In my career as a Midwest territory sales manager,
I spent 70% of my time traveling for conferences and client meetings. Business travel can be exciting, when you
have a four day conference in Vegas but can be exhausting when you end up on a
plant tour in the “middle of nowhere” South Dakota. After six years in the sales world along the way I discovered there are personal perks
to be gained that can work to your advantage.
Here are three tips to help you turn business travel into
a “company paid” getaway:
1.
Loyalty
Points
Make sure you are signed up for every
loyalty program available via airlines, hotels and rental cars.
The best way to make this work for you
is to consistently book with a preferred partner. When I travel for work 90% of the time I fly
American, rent from National Rental Car and stay at Hilton branded hotels. This
is to ensure I maximize my earning potential on points, credits and miles. While
these expenses are charged to your corporate account your loyalty points belong
to YOU! Unless stipulated in your company travel policy they do NOT have to be
used for business travel.
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| Source:Travelsort.com |
If you use your own personal card for
expenses reimbursed at a later date, make sure that card is earning you some
points too! Switch to a credit card associated with your preferred airline or
hotel partner so all charges will be converted to points/miles!
My current loyalty perks annually earn
me: 2 FREE checked bags, priority boarding, automatic first class upgrades,
average of 3 free rental car days, two free hotel stays and enough miles for at
least 1 roundtrip ticket.
2.
Weekend
Stays
Extend your business trip over the weekend