25 travel tips from the busiest business travelers

25 TRAVEL TIPSFrom the Busiest

Business TravelersPRESENTED BY

PLANNING

MATT MULLEN @MattMullenUK

Senior Analyst 451 Research 100

Travel Days per Year

Make the most out of your travel by joining as many loyalty schemes as you can; that freebie late checkout or room upgrade could turn a miserable day into a great one (FlyerTalk & HeadForPoints are great resources).

R “RAY” WANG @rwang0

Principal Analyst & Founder Constellation Research 200


For winter travel, book a train as backup. Get a refundable ticket. It may save your butt. Have a rental car on hold just in case the airport shuts down so you can drive to your destination. Book a room. Cancellations are typically before 6pm so it's better to be safe than sorry.

MICHAEL KRIGSMAN @mkrigsman

CEO Asuret 80


AirBnB can be your best friend or worst enemy– look very closely at the photos and reviews.

Sign up for TSA PreCheck to

check in quickly without hassles.

LAURIE MCCABE @lauriemccabe

Partner SMB Group 70


LAURA NURZYNSKI @lnurzynski

Group Vice President, IDC 50


Always expect something to not go as planned. Lost luggage, plane delays, forgot your phone charger, only parking available is on the roof and its January and there will be 18 inches of snow on your car when you return home. Then you’ve set your expectations low and will be pleased if only one of these things happens.

JAKE SOROFMAN @jakesorofman

Research Director Gartner 75


Maintain folders of reading material to fill the interminable

spaces between taxi and takeoff.

PACKING

CORY MUNCHBACH @corinnejames

Research Analyst Forrester 100


Invest in a good roller bag. It's

worth it.

NIGEL FENWICK @nigelfenwick

VP & Principal Analyst Forrester 145


If you have to fly on a regional jet, try to pack a smaller carry-on that will

fit the overhead instead of a regular-sized carry-on. It

will save time waiting for plane-side bag claim.

ARIANNA VALENTINI @lilvprintermc

Senior Research Analyst, InfoTrends 60


I tend to travel using what my friends call the “bag lady” approach.

Instead of a purse, I carry a large tote with many zip pouches. I keep one for receipts (easy to find when doing expense reports later), one for liquids, and one filled with travel items like extra socks, chap stick, and tea bags.

This way I never have to dig through a bag– I just pull out a labeled pouch!

CORY MUNCHBACH @corinnejames

Research Analyst Forrester 100


I always go with either a navy or black base for my clothing so that I can limit the number of shoes and accessories I need to coordinate.

MICHAEL KRIGSMAN @mkrigsman

CEO Asuret 80


Bring a battery pack for your phone– if your phone dies when you have to get directions, find an email, or

whatever, then you are screwed.

LAURIE MCCABE @lauriemccabe

Partner SMB Group 70


Take anti-bacterial wet wipes to wipe down your tray table, arm rests, etc. And always take hand sanitizer.

UNDERWAY




When flying across timezones – especially long-haul – set your watch to the destination time as soon as you get to the airport. Consider that time the current time and it helps fight jetlag upon arrival (but don’t miss your flight!)

R “RAY” WANG @rwang0

Principal Analyst & Founder Constellation Research 200


Use your airline’s mobile app. I've tried most of them but the United one tops my list.

NIGEL FENWICK @nigelfenwick

VP & Principal Analyst Forrester 145


If you have to take a red-eye, eat dinner before you board to maximize your sleep time. Take a sleep aid right before you board.




Set in-flight goals for work tasks and then reward yourself with a good book or a bad movie.




I use plane time to do something constructive

that I enjoy. I might read a business-related

or personal-interest book. And I always

bring knitting.

I find these activities recharge me and I can

focus more on work once I arrive at my

destination.




Stay hydrated and always opt

for the aisle seat (these tips are

logically connected).




Don’t steal my arm rest. I won’t say anything because I’m British, but I’ll be secretly stabbing you in my mind.

DESTINATION

SARAH HODGES @hodges

Vice President Smarterer 50


Invest in the front desk. Be gracious and kind when you arrive - people will be more likely to hook you up with the good stuff!

PAUL ENGLISH @englishpaulm

Cofounder, KAYAK CEO & Cofounder, Blade 70


Don't ever pre-pay for gas at the

car rental counter.

SAM MELNICK @SamMelnick

Senior Research Analyst, IDC 30


Avoid using the crappy hotel iron by hanging

clothes in the bathroom and using the shower (at full heat) to “steam

out” any wrinkles.

AMANDA CARLSON-PHILLIPS @TeamEXOS

VP, Nutrition and Research, Exos

Great nutrition during travel can be as simple as packing your own snacks. Taking your own water bottle, home made trail mix, beef jerky, raw nuts, fruit, protein powder, tea, oatmeal packets and your favorite minimally processed bar (like Lara bars) will help you keep your energy levels high, your mood stable, and your waistline in check.




Follow a strict, monastic regimen: early to bed, early to rise and whatnot.




Business travel can take you to some lovely places. I always try to take time, whether it is a half day or an hour, to enjoy something about the venue. A few weeks ago, I found myself in Half Moon Bay at the Ritz overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A client and I decided to have our last meeting of the day outside by the fire, with a cocktail and the refreshing ocean breezes.

SEPTEMBER 8-11 2015 | BOSTON

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