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For the past two decades, I have traveled 60-75 times a year-for most public speeches, clients and occasional holidays. My visits are mostly free and domestic, with Vegas, Orlando and New Orleans the list. My purpose? Do this with as fast and cheap as possible. Eyes down, airbids, mouths, keep your business in mind – especially on business trips.
If you are repeated business passengers like me, there are 10 lessons that I have learned to make the journey easier, cheap and less painful.
1.
Even if you travel only a few times a year for business, it is important that you be included in the airline’s loyalty program that is often used in your local airport as well as a hotel and a renting car brand. There are some cases where you can pay a little more. There are other cases where you can’t find the best flight or location. But you will prepare the potential inconveniences by making points that can then turn into free rooms, flights and car fares, and the payment will be much higher than your paid. Some loyalty programs offer other prizes, such as discounts on partner brands, which will save you as much as possible.
Also, as your status grows, you will get free upgrades, better sitting and luggage allowances, and-to me, the most important thing is that when matters go wrong, special focus as faster reservation. Tilt in these loyalty programs, eat dog meals and for a long time, you will benefit from cost and productivity.
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2. Avoid airline and hotel’s travel card
Airline and hotel credit cards are not worth it. Certainly, when they offer a lot of miles for signing or fast boarding, it looks charming. But interest rates and fees on these cards will be higher (in my experience) than their rivals, during the long term. Also, you are limited to choosing flights and hotels with this brand, which significantly limit the selection of flights you available, and you will be blackout during high volume periods.
If you are a business passenger, select a card that is connected to the Independent Travel Service. I have enjoyed City Bank Thank you For years the program because I collect points for both my business and personal cards, capable of combining these cards, and then transforming the points with my agency that I selected books about any airline or hotel. Another trick: I will be in Marriott (my preferred hotel loyalty brand), charge everything in the room, including food and drinks, get points for the hotel and then pay the bill from your city bank card so that I also get points on the card – double dipping. Double the benefits.
3. Subscribe to Travel Newsletter
There are some great travel newsletters you can find and subscribe (I like Points cow)Which can help you detect the best travel and you can be informed quickly when programs or special deals begin. Like the grocery coupon, some people go crazy with this, and yes, they save money (though I am not sure how much time they are spending in exchange for benefit). Regardless of how much you are inclined to these services, they are helpful in keeping you aware of the potential exemption, which, if the right of time, can save you money you are not expected to save.
4. Don’t wait in the car lines
Thank God that we do not live in our parents’ days, when the car is needed to rent, it requires sixteen forms and stripes to identify it. Let some improved rent agencies (I like national car rent) let the loyal users ignore the check -in process, go straight to the garage, jump into the car and then just run away by showing your driver’s license. And on return, you get out. I have this experience efficient, productive and clean, pleasant. It’s all about the time, and I feel sorry for the people who are standing in the long lines that are approved to drive.
5. Eat on chains
If you are not passenger frequently, food can be fun outside. But for the rest of the people who travel several times a month, we need consistency and ability. So when it comes to food, I usually stay at a China restaurant. Unless I’m entertaining clients, which I rarely do, I’m glad I get a file in the Outback Stackhouse at $ 40, which includes fries and salads instead of paying $ 125 for the same meal at the local stackhouse. China restaurants are reliable, fast and more affordable than other restaurants. For the second time, I avoid $ 30 hotel burgers and eat Uber. You want to go local? Find a dinner. Or otherwise stay in your hometown.
6. Use the cost management apps
I have wasted countless hours in the past years to report expenditures. But no more. Thanks to the applications of arrogant (and cheap) spending management CostsFor, for, for,. Sap concurFor, for, for,. RapAnd Zohu costsBusiness travelers, just snatching one picture, can make their expense time sheets with minimal participation, which save time and mistakes. I have found my car rent, airline, hotel and radish apps that I use to use, and when I eat or take a taxi, I upload a quick photo. When my journey is over, my expenses are reported to me. If you have a team of passengers in your business, this is a great way to handle their costs and, after connecting the app with your accounting system, save a significant amount of back office time. Thanks Ai!
7. Opening the gesture of heart
Tipping does not save your money. It is just the right thing to do. Take some cash and take care of people who clean your rooms by $ 10 daily. Give another $ 10 to the server. Never put a restaurant on a restaurant bill from 20 %. And yes, add an additional amount to the lobby of casinos you purchased a coffee $ 8 cup. It is not their fault that the price is ridiculous. And you can afford it. If you can, more tip.
8. Consider the taxis for speed
Whenever I arrive at my home airport, I always stop and deal with those who wait for the release of people and go straight to the taxi area, where a line of cabbus always waits. I mostly do it in other cities. Generally, the cost of taxis is still higher than the rider shares. And some of them are not so comfortable. But it’s all about the time, and whatever makes me reach my home or my destination so I can finish with the travel experience, for me, worth the extra cost.
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9. doubled on your greeting
Don’t be fooled by your data when you travel. Do not show your private work on your private flight in front of a boy sitting with you. Buy a laptop privacy screen, a piece of plastic that makes it impossible for everyone who is not directly in front of your screen to what you are doing. Make sure you use the VPN service to encrypt your data on a hotel or airport’s Wi-Fi.
Right now, do not use hotel or airport Wi -Fi, and whenever and wherever you have the best security, use your own mobile hotspot. When you are on the road, do not make any banking or financial transactions if you can avoid it. Bring an extra battery pack so you don’t get out of the power mid trip when you need to work. And bring three separate power strings into your bag as these things fail (and so when you forget someone in your room).
10. Roll your clothes
The bag checks not only contain extra charges but also have extra time on the carousel. My advice to avoid these fees and go and go as soon as the plane (and out of and out of the airport), I suggest roll. Yes, roll. Roll many of your non -shocked clothes (socks, underwear, shirts, etc.) and align them in your car on the bag, start from the outside and work on your way. You will be surprised how much more you can fit in your bag. Use hotel iron if needed.
More than 20 years journey. More than 60 separate travels each year. And I’m still not in the Business Road Warrior Acillone. Thank you for good. Regardless of, I have learned. Welcome to you