Business Travel Tips
Discussion
Recently I've been doing a lot of travelling with work. Generally I'm away 4 days (3 nights) per week. It can be tough but to make the most of the situation there are a few things that can be done e.g. hotel loyalty programmes and credit card rewards.
Anyway, I thought I'd start a thread for others in a similar position to share their tips. Or just how they get through the week being away from family and friends. I'll start with a few of my own:
1. Join hotel loyalty schemes so you can build up points and get free nights for personal travel.
2. Get a credit card with reward benefits so you can get cashback or other rewards from expenses incurred during business trips.
3. Pack simple and light - I travel with one suit, a shirt for every day, one pair of jeans and a few t-shirts. I find this reduces stress when packing and means I don't waste time packing that could be spent with the family.
4. Put a bag in the aircraft hold - these days there are so few bags in the hold (short haul) that the baggage guys can get it to the conveyor very quickly and there no messing around trying find a space in the overhead lockers.
5. A short Skype call with the family around dinner time helps to add an element of family life to an otherwise boring evening in a hotel
Now, over to you...
Anyway, I thought I'd start a thread for others in a similar position to share their tips. Or just how they get through the week being away from family and friends. I'll start with a few of my own:
1. Join hotel loyalty schemes so you can build up points and get free nights for personal travel.
2. Get a credit card with reward benefits so you can get cashback or other rewards from expenses incurred during business trips.
3. Pack simple and light - I travel with one suit, a shirt for every day, one pair of jeans and a few t-shirts. I find this reduces stress when packing and means I don't waste time packing that could be spent with the family.
4. Put a bag in the aircraft hold - these days there are so few bags in the hold (short haul) that the baggage guys can get it to the conveyor very quickly and there no messing around trying find a space in the overhead lockers.
5. A short Skype call with the family around dinner time helps to add an element of family life to an otherwise boring evening in a hotel
Now, over to you...
Airport lounges- Dependent on which one you have access to, they can really take the sting out of a long flight or an early morning.
A decent breakfast and some good Wifi can go a long way, and some peace and quiet is also nice away from the crowds.
Similarly, if you're doing a lot of flying then a good set of noise cancelling headphones can work wonders.
A decent breakfast and some good Wifi can go a long way, and some peace and quiet is also nice away from the crowds.
Similarly, if you're doing a lot of flying then a good set of noise cancelling headphones can work wonders.
If you have your laptop bag with you, put all of the things you need to take out in security in the same place (so your watch, belt, phones, laptop and liquids are all in the same pouch). Makes clearing security much faster and you're not faffing about removing belts and looking for devices in pockets and in your multiple bag pockets. I don't put my watch or belt on in the morning, they're just in the bag for after security.
Also, pack a small bag with the stuff you want on the plane (iPad, headphones, magazine, etc.) and put that inside your laptop bag or cabin luggage. When you take your seat, whip the smaller bag with everything in out and put the bigger bag in the storage bin or under your seat. It always amazes me how many people take their seat then get up and mess on looking for a book, then their headphones, etc. all the while, holding everyone up trying to find their seats.
I'm a list nerd so I have a packing list on OneNote. When I know I'm going I make a new entry for the destination and copy and paste all the items I'd need. Then when packing I tick off the list as I go. My other half thinks this is weird. She also swears a lot on holiday because she's forgot her after sun, flip flops and special necklace that goes with the white outfit.
Avoid Heathrow if at all possible. Those cancelled and delayed flights are time you'll never get back
If your company has any links to oil and gas, check if you are eligible for the the KLM/Air France Flying Blue scheme. When using Amsterdam as a connection hub, you get free access to the lounge. Much nicer to sit with a free drink, food, wi-fi and comfy seat to make some calls/emails. You also get priority boarding so you can make sure your cabin luggage gets a spot near you on busy flights.
Invest in a good portable travel speaker. For nights when you are on your own, it can be used with an iPad to improve watching a movie or to chill playing Spotify on your mobile
Also, pack a small bag with the stuff you want on the plane (iPad, headphones, magazine, etc.) and put that inside your laptop bag or cabin luggage. When you take your seat, whip the smaller bag with everything in out and put the bigger bag in the storage bin or under your seat. It always amazes me how many people take their seat then get up and mess on looking for a book, then their headphones, etc. all the while, holding everyone up trying to find their seats.
I'm a list nerd so I have a packing list on OneNote. When I know I'm going I make a new entry for the destination and copy and paste all the items I'd need. Then when packing I tick off the list as I go. My other half thinks this is weird. She also swears a lot on holiday because she's forgot her after sun, flip flops and special necklace that goes with the white outfit.
Avoid Heathrow if at all possible. Those cancelled and delayed flights are time you'll never get back
If your company has any links to oil and gas, check if you are eligible for the the KLM/Air France Flying Blue scheme. When using Amsterdam as a connection hub, you get free access to the lounge. Much nicer to sit with a free drink, food, wi-fi and comfy seat to make some calls/emails. You also get priority boarding so you can make sure your cabin luggage gets a spot near you on busy flights.
Invest in a good portable travel speaker. For nights when you are on your own, it can be used with an iPad to improve watching a movie or to chill playing Spotify on your mobile
V12 Virgin said:
Airport lounges- Dependent on which one you have access to, they can really take the sting out of a long flight or an early morning.
A decent breakfast and some good Wifi can go a long way, and some peace and quiet is also nice away from the crowds.
Similarly, if you're doing a lot of flying then a good set of noise cancelling headphones can work wonders.
Thanks for the suggestions! :-)A decent breakfast and some good Wifi can go a long way, and some peace and quiet is also nice away from the crowds.
Similarly, if you're doing a lot of flying then a good set of noise cancelling headphones can work wonders.
I don't have access to lounges but was thinking about getting the priority pass or similar. Not sure it's worth it though - I'm normally only waiting for 30-60 minutes. I fly budget airlines so unfortunately no BA Club or similar.
I have also been thinking about the headphones recently but seems like quite a big investment. Not sure if I can justify £300 when I have a pretty decent set of standard ones...
toon10 said:
I don't put my watch or belt on in the morning, they're just in the bag for after security.
Also, pack a small bag with the stuff you want on the plane (iPad, headphones, magazine, etc.) and put that inside your laptop bag or cabin luggage.
Avoid Heathrow if at all possible. Those cancelled and delayed flights are time you'll never get back
Thanks, these are great. Also, pack a small bag with the stuff you want on the plane (iPad, headphones, magazine, etc.) and put that inside your laptop bag or cabin luggage.
Avoid Heathrow if at all possible. Those cancelled and delayed flights are time you'll never get back
I was delayed at Heathrow for 5 hours on Friday night... very annoying.
Noise cancelling headphones even at £300 a pair are a life saver and have saved me from some murderous rages induced by my fellow travellers.
Would also recommend getting out a bit if you can, Doing the office/restaurant/hotel grind can get tedious.
Ensure you have a decent T&E allowance, not one of these companies that think its perfectly acceptable for you to share a bed with Sharon and Dave from marketing and your meal allowance just about covers a sniff of marmite for your evening meal.
Would also recommend getting out a bit if you can, Doing the office/restaurant/hotel grind can get tedious.
Ensure you have a decent T&E allowance, not one of these companies that think its perfectly acceptable for you to share a bed with Sharon and Dave from marketing and your meal allowance just about covers a sniff of marmite for your evening meal.
mcbook said:
V12 Virgin said:
Airport lounges- Dependent on which one you have access to, they can really take the sting out of a long flight or an early morning.
A decent breakfast and some good Wifi can go a long way, and some peace and quiet is also nice away from the crowds.
Similarly, if you're doing a lot of flying then a good set of noise cancelling headphones can work wonders.
Thanks for the suggestions! :-)A decent breakfast and some good Wifi can go a long way, and some peace and quiet is also nice away from the crowds.
Similarly, if you're doing a lot of flying then a good set of noise cancelling headphones can work wonders.
I don't have access to lounges but was thinking about getting the priority pass or similar. Not sure it's worth it though - I'm normally only waiting for 30-60 minutes. I fly budget airlines so unfortunately no BA Club or similar.
I have also been thinking about the headphones recently but seems like quite a big investment. Not sure if I can justify £300 when I have a pretty decent set of standard ones...
Headphones wise you don't have to spend £300- the likes of Bose and Beats will do some very good kit for circa £150-200.
If flying longhaul 10-12 hours eastbound such as Houston-London or London-Bangkok, you'll "lose" most of your night. Even in J class you're unlikely to sleep enough if you're departing afternoon. To crack the jetlag when you land (providing you're not doing the mentalist straight into work) have a 90 minute power nap around lunchtime but make sure you set an alarm. You'll wake up feeling like s
t but you'll have instantly cracked the jetlag.
Take your own earplugs when flying.
Take your own food if flying Y class.
Smaller airports are great for quick processing in general but a nightmare if you're delayed or cancelled.
If your company allows it, do a Y class Westbound (daytime) and J class Eastbound (night-time), generally works out the same price as W class.
Download stuff on iPlayer & podcasts in case WiFi restricted.
Don't eat in hotels if you have a choice.
t but you'll have instantly cracked the jetlag.Take your own earplugs when flying.
Take your own food if flying Y class.
Smaller airports are great for quick processing in general but a nightmare if you're delayed or cancelled.
If your company allows it, do a Y class Westbound (daytime) and J class Eastbound (night-time), generally works out the same price as W class.
Download stuff on iPlayer & podcasts in case WiFi restricted.
Don't eat in hotels if you have a choice.
Edited by Speed 3 on Monday 10th July 16:26
Slippers. Take your everyday slippers from home and wear in the hotel room (and on long haul flights). You'll be amazed at how 'homely' this feels.
DVDs. Take a wallet of DVDs to watch. Never rely on streaming or in-hotel TV. Downloading before you go is OK but can take up huge amounts of memory.
Allow time to be a tourist. You're on business but always take time to go an have a look round.
DVDs. Take a wallet of DVDs to watch. Never rely on streaming or in-hotel TV. Downloading before you go is OK but can take up huge amounts of memory.
Allow time to be a tourist. You're on business but always take time to go an have a look round.
If you travel to the same location regularly and find a hotel you like then always stay there, chat to the staff and get to know them a bit - at least be courteous and respectful. Works wonders with room upgrades, free parking, free drinks and access to rates for personal use you might never get.
If travelling USA to UK don't forget there are daytime flights from at least Boston and New York. They depart at about 09:00 and arrive in the UK at about 21:00, sometimes earlier. Great way to avoid jet lag on the way home!
If travelling solo, use hotel room service for meals as a way to relax, chill out, and do whatever you wish, rather than being lonesome in the restaurant.
If you have a weekend away during a business trip, try and arrange your travel so you can be in a city that you'd like to be for the weekend rather than just where you need to be.
R.
If travelling solo, use hotel room service for meals as a way to relax, chill out, and do whatever you wish, rather than being lonesome in the restaurant.
If you have a weekend away during a business trip, try and arrange your travel so you can be in a city that you'd like to be for the weekend rather than just where you need to be.
R.
StevieBee said:
DVDs. Take a wallet of DVDs to watch. Never rely on streaming or in-hotel TV. Downloading before you go is OK but can take up huge amounts of memory.
Meh - Netflix movies in high quality are around 300MB/hour - a 64GB microSD (roughly £20 today) will store around 200 hours of video, or 100 DVDs-worth...Resist the massive urge to punch civilians/holiday makers in the back of the head when they do any of the following:
1) Act like its a big fking surprise that you have to remove liquids//laptops/belts/shoes at security and delay the queue whilst they do so
2) fk up the automatic passport control gates and cause a delay. Just slide your passport in and eyes front, comprende!
3) Stand blocking escalator/moving walkways
This will make your journey through the airport much smoother and reduce the time spent in police custody.
1) Act like its a big f
king surprise that you have to remove liquids//laptops/belts/shoes at security and delay the queue whilst they do so2) f
k up the automatic passport control gates and cause a delay. Just slide your passport in and eyes front, comprende!3) Stand blocking escalator/moving walkways
This will make your journey through the airport much smoother and reduce the time spent in police custody.
Further to the point raised about the KLMAir France Petroleum club, there is also a less well known Lufthansa equivalent, the OIl and Energy club. Despite the bus transfers and walking Frankfurt can be an effective hub, and is of course run with typically ruthless German efficiency.
Other than that some good suggestions here. I think that to do any serious amount of travel for work you need to enjoy it and be supported by your family. If your other half hates you being away it will rapidly become a big issue.
Other than that some good suggestions here. I think that to do any serious amount of travel for work you need to enjoy it and be supported by your family. If your other half hates you being away it will rapidly become a big issue.
mcbook said:
I have also been thinking about the headphones recently but seems like quite a big investment. Not sure if I can justify £300 when I have a pretty decent set of standard ones...
Honestly it is worth it. I dithered about it for a bit. The 'per flight' cost for you will be nothing after a couple of months. It is inevitable you will buy a pair so bite the bullet. Sorting out your self for security before you get there, and also having a small bag organised for when you get on the flight is sensible advice which I follow.
Downloading google offline map areas is great if you're going to a city you don't have internet/outside the EU.
Buy Bose QC headphones. There are others that are a bit cheaper, but you'll kick yourself for not spending the money.
My wife and I both travel long haul a lot with our respective jobs and we both slip into "away mode": We never Skype or call when we're away, just a simple text to say "hi and still alive" every day (I, quite often, can't tell her where I'm going, other than the country, due to security requirements).
Get into the new time zone as quickly as you can on the flight and eat, sleep etc in that new time zone.
Never have a power nap when you land. Push through to 2130 and you'll be fine the next day
Don't just stay in and do the room service thing - spend your free time exploring the new cities and finding good bars / restaurants etc. If you stay at the hotel, you'll end up resenting the travel
My employer is generous. We travel J or F for anything over 8 hours, so it takes some of the pain out of it. However, I travel to Asia or Americas every couple weeks, so just aim to sleep on the flight most of the time!
My wife and I both travel long haul a lot with our respective jobs and we both slip into "away mode": We never Skype or call when we're away, just a simple text to say "hi and still alive" every day (I, quite often, can't tell her where I'm going, other than the country, due to security requirements).
Get into the new time zone as quickly as you can on the flight and eat, sleep etc in that new time zone.
Never have a power nap when you land. Push through to 2130 and you'll be fine the next day
Don't just stay in and do the room service thing - spend your free time exploring the new cities and finding good bars / restaurants etc. If you stay at the hotel, you'll end up resenting the travel
My employer is generous. We travel J or F for anything over 8 hours, so it takes some of the pain out of it. However, I travel to Asia or Americas every couple weeks, so just aim to sleep on the flight most of the time!
Edited by schmalex on Monday 10th July 23:34
McBook
Few tips from me.... we're always trying to streamline our regular travel..
1. Meet and greet parking... book early enough it can be cost effective... just turn up, car is taken away outside departures and returned at arrivals (dependent on airport),,, alternatively some short stay car parks do very good deals... so no long stay bus routine...
2. Separate little bag or case for all chargers, adaptors, toll booth tags etc.
3. Please look at some kind of effective lounge access option... you are denying yourself unnecessarily.
4. For the last 12 months I have been hotel free and used Air BnB. You can find excellent places, exclusive use, no sharing, no host for even 1-2 nights,,, so on my last trip to Barcelona I had a three bed appt for less than the price of the Hilton opposite.. Its true one can live like a local for a few days. Spread out and chill out. If with colleagues you have a party place..
5. Get luggage with 4 wheels... glides along with no effort, no weight... even if you are checking it in.. consider hand luggage which sits on top. .
6. Mobile/tablet extra power pack... I would recommend Zendure
7. Always carry ibuprofen or similar
8. Get an Uber account... I'm a little dubious about them, but the ability to get around in or get away from situations in certain cities is brilliant..
9. Reduce arrival anxiety by travelling the day before a meeting, if budget or policies allow... give you self time to regroup... similarly on the way back... give enough time so one isn't worrying about travel, during whatever you're doing..
Few tips from me.... we're always trying to streamline our regular travel..
1. Meet and greet parking... book early enough it can be cost effective... just turn up, car is taken away outside departures and returned at arrivals (dependent on airport),,, alternatively some short stay car parks do very good deals... so no long stay bus routine...
2. Separate little bag or case for all chargers, adaptors, toll booth tags etc.
3. Please look at some kind of effective lounge access option... you are denying yourself unnecessarily.
4. For the last 12 months I have been hotel free and used Air BnB. You can find excellent places, exclusive use, no sharing, no host for even 1-2 nights,,, so on my last trip to Barcelona I had a three bed appt for less than the price of the Hilton opposite.. Its true one can live like a local for a few days. Spread out and chill out. If with colleagues you have a party place..
5. Get luggage with 4 wheels... glides along with no effort, no weight... even if you are checking it in.. consider hand luggage which sits on top. .
6. Mobile/tablet extra power pack... I would recommend Zendure
7. Always carry ibuprofen or similar
8. Get an Uber account... I'm a little dubious about them, but the ability to get around in or get away from situations in certain cities is brilliant..
9. Reduce arrival anxiety by travelling the day before a meeting, if budget or policies allow... give you self time to regroup... similarly on the way back... give enough time so one isn't worrying about travel, during whatever you're doing..
I've been doing it for 15 years.....all over the world. Sitting here in Doha on the way to Istanbul right now.
Fortunately all my flying is long haul (living in Melbourne everywhere is at least 7 hrs away) so under company policy I get to fly at the pointy end. That helps. But my advise is to try to fly with the same alliance so that you build status and points. Having status gets you lots of benefits.....priority bookings, better redemption earning and use, priority check-in, higher baggage limits, lounge access, greater chance of upgrades. Try to stay with one airline if you can, but at least within an alliance.
Also, I have an Amex Platinum card. I wouldn't have one if I didn't travel, but having one gives you Gold Status with Starwood/Marriott, Hilton, Club Carlson, IHG and Jade ShangriLa. It also gets you Priority Pass Membership that gets you airport lounge access all over every worlds irrespective of who you are flying with, and the Amex card itself is quite useful for lounge access in the USA. Membership isn't cheap, but I think I get reasonable value from it.
I've got the the point now of not travelling that light. I figure it's no more hassle to check in a big suitcase than a little one. I probably overpack but I don't care. I always travel in comfortable clothes. I'm a jeans and t-shirt guy and that how I travel. And it's never stopped me from springing upgrades either......they are all based on status not how you are dressed.
Have fun. International business travel has its downsides, but it has many upsides too!
Fortunately all my flying is long haul (living in Melbourne everywhere is at least 7 hrs away) so under company policy I get to fly at the pointy end. That helps. But my advise is to try to fly with the same alliance so that you build status and points. Having status gets you lots of benefits.....priority bookings, better redemption earning and use, priority check-in, higher baggage limits, lounge access, greater chance of upgrades. Try to stay with one airline if you can, but at least within an alliance.
Also, I have an Amex Platinum card. I wouldn't have one if I didn't travel, but having one gives you Gold Status with Starwood/Marriott, Hilton, Club Carlson, IHG and Jade ShangriLa. It also gets you Priority Pass Membership that gets you airport lounge access all over every worlds irrespective of who you are flying with, and the Amex card itself is quite useful for lounge access in the USA. Membership isn't cheap, but I think I get reasonable value from it.
I've got the the point now of not travelling that light. I figure it's no more hassle to check in a big suitcase than a little one. I probably overpack but I don't care. I always travel in comfortable clothes. I'm a jeans and t-shirt guy and that how I travel. And it's never stopped me from springing upgrades either......they are all based on status not how you are dressed.
Have fun. International business travel has its downsides, but it has many upsides too!
In relation to headphones, I use my B&W P5's which I run through an FiiO E11 amp. You still hear the drone and the wire gets in the way. Sound quality and volume are great but on flights, the noise cancelling ones are the way to go. I really need to invest in some. The Bose QC's don't sound as good but they are acceptable. I hate having multiple things to charge but I'd probably only use the NC ones on flights and my B&W's the rest of the time so not the end of the world.
My business trips are all short haul out of London so tips are
- Fly from City if you can! I get to the airport 50min before take off knowing that there should be time to get through security, and buy and drink a cup of tea before boarding. You still get free food on BA flights too - even if it is down to a bacon roll on the wrong wide of the curtain these days.
- For 3 nights away if you can't pack everything you need in a small carry-on bag + laptop bag you're taking too much.
- Just because you've flown a lot before you don't have to be a dick when the cabin crew do the safety briefing. How would you feel if everyone in the room just sat there with their headphones in ignoring you while you introduced yourself at the first project meeting, or whatever boiler plate activity your business role involves? Take your headphones out, make a show of paying attention including eye contact and a smile. Easiest way to get 2 bottles of gin when you then ask for a G&T on a full service flight too
- If you use the same airports regularly try to learn the little shortcuts. Does it really save you anything? No, it just keeps the brain ticking over and stops you going insane.
Edited by //j17 on Tuesday 11th July 09:58
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