Here are some practical tips to make business travel run more smoothly
Sleep smart. Dark circles under your eyes aren’t good for business. Many road warriors know that you can only use a certain amount of concealer to cover bags under your eyes to mask jetlag or poor sleep nights. Carry eye masks and earplugs.
Get elite status. Nothing beats having being an elite member of an airline insofar as travel goes as the perks are just great: Faster lines, free upgrades, first class upgrades, the ability to use their lounge in the airport, etc. how do you get that elite status? Of course the obvious way is to travel a lot with a single airline. But there are other ways as well: Use your frequent flier mileage number when you rent cars and check into hotels. Use their credit card. This is probably the easiest way to get to an airline’s elite status.
Communicate with home. Give someone at ‘home’ your complete itinerary, and numbers where you maybe found.
Use technology. Find apps handy on the road. Trip Case, to keep all your flight details updated in real time; Wenzani for nightlife, food, culture and shopping; and Translate for those lost in translation moments.
Keep travel documents in a transparent envelop. It’s easy to grab on your way out the door to the airport, and easy to find in your bag. The envelope also becomes a handy place to store receipts.
Pack lightly. If you need to be dressed in business attire for a meeting the same day you travel, wear it on the plane. Always assume your luggage may be lost and be prepared.
To keep clothes looking their best. Use the club-sandwich method. Laundered, starched shirts go on the bottom of the bag. A large magazine acts as a buffer, followed by a layer of pressed pants and another flat object. Shoes and other odd-shaped items make up the top layer. “The hard, flat surfaces absorb the pressure that would otherwise cause wrinkles”.
Order some local currency in advance. including small denomination notes in case you need to get a taxi, tip a porter or buy a snack or drink on the way to your hotel.
Get some noise cancelling headphones. No, they are not cheap, but they are worth it.
Cut down on shoes . How many shoes does a business traveller pack? Wear the shoes you’ll need for business and pack one pair of trainers for walking, jogging or informal occasions.
Rental Car Tips. Members of auto loyalty programs face a much shorter wait when both picking up and dropping off cars.
Take appropriate electrical plug adapters. Anyone who has felt the panic of realizing they brought the wrong plug convertor just as their computer battery dies, won’t make this mistake twice.
Get an international SIM card. There’s nothing worse than being hit with the roaming bills after you return from a trip. Yes, it’s convenient to keep the same number, but it’s always worth getting a cheap International SIM.
For some crucial trips Double – book airline tickets. you can’t afford to have a flight cancelled or delayed, because you’ll miss a meeting. On those occasions, double-book airline tickets. In addition to the flight that’s your number one choice, purchase a fully refundable ticket for the same schedule, but on another airline or from another local airport.
