Top 7 International Business Travel Tips and Tricks

Business travel is common for many companies and multiple careers.

Whether you are new to business travel or not, there are certain essential things to consider when planning a trip. Business travel can be stressful, so these tips will help to reduce that and turn you into a business travel master!

If you are looking for guidance on international business travel, you are in the right place! Below are seven of the top tips and tricks for business travelers going abroad:

1. Receipt Etiquette

Every expense that you or your company pays for needs to be documented.

No receipts, no reimbursements.

We all learned the hard way early into the pandemic that hand sanitizer is the enemy of printed receipts. To counter the risk of destroying or losing those all-important receipts, take a photo of each one. 

This way, even if something happens to those receipts, you will always have a backup to submit.

2. Loyalty Programs

If you frequently travel for business, check out the loyalty programs offered by airlines.

Signing up has multiple benefits, including earning frequent flyer points, which could potentially upgrade the quality of your trip. Members also have access to airport lounges and more.

Even if your company books your trips for you or uses a travel management company, you can still use your frequent flier details during ticket booking to earn points.

3. First Aid Kit

International flights are not for the faint-hearted.

Long-haul trips are tiring, frustrating, and have a way of draining your energy levels. When preparing for an international business travel, pack a first aid kit.

Prioritize essentials like antiseptic wipes, bandaids, hand sanitizer, prescription medications, and pain relievers.

Check online to see if there are any restrictions on bringing certain medications into the country you are visiting. If you are taking prescription medications, ensure they are clearly labeled with their active ingredients or generic names.

Apart from basic first aid, ensure that your travel insurance is up to date.

Apart from basic first aid, ensure that your travel insurance is up to date. If you do not have coverage, check out IMG Travel Insurance for options best suited to your needs.

The right travel insurance can cover medical emergencies - so you can get medical attention on your trip should you need it without having to pay extra.

4. Flight Choices

International travel is not cheap – they are long-haul flights, after all.

Whenever possible, book direct flights and avoid time-consuming layovers. While non-direct flights are cheaper, there is a good reason for that. Layovers take time and, more importantly, they are draining.

Booking direct flights will also reduce the chances of running into delays, overbookings, and even lost luggage situations – no one wants to arrive at their destination only to discover their luggage is in a different time zone!

Check your company’s travel policies regularly for updates on booking protocol.

5. Destination Country

Thoroughly research your destination country – you must know what to expect when you get there.

Research things like climate and weather forecasts, public transportation costs, restaurant recommendations, and most crucially, cultural differences and customs.

The more you know about the country before you arrive, the better. While most business-centred countries accept English as an international language, it helps to learn a few phrases in the native tongue – plus it adds an element of cultural fun to the trip.

6. Corporate Travel Policies, Cell Service, and Your Itinerary

Have a printed copy of your travel itinerary, complete with airport and flight information, hotel bookings, and meeting schedules, and keep it in your carry-on bag.

Review your corporate travel policies and clear up any questions or concerns before you leave. 

Check with your mobile phone provider or IT Department to ensure your plan provides roaming services. If your plan doesn’t cover international roaming or you want a more flexible option, consider using an eSIM for travel to stay connected without swapping physical SIM card. Set up a mobile hotspot to connect your devices so you do not have to rely on a public Wi-Fi network that might not be secure.

7. Always Arrive Early

No matter where you are going, always aim to arrive ten to fifteen minutes early.

While it might not seem like much, those few extra minutes before appointments, meetings, flights, and business lunches can give you enough time to freshen up before entering the room.

For example, if it is a windy or hot day, you will appreciate having a few extra minutes to touch up your makeup check your hair, or catch a quick bathroom break. Being fashionably late does not apply in a business environment.

To End

The tips above should give you all the information you need for a successful business trip abroad.

The only thing left to discuss is jet lag. While there are no proven methods to negate the effects of long-distance travel, there are things you can do to alleviate it.

Use exercise to help reset your circadian rhythm and, lastly - as tempting as it might be, do not sleep as soon as you land – unless you arrive in the early hours!