45 travel tips from a frequent flyer…

I mentioned in my previous article that traveling will test your patience and tolerance for stress on a regular basis. Here is my running list of tips to make business travel more enjoyable, grouped by topic for better organization:

Planning and Booking Travel

• Get a passport with Global Entry (better to be ready).
• Get qualified for TSA PreCheck (skip the lines, keep your shoes on, avoid overexposure to scanners).
• Complete Global Entry and TSA PreCheck applications on the TSA website. There are many imposter websites that charge extra fees.
• Save money by applying for both at the same time. Read this CNET article on Global Entry & PreCheck.
• Try to focus on one airline and hotel chain and join the respective rewards programs (join all the leading services). Though don’t let brand loyalty limit your travel options.
• Always sign up for rewards programs when using a new airline or hotel chain. Those one-time uses can add up over time.
• Watch for special offers from hotel and airline rewards programs. Beyond credit card and lounge access programs, they often have promotions to help maximize earning and spending points.
• Schedule travel 4-6 weeks in advance, but avoid booking out further than 6 weeks for domestic travel. If you travel often, it can get confusing if you book too far out.
• Don’t overlook obscure holidays when booking travel (for example, MLK Day). This is also true for international travel; foreign countries don’t all celebrate the same holidays.
• Consider that your customer may have down-days or internal holidays (avoid showing up to a locked door).
• Consider special events held at your customer’s location (no visiting San Diego during Comic-Con week).
• Avoid booking layovers under one hour (gates change and layover airports are big). At least 90-minutes when you need to arrive on-time or when your next hop is the last flight of the day.
• Use seat review websites to help with seat selection if you book your own travel.
• Avoid sitting near toilets, congestion areas, and aisle transitions if possible.
• Bulkheads and emergency exits provide more legroom but have limited storage, unusual amenities, and unique seat designs. Unless you are tall, these may not be ideal choices.
• Don’t get too creative when booking flights to save money or maximize points (like making separate bookings for each leg). This usually backfires. A single end-to-end booking is the safe bet.
• If you book your own travel, check your booking confirmation carefully for changes. It is not uncommon to lose your seat selection during the final ticket processing.
• If you are lucky enough to be traveling business class internationally, consider adding a 3 to 5-hour layover to take advantage of the shopping and business class lounges at major international airports. The airports and high-end lounges are an enjoyable experience.

Packing and Preparation

• Pack a party pill bag (Tums, Advil, gum, Beano, cough drops… whatever you need to take the edge off).
• Make sure all liquids and gels in your carry-on bags are under 3 ounces (3.4 is the limit but 3 to be certain). An unopened gel deodorant container is often 3.8 ounces.
• Often TSA attendants will bark for passengers to remove toiletry items, batteries, and food. This is a suggestion, not a rule. If you are confident you are under 3 ounces, just ignore them and move on.
• Keep tabs on TSA rule changes.
• Prior to traveling, take a few minutes to download your offline movies, music, audiobooks, training materials, large files, and so on.
• For iOS phones, turn off cellular data on a per-app basis. Limit cellular-enabled apps while traveling internationally. Also, consider using a VPN service.
• You may find yourself using a mobile hotspot or tethering your laptop to your phone when traveling. Set your connection to “Metered” to prevent large updates and file synchronization.

At the Airport and In-Flight Tips

• Most airlines begin boarding 30 minutes prior to departure (45 to 60 minutes for international flights).
• Most airlines close the gate 10 minutes prior to the departure time.
• Board early to snag nearby overhead storage and give yourself extra minutes to settle.
• Be considerate with overhead storage (turn your bag to use less space, place your second bag under the seat).
• Suit up for a comfortable flight (pillow, noise-canceling headphones, footrest, battery pack, earplugs).
• Slip a dust mask in your bag in case you get sick before the ride home (also cough drops and pressure-equalizing earplugs).
• Direct air vents to your face to keep cool and help combat bad odors or when seated near “patient zero.”
• Generate good karma by keeping your seat upright when you are not sleeping (recline slowly if possible).
• Be willing to say no when someone asks to change seats (no good deed goes unpunished).
• Talk to the person next to you for 5 minutes before politely retreating to noise-canceling headphones. Establishing a friendly rapport reduces awkwardness.
• Avoid checking bags to prevent lost luggage and baggage claim delays. Though checking bags can be very convenient and makes layovers less complicated.
• Consider checking baggage if your first flight requires gate-checking or if you have tight layovers.

Navigating Airports and Delays

• Get a mental picture of major hub airport layouts to ease transitions.
• Major hubs like Dallas DFW are impossible for terminal changes in under 20 minutes.
• Always be ready to hustle for a tight connection. Do not give up until you are in front of a locked gate. Often the connecting flight will also be delayed.
• Learn to live in the moment of delays. Make the best of it (reading, work, study, downloaded videos, audiobooks, music).
• Learn to find inner peace in the face of delays, rude people, and unfair situations.
• Delays often work themselves out. Avoid proactively rebooking unless absolutely necessary.
• Airline call centers may be limited in assisting with last-minute changes. The check-in desk employee is often your best resource.
• When flights are canceled, get in line and call support while you wait.
• Check your airline app for rebooking options but proceed with caution. In-person support is often best.
• Arrive at your gate on time even if delayed. Airlines sometimes retract delay announcements.
• Do not rush to change gates if there is time. Gate changes can shift multiple times.
• Get printed tickets as a backup. They can override digital updates.
• Be realistic about making your connection. Do not let the stress of a delay cause chaos.
• Don’t become an entitled jerk during delays. Most people around you are also delayed.

Ground Transportation and Rentals

• Use taxi and ride-sharing services if you want to avoid rental car delays and navigation hassles.
• Get a rental car in new locations to explore and avoid surprises.
• Always get the toll box. Ignored tolls often become expensive tickets.
• Be prepared for hotel and customer site parking fees.
• Always get GPS with international rentals. Data plans may not be reimbursable or fast enough.
• Google Maps is great for international navigation with offline maps.
• For long international stays, consider purchasing a local pay-as-you-go SIM card or burner phone.
• Inspect rental cars thoroughly. Photograph any damage. Check tire rims and for engine lights.
• Be cautious with valet-parked cars. Damage disputes can be difficult.

Health and Comfort

• Protect your ears. Noise-canceling headphones allow lower volume and block distractions.
• Test noise-canceling headphones before buying. Some users experience temporary ringing.
• Larger travelers may struggle to use laptops in economy seats.
• Free shuttles often come with long waits and multiple stops.
• If traveling internationally and you are a veteran, be aware of nearby military bases for medical support.
• Roll up the shade and enjoy the view. Don’t miss out on the wonder of flight.
• Guard your premium-economy seat. People will try to claim open seats.

Final Tips

• Become an expert on your company’s travel, expense, and credit card policies.
• Check your email spam folder for travel receipts.
• Check into flights and hotels early. The best options go fast.
• Avoid booking complexities that can backfire.
• Remain focused and avoid complacency. Always double-check booking details, IDs, and travel essentials.
• Many overly cautious habits feel amateurish but save stress in the long run.