It is estimated that approximately 1.3 million business trips occur each day in the United States with a 38% increase in business travel overall since 2009. These numbers see greater increases with international travel. Being on the road can be tough, but with our tips and tricks, you’ll be traveling like a pro in no time.
Luggage
This may seem obvious, but investing in one really good, reliable piece of luggage that you can take on any trip is essential. Whether it be a weekend in New York or two weeks in Dubai, you need a dependable piece that you can take with you. While Rimowa luggage may be on the pricier side, it is durable and is equipped with a digital luggage tag. By packing your business clothes in plastic dry cleaner bags, you will minimize wrinkles while they are in your suitcase. For longer trips, make sure to pack basic pieces along with some smaller items that can make your outfits more versatile. For men, this can mean bringing multiple bold ties to change up a suit, while statement necklaces and earrings can easily transform a dull business outfit for women.
Global Entry Status
When traveling internationally, consider signing up for Global Entry – a program that pre-qualifies you for expedited entrance through customs and security checkpoints. This will allow you to skip the long airport lines and get you to your meeting faster. All it takes is filling out a simple application and paying a one-time application fee, and you are good for five years. While TSA pre-check only allows you to go on shorter lines in some U.S. airports, Global Entry gives you all the benefits of TSA pre-check and also additional advantages while abroad.
Be Loyal
Sign up for an airline credit card and be faithful to that airline. This will get you to elite status faster and make a number of perks and benefits available to you. Often times, holding a credit card will allow you entry to the airline’s lounges as well, which is particularly helpful if you have a layover in an unfamiliar airport. Not sure which airline you want to choose? Signing up for a universal travel rewards credit card will also reward you with points no matter which airline you choose. This tip can also apply to hotel chains or car rentals.
Charge Up
Having your electronics fully charged is not only important, it is vital to staying in contact with your coworkers back in the office. Keep a dedicated space by your front door with all your chargers plugged in so that the night before your trip you can plug everything in and then grab it on your way out the door. This will eliminate any last-minute scrambling to find all your electronics and you won’t have to struggle to find an outlet in a busy airport terminal. Companies such as Raden and Away make luggage with USB ports built right in to charge your electronics on the go. Having an external portable charger like Mophie is another traveling essential that we recommend everyone to have because when you don’t have access to any outlets or usb ports, these can still fully charge your device.
Apps
While traveling isn’t always the most relaxing, it doesn’t necessarily have to be stressful. There are so many apps available that make traveling simpler. By downloading a specific airline’s app, you can have an electronic copy of your ticket and be notified right away of any delays or cancellations. Expensify allows you to easily scan receipts, manually capture expenses, log car mileage, and submit expense reports. Take the worry out of missing a meeting by better organizing yourself with Tripit. This app allows you to forward any confirmation emails and compile them into one itinerary. And for the expert international traveler, downloading iTranslate will allow you to break down any language barriers.
Traveling for business doesn’t need to be a hassle. By following some of these tips and tricks you’ll be flying like a pro in no time.