Planes, plans, and productivity: My work travel habits

Welcome to August! (Start of Q3 for me here at work)

I write this as I am getting back into the swing of things from some business travel this week. There tends to be lots of traveling to come along with my role. I don’t mind it. It also benefits my United Airlines loyalist membership. I’m Chicago-based so that makes sense. It’s a United hub. I go to San Francisco a lot too, another United hub.

This week’s activities and the many business trips I’ve taken, especially in Q2 of this year, got me thinking about this week’s post. I thought it would be a good idea to share with you some of my habits/tips/hacks/whatever of things I do when I travel for work (when I travel in general, more so, but I’ll keep it focused in the context of work more or less).

I over-pack.. well, kinda.

I over-pack on technology, not clothes. Cords beyond cords beyond cords beyond chargers. It’s a habit I don’t think I’ll ever break. Because what if the backup wire gets lost, and then the other backup gets accidentally left somewhere, but I also have multiple devices to charge…? I’d rather have more power juice on me than otherwise. I also carry around a big power bank with me (this one to be specific, not sponsored). It’s awesome. Lasts long, and powerful enough to be a laptop charger too. I also travel with my work computer too and all that comes along with that, so I’ve got more than just one or two devices on me. I gotta think about everything!

A bag within the bag

So I’ve been hearing some conversation on Tiktok about this. That the backpack is no longer cool for working professionals? That’s a hard ignore from me—the backpack will always be the answer, as far as I’m concerned. And anything by Topo Designs is my go-to. I literally collect their backpacks. No shame. Not sponsored.

What I’ll do is I will usually (on shorter work trips) pack the large travel backpack from Topo, then pack a smaller “day” backpack within it. It’s always useful to have another backpack on hand. You never know what you’ll need, what the days could look like, etc. You just never know. I always have a smaller empty backpack that I pack just in case I may need it. This helps with conferences too. I usually go to work conferences with a backpack.

Hydration

Gone are the days of me traveling with my jumbo metal water bottles. In a time of Stanley cups, you still won’t find me these days lugging their tumbler through Chicago O’Hare. I’ve resorted to a mini Nalgene narrow mouth. Not even the big 32-40oz ones. I think the one I use is 20oz. Less obnoxious, easier to travel with.

Schedule overload is a no-go

I am very focused on not overloading my schedule. It doesn’t matter; whether it’s seeing local friends, meetings, meals, events, whatever it is, I make sure to carve out time to just decompress. As glamorous as work travel can seem from the outside, it can be exhausting. I treasure sleep. If I don’t get a full 7-8 hours of sleep, I cannot be my normal energy levels the day prior. That’s not to say I don’t want to stay up late and meet up with folks; but if we’re talking a 7am - 10pm day, that’s where it is a no-go for me.

Staying loyal to my ride or dies

This is for my airline (which I referred to earlier) and also my hotel chains. United and Hilton are usually my go-tos, but I have recently started to enjoy my stays at Marriotts. If I have a rental car, I usually go with Enterprise or Avis. Why not stay consistent, build up loyalty and points, and get the perks that come along with it? Do it!

Incorporating CC membership into travel

I have both the AMEX Gold and AMEX Platinum credit cards. Both offer their own unique perks. TLDR is Gold = food-focused and Platinum = travel-focused. So for example, as a platinum member, I can access the Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport. I’m also upgraded to higher status with Hilton and Marriott, which IMO is soooo worth it. Imagine traveling all day, arriving at the hotel and they suddenly have upgraded you at no cost? Or they have other perks on-site exclusively to you as a Gold member (or whatever it’s called).

Never enough snacks

You will always find me with snacks. When I have those long conference days, or I’m in meetings all day, you’ll usually find me with a full box of cliff bars lol. Or sometimes a small bag of chips. I always have something on me. I need the fuel! And who doesn’t love a snack? (Doritos and Hint of Lime Tostitos fan for life)

Unpacking

I don’t leave my luggage lingering at home. It is the first thing I do; unpack and put everything where it needs to be. Because if I don’t do it right when I walk in (literally), then it won’t get done. I know this about myself. I unpack immediately. I check that box and keep it moving. No matter how tired I am. Last night I got home at midnight and I still unpacked and organized everything right when I walked in. Before I did anything!

What are some of your work travel habits? Or habits in general when traveling?

Traveling can be exhausting (and at times, not go as planned), so I try to implement habits that best set me up for success at all points of the traveling sequence. I try and think of everything, always staying a few steps ahead.

This list above is not comprehensive by any means.

Thanks for reading and for being here. I don’t take for granted that you care what I have to say. Or even if you don’t care, and you’re still here; thanks for being a fan anyway. ❣️

Let’s connect!