As the old saying goes, time is money. This is just as true with Business Travel. Ideally you need to get where you’re going, as quickly and smoothly as possible. It is often simple changes that can make the biggest difference. So I, along with some of my colleagues here in Portman Travel (hat-tip to Lynda Parker and David Witter), have put together a checklist of things to make traveling for business that much easier.
1.Charge Electronic Devices Fully.
Not only is this a requirement for many airlines nowadays, it is also logical. Chances are, when you land you are going to need to contact someone, whether that be for directions to your destination or just to let them know you've landed.
Again, a simple thing but it can often be overlooked. Checking in online gives you a bit more time before the flight. You can then use this time to grab a coffee or respond to a few emails.
3.Travel light
Always travel as light as possible, only bring hand luggage if possible. This allows you to get through the arrival airport much quicker than waiting for checked luggage to come out.
If you are a business traveller, chances are you will travel often. You may as well sign up to the airline and hotel membership schemes to get all the perks you can.
5.Bring a prepaid Credit Card.
Nobody likes to hear it, but things can go wrong abroad. You may miss a flight connection or have things stolen. This is why it’s always an idea to bring a pre-paid card in case of emergency.
Visas can be tricky, so it’s always best to reconfirm the requirements before travelling to make sure everything is in order. You don’t want to waste time at border control sorting out something that could have been done beforehand.
7.Try to book an exit seat.
Getting a seat near to an exit allows you to get off the plane quickly. Granted it doesn’t save you much time, but it may allow you to be at the front of the queue at passport control.
8.Book as early as possible.
Business travel can often be last minute and, as a result, expensive. This is why it is always important to book as early as possible to make sure you get the best deal. It also helps if you can be a bit flexible in your dates.
9.Saturday night stays.
When flying to the USA, it is often cheaper if you can incorporate a Saturday night stay in the trip. It may not always be possible since a working week is Monday to Friday. But if you can show your boss the significant cost savings, it may be worth it.
The right Travel Management Company can save your company an awful lot of hassle and money. Find an agency with the right connections and deals to suit your business.
Portman Travel is one of the UK’s most experienced and largest independent corporate travel management companies with over 50 years experience in delivering outstanding business travel management solutions to corporations across all major business sectors. Portman Travel is also a member of the Radius Travel Group.