Business Travel Like a Pro

Business travel makes up a sizeable portion of the travel industry, contributing a whopping $282.6 billion U.S. dollars directly to GDP in 2015.

That's 28.4 percent of travel and tourism’s overall direct contribution.

It is expected to increase to $483 million by 2020.

In a September New York Times’ article, a July study by travel industry research firm Phocuswright entitled “The U.S. Business Traveler: Debunking Common Myths About Corporate Travel” found that “managed travel implies control over the traveler’s actions.”

But it found that business travelers were increasingly using their phones to plan and book their trips outside their companies’ travel tools.

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Amy Sedeño is an active business traveler who racks over 70,000 miles a year. She is a fan of HotelQuando, an app that allows business travelers to book a hotel room for only a few hours rather than a full night’s rate.

“Business travel can be unpredictable, and when a flight gets delayed and I want to rest for a few hours, I can rely on an app like HotelQuando, which has hotel partners near most of U.S’s busiest airports,” said Sedeño, CIIC Miami Director in Miami, Florida.

“I am always on-the-go and HotelQuando allows me to borrow a room for a few hours to also prepare presentations, have quiet time before an important meeting and relax in-between flights.”

Kelli Hughes, a MickeyTravels LLC travel agent advises business travelers to apply for TSA pre-check and Global Entry if they are eligible: “Both of these allow you to fast-track through many security hurdles, making for a stress-free and expedited trip through the airport."

Speaking of getting through the airport, Marianne Deiulio of Just Travelin' in Mohegan Lake, New York urges business travelers to allow enough time to get through security: “It is taking more time to check in and navigate through security lately and you don't want to miss your flight and miss that important meeting."

Hughes also encourages business travelers to stick with one airline and hotel brand for all of their travels and to sign up for their rewards programs.

“Then, they can utilize those accumulated points and take a personal vacation for little to nothing,” she said.

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Sometimes things don’t always go as planned.

“If a flight is overbooked and you’re willing to take a later flight for compensation, know that the longer you wait, the sweeter the compensation offer may become,” said Eric Henderson, Director, Business Travel, Travel Leaders Network. “Feel free to negotiate ‘next flight, first class, please’ options.”

If your plans are firm, Henderson suggests booking non-refundable tickets in advance.

“If they are not, then be sure to book flexible tickets,” he said. “While higher-priced, the flexibility provides higher corresponding value and utility, thus shattering the oft-cited 'two people sitting next to each.'”

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Finally, consider foregoing booking your own travels and use the expertise of a travel agent.

“Most business travelers get compensated back for their work travel, so why wouldn't you book with a travel agent?” said DeIulio. “Let a professional take care of it for you and worry about the details. They can keep track of your frequent flyer numbers, rental car numbers and stay on top of delays or cancellations.”