Being in business can mean you spend a lot of time traveling for work. This can seem exciting on the surface, but like anything the novelty can wear off and traveling for business can become a source of stress unless you plan well. There are some tricks of the trade that can make life on the road a little easier. These top tips that are practical and easy to implement.

Never check luggage. Unless you are planning to be away for more than three or four days, you should be able to take only carry-on luggage. It might not seem much, but the 20 or so minutes you save if you don’t need to wait for luggage to be offloaded will allow you, for example, to get home in time for dinner. Additionally, taking everything with you eliminates any chance of your luggage getting lost.

Pick one airline. One of the tricks to business travel is to build your frequent flyer status. This means you need to pick one airline and stick with it. We suggest you choose an airline for its scheduling; that is, select the airline that works best for you in terms of flights out of your hometown to your most common destinations. What does building up elite status get you? Priority security lanes, early boarding, preferred seating towards the front of the plane and lounge access-all little things that add up to making life on the road a little easier.

Look for upgrade opportunities. Nowadays, very few airlines upgrade at the counter; you need to request it online and in advance. Most will give you the opportunity to use your frequent flyer points to upgrade at a fraction of the points required to buy a full ticket. With hotels, it is always wise to ask politely when you check in if there are any upgrade opportunities. You may be able to upgrade to a nicer or larger room, or the hotel may at least place you on a higher floor, which can often mean a quieter stay.

Stick to your basics. Smart business travellers know that a monochrome wardrobe works best. Use scarves and ties to add a splash of color or give your outfits a different look over multiple days. By sticking to a one-color palette, you can pack more efficiently and ensure bulky items such as shoes or coats, can be worn more than once.

Stay well. There is nothing worse than coming down with an illness while you are travelling, and it is even worse when you also have deadlines to meet or clients to service. Airplanes and hotel rooms can be a breeding ground for germs, so it is wise to carry some antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer. A quick wipe down of the surfaces you will touch may not keep you from getting sick, but it will help to reduce your chances of catching germs.

Courtesy of Jacqueline Smith @ PPAI