When the correct precautions are taken and the trip is well-planned in advance, you can transform an otherwise tedious business trip into a rather enjoyable one. The key is to know how.
Business owners and frequent business travelers have an abundance of tips and tricks to offer, ranging from trying your luck for upgrades by dressing your best, all the way to reducing packing/unpacking time by having a dedicated, pre-packed business bag. There's a lot on the table in the way of making business travel easier and more exciting, but which tips are really worth their salt? [1]Emigre [2] has some excellent pieces that are perfect for business travel. The minimalistic design is coupled with protective interiors to keep valuables, including technology, safe during your trip. On top of this, bags like their [3]Boston bag [4] are equipped with several compartments to keep clothes and belongings separate, so should you find time in your trip for leisure, you can pack those essentials, too.
Download offline maps for a successful business trip
When you travel to a new place, you can't be sure what sort of mobile reception you might get. If you're responsible for getting from point A to point B but don't have access to live GPS, you'll be in a spot of bother. As a backup, make sure you download your maps offline, ensuring you're able to know where you're going, even if there is no nearby internet connection. This is arguably one of the most important business travel tips and one that could be the difference between you letting down a client or not.
Don't over-plan a business trip
One of the biggest mistakes people make when embarking on business trips is over-planning; trying to cram every last thing into every available minute. Not only is this a sure-fire way to induce burnout, but it also means one small delay or inconvenience can throw off an entire trip.
Give yourself breathing room between meetings. This will act as a buffer if there are travel issues, especially where international travel is concerned, and if not, it will give you time to recharge and do a bit of exploring on your own.
Utilize a Rewards Credit Card for business trips
Finally, almost every travel expert can contest that getting a rewards credit card to travel with is one of the best ways to make the most of your trip. Depending on the provider, you could get access to airport lounges, Global Entry TSA permission, in-flight Wi-Fi, travel insurance, Uber credit and much more. These are all small perks that can turn a mundane trip into a slightly more luxurious experience, making it well worth doing. Just make sure to shop around and find the right card for your type and frequency of travel.
Summary
There are plenty of tips for business travelers to take on board, including making sure to book direct flights where possible, always preparing items like a boarding pass and passport well in advance, being gracious to flight attendants and service staff, remembering to adjust your watch to local time, and bringing snacks with you on your travels. These tips, combined with those above, will go a long way to ensuring you have a successful business trip.