6. Get a good carry on. Having a good rolling carry-on suitcase is really important in securing a smooth business trip. There's nothing more stressful than running through the airport with a heavy duffel bag or a suitcase with no wheels. You'll just set yourself up for a stressful, sweaty disaster.
8 Business Travel Hacks You Need To Know
As always: Pack extra business cards. Bring more than you think you might need, and then bring even more than that. 8. At trade shows, seek out—and offer—high-quality giveaways. Giveaways are a sure-fire way to get people to come to your booth, but make sure they're high value.
21 Expert Tips for Stress-Free Business Travel
2. Rack up those travel rewards. One of the benefits of frequent business travel is racking up travel rewards for personal use. Co-founder and CMO of Formspal Ebony Chappell says, "Utilize your company travel to earn points or miles on your preferred airline, hotel, or travel credit card." You can also earn rewards and discounts from car rental companies and restaurant chains.
20 Business Travel Safety Tips
20 business travel security tips for employees Before you leave. Do some research about your destination to make sure you understand the local culture, customs, laws, and any potential travel advisories, especially if you're traveling internationally. Having this knowledge can help you show respect for local customs and avoid making risky ...
147 Business Travel Tips
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 ...
19 Business Travel Tips for Frequent Corporate Travelers
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.
The Ultimate Packing List for Business Travelers
The ultimate business trip packing checklist should always include: Business suits. Professional dress shirts and blouses. Slacks and dress pants. Skirts and dresses. Jackets and sweaters. Shoes ...
How to Travel Like a Pro: 15 Essential Travel Tips from Frequent ...
All of these smart tips for travel will help you maximize your travel time; tip #7—Enroll in Trusted Traveler Programs—works hand in hand in helping you maximize your time at the airport.
Delta Business Travelers program: How it works and how you can benefit
Delta Air Lines is known for business travel — it's earned the top spot in Business Travel News' annual airline survey for 13 years running. Now it's trying to broaden its presence in the space with a new program called Delta Business Travelers. If you're familiar with Delta's existing SkyMiles for Business program (formerly SkyBonus), this isn't replacing it — in fact, the two programs ...
5 Money-Saving Tips for Business Travelers
Airline tickets are expensive, and the costs can quickly add up if you are traveling often for business. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind that might just save you a little cash on ...
How to stay business connected while travelling
Let's explore the tools and strategies that make business travel smoother and more productive. Why staying connected matters. Consistent communication with your team, clients, and partners is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring that projects stay on track. When you're traveling, being out of the loop can lead to missed ...
Maximizing Your Airport Lounge Experience: Top Tips for 2024
Traditionally a haven for business travelers and the elite, airport lounges have increasingly become an integral part of the travel experience for many. ... Airport Lounge Experience: Top Tips for ...
BBB Tip: Need help planning a trip? How to find a good travel agent
Consumers spend billions of dollars each year traveling. With the convenience of the internet, sometimes it's difficult to find a trustworthy third-party travel service.Sometimes well-recognized ...
Smart Travel: 2024 Global Tourism to Set Records, Travel Tips for Women
Read More: Be Aware: Tips for Women Business Travelers On the Road. U.S. Announces New Task Force on Global Sporting Events. The United States has no shortage of upcoming international sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2031 Rugby World Cup.
The Future of Business Travel: The Latest Trends and Expectations
Article Highlights: Business Travel Trends: In 2024, 82% of professionals plan to travel as much or more, with 74% combining business and leisure (bleisure) activities. Gender Differences in Travel Protection: Women tend to use crossbody bags for valuables, while men prefer zippered pockets or no protection. Work Models and Travel: Hybrid work models increase travel opportunities, affecting ...

17 Incredibly Useful Business Travel Tips from a Frequent Traveler

17 Business Travel Tips You Need to Know

Best Business Travel Tips Summarized

1. Travel with a carry-on only.

2. Invest in good luggage.

3. Pack portable and spare chargers.

4. Pack wrinkle release spray.

5. Stick with a single loyalty program.

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

7. Download airline/hotel apps.

8. Make the most of rideshare apps.

9. Keep an extra set of travel essentials.

10. Get Global Entry/TSA Precheck.

11. Get airport lounge access.

12. Remember to pack casual clothes.

13. Pack earplugs.

14. Note your preferences on your travel profiles.

15. Simplify expenses.

16. Prepare the night before.

17. Make time for fun.

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22 Business Travel Tips for Frequent Corporate Travelers

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10 essential tips for the first time business traveler

1. Pack like a pro

2. Papers, please

3. Is your business travel covered?

4. Level up your airport experience

5. Going the distance

6. Take advantage of tech

7. Always ask about amenities

8. Counting costs

9. Work smart and stay refreshed

10. Flawless first impressions

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The Ultimate List of Business Travel Tips

32 Business Travel Tips

Before You Travel

Apps to Download Before Your Business Trip

Business Travel Packing Tips

Healthy Business Travel Tips

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Kristina Portillo, CPT, MS

Atlanta Airport is the World's Business Airport

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27 Business Travel Tips to Streamline Your Journey

27 Best Business Travel Tips

1. Know Your Corporate Travel Policies

2. Familiarize Yourself with Your Destination

3. Plan Your Essential Itinerary First

4. Budget for Unexpected Delays

5. Explore Travel Membership Programs

6. Choose Your Hotel Accommodations Wisely

7. Consider Travel at Your Destination

8. Ensure Your Travel Documents Are in Order

9. Print Files in Advance

10. Back Up Your Technology and Documents

11. Charge Your Devices

12. Download Useful Apps