How To Travel Like A Professional

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It’s true to say that travel for recreation and travel for professional purposes are very different. While both involve getting from A to B in the most convenient, comfortable, and affordable way you can, the mindset and what you do when you get there are going to differ quite occasionally.

Of course, the professional category can be subdivided into different purposes - a business trip paid for by the company you work for, or one funded by the business you run. You might travel to a new area to see what the employment opportunities are like, or perhaps to see how you might expand into a local market.

Regardless, you may not be used to this kind of travel. If so, having some tips available can be appropriate and help you learn what to do and what to look for in advance. With that in mind, please consider the following advice:

Furnished Apartments, Not Hotels

Hotels work well for short trips, but furnished apartments make so much more sense when you're traveling for work, because they give you space to set up a proper desk, cook your own meals, and maintain some kind of normal routine. Most business travelers find that living out of a suitcase in a hotel room gets old fast and that can impede their motivation, and perhaps yours too. Washington DC apartments from the best brands, and further afield too, will often come with proper internet connections and quiet spaces for video calls. Many landlords now specifically cater to business travelers, and that could mean flexible leases and fully equipped spaces that feel like actual homes, but it’s important to make sure they are equipped for that mid-term stay you may be planning.

Enrol In All Loyalty & Redemption Programs

Business travel comes with plenty of expenses, so you might as well get something back from them. Most airlines, hotel chains, and even car rental companies offer loyalty programs that add up quickly when you travel regularly, and those points or miles you earn can help fund your personal trips later, or upgrade your work travel to make it more comfortable. Some programs even let you share benefits with family members. Just make sure you understand your company's policy about using these rewards, and don’t enrol in a program you don’t intend to use.

Secure Access To Specific Hospitality Brands Your Company Can Trust

If you’re planning a trip as part of your own company, building relationships with specific travel brands is worth it, for it saves time and reduces stress. Your company probably already has agreements with certain hotels or serviced apartment providers, but expand these outward if you can, because these partnerships often come with corporate rates and guaranteed standards of service. They also mean less paperwork for expense claims since the billing arrangements are already sorted out.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily travel like a professional. No matter if you’re heading abroad or nationwide for yourself or your company, you’re sure to get the hang of it sooner rather than later.