Four Tips to Improve Business Travel

From remembering to schedule a pickup time with a limo in Chicago to finding a hotel, business travel is full of small chores that need to be done. For the person who travels frequently, some of these things become routine. At the same time, there are many little things that you can do to make routine travel more pleasant. Following are four tips to improve your business travel:

· Take less technology.

· Use extra bags when packing.

· Call people by their names.

· Ask for an upgrade.

Take Less Technology

We live in a world full of technology. While these things are useful, they can also be cumbersome as they add weight to your carryon bags. Before you travel, evaluate whether or not you really need the laptop, tablet, e-reader, and music player as well as your smart phone. Eliminate the redundant items to make it easier to pack and travel.

Use Extra Bags When Packing

Packing and having access to your belongings is easier if you use extra bags such as Ziploc baggies. Then as you look for your belongings, you don’t have to shuffle through everything to find what you want. Ziploc baggies are good for your carry-on, too. Put an empty one in the side pocket of your carry-on. When you approach security clearance, put your pens, watch, coins, phone, etc. into the empty bag. Then you can simply drop the Ziploc into the side pocket of your carry-on rather than emptying the contents of your pockets into a tray to pass through security.

Call People by Name

It is so easy for people to feel like objects in a travel machine, especially employees who are checking you in and out of somewhere. Most employees wear a name tag. Use their names when talking to them. By so doing, you will get more attention and help than if you don’t use their name.

Ask for an Upgrade

The Canadian hockey player, Wayne Gretsky, is famous for his saying, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” This is true with upgrades. If you want a cheap upgrade for a hotel room or a limo in Chicago, ask if there is one available. If you are told no, then you are not any worse off than before you asked. But, if you are told yes, you might be in for an enjoyable upgrade.