Business Travel Tips
Here are 11 basic tips for business travellers:1. Do Your Research Planning is essential - schedule some time to research your trip. Find out about your destination, how to get to your hotel and to any business appointments. Print out maps of the area. |
Check out the top review sites such as TripAdvisor and VirtualTourist for the best hotels, places to eat, things to do. Also find out what the weather is like.
Know which aircraft you will be flying on and try to book your preferred seat. More tips here: Getting the best airplane seat
2. Airport parking
If you are driving a car to the airport then pre-book airport parking online - it will work out much cheaper. Also check out room and parking deals at airport hotels.
3. Pack Lightly
Try to pack lightly and if on a short trip take only carry-on luggage so that you can speed through arrivals. Bring a limited amount of clothing that you can easily interchange. Toiletries should be carried in small containers - these can also be re-filled for your next trip - and will also comply with the liquid carry-on rule. If you need anything extra you can always buy it at your destination.
If checking in luggage make sure you have all important and valuable items in your carry-on bag (such as electronic equipment, any medications or supplements, and also a toothbrush of course) Note, in light of new regulations there may be some restrictions on what you can bring on board - check with your airline beforehand.
4. Go Digital
Don't carry hundreds of pages of documents. Try storing them on the web or on a memory stick and only print them out at your destination if you really need them. It is also handy to have digital copies available of your passport, tickets, insurance papers etc in case you lose everything. Do print out your flight confirmation and bring this to the airport.
5. Double Check Your Papers
Ensure your travel documents are in order. Check the expiry date on your passport - many countries won't allow entry if you have less than 6 months left on your passport. Have you arranged all the necessary visas for your trip? Also, check the expiry dates for any travel insurance, credit cards and ATM cards.
6. Laptop Security
Always be extra vigilant at security checkpoints with your valuables, especially outside the western world. Try not to put your laptop or other valuables on to the X-Ray belt until your path through the metal detector is clear.
7. Exchanging Money
Never change money at an airport bureau de change - the exchange rates are usually the worst in the city! Also avoid using black market money changers unless you really know your game. Always carry some spare cash around in a major currency - US dollars and/or euros.
8. Power
Charge up all electronic equipment such as laptops, MP3 players, cellphones before you leave. Bring an international power adaptor so you can use or recharge equipment while abroad.
9. Communication
Consider using Skype for making phone calls via the internet - this will be significantly cheaper than using mobile or landline phones. Some cellphones can be configured with Skype and used at a wifi zone.
10. Loyalty Programs
If you travel regularly for work, make sure you enroll yourself in frequent flyer and hotel loyalty schemes which can offer many benefits such as lounge access, use of hotel executive floors and increase your likelihood of free upgrades. Generally it is easier getting elite status on frequent stay programs than with airline loyalty programs.
11. Health
Try to get adequate rest when travelling through many time zones. Don't schedule meetings or make important decisions immediately after a long flight - always allow yourself a recovery period. Try to do any work beforehand so you can relax during travel.
Keep your immune system in good shape by drinking plenty of water and taking a quality natural supplement. Probably the best supplement in the world for air travellers is Total Balance from New Zealand (at AirTravelGenius we use it and can highly recommend it) and is available here.
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