Travel Tips For The Frequent Flyer
Apr 07 '00
As a frequent business traveler, I've learned a few things along the way. In my experience, the more one travels with his or her job, the more likely two things are to happen. First, the traveler gets really good at the game of traveling. And second, he or she also becomes weary of the problems that are inevitable.
Below I list seven "rules" I've developed (and personally follow) for making the the road warrior experience a little more pleasant:
• Rule 1: Join multiple frequent flyer programs, even if you don't plan to accumulate many miles on a particular carrier. The reason for subscribing to multiple programs is that many of the airlines (for example Continental and Northwest) have code-sharing and frequent flyer mile swapping arrangements. By swapping miles, you can often accumulate miles on your preferred carrier much faster than otherwise while still taking advantage of schedules and fares of multiple carriers.
The frequent flyer program is the key to flying comfortably, because members who reach the privilege levels receive preferred seating and boarding, access to preferred booking, mileage bonuses, and the all-important first class upgrades. This mixture of benefits makes being a road warrior (who in my case would technically better be described as "airplane warrior") much more enjoyable.
• Rule 2: Get a credit card that rewards you with even more frequent flyer miles. Delta's Skymiles American Express Card is an excellent example. Other airlines have MasterCard and Visa offerings. With a large enough line of credit, one can use the card for large purchases such as airline tickets and rack up many extra miles. Any purchase, whether a meal, a hotel stay, rental car, or even groceries, will accumulate mileage. Several long distance companies such as MCI also have mileage earning programs.
• Rule 3: Use the award miles as currency. Not only can frequent flyer miles be redeemed for airline tickets and upgrades, they can also be used to purchase membership in airline lounge clubs. Miles can be redeemed for a variety of hotel, car rental, and other awards. Check the rules on each program for awards and redemption procedures.
• Rule 4: Become a creature of habit. By staying in the same hotel chain (many of which, like Holiday Inn's Priority Club, have their own frequent traveler programs--which allow one to accumulate even more airline miles), the traveler can increase the predictability of accommodations, amenities, services, food offerings, and telephone features. Knowing about what to expect makes life on the road a little less hectic and a lot more comfortable. While a hotel room is never a home away from home, knowing pretty much what the room will be like is a source of serenity.
• Rule 5: Carry your cell phone. In addition to one's laptop computer and portable printer, a cell phone is becoming increasingly indispensable for the business traveler. Especially with digital service plans that charge the same price for local and long distance calls, it is often less expensive to use a cell phone than a hotel phone for both business and personal calls while traveling. Many hotels charge an access fee of 50 cents or more for local or long distance calls.
Rule 6: Travel light. I spent an entire week in Finland in 1997. All my clothing for the entire week went into a single roll-on bag. My briefcase and laptop computer were my only other luggage. The more I travel, the lighter I travel, and the less likely I am to check any baggage. As a result the less likely it is that anything major can go wrong with my luggage such as lost, damaged, stolen, or misdirected bags. Furthermore, traveling light means no checked baggage and therefore no wait at baggage claim, getting one out of the airport earlier.
Rule 7: Expect the Unexpected. I have traveled through thunderstorms, blizzards, and ice storms. By expecting the unexpected, one can gain a certain mental edge and creative advantage that allows spontaneous problem solving.
These seven rules of traveling can help the road warrior to cope with the rigors and the uncertainties of frequent business trips and will also maximize both comfort and reward. Unfortunately the reward in this case is often more travel. But at least the reward trip is to a destination of one's personal choice, and the transportation and lodging are often free.
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Psychology and management professor and business consultant
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