How to Save Time When Going on Business Trips

How to Save Time When Going on Business Trips

A lot of things have changed since the 2009 movie Up in the Air —starring George Clooney— gave everyone a fascinating glimpse into the lives of frequent business travellers. One of its unforgettable montage scenes showed how efficiently the main character got through the boarding procedures at the airport. Of course, the intense precision of how he went about it was greatly exaggerated, but real-life business travellers can learn a thing or two about being methodical and purposeful to save time when going on business trips.

Here are some suggestions to help you be more efficient when going on one of these trips:

• Choose Accommodation Near the Airport

If leisure is not in your itinerary, you’re better off staying at a hotel that’s within good proximity of the airport. This way, you can get to your hotel quickly and avoid missing your flight when you get back. Take, for example, a traveler visiting Singapore. Given their busy schedules, they can refresh and relax in hotels near Changi Airport. Even if they have no other leisurely time to spend in the city, they can at least see one of the country’s most spectacular sites — the HSBC Rain Vortex at the Jewel Changi Airport, which is the largest indoor waterfall in the world.

• Travel Light with a Carry-On Luggage

One of the most challenging aspects of travelling is how to pack light for a trip. Ideally, you would want to avoid checking in luggage during a short business trip. Not only does it cost extra money, but it also lengthens your travel time when you need to get your bag from the baggage carousel . There’s also the possibility of your luggage getting lost.

To avoid the hassle altogether, learn how to pack your essentials in one carry–on bag. You can maximise the space in your suitcase by following Marie Kondo’s basic folding method or simply rolling your clothes neatly to minimise creases and empty spaces between your garments.

• Utilise Available Travel Technologies

These days, you can check in and tag your bag yourself to avoid long queues at the counter. For smooth transactions, pre-register with your airline and download their specific app on your smartphone or tablet. You can use these devices to download the boarding pass and choose your preferred seat. During boarding, the attendant simply scans a code on your phone to verify your identity and flight details, making the whole operation seamless, barring unforeseen delays.

• Dress for the Flight

When dressing for a flight, consider your comfort but also consider the security checks that you’ll encounter. As much as possible, don’t wear shoes you have to tie and untie. Instead, pick out easy-to-wear footwear that simply slide on and off for quicker processing. In addition, put on a jacket with pockets so you can store and easily show your travel documents when asked. 

• Double-Check Your Travel Documents

It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that there’s nothing quite like that sinking feeling when you realise you’ve forgotten your passport with only an hour until boarding. Fortunately, mistakes like these can be easily avoided by double-checking to make sure you have all the travel documents you need before leaving for the airport. In addition, you may also want to ensure that you have all the important work-related items you will need during the trip.

• Pre-Book Transfers to and from the Airport

While you may have a number of ride-sharing apps to choose from when going from the airport to your hotel, you cannot rely on those 100%. This may not be an issue if you’re going to a place like Singapore, but it can become problematic if you’re connecting to countries where reliable public transportation is an issue. That’s why you can have your hotel arrange transfers for you. This way, you don’t have to stand idly by waiting for available transportation.

• Enroll in Trusted Traveller Programmes

Some of the longest queues travellers will encounter are those at immigration counters. If you fly across borders often enough, you may want to consider enrolling in a Trusted Traveler Programmes. This involves consenting to undergo extensive background checks and interviews. While it could be a tedious undertaking, it will save you time when going on business trips or other travel since you will be pre-approved to enter international borders more quickly. Some examples of these programmes are the TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and NEXXUS for North America, including Canada. For Europe, you can check out the EU’s ETIAS and Germany’s EasyPASS Programme.

• Take Advantage of Loyalty Programmes

Once you’ve settled on your favourite airline, you can apply for their frequent flyer programmes. There are many perks and privileges that come with these. Some of the most important for busy travellers would be priority check-in and boarding. But that’s not all; these programmes typically come with access to exclusive lounges, which comes in handy, especially during times when your flight gets cancelled or delayed.

Aside from airlines, hotels and rental car companies also provide loyalty cards for their most dedicated customers. Since you’re going to regularly need their services anyway, you might as well enroll in some of these companies’ loyalty programmes to facilitate transactions and get upgraded service.

Unlike Clooney’s character in Up in the Air, Ryan Bingham, you don’t have to call the airport your home and spend too much time away from your family and loved ones. Consider the suggestions above the next time you have a business trip so you can do what you need to do for work and get back to living your life as quickly as possible.

Guest Article.