I travel frequently for work. You’ve seen it in my monthly recaps and you know it’s one of the things I love about my job! Getting to see new places and switch up my environment keeps me sharp and creative and…exhausted. Over the years I have figured out how to make business travel bearable and, dare I say it, fun. Here are my top tips (in no particular order) for how to play the business travel game.
Only pack a carry on (and make it small)
I never bring a suitcase. Never ever. You may remember how I packed for a week in Europe in a backpack, and the same principles apply. When I’m gone for 1-2 nights I simply pack a backpack (this is the one I use) and for longer trips I pack a duffle bag (this is similar to what I use) that can fit under the seat in front of me.
The reason this is important is because you are going to be traveling from the airport, to the hotel, to your meetings and you want something that isn’t fussy. You also don’t want to have your luggage taken from you because there isn’t enough overhead space.
Keep your makeup bag packed
Having your go-to products ready in travel size in your makeup bag makes packing quicker and you less likely to forget anything. Do yourself a favor and buy doubles and keep it in the ready position.
Invest in pieces that don’t wrinkle
And if you do bring something that wrinkles, do yourself a favor and iron it the night before your meeting so you won’t be scrambling.
Buy access to TSA Pre-Check
There is no reason to take your shoes off and your laptop out of your bag. Get yourself a known traveler number, connect it to your company booking system and all of your frequent flyer accounts, and claim your VIP status.
Charge your devices while you’re waiting to board
You don’t know how many hours you’re going to be sitting on the runway when things inevitable go wrong, so do yourself a favor and prepare. This goes for your phone, laptop, headphones, Kindle, and the like. Also, remember to keep a standard pair of headphones in your bag for watching tv through the airplane system.
Travel the day before when you have meetings, and aim to leave a 2 hour gap between your last meeting and your flight
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so avoid doing day trips when possible.
Explore where you are
You have to make the most of work travel because otherwise it is a complete drag. At night, get out and explore the area. Save some travel guides on Pinterest before you fly out and then when you’re there decide what you want to see.
It’s even better when you can turn it into a mini personal trip (like Casey and I recently did!) to take advantage of all the time you’ve spent getting there.
Sign up for all of the loyalty programs. And if you can book with your own credit card, do it!
I have reached gold status with Hilton, gotten upgraded to first class on United, and earned tons of credit card points through work travel. It’s allowed me to make my personal trips even better and I highly recommend signing up for every loyalty program and trying to stick to a favorite airline and hotel chain to maximize your rewards.
Request your Uber early
It takes forever to get an Uber when you’re leaving an airport. If you go to the same ones frequently, you will figure out exactly when to request your Uber as you are walking to the curb to time it perfectly. They’re always going to take longer than they say they will.
Keep a smile and positive attitude going, even when things go wrong
So many things are going to go wrong. So many. From delays to cancelations to diverted landings, you’re going to experience it all. Stay calm, recognize that it’s not life and death, and keep smiling 🙂
What are your top tips for work travel?
-Alyssa J
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