Traveling for work can be both hectic and exhilarating at the same time. Love it or hate it, when you travel for work, efficiency is key. You need to get where you need to be without unnecessary delays, and you want to be sure that you can accomplish all the tasks required of you, even if it means working from a laptop at airports and on planes.
Here are some travel tips for corporate travelers who need to get things done on the road.
Sign up for a frequent flyer programme
If you frequently travel for business, it is a must to be signed up to at least one good frequent flyer programme. Even if your company is paying for your tickets, you are free to rack up frequent flyer miles for your own use. Choose a programme with airlines that you are most likely to use for your personal travels. For those in Singapore, the KrisFlyer programme is often the first choice.
If you have a say as to which flights get booked for business trips, you can then choose airlines participating in the frequent flyer programme you’re using.
Get a credit card that lets you use airport lounges for free
Airport lounge access is very useful to have when you need to work on the go. At an airport lounge, you can connect to wifi, charge your devices and also enjoy a free flow of food and drinks.
If you haven’t collected enough frequent flyer miles to entitle you to the free use of airport lounges, your next best option is to sign up for a credit card that offers lounge access.
Don’t check in luggage
On short business trips, you do not need to travel with an entire suitcase of clothes. Take advantage of that to avoid checking in luggage. Rely instead on a small suitcase or overnight bag that is small enough to be taken on board as hand carry luggage.
By avoiding checking in luggage, you can breeze through immigration at your destination instead of waiting at the baggage carousel for your luggage to emerge. You also avoid the risk of delayed or lost luggage, which can be disastrous when you have important documents or items that you need for work.
Remove your liquids and electronics before going through security checks
You know the drill—before going through the security check, you’ll need to remove your liquids and, at certain airports, place them in ziplock bags. You’ll also have to remove your electronics from their cases and place them in a separate container on the conveyor belt.
All of this can be done ahead of time rather than when you are already at the head of the queue. Pre-pack your toiletries in a zip-lock bag and store it in an easy-to-reach pocket. While you’re standing in line at the security check, remove your electronics and carry them in your arms. This can save you some precious minutes and get you to your boarding gate faster.
Charge your electronics before you leave for the airport
When you travel for business, the need to stay connected is strong and you might find yourself replying to emails and amending documents on the go.
The last thing you want is a dead laptop or smartphone battery preventing you from getting things done. So make sure all your electronics are fully charged before you leave for the airport. At the check-in gate, look around for sockets that can help you get a few minutes’ more of battery life when you land.
Whenever you travel for business, make sure you are protected by a good travel insurance policy from HL Assurance. Frequent business travelers can benefit from an annual travel insurance policy that offers coverage for a full year.
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