The opinions expressed by the entrepreneur are their own contributors.
In recent decades I have traveled 60-75 times a year for speaking in public, customer visits and occasional vacation. My journeys are usually independent and domestic, with Vegas, Orlando and New Orleans at the top of the list. My goal? Put it done as quickly and affordably as possible. Eyes down, earplugs in, mouth shut, watch your own company – especially on business trips.
If you are a frequent business traveler like me, there are 10 lessons that I have learned to make travel easier, cheaper and less painful:
1. Loy in loyalty
Even if you only travel a few times a year before business, it is crucial that you participate in the airline’s loyalty program that most of your local airport, as well as one hotel and a program for rental car brand, visit. There are some cases where you can pay a little more. There are other cases where you may not get the best flight or location. But you will make up for these potential discomfort by building points that can then be converted into free rooms, flights and car rental, and the payback time will be greater than what you have paid. Some loyalty programs offer other rewards, such as discounts on partner brands that will save you more.
As your status rises, you will also receive free upgrades, better seats and luggage fees without costs and for me, especially special attention as a fast booking if something goes wrong. Lean in these loyalty programs, eat dog food and in the long term you will benefit from both costs and productivity.
Related: This is how entrepreneurs can save on business trips
2. Avoid airlines and hotel travel cards
Airlines and hotel credit cards are not worth it. Of course it may seem tempting if they offer many kilometers in advance to register or accelerate boarding. But the interest rates and reimbursements on these cards will be higher in the long term (in my experience) than those of their competitors. You are also limited to choosing flights and hotels with that brand, which considerably limited your choice of available flights, and you are darkened during the high periods of high volume.
If you are a business traveler, choose a card that is linked to an independent travel service. I enjoyed the Citibank thanks Program for years because I collect points, both for my business and personal cards, that can combine cards and then convert those points into traveling with their desk that books about every airline or hotel that I choose. Another trick: I stay in Marriott (my desired hotellloyality brand), count everything in the room, including meals and drinks, get points for the hotel and then pay the bill with my Citibank card, so I also earn points on the card – double immerse. Double of the benefits.
3. Subscribe to a travel newsletter
There are a few great travel newsletters that you can search for and you can subscribe (I like it The points man)What you can help to find out the best travel and let you know quickly when programs or special deals have been launched. Just like supermarket discount coupons, some people go crazy about this stuff, and yes, they do save money (although I am not sure how much time they spend in exchange for the benefit). Regardless of how much you relate to these services, they are useful to keep you aware of possible discounts that, if the timing is right, you can save money that you did not expect to save.
4. Don’t wait in car lines
Thank goodness we do not live in the days of our parents, when renting a car required sixteen forms of identification and looking for a comic. Some of the better rental agencies (I love national car rental) let loyal users circumvent the check -in process, go directly to the garage, jump into a car and then drive away by simply showing their driver’s license. And on return you go out and go. I find this experience cost -efficient, productive and frankly exciting. It’s all about time, and I feel sorry for those people in long rows waiting to be approved to drive.
5. Eat at chains
If you are not a frequent traveler, eating out can be fun. But for the rest of those who travel many times a month, we need consistency and affordability. So when it comes to food, I usually stay in a chain restaurant. Unless I am entertaining customers, what I rarely do, I am happy to get a fillet in Outback Steakhouse for $ 40 with fries and a salad instead of paying $ 125 for the same meal in the local steakhouse. Chain restaurants are usually reliable, faster and more affordable than other restaurants. Other times I avoid the $ 30 hotel burger and I get Uber Eats delivered. Do you want to go locally? Find a restaurant. Or do you stick to your hometown differently.
6. Use cost management apps
Over the years I have wasted countless hours on cost reports. But no more. Thanks to great (and cheap) requests for expense management such as Expand” Juice” Tidy upAnd ZOHO CostsBusiness travelers can, simply by taking a photo, have their cost sheets done with minimal involvement, which saves time and errors. I have my car rental, airline, hotel and rideshare apps all connected to the service I use, and when I eat out or take a taxi, I upload a quick photo. When my journey is over, my cost report is made for me. If your company has a team of travelers, it is a great way to manage their expenses and, after the integration of the app with your accounting system, to save a considerable amount of back office time. Thank you ai!
7. Tip Royaal
Tipping will not save you money. It is exactly the right thing to do. Wear some money and take care of the people who clean your rooms with $ 10 a day. Give the valet another $ 10. Never tip below 20% on a restaurant account. And yes, add an extra dollar to the $ 8 cup of coffee that you bought in the casino lobby. It is not their fault that the price is ridiculously high. And you can pay for it. Tip more if you can.
8. Consider taxis for speed
When I arrive at my home airport, I always block and go through the masses of people waiting for their journeys and I go directly to the taxi area, where a row of taxis always wait. I usually do this in other cities. In general, taxis still cost more than rides. And some of them are not so comfortable a ride. But it’s all about time, and what also brings me to my house or my destination faster, so that I can end with the travel experience, is worth the extra costs for me.
Related: a manual for business owners for maximizing the summer profits
9. Double on your security
Do not be stupid with your data if you travel. Do not consult your private work to the man who is sitting next to you on your flight. Buy a laptop privacy screen, a piece of plastic that makes it impossible for anyone who is not directly in front of your screen to see what you are doing. Make sure you use a VPN service to cod your data during a hotel or WiFi airport.
Better yet, do not use the WiFi of the hotel or the airport and use your mobile hotspot when and where you can do the best security. Do not do bank or financial transactions if you are on the road if you can avoid this. Take an extra battery pack, so that you are not without a trip if you have to do work. And bring three separate power cords in your bag because these things fail (and also if you forget one in your room).
10. Roll your clothes
Checking a bag not only makes extra costs, but also extra time at the carousel. To prevent these costs and to get in and out of the plane (and in and out of the airport) as quickly as possible, my advice is to roll. Yes, role. Roll so much of your non-wrinkle clothing (socks, underwear, shirts, etc.) and line them in your hand luggage, start on the outside and your way. You will be shocked about how many more things you fit in your bag that way. Use the hotel iron if necessary.
20-plus years of travel. 60-plus separate journeys per year. And I am still not in the higher echelons of the Business Road Warrior. Thank God. Anyway, this is what I learned. Don’t mention it.
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