Another thing I took away from working at the Army Diversity Leadership & Training Symposium was it being my first ever business trip experience outside of the DC Metropolitan area. It was truly a learning experience as are any new experiences people go through. From my travels, I want to give some tips to any new or well-seasoned business professionals on certain information that isn’t so foreseeable before heading out on your business trip. Please see below.
1. Travel Advances: Being a little ‘ol worker bee I had to request a Travel Advance. My advice to anyone requesting a Travel Advance is to overestimate (just slightly) your overall travel expenses. There will be things you won’t expect you have to pay for when traveling for business, so its always good to give yourself a little cushion when asking for an advance.
2. Check-in Online/Baggage On The Curb: In order to save time, waiting in line and missing your flight, check-in to your flight online and check-in your bag on the curb. This will save you time when arriving at the airport and will allow you to avoid those pleasant travel clerks and polite people in line to check-in to their flight and their baggage 🙂
3. Expect Hidden Charges & Fees: Upon arrival at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Conventions Center I was unpleasantly surprised when I had to pay several fees when I checked-in to my hotel room (“Resort Fee” and “Self-Parking Fee” EVERYDAY). My travel advance therefore did not cover my hotel room. I charged the balance and saved my receipt but these unexpected fees shrinked my per diem for food. Therefore, expect hidden charges and fees to pop up; it’s almost inevitable unfortunately.
4. Buy food for those late night cravings and breakfast: Not all hotels serve complimentary/continental breakfasts, so if this is the case, go ahead and trek out to a grocery store or Target and buy some cereal or Pop Tarts. That’s what I had to end up doing since this fabulous hotel was sans complimentary breakfasts. Also, if you ever get the munchies at night, get some snacks so you don’t have to hit the vending machine. The Gaylord Palms actually had no snack vending machines anywhere! Buying snacks for your room will definitely save you money/stress in the long run.
5. Bring Your GPS: You never know when you’ll have to do a run for supplies or equipment and you have no clue where the nearest Staples is. Pack your GPS and this won’t be a problem. It definitely saved me a lot of stress by bringing my GPS with me. Also, if you ever have some spare time to explore the area, your GPS will be your guide.
6. Bring Your EZ Pass: If you have a EZ Pass, bring it. I was unaware of the many toll roads surrounding the greater Orlando area. If I had known, I would have thrown my EZ Pass in my bag so I wouldn’t be caught off guard when my GPS led me to a toll road and I had no change!
7. Keep All Receipts: Be sure to keep all your receipts when on your business trip. It will make your life so much easier when you do your expense report post business trip. I saw my coworker bring a little baggy and that’s where he kept all his receipts safe. Good idea, try it!
8. Buy Your Own Gas: If renting a car from a rental car company do not purchase gas from them or insurance. It is not cost effective. Instead, fill up your own gas since I promise you it will be signficantly cheaper. I made the mistake of buying gas from Hertz, only used half a tank and paid $45. Foul mistake on my part.
So there you have it. If you keep these tips in mind when on your business travels you will hopefully feel less stressed out and won’t have to pull all your hair out while in a foreign place. If you have any other tips I might have missed, please feel free to share the wealth. Safe travels 🙂
