In support of the current “Country Means Business” promotion, Road Warriorette will be featuring a weekly sponsored post on behalf of Country Inns & Suites and has been compensated by Country Inns & Suites for her contribution.
The day you have been waiting for is here! I am giving away two two-night stays at the Country Inns & Suites of your choice! How to win? Write a comment to this post about the following: What is your best tip for a new business traveler? Then two people who commented will be chosen by a random drawing on Thursday, March 3, with the winners announced on March4. So easy!!! Only one entry per person.
Legal disclaimers: This giveaway is not run, sponsored, or administered by Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. Country Inns & Suites may use or publish any comment posted here. The Free NightVouchers are subject to additional terms and conditions as set forth on each Voucher.
Here are my own favorite tips for new travelers.
Clothes:
- Try to build your travel wardrobe around a single color. If all of your clothes match with black pants (or brown), it is that much easier to pack. It is also much easier to get dressed in the morning! And you will need to bring fewer pairs of shoes.
- Flat, slip-on shoes are best for day of travel. They allow you to move quickly through the airport, go easily through security, and be comfortable on the plane.
- Bring a scarf or pashmina for the plane–use it as a blanket, pillow, or whatever you need.
- If you can at all avoid it, don’t bring anything that wrinkles or that you have to iron. There are plenty of stylish clothes available that don’t require ironing!
For the plane:
- Don’t throw your bag in an overhead bin that is way in front of your seat if you can at all help it. It’s rude to the people sitting below that bin.
- If it’s a long flight, bring an eye mask and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.
- Make sure you have something to entertain you on the plane—don’t anticipate working the entire time unless you know that you will!
- Bring snacks. Nuts, granola bars, and veggies all travel well and satisfy hunger.
Packing:
- I bring my own shampoo/conditioner, since I travel so much if I use the random products the hotel puts out my hair acts crazy. I fill up travel bottles from my full size products, but great sources of travel sizes are Sephora and 3floz.com.
- Eagle Creek packing cubes are so helpful for the small items (underwear, socks, hose, etc); they will help you save a ton of space.
- I have three small bags for my toiletries–one for liquids (that gets taken out at security), one for non-liquids (toothbrush, deodorant, etc), and one for make-up. This allows me to fit them in my suitcase wherever they will go instead of taking up a lot of room
- Don’t bring full size (or even travel size!) beauty products. Use spare contact lens cases for small amounts of liquids, such as face soap, moisturizer, eye makeup remover, etc.
General Tips
- Emergen-C! I take it every day when I travel, sometimes twice.
- I use my White Noise iPhone app a lot in hotels, especially when the walls are thin, there is a highway outside nearby, or the air-conditioning unit is super loud.
Now is your chance! Share some of the knowledge you have amassed in your years of business travel. What is your best business travel tip for a newbie? What does business, and business travel, mean to you? Good luck!
Get a travel guide so you don’t miss the most interesting places in town / save a few bucks
Make sure you undestand the travel regulations – what not to bring on the plane. So you can breeze through the security line with no hassle!
To minimize the chance of delay, try to take early flights.
Never check your luggage if you can help it!
In the last 2 years, i have never been held to a 1 qt. baggie size of liquids. i have been held to no more than 3oz. of anything – even cottage cheese!
Program every address into the GPS before you leave home. Hotel, rental car drop off, client office/business destination. Use a cloud service like Evernote to keep images of business cards, contact lists, and all your itineraries accessible from any internet connection while you travel.
When you travel you need to be prepared.Always have copies of the rules and regulations that apply to your trip.If I have a special or discounted rate at a hotel I always print up a hard copy of the rate rules. Same applies to luggage allowances. If my credit card gets me special perks/upgrades at a hotel I have a copy to back me up. It’s great to be empowered.
If you forget your phone or iPod charger, ask at the hotel front desk for if they have extras. Most business hotels have a giant drawer filled with chargers that have been left behind, and most will let you borrow what you need.
I am a travel agent. My suggestion on long haul flights is to get up and walk around at least hourly. We have a 46 year old client die recently due to a blood clot which traveled to his lung and killed him instantly. He had just returned from a trip to China-a 14 hour plus long flight.
Best tip for a new business traveller is to sign up for every reward program and try your best to stick to a couple. Also make sure you sign up for all the promotions they offer every quarter or so!
Try to keep your diet as consistent as possible.
Ask for a hotel room with no connecting doors. They let in so much noise from the adjoining room you may as well be in there with your neighbors.
Keep a pair of jumper cables in the car you leave at the airport.
Remember to put your address label and flight info in the checked in luggage, in case the bags go missing.
Also, I keep copies as well as email myself a copy of my passport, drivers license, credit cards I’m carrying and other relevant travel info. It comes handy in the event your wallet is stolen.