24 Business Travel Tips for Frequent Corporate Travelers

Frequent corporate travelers face a lot of unique challenges. From packaging efficiently, to managing itineraries, to finding ways to decompress, it’s important to have a system to ensure a smoother, more productive, and more enjoyable travel experience. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or gearing up to start taking regular work trips, these tips for work travel will help you streamline your experience.

Business Travel Packing Tips

1. Use only carry-on bags.

Airlines lose nearly two million suitcases a year. If you can, avoid the risk of losing your luggage by sticking to carry-ons only. Lugging a large suitcase through a foreign city or having your luggage lost before your final destination is no way to start a business trip. Pack light to keep all your belongings in your allotted carry-on bags.

2. Keep essentials packed between trips.

Buying toiletries, chargers, office supplies, and business cards specifically for travel can save you a lot of time and help you avoid forgetting these essentials.

3. Roll clothes rather than fold.

Rolling clothes is an easy way to save space in your bag. However, it’s also a nifty trick for business travelers looking to avoid wrinkled garments. Folding clothes creates creases, which are what cause wrinkles. By rolling your clothes, there are fewer creases and fewer wrinkles to worry about ironing out.

4. Include casual clothes, not just business attire.

Having business-appropriate clothing is important. However, you’ll likely have time to explore your surroundings on foot and have a casual dinner one night. Be sure to have at least one comfortable outfit in your luggage.

5. Pack with security checkpoints in mind.

Depending on where you’re traveling, you will have to follow various security protocols. Make sure your liquids and electronics are easily accessible. Keeping them in your personal item, such as a backpack or briefcase, can save you time in TSA lines.

6. Invest in good luggage and accessories.

A suitcase that is easy to pack and maneuver is worth the investment. A small digital scale that fits in a side pocket can help you avoid costly charges for a suitcase over the airline’s weight limit.

7. Pack items that help you sleep.

Prioritize a pillow, headphones, or eye mask to help you sleep while at a hotel or on the plane. A good night’s sleep is likely to be more helpful than a fourth pair of shoes.

8. Use packing cubes or organizers.

If you need to find an item on the fly, unpacking your entire suitcase to find it isn’t ideal. A packing cube can hold a day’s outfit or contain a particular type of garment, like evening wear, or items like your laptop that may need to be removed frequently. Cubes can also keep dirty clothes sequestered from clean ones and make packing the morning of departure less chaotic.

Tips for Smooth Business Travel

9. Join rewards programs.

Take advantage of your corporate travel to gain points or miles on your airline, hotel, or travel credit card of choice. You should also choose a credit card without foreign transaction fees.

10. Charge electronics before you fly.

Your phone, laptop, and tablet should all have plenty of battery to help you pass time productively in the airport and on your flight. You won’t need to fight for an outlet at your gate either. Having a portable battery pack in addition to your wall charger is also handy in a pinch.

11. Use programs that speed up your travel.

Check in to your flights online and either print your boarding pass or have it ready in your mobile app or digital wallet before heading to the airport. Apply for TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry to gain access to faster-moving security and customs lines around the world.

12. Book non-stop flights. Layovers lengthen trips.

A two-or three-hour stop mid-trip can mean spending an extra day on the road, waking up earlier than necessary, or having a suitcase that didn’t make the same transfer you did. If possible, look for direct flight options to mitigate travel issues.

13. Pay for an airport lounge membership.

Most airlines provide lounges with plenty of food, outlets, and quiet space for a reasonable cost. Spend your time waiting for your flight away from the hustle and bustle of everyone else waiting for your flight.

14. Print important information.

While no one likes to think about losing their phone, it is possible to run out of battery just as you need your boarding pass or confirmation number. Print your itinerary and keep a copy in each of your bags.

15. Find (or pack) healthy food.

Travel is hard on your body, and you need to continue to do your job well on the road. Packing or buying healthy snacks will help you stay well while traveling.

16. Use a travel management company (TMC).

TMCs can help your company save money and optimize business trip itineraries. They can also simplify expensing and other forms of record-keeping required by business travelers.

17. Use a travel app.

Apps like The Travel Team’s TTTMobile offer business travelers a lot of support. For instance, TTTMobile includes predictive flight analytics, real-time alerts, and airport and destination details for our clients.

18. Get corporate travel insurance.

Frequent business travelers should consider having corporate travel insurance for peace of mind. Policies often provide coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost baggage, just to name a few benefits.

Tips for More Business Travel Fun

19. Combine business and leisure.

Add a few personal days to the beginning or end of a business trip to make it a “bleisure” trip! Bleisure trips are cost-effective and can help you recharge to be at your best personally and professionally!

20. Make more time for fun.

Business trips can be stressful, especially when there are multiple locations or venues to visit. Plan ahead or use a travel management company to optimize itineraries. For example, renting a car instead of using ride-sharing apps or waiting for cabs can save a lot of time and money in some destinations.

21. Skip the hotel gym but don’t skip working out.

Instead of staying on hotel grounds, use your daily jog as an opportunity to explore your surroundings. Research which areas of a location are safest and consider sticking to public areas like parks. Let family members or coworkers know you plan on venturing out on your own.

22. Find welcoming workspaces.

Hotels are converting rooms into WFH spaces complete with thoughtful amenities to accommodate the remote work revolution. Perks may include discounted meals and relaxing surroundings like poolside cabanas. Co-working spaces are also popular in metropolitan areas.

23. Avoid jet lag.

Jet lag can really throw a wrench in your trip, especially when traveling internationally. If you can, try to adjust your schedule a day or so before you leave for your trip, or get extra sleep the night before. Remember to also stay extra hydrated during travel dates.

24. Explore with your hobbies in mind.

Expand your horizons by researching what connections your destination has to your favorite hobby. Maybe there’s a museum dedicated to your hobby’s history or a unique retail store devoted to selling hobby-related products and services.