Travelling for work can be challenging. We’ve talked to our clients and leading industry experts to develop this extensive list of business travel tips and tricks to help your next trip go as smoothly as possible.
1. Purposeful Travel
I’ve changed the way I think about travel; I used to travel and go to a meeting. I’m now thinking about how I can make the trip valuable. What else can I do that would be useful while I’m there? I’ll make it an overnight or turn a two-day trip into three and not have to go again three weeks later. Travel less but travel better.
Guy Snelgar, Global Business Travel Director, The Advantage Travel Partnership
2. Carry-On Bags Only
No one wants to drag a large suitcase around the city, not to mention the time saved bypassing the baggage claim. Keep it simple by packing light and you’ll also avoid the pain of your suitcase getting lost.
James Dent, CRM Data Manager, Meon Valley Travel
3. Carry medication in hand luggage
Carry medication and contact lenses in hand luggage in case your case goes AWOL.
PT, Assistance Company
4. Roll rather than fold shirts
Roll rather than fold shirts in your packing to save creases:
James Beagrie, Managing Director, Meon Valley Travel
5. Priority Pass
If you regularly travel short-haul economy then Priority Pass* is a great product for lounge access and comes in handy for family holidays too.
JM, International Recruitment Consultants
6. AMEX Premium Plus Card
Use AMEX Premium plus card for business expenditure and earn 1.5 Avios per £1 spent. This can equate to between 5% and 7% redemption value plus… if you spend over £10 in the year to 22 August annually you get a free companion voucher, and the AMEX Premium Plus card accesses greater redemption flight availability than the standard Avios membership although it does carry an annual fee.
MT, Highstreet Retail
7. Noise-cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones* are a godsend on low-cost flights with kids.
PT, Assistance Company
8. Add Emergency medical information to your phone
Add emergency medical information on your mobile phone so first responders can access critical info from your phone without a passcode in the event of an accident.
Christine Millson, Repatriations Manager, Meon Valley Travel
9. Plant a tree whenever you travel
Start paying the extra £2 for a tree to be planted whenever you travel, less than 1% of travellers currently tick that box when booking but our children will thank us for it. We work with Trees4Travel for Sustainable Business Travel.
Tony McDaid, Head of Sales Account Management, Meon Valley Travel
10. Always book a hotel room on the first 5 floors of the hotel
Always book a hotel room on the first 5 floors of a highrise hotel so firefighter’s ladders and water can get to you if needed.
GH, Publisher
11. Download the Airline App
Get the airline’s App for check-in and seating as they often update flight delays etc and boarding gates.
James Dent, CRM Data Manager, Meon Valley Travel
12. Pay extra for allocated seating
When airlines overbook and bump passengers they bump those without seat allocations first, so if you’re booking a busy flight it’s worth paying the extra for an allocated seat.
Velichko Ganchev, Director of Technology, Meon Valley Travel
13. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water inflight (and generally for that matter) it helps massively with jetlag.
AH, Marketing Director, Fashion Retail
14. Be Human
Pay it forward and be human to other travellers who may not be as comfortable on a plane as we are… nervous flyers are a real thing.
SH, Operations Director, Manufacturing
15. Take doughnuts to meetings
Take Krispy Kreme doughnuts to meetings. Who doesn’t love doughnuts?
James Beagrie, Managing Director, Meon Valley Travel
16. Get an app to photograph receipts
Get an app to photograph receipts when paying by smartphone.
BH, Marketing Director, Food Company
17. Photograph your passport
Take a picture of your passport, and have a copy on your phone and a paper copy in your luggage.
Sam Orton, Corporate General Manager, Meon Valley Travel
18. Take a picture of your luggage
Also, take a picture of your suitcase, if it ever gets lost, it’s much easier to describe if you have a photo.
Sam Orton, Corporate General Manager, Meon Valley Travel
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