Consistent Business Travelers? 5 Things to Know!

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Consistent Business Travelers? 5 Things to Know!It’s not uncommon for consistent business travelers to become road-weary. Spending hours on an airplane, sleeping in a strange hotel room, windowless meeting/office spaces, and cookie-cutter dining choices can get old pretty fast. However, there are ways to reinvigorate your travel experience with the help of a few business travel planning tips.

1. Think Positive

Instead of dwelling on all the things you’re missing out on when you’re on the road, consider the opportunity, switching from ‘I have to’, to ‘I get to.’

2. Stay Hydrated En-Route

Business travel agents know few properly hydrate during travel, especially those that travel by air. A plane’s lower cabin humidity can worsen this issue, resulting in dehydration-related fatigue, headaches, and more.

3. Eat Outside the Box

Seek out vibrant local food over boring, cookie-cutter chain restaurant fare. There is an array of choices here, from inexpensive yet delicious food truck finds, mid-range local dining favorites, and pricier gourmet options for the gastronomer.

4. Up the Ante

Next time you check into a hotel room, tip the desk clerk and ask if there are any upgrades based on capacity. It’s a gamble that won’t work every time, but it could net you a large (room) reward, especially if you’re a frequent traveler with a given line of hotels.

5. Make New Friends

Each time you arrive at a new hotel, get to know management and staff by name. This approach not only makes you feel less isolated, but it’s also another great way to receive potential perks.

6. Mix Business & Pleasure

Leave your hotel room in off-hours, taking in local sights. Check out free area parks, visit a local history or art museum, or simply indulge in being a tourist for a change if you’re visiting a famous city. Leading a balanced life while home or away is key to mental and physical health.

7. Stay Connected

Stay connected when you’re rushing from city to city, sending frequent messages and scheduling regular phone or video calls. Next time, before you leave, hide a few notes in strategic places so your partner and kids know they are not forgotten, and you appreciate their patience with your repeated absences.

8. Don’t Neglect a Healthy Diet & Exercise

The business travel blues often fall at the feet of neglected physical activity and a poor diet. Most hotels have a gym and a pool for you to enjoy. At the very list, toss on your tennis shoes and go for a walk.

9. Cash-In on Your Time Away

All the time you spend away can be easier for your family to contend with when they know you are working toward translating your frequent flyer miles or hotel points into a fun vacation activity. This ‘team effort’ to finding cost saving travel solutions can help bring you together in many ways.

Looking for a better business travel experience? Reinvent life on the road with the help of the business travel management services of GTI Travel today.

Travel hacks to save you a lot of MONEY, What no one talks about!

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Travel hacks to save you a lot of MONEY, What no one talks about!Traveling for business or pleasure can be a great way to get away from your everyday routine. But maintaining a budget while you’re away can be stressful. How can you keep costs under control while still enjoying the travel experience? The business travel planning pros at GTI Travel have a few tips to help you stretch your travel dollars.

Money-Saving Travel Hacks No One Else Talks About

  • Carry a water bottle.
    Tired of watching as TSA security chucks your water bottle, forcing you to purchase another at a massively inflated cost? Carry a reusable water bottle (or empty your current disposable one), refilling it on the other side of the lines (and throughout your trip) to avoid the exorbitant expense. If you drink a lot of water, refilling it multiple times over your trip can save a pretty penny. It also reduces plastic waste, helping the environment.
  • Bring a stash of snacks.
    Eating on-the-fly is a major expense. Packing a stash of snacks can help you cut down on snack expenditures, reducing the need to buy meals.
  • Traveling abroad? Avoid currency exchange centers in favor of ATMs.
    Global travel services providers know, while currency exchange centers may seem convenient, it can cost a pretty penny to convert cash. ATMs, however, can achieve the same result for smaller fees. For additional savings, opening an account with a bank that doesn’t charge international fees is also advisable.
  • S.O.A. (Shop on arrival).
    When you arrive at your destination, go on a grocery run, picking up drinks and snacks, breakfast fare, and the ingredients for a couple of easy meals if you have access to an in-room kitchenette.
  • Eat local.
    Avoid fast food and chains, opting instead for local and street food. Every city has cheap, delicious, filling food for on-the-go locals.
  • Avoid touristy areas.
    Practice ‘the 5-block rule’ staying away from businesses within 5-blocks of the most touristy areas of the city you are visiting. Walking another 5-6 blocks will net you better food for at least half the price.
  • Look for free things to do.
    There are tons of free things to do in every city, from parks to DIY tours and foodie adventures. A bit of research in advance of your travel event can pay off in entertainment and savings.
  • Research fares in advance.
    Taxi fares can vary significantly by region. To avoid getting ripped-off, a bit of pre-flight planning is strongly advised. This has become less of an issue since Uber and Lyft have entered the scene but it does still occur in cities where taxis remain the main mode of transport.
  • Call your cell phone provider prior to departure.
    For those traveling internationally, cell phone service (including texting) can get quite expensive. However, if you contact your provider before leaving, they can switch your service to international use, reducing costs.

Stretch your business travel budget. Find new ways to save with the small business travel solutions of GTI Travel today.