6 Ways to Make the Most of a Business Trip

The truth is, while business travel can seem glamorous, it can be challenging and sometimes lonely. It doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you travel every week or a few times a year for work there are a number of ways to make the most of your business trip. You also get to visit new cities, or even countries and that’s amazing. Now, I don’t always recommend mixing business with pleasure (if you know what I mean) but when it comes to this I’ll always make an exception. I think you should too! So, here are 6 ways to make most of a business trip:

 

1. Add on a Few Extra Days (Weekend, Anyone?)

Hello!!! When flights are already covered, come early or stay for a few days after your business trip. That way, you get to enjoy the destination without having to juggle work responsibilities during the day. This is how I’ve gotten to visit more than half of the United States, and a few places internationally. For example, my recent trip to Tanzania was for a Summit, I could not stay afterwards but I arrived 1.5 days early to explore on my own over the weekend.

2. Bring Someone Else Along

This is one of my favorite tips and one I live by. When going to any destinations that your friends, family, or your significant other may also want to visit be sure to invite at least one person along. At a minimum, they get to share your hotel room, and at best you may find some time to explore a new city or country together. 

I’ve been on both sides of this equation and  it’s always been a positive experience. I’ve visited a friend in Paris (for work) and got to share her hotel room with views of the Eiffel Tower. I was so very thankful for that hookup (not that kind get your mind out of the gutter)! One caveat though: when you invite someone to come along, be honest about the amount of time you’ll have to explore with them; after all it is a work trip FIRST for you. Kachee shared this tip as well when she shared about traveling with her husband for work in their Travfessionals interview here. 

3. Sign up for Loyalty Programs and Rack Up Points

While it is not always possible to prolong a business trip, you can always make it a point to fly one airline (or its partners). When I lived in the UK, I flew British Airways for work and now in the US, I go with Delta as my first choice. I also always have a secondary airline, just in case! These points will add up over time. If you get to certain levels, you’re more likely to be frequently upgraded on both business and personal trips.

Tip: Pick an airline that has the most routes from your home airport

A leisure trip hits different when the flights and/or hotels are pretty much free because you redeemed your points. My trip to Memphis in September was paid for with miles and hotel points, all I paid was an $11 fee and that made a huge difference because I was broke.

The more you travel with a certain airline or stay at a hotel brand, the quicker you can rack up the points for free travel. This not only goes for airlines and hotels. Think Uber rewards as well as car rental loyalty programs as well.

4. Have A Plan

The shorter your trip is, the more important it is that you have a plan. I don’t know about you but it is very easy for me to get stuck in the cycle of work – hotel -work when I’m on the road. Winding down would mean eating room service and watching a little TV before bed. No Buenos! Plan your downtime and make a plan!

 Pick out a restaurant in town to check out, or walk to the office instead of taking a taxi. If you have friends in the city, plan to meet up for a meal or drinks with them one evening. Ask locals (colleagues or clients) for restaurant recommendations and go to dinner with them.Look up the one thing the city is known for and try to fit it into one evening if you can. For example, if you’re in NYC for work, you could have one drink and then check out Times Square at night, that’s maybe an hour tops. 

5. Know your Company’s Travel Policies for Spousal or Partner Travel

Many companies have policies that may allow you to bring someone along on your trip based on certain criteria. For example, a friend used to travel internationally for work quite frequently. The Company’s policy was for her to travel business class on these long haul flights. However, she could bring her husband along and fly them both in economy plus on the company (so long as it was equal to or less than the cost of a  business class ticket). At my firm, when travelling multiple weeks in a row, I can choose to go to a different city for a weekend (or fly someone in) if certain criteria are met.

Know the company’s policy and make the most of the options that are available to you without breaking the rules.

6. Pamper Yourself

I know I just said to have a plan and be sure to leave your hotel room. I’m now telling you to stay in your hotel and order room service, but let me tell you why. If you’re a working parent or just a busy professional that’s been going on and on for weeks, sometimes room service, a spa, and/or soaking tub is exactly what you need. If that’s you, do exactly that! Get that extra sleep you don’t get at home, get room service, and head on to the spa!

Those are six ways to make the most of a business trip. What other tips do you have as a business traveler? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Till Next Time,

Dee (Ms. Heels)