If you know me, you know I can’t sit still in a cubicle farm for weeks on end. I get bored and restless no matter how interesting the actual work is. That’s why my current job is perfect for me. It keeps me on the road. If I wanted, I could travel every single week. I try to keep it under 50% though since I do have a husband and a life. All these business trips have taught me a few tips and tricks that I thought I’d share with all of you just in case you ever find yourself traveling a lot for work.
1) Pick a brand
This goes for cars, planes, hotels, etc. Pick a brand, sign up for the rewards program, and stick with it. Sometimes your company will have a particular partnership with a brand that you are required to stick with. If that’s the case, this tip is already done for you. If not, then pick your favorite.
In my opinion, hotels are the most important item to pick one brand and stick with it. And not only that, I like to stay at the same chain within that brand. Why? Because when you travel a lot, the hotel chain becomes your home away from home. It gives you a sense of familiarity and consistency regardless of where you are and what new city you are visiting. For me, it is Residence Inn (or TownPlace Suites) by Marriott. I like having a kitchen so I don’t have to eat out every night. I also like that it is usually laid out more like a small apartment rather than a hotel room. Makes it homier. And the rewards system isn’t too shabby either.
The second most important brand to pick is your airline. This is important because of upgrades. If you don’t travel a lot, upgrades are nice but not super important. Being cramped in economy isn’t a big deal when you know it won’t last long. But when you are going on business trips weekly, upgrades make a world of difference. The upgrade means you can function at work the day following your red-eye flight home. It means you get to eat a better snack/meal when you didn’t have time to grab any food because you were rushing to the airport from your last meeting. And it means you can have a second to relax or catch up on work without kids kicking your seat. So don’t hate on those business travelers getting the upgrades. The more you travel, the more you desperately need that upgrade.
2) Stay healthy
It is easy to fall into an unhealthy lifestyle when you are always on the road. After a long and exhausting day, a large meal, a decent dose of booze, and an evening of Netflix is always tempting, but resist the urge! Traveling already takes a toll on your body, so don’t make it even harder on yourself. It takes a lot of will power, but once you get over the mental part of it, I think it is easier to be healthy on business trips than it is at home. For one, your hotel most likely has a gym. When a gym is only a few steps away, you have no excuse to not go and work out. And second, when the company is paying, you don’t have an excuse to not order the over priced salads with organic greens, fruits and grains, and pasture raised meat you’ve never heard of. No time for a sit down meal? In those situations, I run by the store and pick up a pre-made salad. It is just as easy as stopping by a fast food chain.
3) Treat yourself
Let’s be real. No matter how much you love traveling, staying in hotels away from family and friends can be a bit of a drag at times. Sometimes I get home sick. To cope with this, and keep myself looking forward to the next business trip, I treat myself to little luxuries that I don’t get at home. For example, I pack face masks to help relax after an extra stressful day. In addition to packing little luxuries, I also treat myself to a really good cocktail at the end of a trip. My company doesn’t specifically limit (or encourage) the booze, but I don’t like to drink alone. So, I don’t typically drink during the trip. But for better or worse, looking forward to a fancy cocktail gives me motivation to get through the week.
4) Ask for upgrades
If you have a status on any of the rewards programs (hotels, planes, etc), you’ll likely get upgraded without asking. But if you don’t get an upgrade, or if you don’t have a status, don’t be afraid to ask for that upgrade. If you booked with your corporate card or through your work travel site, they will know that you are on a business trip. And everyone loves business travelers because it means more money and repeat visitors. So, they will be more likely to give you that upgrade than when you are traveling for leisure. Plus, the worst thing that can happen is they say no. Just don’t be rude and demanding about it.
5) Explore
I often find myself working very long hours during business trips. The entire day is consumed by whatever I’m traveling for, and I spend the night catching up on all my regular work. But occasionally, I’ll have a free evening. So just incase I get some free time, I like to do my research ahead of time and find out what there is to do in the area. Sometimes there will be a great hiking trail nearby or a beach to relax at and soak up some evening rays. Or if I’m in a city, there might be a cool museum or attraction to check out. If nothing else, I’ll take a stroll around the city blocks. Even if it is just for a couple hours, exploring the area you are in makes your business trip feel more like a vacation and gives you ideas in case you want to come back for an actual vacation.
6) Pack smart
Packing for a business trip is a little different than packing for vacation. While you may have to pack your evening and day outfits for a vacation, this is usually unnecessary for business trips. Why? Because you probably have something nice you would wear anyway during the day so why not keep wearing it into the evening. This will not only reduce the stress of what to pack but will also keep looking you sharp into the evening. If you want to change up a bit, put on a light sweater or change from business pants or skirt to a nice pair of jeans. The point is to pack light on business trips.
7) Embrace the unknown
Nine out of ten times, I travel by myself and quite often it is to places I’m not familiar with. And to be honest, this was hard at first. I’m generally a quiet and reserved person, especially in new places. I hesitated asking for directions, I was nervous to go to new site not knowing a single person, and I felt awkward eating at restaurants alone. But I’ve learned to embrace the unknown.
When I walk into a new site, I need to introduce myself to everyone. They are either suppliers or customers (and sometimes competitors), and I know the number one priority to establish good relationships. And that can’t happen if I stand silently in a corner. I have to just get out there and slap on a friendly and outgoing personality. When I’m renting a car, changing flights, or checking into a hotel, I need to have confidence to ask for what I want. If I don’t, I probably won’t get it. When I’m by myself, I can’t let the awkwardness of eating alone hold me back from trying out that trendy new restaurant. If it has a bar, sit there (even if you aren’t drinking). You’ll be with all the other business travelers that are all in the same situation and just want to talk to somebody about their day and life.
