(My) Business Travel Essentials

As a software Implementation specialist, I've seen my fair share of airports and hotels. If you are just starting out as a work traveler, let me share some knowledge as to what you need to make your travel days (somewhat) easy. 1. Pick an airline (or 2) now and become loyal. If you register now you will start gaining miles in your first flight. 2. TSA pre check is a MUST! The last thing you need is a delay in getting to your gate because the women in front of you decided to wear lace up boots and her whole jewelry box. 3. Buy a good reliable suitcase. I know, there expensive, but when you head to your local department store and pick one up, it usually doesnt last as long as you need it too. The worst thing to happen is getting your bags from the carousel and it's missing a wheel. 4. Those early flights suck, but it helps me get into the right time zone. If you book your own flights plan on landing before or after rush hour traffic. Getting stuck in a Uber or cab with horrible music can put a girl in a sour mood. 5. As good as it sounds, do not do the steak dinner each night and as much as dinner outings with your boss and executives are important, so is your health. It took me a while to realize why people are so picky when they order out. What you put in your body could alter the whole trip. 5.1. this doesn't me only eat salad. You know your body. Stay away from fast food and things that cause you to bloat or have accessive gas. Last thing you need is food poisoning while away. 6. Pre purchase all your meds and travel with them always. Traveling test your immune system which will now react like a 3rd grade teacher during flu season. People travel while sick or have just visited sick family and friends. Start carring hand sanitizer and an immune booster. I always carry aspirin, immodium, A24, sleep aid, cough drops, cold and flu meds. 7. Over packing....is for the beholder (the one that will be-holding that bag..you) I travel between 4days to 5 weeks depending on the project size. I pack for 21 days for either senario. I sometimes get last minute changes and what to make sure I have enough variety. Dry cleaning is fine, but I am against the dry cleaning of undergarments. I only pack 4 pairs of shoes and where my Tom's to the airport. Black, red, Leppard print, and either grey or nude. 8. If your airline is giving away free airfare for your seat, volunteer as tribute to future vacays. Yes your tired and you just want to get to the hotel room, but they normally give a food credit to use and when you are planning the next vacay the flight will be the last thing on your mind. (Don't settle less than $400 is my own rule) 9. As a traveling female you may think you need to be stuck in your room your entire trip. Which is nice after a long day, but don't forget you still have to live. Go to a mall, go to the movies, read with a glass of wine at the bar. This will help get out of work mode. Because we all know we will open that laptop in the room after putting in a full day. 10. If you don't feel safe at the place you or your company booked or with the creep next door, move! You should be in a room away from staircase, and no connecting door. The hotel will almost be like a second home, I'm sure you don't have a door that connects you and your neighbor. What are your travel help tips?