Business Travel Tricks
October 24, 2006

Q:  Hi Steve, I saw you give a speech recently and got the impression that you travel for business a lot.  I bet you have some tricks that we may not know about (I travel some on business too, but not a lot.)  Do you? -- Geoffrey, Ventura, California
A:   I probably get out on the road twice a month or so on business for speeches and so forth, and that has been true for the past few years, so yes, I do have some business travel do's and don'ts that may be of use.

But before I share those, let me make a plea to the airline industry: No airline seat should ever be allowed to recline. I can't count the number of times I have been working on my laptop with the tray table down, or eating a meal, only to have the person in front of me lean back, and thereby take away what little space I had. To paraphrase Ronald Reagan in the 1980 New Hampshire primary, "I paid for that space, Mr. Chairman!" Airplane seats should not be able to lean back, period.

OK, I feel better now.

Business travel can be divided into three segments: Airlines, rental cars, and hotels.

Airlines

I love flying business class, and will do so when appropriate, but I also know that not all good seats are behind the curtain. Great seats can still be had for a fraction of the price in

If you do end up stuck in a bad seat, the best thing to do is get up after the flight has taken off and walk up and down the aisle looking for a better seat. If you see one, kindly ask a flight attendant if you can be moved. Don't ask for an "upgrade" as that will probably fall on deaf ears. Instead, appeal to his or her humanity, as one fellow traveler to another.

One last thought on airline travel: Pack light, preferably in a carry-on case if possible. It was during a business trip to Japan, when I was lugging a huge suitcase through a train station and my interpreter turned to me and said, "Sir, you are sweating profusely!" that I swore off over-packing. I rarely wait at baggage claim anymore and don't notice the difference.

Rental cars

The prices at these places can vary so much it's amazing, so definitely shop online before you fly. It sometimes even helps to take a shuttle into downtown and rent there as it can be cheaper, and with better selection. One thing I have found is that if you ask nicely for an upgrade, you will usually get one at no extra cost (assuming of course they have extra cars.)

In addition, it rarely makes sense to buy their insurance. Why? First, your own auto insurance probably already covers the rental car (call and see what your policy says so you know for next time), and even if it doesn't, many credit cards cover the car once you pay for it with that card.

Hotels

As with airlines and car rental agencies, hotel chains like to reward frequent customers, so your best chance of getting a room upgrade will be at the hotel where you have a loyalty card.

Absent that, of course you know to check online, but did you know that your savings by buying online can be about 40%? Calling the hotel directly and reserving a room is called paying the "rack rate." Savvy travelers do not pay the rack rate.

While sites like Expedia offer great deals, you may find that you can get similar deals, but better rooms, by booking at the website of the hotel itself. That is because they like to reward more loyal guests, and people who buy from a site like Travelocity are seen as less loyal than those who come to the hotel's own site.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today's tip: It may also behoove you to befriend that endangered species, the travel agent. They are privy to deals no one else knows about (even the travel websites). Yes, you will pay a small commission, but the savings will easily make up for that.

 

Back to "Ask an Expert"          MSCE Home

Batesville Memorial Public Library