This story is a part The New Era of Work TravelA collaboration between the editors Condé Nast Traveler You can also find out more about the following: WIRED You can use this guide to navigate the benefits and pitfalls of a modern business trip.
Business travelers Not born but made. Many people who travel frequently for their jobs can think of a few things to bring. You can also wish to They wish they had known this when they started. It’s not all obvious—like the importance of committing to a points and miles program early on; these programs literally exist because of you, dear business travelers—and some is nuanced and only learnable with time, like finding a hotel that feels like home and lets you leave a suit in the closet.
These seasoned travelers shared with us what they would have liked someone to tell them when they first started traveling. These sources come from many lines of work and walks of life—museum directors who know which gala dresses are easiest to pack, private equity and corporate law guys who prefer boutique hotelsThere are many young communication specialists who find romance everywhere. (A number of people we interviewed asked to use a pseudonym—this is hard hitting stuff!—which you’ll see reflected below.)
You can learn from their experience how to make your business travel a success.
Travel for work is not the same as leisure travel
It’s exciting when work sends you to far-flung places that you’ve always wanted to visit—but don’t let the novelty trick you into thinking you’re getting a vacation. “My first two work trips took to EuropeZelda is a communications specialist at the International Council on Clean Transportation. “As a young student who couldn’t pay for a flight across the Atlantic and hotel rooms in three-star hotels, I felt the pressure to make the best of my experience. The pressure of the trip combined with my work was enough to cause me to burn out.
If you want to keep being sent on trips for work, then you have to work hard and do well. You’re going to be tired from the business trip itinerary, drinking and networking. Prioritize work and rest before you find time to enjoy leisure activities and sightseeing. To that end…
Alex Green
Prioritize rest
Zelda says, “I’ve given up on trying to squeeze the most from the time directly surrounding my work because I need to rest during those hours.” Enjoying a luxurious hotel room to the fullest is important. A bathrobe? Pool? Spa? You can even sleep or watch TV with freshly changed sheets. Charli XCX It’s true: “Everything is romantic.” Give yourself some time off, especially if working longer hours at work than you do at home.
Convenience is not king—loyalty is
Frequent business travelers is the main cause points, miles, and loyalty programs You can’t afford to ignore them. It may seem less true these days, because it is so difficult to get status with one airline. Many people still agree that you should choose an airline alliance as soon as it is clear that your job will require a lot of travel and enroll in the loyalty program. Lucie, a partner in a New York-based management consulting firm, began to travel a lot as part of her job and booked the airline with the best departure time. “I was not as involved as I could have been and I then realized how much I was losing.” She has become “insane”. Delta status This makes her personal travel essentially free, she says.
Delta is by far the most popular source in this article, and United isn’t too far behind. But if you’re wondering which airline has the best rewards programPaul, an attorney for corporations, says that the situation is not always as simple. “Some airlines are clearly superior to others and it’s fluid.” American Airlines is currently offering me better deals than United Airlines or Delta. This brings us to another point: even if you are loyal to one airline you should enroll with all of them and collect points everywhere you can.
Book flights in advance
You can book a flight that arrives the day prior to your business trip. It’s not necessary to take the red-eye flight. Rahul Khosla, Heady.io, says: “It’s a longer trip, yes, but you can keep up your routine and feel sharper for the meeting this way. [or work event] itself. [Otherwise] It’s hard to eat, you won’t sleep well, and you may not have the energy to work out. One more perk of flying out early—I’m not as stressed if delays happen, because I know I’m not cutting it super close.”
Clear and TSA preCheck are not negotiable
Paul says that programs like Clear and Business Traveler are essential. TSA PreCheck These are designed to help travelers get through airport security faster. There are always long lines and they’re only going to get longer. The lounge is just on the other side. Calculate the annual cost by multiplying it by the number of trips you made last year. You can also find out more about the following: Cost you. You’ll be able to tell if your car is worth it. great credit cardThe fee could be waived.
With one of these cards, there’s really no reason not to sign up for a program.
Book premium economy to get the best chance of an upgrade
My sources say that it’s unlikely you’ll be upgraded to business from basic economy. But premium? When will they notice you? They might decide to move you up at that time. You’re already on premium if you don’t get upgraded. It’s hard to regret.
Ask for an upgrade but always be polite.
The second part is crucial. If you ask for an upgrade from the premium to business or from a standard room to an executive suite, there is nothing to lose. You’ll also catch more flies by using honey. Gate agents and hotel staff are the key holders, and have seen it all. They will not be able to ignore you if you come across as entitled. Business travelers, be humble. A private equity investor tells me that he has gotten some incredible upgrades simply by asking nicely.
Alex Green
Use the packing cubes
While there is a clean separation between checking bags and carrying them onIn no other area were they more united than when they exulted about packing cubes. Nearly everyone I spoke to brought up these topics organically. Carl FriedrikNiklas Oppermann is not only the co-founder, but also sells these products. “I pack by type,” he says. “And then, as your trip progresses, you can use a couple of them for dirty clothes.” “I’m now a convert.”
Traveler-tested sets that will help you organize and save space in your carry-on.
Don’t take jet lag lightly
Jet lag The business traveler is plagued by this problem. It’s a problem that affects all travelers who switch time zones. There are many ways to cope, but one strategy is universal: the best way to do it is by adopting the destination’s time zone as soon as you board the plane. “So if you land at 9am wherever you go, you need to act as if the time zone is night in the plane, even if the departure location is not the same,” DEI executive Yentil RAWLINSON of Sherwin Williams tells us. It’s the only thing that has worked for me. To begin the adjustment, some travelers reset their phones manually to the destination’s time zone upon boarding their plane. You can fool yourself in any way you like, but your body will eventually follow.
Hotel that will make you feel at home
It’s true that we have said that loyalty matters, especially for airlines. You can’t deny that hotel points are a great way to earn luxury stays. While you’re free and unmoored from your ties, choose something that makes you feel like home. Paul says that he prefers to stay in independent hotels, as they become familiar with you after repeated visits. “If you stay at a big brand, it’s hard—the concierges at these places are not as good as they used to be. In LondonBefore it burned down, I stayed at the Chiltern. I have gotten on a plane, texted to say that I forgot my wallet. pajamasWhat’s waiting on my arrival, pressed? High thread-count cotton pajamas.” He’d even leave a tie and suit. World of Hyatt is a loyalty program that includes these properties. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and the boutique properties available on their booking platform, under the Hyatt umbrella this year—so it’s becoming possible to earn points while staying boutique.
Make use of those boring hotel services.
Rawlinson learned from a former CEO that she should give her clothes straight to the hotel press service on arrival. She says that if you are going to be away for four or more days, only keep one outfit. Have the rest pressed. “And have them all cleaned at the end so you are only packing clean clothing.”
Create a wrinkle-free wardrobe
Mariet Westermann is the CEO and director of Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum It’s from the Foundation. She is wearing one her favorite travel suits when she speaks with me. It’s from Theory. “They have these super light clothes that are almost never dry cleaned.” She trusts only one brand when it comes to formal events, such as a gala. Missoni. “Missoni just does not crinkle—they have the crinkles they need, and that’s it.” Most boys report that suits are no longer a part of their luggage. Instead, they pack black or navy pants and black shirts.
Alex Green
Your walking shoes can also be your casual office shoes or your gym shoes
One pair of shoes can do everything. The collaboration sneaker is a hit with many people. New Balance and Aimé Leon Dore This exact multi-purpose is available.
The hotel gym can be viewed as an extension of your workplace
Bring nice gym clothes, people—odds are, your boss is going to be at the treadmill next to yours. Bianca Consunji, of Netflix, tells me that she has had the experience. You want to also bring headphonesTo signal to yourself that now is the right time.”
Talk to your coworkers—especially when they’re the locals
If you’re traveling with coworkers who are also attending a convention, they may have some great suggestions on what to do in the evenings. Westermann was from Guggenheim. Hong Kong They had plenty of time together with a local colleague. He said: “Let’s walk in the warehouse district, and you’ll see a completely different demographic.” He preferred to walk and take the metro with her, instead of hailing taxis. This allowed them to see the city in a new light.
