If you’re an event planner, chances are you’re also a frequent business traveler. As a motivational speaker and entertainer, I've logged more than two million miles. I know I can't do anything about long lines, shrinking seats, or delayed flights, but I recently asked my frequent traveler friends to share their best travel tips with me, so I could share them with you. The results—these 10 travel tips—are my “best of the best” ideas that can make your future trips a bit easier:
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If you’re a Costco member, you can book a rental car through costcotravel.com and save 25% or more, and you’re often eligible for additional coupons or upgrades. Plus, Costco's search tool lets users compare prices from most major rental car companies, and then automatically adds in all applicable coupons, codes, and discounts.
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Bring your own healthy snacks with you. Packing snacks such as raisins, nuts, granola, trail mix, banana chips, protein bars, or fresh fruit is a great way to eat healthy and save money on the road.
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If your travel requires a layover, visit the airport's website in advance or on your mobile device to know what food, drink, and shopping options are available.
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Purchasing bottled water in an airport can add up. Pack an empty bottle in your carry-on, then fill it with water on the other side of security.
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With the help of hot water from an in-room coffeemaker, instant oatmeal becomes a money-saving healthy breakfast.
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Instead of paying $20 a day for hotel Internet, consider using your smartphone's personal hot spot. Even if you have to increase your network data plan, it will likely cost less than one day of the hotel’s Internet charge.
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Before showering, hang your clothes in the bathroom and let the steam from the hot water get the wrinkles out.
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Pack Epsom salts to give your feet a relaxing soak at the end of a long day.
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If you need extra room to spread out, let your hotel room’s ironing board double as a storage surface for your belongings.
- Pack your own power strip and extension cord to ensure you'll have plenty of outlets within reach.
And here's a bonus tip for people like me who spend a lot of time speaking in front of audiences: always bring a bag of cough drops backstage and share them generously, especially with the other speakers. Anyone can get a dry, scratchy throat, and it usually happens at the worst time. When that happens, a simple cough drop can save your day, or somebody else’s.
