Business Travel Tips

Before you Go

• Choose a hotel close to your convention site or business meeting location.
• Choose a hotel that offers free amenities such as Internet access, parking, and local calls.
• Research your destination to find your hotel, work locations, restaurants, and any other important locations.
• Be prepared for technology snags with hard copies of important documents, files, or presentations. Also, save any important computer files to a thumb drive.
• Print out copies of your itinerary and leave them with a trusted family member or friend, as well as your supervisor.

Getting Packed

• Avoid checking baggage unless absolutely necessary to save time and worries about lost baggage, especially your laptop, cell phone, or other important electronic devices.
• If you need to be dressed in business attire for a meeting the same day you travel, wear it en route.
• Pack a few color-coordinated outfits, such as one pair of pants, one pair of shoes, and two or three matching shirts for a 2-3 day trip.
• Call your hotel ahead of time to ask if they will provide personal items such as an iron, clothing steamer, and hair dryer. These things can save you space to pack other things.
• Make sure that your bags are marked with your contact information at the office and also at your hotel.

En Route

• Arrive at the airport or get on the road early to give you extra time to handle any delays.
• You may be able to prepare for your meeting or convention on the plane, on the train, or in the car, but don’t drive while you’re distracted.
• Has your flight been canceled? Your airline is obligated to put you on the next available flight even if it’s on another airline.
• Take advantage of your hotel’s complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport to save time and money.

In Your Hotel

• If you need to make copies, send a fax, deliver a package, or even print out a presentation, your hotel’s business center can help. If you’re staying in one of our Business Plus hotels, you can take advantage of our business center.
• Take advantage of Express Check Out to save time departing.

"Off Duty"

• Schedule some time for yourself for sightseeing, exercise, and relaxation.
• Traveling for business doesn’t mean that you have to abandon your exercise program – many of our hotels feature fully equipped fitness centers, and some have swimming pools.

International Business Travel Tips

• The rules of business etiquette differ from country to country. Research your host country or countries to get basic information about business etiquette do's and dont's.
• Check to see if your laptop, cell phone, and other electronic devices will work in your host country. Also, don’t forget to bring electrical adapters.
• Stay connected and in touch with home and the office.
• You may need to register your laptop, cell phones, or other business items with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to bring them with you and take them home. Check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection for more details.

Business Travel Tips for Managers

• Did you know that you may be able to save on your employees’ business travel costs with our special corporate rates? You can also save with free extras that your employees would otherwise have to pay for and earn reward points or airline miles at participating locations. Check out our corporate rates.

Business Travel Resources

• Business Travel Logue
• Entrepreneur.com Travel
• Executive Planet
• World Citizen's Guide