With cross-border business becoming the new normal, business travel is becoming an essential part of many jobs. You might like it or hate it, but you can’t avoid it. More importantly, a business trip is not a vacation, not even close. You need to abide by the company policy and stick to the rules you’ve been asked to follow.
Here are a few tips to make your business trips more convenient and comfortable.
Booking tips
If you’re an avid business traveler, you might already be aware of how to book flight tickets the right way. But if you’re not, there are ways you can simplify your booking process and save up on travel expenses.
First, pick a frequent flier or an airline point program. If your company is sponsoring your travel, you might already have a provider that works well for you. If not, look for airline programs that reward frequent travelers. The rewards can be either in the form of reduced expenses or travel points that you can later redeem for cash.
Nowadays, many credit card companies are also partnering with airlines to provide discounts on flights to their customers. Always be on the lookout for saving a few bucks.
However, don’t always opt for the cheapest flights in your pursuit to save money. Cheap flights are cheap for a reason. They’ll not get you to your destination the fastest, and they may also lack good-quality service.
Another great hack is to shop from travel providers. Certain websites and travel providers offer significant discounts on flights, especially if you travel abroad. Indirect flights with halts are usually cheaper. But they are less convenient. So, understand the pros and cons of flights that have stops en route.
Packing tips
Packing is a skill, not only for business travelers but for regular travelers as well. But when it comes to corporate travel, you need to keep it as light as possible. The key to efficient packing is to remember the purpose of your trip: business. Focus on packing items that will come in handy in doing business.
These include portable batteries, flash drives, adapter, etc. Don’t overload your back with too much personal stuff, like clothes, and unnecessary electronics. Take with you only what’s necessary.
For instance, maybe your flight runs into a delay, and you need to rush to your remote office as soon as you land. In such cases, you should be well-prepared with all the items required.
Talking about personal items, dark-colored clothes are always a safe bet. They hide stains, and you can wear them more than once. Shoes without laces are convenient for getting through security. Having a toiletry bag or Dopp kit can also be helpful to ensure you don’t show up to a meeting with a rancid mouth.
At the airport
Airports can be tormenting. As soon as you enter the gates, you see people rushing through the security or waiting in the uncomfortable seats at their respective gates. The biggest airport hack is to not panic, even if there you are a bit late, or there’s a lot of chaos. Be a decent person and have empathy for airline workers. When boarding a flight, shake off your resting pump face. When you treat others with respect, you’ll be treated with equal respect.
However, you can complete a few applications to enjoy a slightly better airport experience every time. Some of them include TSA Precheck and Global Entry. These applications can have some pros and cons, so be sure to do some research at your end before filling them.
Lastly, utilize your time at the airport to stand and walk as much as possible. Don’t gobble up a pack of Oreos or cocktail in the overpriced bar. Instead, move around and stretch a bit if possible. Your body will thank you later once you get off the place.
On the flight
It’s the time when your body starts to hate you. So, make sure to bring everything you need to pamper your body. If you’re a germaphobe, don’t forget to bring hand sanitizer and a travel pillow. If you often suffer from tight muscles and leg cramps on the flight, bring a tennis ball to roll out the aching parts. You can also place it under a leg to release pressure in a knot. If you’re a frequent traveler, you can also consider investing in a pair of compression socks.
If you’re on a long journey, getting some booze might sound like a tempting option. But skip it, and skip it entirely. Long flight journeys can be dehydrating, and drinking can promote dehydration. The air itself on the plane is dry, so dehydration is always a rise to watch out for. Hence, don’t drink anything unless it’s water.
Car and hotel
Finally, the feeling of freedom kicks in as you get off the plane. But then, you realize that it’s just the beginning, and now you go through endless steps before you reach your hotel featherbed. However, there’s not much you can do to skip it. But there are a few perks you might not know. For example, getting a ride in a premium, high-quality can be really nice to your arms and legs. But at the same time, it can also cost you an arm and a leg.
There’s one thing you can do. If you have reserved a taxi, go to the driver and ask him if there’s an upgrade available. If you’re visiting the location in offseason and there’s not much rush, you can easily get an upgrade for a reasonable price.
It’s always advisable to book hotels beforehand. And if you’re traveling on behalf of your company, you might already have a hotel booked. But if you’re all on yourself, you can wait for the last moment. In the offseason, most hotels are empty, and hotel owners hate it. So, if you wait till the last moment, you might get a great deal.
In the hotel, focus on making a good first impression at check-in, so you get good treatment throughout your stay. Good behavior can earn you brownie points, especially if you’re requesting an upgrade. And who knows, being nice might also help you get to the hotel’s loyalty program list, which could be very beneficial if you visit the same city quite often.
Diet
Don’t confuse a business trip with a holiday, even if you’re going to Venice in summer. You’re there to do business, and you need to be at your best at the drop of a hat. So, it’s the worst time to play around with your regular diet.
Don’t turn to comfort and tasty foods. Instead, stick to a healthy meal. The food you eat can have a significant impact on your energy, productivity, and alertness levels. And the last thing you want is to feel queasy during a critical meeting. So, don’t consume too many desserts and drinks. Rather, go for healthy alternatives, or if possible, bring along healthy snacks.
Conclusion
There’s not much you can do to enjoy on your business trip, but you can certainly take a few steps to make it less tormenting. Follow the tips discussed above to make sure you don’t start considering business travel as the worst part of your job.
