The Best Gear for Business Travelers

Published September 25, 2019

Written by:

Laura Lopuch

Laura’s first trip was when she was 3 months old, instilling an insatiable wanderlust. She hasn’t stopped traveling, or writing...

Shawn Forno

If you want to learn about budget travel, minimalist carry on packing, or how to travel (and even live and...

Edited by:

Jenn Sutherland-Miller

Jenn raised 4 children while traveling full-time for more than a decade– it’s called worldschooling and it’s awesome. Jenn has...

The Tortuga Promise

At Tortuga, our mission is to make travel easier. Our advice and recommendations are based on years of travel experience. We only recommend products that we use on our own travels.

Knowing the little hacks to make a travel day flow more smoothly, or your time in a hotel in a strange city feel more like home, makes a big difference in how enjoyable business travel can be.

Last year, 457.2 million domestic business trips were taken in the United States. Over the three years, that number is predicted to rise to 471.1 million trips.

That’s a lot of jetting around on business. Also, a lot of practice in efficient packing.

When you’re traveling for business, time is of the essence. Eventually, you’ll hone your travel routine down to an exact science. This fine-tuning happens for all parts of your business travel, including what business travel gear to pack.

Light and Fleet = Smooth and Efficient Business Trip

Bringing just what you need and cutting out the extra stuff is a fine balance to achieve. Extra baggage weighs you down when you’re catching a late-night Uber to your hotel, running for a tight flight connection, or unpacking a large bag at your hotel.

Wondering what business travel gear is best for your next business trip? We asked business travel veterans for their picks:

Choosing a Bag

Frequent business travelers know the time-savings in carrying on versus checking a bag. It means the difference between catching an Uber downtown to lead a meeting, versus waiting endlessly at the baggage claim for your suitcase — the last one to emerge from the airplane’s depths.

You Need a Backpack Designed for a Laptop

If you’re traveling for business, you need a designated business backpack for your laptop. The Setout Duo includes a Laptop Backpack, but if you’re traveling with rolling luggage, it’s even more important to add the right kind of bag to accommodate your office setup.

Tortuga Travel Backpack

My favorite business trip carry on is the Tortuga Backpack 40L.

This bag has a lie-flat laptop compartment that means you won’t have to take your computer out for the TSA. The clamshell-opening means my clothes stay organized and nicely folded. Because it’s a backpack maneuvering through an airport is a breeze.

With this bag, skip waiting in line for a slow-moving escalator or noisily jumping wheels over stairs.

Tortuga Laptop Backpack

Tortuga Laptop Backpack

Business travelers need a laptop backpack that’s designed for an airplane, not a classroom. 

The Tortuga Laptop Backpack is a versatile secondary bag with considered details for air travelers. Slide it under the seat of most airplanes and carry all your electronics, chargers, a change of clothes, and your in-flight essentials.

It’s the perfect companion to a duffle bag or rolling suitcase.

Choosing Headphones

This section is easy. Get yourself a pair of…

Bose noise-cancelling headphones ($349)

These bad boys are the reigning king of stellar headphones to block out the noisy world and immerse you in a music world.

As Jared says, “They’re comfortable for very long periods of time and overall good sound. The noise canceling blocks out the sound of the engines and the screaming kid that is, invariably, directly behind you. That, and nothing says ‘don’t talk to me’ like a big pair of headphones.”

Choosing a Laptop or Tablet for Business Travel

Lenovo Yoga $1299+ 

This laptop flips into a ready-made tablet. It’s lightweight, powerful, and ready to tackle any business travel situation.

Kris says, “I love this computer because it’s super powerful and very, very light which is important when traveling all the time. The last thing I need is a big heavy laptop to add to my already heavy load. Plus, it flips around to be a tablet.”

Macbook Air $1099+ 

Lightweight with a battery life lasting 12+ hours, this laptop is ready to hit the road and be your best business travel gear companion.

The Mac is Jennifer’s best friend on the road. “I love it; everything, including the cord is compact and easy to store.”

Rachel agrees, “Macs all the way! Apple is easy to carry, has all the applications I need to get work done and offers different sizes for laptops that work well while traveling.”

Galaxy TabS6 ($479+ / $649 w/ keyboard case and stylus)

The newest Galaxy S6 Tablet is a productivity machine for creatives and digital nomads alike thanks to a few key features that Samsung just does better than the competition.

  1. Stunning mobile screens
  2. Productivity tools like the S Pen

The AMOLED screen on the Galaxy S6 is one of the best mobile screens on the market. The S Pen magnetically attaches to the side of the tablet for travel-friendly packing and easy use. And if you’re a stylus user, you’ll be thrilled with the increased Bluetooth functionality.

The keyboard (with a trackpad!) is slim and easy to type on. This tablet is lightweight, boasts 15 hour battery, and includes a micro SD card for removable expandable storage. It’s a great tool for remote work on the go.

iPad Pro ($799+)

The iPad Pro is simply leaps and bounds better than the iPad Air 2. When you’re trying to actually work on a tablet, you need something with USB-C ports (now you can plug in a HD, memory stick, or other accessory!).

The best part is thanks to the Apple Chip and iOS 13, the iPad Pro is actually more powerful than the base models of the MacBook and Macbook Air. Seriously. The iPad Pro is a beast. Add the keyboard folio case and you’re ready to get work done without even having to pack a laptop.

Best Travel Keyboards

Getting work done on the go can be a pain if you don’t have the right setup. Sometimes all you need to do is bang out a few emails or drafts at the coffee shop or on a short flight. Booting up your laptop for a quick work session is fine, but you can also get a surprising amount of work done on your phone with the right Bluetooth travel keyboard.

Just connect to your phone or tablet and you’ll be floored by how much you can get done with a full-size keyboard. You might even be able to leave the laptop at home. Even if you’re addicted to your laptop, a good travel keyboard can help you set up a mobile workstation with a dedicated monitor or even a laptop on an ergonomic stand so you don’t hurt your neck and wrists staring at a poorly positioned laptop.

No matter how you work on the go, these lightweight portable travel keyboards will quickly become a staple of your remote office setup.

Nulaxy Bluetooth Keyboard w/ Leather Cover ($21)

Thanks to the cleverly designed leather case that folds out into a stand, this travel keyboard is a one-stop mobile office. Simply open up the protective case to create a felt lined stand for your phone or tablet, connect to your device, and type like you’re on a desktop PC.

The keys are quick and responsive with no noticeable lag time, and this full-size keyboard even features number keys, arrows, and all your favorites from your keyboard back home. It’s a seamless transition to a bluetooth typing experience. After a few days you won’t want to go back to a wired or fixed keyboard.

But the best part about this keyboard is how well it travels. The case is great for keeping out dust and debris, and the battery life is rated to work for 40 straight hours and lasts for 60 days in standby mode. 60. Days.

Logitech Keys To Go ($69)

For an even slimmer, more stylish travel keyboard, check out the Logitech Keys To Go bluetooth keyboard. Designed by the pros at Logitech (they’re a big deal in mobile travel accessories), this keyboard is everything you need and nothing you don’t.

This travel keyboard can connect with practically any device (including smart tvs) and comes with a whopping 90 day standby battery rating, so you don’t have to worry about charging it all the time like your other devices. And it’s “spill proof” meaning you can type with impunity at the coffee shop.

Enjoy natural keyboard movement (you’ll feel like you’re typing at home) without the click clack sound of other travel keyboards. That’s a big deal when you’re working in a quiet space or cafe. You don’t want to be “that guy” banging away in the corner.

Logitech Slim iPad Pro Keyboard ($119)

If you’re rocking the new iPad Pro (congrats), you need a travel keyboard that can keep up with this mobile workhorse. The Logitech Slim iPad keyboard delivers all the functionality and portability you need to turn your iPad into the (almost) laptop that it is.

Long battery life, seamless integration, three modes (sketch, write, and read), and even backlit keys for working at night or dark planes, this keyboard has it all. It even has the Apple shortcut keys (like volume and brightness) so you don’t have to swipe around for settings and other features.

Portable Power

You’ve boarded your plane, pulled out your laptop for some uninterrupted working time… only to find your battery drained and laptop dead. This scenario is where a portable power device sweeps in and saves your day.

MOGICS Power Donut ($50)

A power strip that works in 150 countries. It has 5 US outlets and 2 USB outlets for all your device-loving needs. This power strip is a must-have for your business travel gear list.

In business travel gear, this portable power device is Kris’ favorite.

RAVPower ($50) 

With the ability to charge two tablets at one or a iPhone 7 almost 4 times this is a power beast. Mike really likes this power block because of its large capacity, but it’s a bit bulky.

RAVPower Luster Mini ($11)

A super-charged powering station the size of a pen. With 4,000+ reviews and 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon, meet your smartphone battery-saver in a pinch. But don’t expect it to power your laptop; it doesn’t have that kind of capacity.

Best USB Chargers and USB Hubs for Travel

USB hubs and travel wall chargers are one of the most asked about pieces of travel gear—and for good reason. Your device is only useful if it’s charged and ready to go. So here are some of the best options for keeping multiple devices charged while traveling.

Anker PowerPort Atom PD1 GaN 30W Wall Charger ($21)

Tired off lugging around your bulky laptop wall charger? So is everyone else. Now, thanks to a new substance called “gallium nitride” (GaN) you’ll never have to carry that dinosaur around.

GaN charging bricks replace the silicon in older wall chargers for power bricks that are far more efficient and less than half the size. And they don’t heat up like traditional wall chargers.

These USB chargers pack enough power (30W-60W) to charge your phone and your laptop. Yup, you can now pack a single, small wall charging unit that’s universally USB-C compliant to charge your laptop, phone, and all your other travel gear. And it’s only $20.

The future is here, and it’s the size of a golf ball. And if 30W isn’t enough power for you (laptops tend to use a little more), RAVPower just released a 61W GaN USB wall charger that can recharge your Macbook in under 2 hours (that’s super fast), and another ultraslim folding-prong 45W GaN USB-C wall charger that’s perfect for minimalist travelers.

Anker Dual USB-C / USB-A 60W GaN Wall Charger ($43)

If you want to dip your toe into the GaN wall charging pool, but still have a few older micro USB devices or traditional charging devices (like some Bluetooth headphones) this mixed 60W fast-charging USB travel charger is perfect.

Use the state-of-the-art GaN USB-C port to charge your phone or laptop (it does both!) with 45W fast-charging and still get 15W of power to the second USB-A hub for a bluetooth keyboard or your headphones. All the functionality of a multi-purpose dual USB wall charger in a tiny package that lets you leave the laptop charger at home.

Anker Quick Charge 4-Port USB 43.5W Wall Charger ($28)

If you (and a partner) are traveling with a few devices each, this four-port USB wall charger will satisfy all your power needs in a slim design that fits into any organizer (the prongs fold into the device).

43.5W of power is officially in the fast-charging range, which can deliver USB 3.0 fast-charging to compatible devices. That means you can charge most phones to 80% in just 30 minutes. No more sketchy overnight charging in the hostel or common room. Juice your phone up and hit the road in under an hour.

Dual USB Wall Charger ($12)

If you don’t need or even care about fast charging and GaN tech, at least snag a travel sized USB wall charger with dual USB ports that features folding prongs for the smallest possible packing footprint.

Universal Travel Adaptor with Dual USB Ports ($13)

If you’re traveling abroad, don’t forget your universal travel adaptor. And make sure you get one with built-in USB ports so you don’t have to lug around an additional wall charger.

Yes, this is bulkier than modular travel adaptors, but having one single piece means you won’t lose (or have to pack) tons of little parts, and ironically, the larger unit actually holds in foreign outlets much better than smaller flimsy adaptors. Foreign outlets are often in weird places (not near the floor). It’s nice to have an adaptor that won’t fall out when you plug your laptop in.

Men’s Business Clothing

The best way to make sure you can pack light, look great, and be prepared to transition from business to casual on the road is to develop a capsule wardrobe. A few, carefully chosen, items that serve multiple purposes and layer well are the key to simplifying your business travel wardrobe.

Business Travel Shirts

A nice merino wool t-shirt is a great casual staple for taking meetings and taking on the town. They don’t wrinkle, and honestly, paired with Bluffworks travel chinos or another pair of travel pants, you’ll still look professional even without a collar.

Spring for shirts that:

Jared likes higher-end Tommy Hilfiger shirts as they aren’t prone to wrinkling or shrinking. Plus, they’re a good quality, last a long time, and look good in a business or casual setting.

Mike recommends versatile shirts that can be used with a suit and jeans, such as oxford shirts.

Above all: Avoid using the hotel’s iron if you can. Many irons have rust built up inside.

Great non-wrinkle shirt brands:

Business Travel Pants

Wouldn’t it be great to have a pair of sweatpants that everyone mistook for dress pants? Not to wear to the meeting, mind you, but for the evening at the hotel bar?

BetaBrand Dress Pant Sweatpants ($48) are those pants.  “At first glance they appear to be a sharp pair of chinos or wool trousers. But upon closer inspection, you notice that they are made out of sweatpant fabric (“French terry”), which is soft, warm, and stretchy,” says Chris McGinnis of TravelSkills

The key feature for business travel pants is wrinkle resistance. You want to be able to pull those bad boys out of your bag, throw them on, and be standing at the front of a room giving your presentation looking polished without wrangling the hotel iron and broken board.

Try these on for size:

Western Rise Evolution Travel Pants ($149)

These ultra stylish, rugged travel pants are disguised as something you could wear to the office. The slimmer fit is perfect for exploring chic cities, yet the durable stretchy nylon blend is designed for hiking and climbing. The true, do everything pants.

Bluffworks Travel Chinos ($125)

The original travel chinos (and the new stretchy Ascender version) are one of Tortuga writer, Shawn Forno’s favorite go-to travel pants for long haul trips.

I’m currently on a one-year Around The World trip, and the Bluffworks Ascender Travel Chinos are literally the only pants in my backpack. The interior zipper pockets keep my stuff safe, they’re stretchy enough to rock climb in, and still somehow fancy enough for the occasional meeting or co-working space day. They’re my only pants for an entire year.

Best Business Travel Clothing for Women

Layering Shirts

Everlane Cotton V-neck ($15)

Everlane creates fantastic shirts (like this super-soft one or this stretchy tank) that dress up or down easily. Take them into a conference and afterwards, whip off your blazer and head into a speakeasy for a cold old-fashioned. You won’t feel out of place one bit.

Best part about Everlane? They’re committed to treating their workers like humans and radical transparency about their prices (aka not jacking up the price on a simple t-shirt).

Bluffworks Threshold T-Shirt ($45) *coming soon*

This t-shirt ticks all the must-have’s: breathable, super soft, wicks moisture, resists odors, wrinkle resistant, UPF 50+, quick-drying, and machine washable.

This is the shirt you’ve been lusting after. And until now, it never existed. 

Seriously, need I say any more? 

Best Women’s Business Clothing: Collared Shirt

The Essential Icon Shirt by Rochelle Behrens ($76)

As with so many awesome products, Rochelle invented this shirt to solve her own problem.

“I would always need to safety-pin my shirt at the button. If the shirt fit across my bust, it was too large everywhere else, and vice versa. I got so fed up, I could think of nothing else but how to solve that problem.”

Say bye-bye to slipping a camisole under your classic white collared shirt to avoid unwanted flashes between the bust buttons.

Frankly, this is the shirt I’ve been dying to own… but never knew it existed.

Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Tailored-Fit Supima Cotton Dress Shirt ($98)

Ever pull out the hotel’s iron and find it’s unusable due to rust? 

Yeah, me too. Not to mention: I hate ironing. Opt for a collared shirt that needs no ironing, like this highly-rated one from Brooks Brothers. Made from soft cotton, the fabric is treated to resist wrinkles.

So, you can get to bed earlier (or sleep in a little later in the morning) and not worry about looking like a hobo at your business meeting. Now we’re talking.

Best Women’s Business Travel Clothing: Blouses

Draper James Daisy Vine Popover Blouse ($48)

Dare to express your personality with this super-cute, yet still professional, blouse from Reese Witherspoon’s lifestyle brand, Draper James.

Pair it with trim black pants (see below for the best business ones) or a pencil skirt. Or, don a pair of worn jeans for a quick nightcap at the hotel bar. Your choice.

It’ll quickly become a staple in your business capsule wardrobe for its sheer versatility and ability to make you feel feminine and strong.

Bluffworks Azores Blouse ($98) *coming soon*

This company knows what it’s doing when it comes to clothes: machine-washable, resists wrinkles, antimicrobial treated (no stink!), and an extra snap between the buttons to avoid awkward boob flashes. 

Oh, and did I mention? It looks like luxe silk, yet it’s far easier to care for (see: machine-washable). 

Best Women’s Business Travel Clothing: Blazer

Crew Tailored Blazer ($248)

Available in petite, regular, and tall sizes, this crisp blazer from J. Crew is sure to be a new packing staple in your carry on. It scores a record-high of 4.9 stars out of 5 based on reviews.

Crafted from extra-fine fabric, it feels silky smooth against your skin. Plus, it’s made from Italian wool, so you’re warm in wintery-cold boardrooms and cool in the summer sun.

Everlane’s Italian GoWeave Classic Blazer ($145)

Say: “wrinkle-resistant Italian wool.” You had me at “wrinkle resistant.” Anytime I can spend more time sneaking some time in adventuring during a business trip, I’m down. 

This blazer lets you do just that, because you won’t be ironing a stupid blazer for 30 minutes. Instead, you’ll be out wandering the city before work starts back up in the morning. 

And did I mention this blazer is effortlessly chic?

Psst – get $25 off your first purchase. 

Best Women’s Clothing for Business Travel: Pants

Betabrand Women’s Dress Pant Yoga Pant (Boot Cut) ($62)

Crafted from stretchy, yoga-pant-like fabric, these pants move with you rather than against you. With their sleek tailoring, they’re perfect for business trips where you go from airport to conference room.

Best part? Your derriere looks well-crafted.

Being comfortable is important. Looking no-nonsense professional is important. If you can also maximize your assets, well, that’s a bonus. 

Aviator Jeans – Comfort Skinny ($125)

A pair of smooth, dark-wash jeans are a must-pack on my business trips. Because you never know when you’ll need the comfort of jeans with the dressed-up look of a dark rinse.

These jeans are perfect. Lightweight and stretchy, they have a zippered hidden pocket inside the rear right pocket that’s large enough for your passport. Yup, I tested it. 

And those front pockets are generous, too, so you could skip bringing a purse or bag on your nightly excursion and adventure super light. 

Because these jeans are black, I’ve worn them to business casual conferences and looked perfectly at home. 

Anatomie Skyler Pants ($225)

Alex from Travel Fashion Girl named these pants as her favorite travel pants.

“These pants totally rocked the comfort factor when I wore them on a plane and on long train rides in Europe. The fabric has an awesome amount of stretch which allows breathability and gives you plenty of room to move around with ease.”

Wash in the sink and these travel pants are dry within hours. Lightweight. Compact. Dress up or down. Fabric stays wrinkle-free. It’s a business-trip miracle.

Back to Alex: “These have ultra-thin fabric and take up a quarter of the space. It’s not sheer, though, and hides dimply skin imperfections that some light fabrics don’t hide. They fit easily into a slim packing cube and hardly weigh anything at all.”

Perfect Business Shoes for Travel

Rothy’s ($125)

At one conference where I was speaking, I sat next to another speaker and spotted her cute flats. Naturally, I asked about them.

“They’re Rothy’s. A little pricey but so comfortable.”

Cute and made from recycled materials, these slip-on flats have boatloads of raving fans. 

The company claims there’s “no break-in period with our shoes.” The reviews back up that claim, as one reviewer says, “The first time I wore them…8 hours later…still comfortable. Highly recommend these shoes.”

Perfect Little Black Dress for Business Travel

Bluffworks Trevi Dress ($145)

I must admit: I’m a sucker for a classic sleeveless, A-line black dress. But finding one that travels as well as I do? Now, that’s another story… until this dress showed up.

Blessed with 2% spandex, this dress is comfy and sexy. And it’s made with moisture-wicking, wrinkle-resistant, and odor preventing. So you’re always cool, pressed, and non-stinky. 

I think I’m in love. 

Plus, it has 6 pockets (in a dress — gasp!), bra straps at shoulders so straps are secure, and machine washable. Talk about an amenable travel companion who is as ready for the board room as she is ready for a night out for drinks post-conference.

Workout on the Road

Hotels have gyms for a reason. Many business travelers use them. Pack some sweat-wicking shorts and shirt, and athletic shoes to take advantage of the hotel gym.

Hotels With the Best Gyms:

  1. Hyatt’s StayFit gyms resemble modern fitness facilities. Open 24 hours, work out with resistance tubes or order a YogaAway class on your room’s TV.
  2. Westin partnered with New Balance to rent clothes and shoes for just $5. Skip packing your running gear but not your run.
  3. Equinox is expanding into fitness-oriented hotels with enormous gyms and indoor and outdoor pools. First hotel expected to open in 2018 in NYC.
  4. TYRP by Wyndam has fitness-specific rooms with equipment in the room, so no need to go downstairs to the gym.

Body Weight Workout

Break a sweat in your room with a body weight workout. Check out this one recommended by Entrepreneur . Or this workout developed by Shape Magazine for ladies who travel.

Men, check out this cardio body-weight workout or this body-weight one by Men’s Health.

Yoga Workout

When you want a good workout to stretch out the kinks from a long flight, go with yoga. Borrow a mat from your hotel’s gym or lay a bath towel down on the floor for your yoga space.

Catch live yoga class recordings with Yogaia. (Or barre, core, or Pilates classes.)

Pilates Workout

Cassie from Blogilates is taking the world by storm. Her upbeat attitude and killer playlist makes your Pilates workout fly by. Check out her YouTube vidoes to spotlight a specific body part or do a full-body workout, like this one.

Resistance Bands Workout

Think of these slender elastic bands as a weight-lifting session in a carry on.

Fit Simplify’s resistance bands come in five resistance levels. A workout guide is included with the bands, and extensive workouts are available online. Best part is these bands are slightly bigger than a deck of cards, so they take up barely any room in your bag. And they pack a punch on the workout scale.

Frequent Business Travel Tools

TSA PreCheck

If you fly domestically, get TSA PreCheck to access a speedier security line where you don’t have to shed shoes or belt. Keep your liquids and laptop in your bag.

Welcome to security, oh, we’re done already? Fabulous. That’s what TSA PreCheck looks like.

“While I don’t recommend this for all travelers, I’ve consistently started arriving to the airport 20 minutes later when I’m flying an airline that participates in this program with absolutely no stress,” says Stephanie Wu of Travel + Leisure.

Mike agrees: “Get TSA PreCheck so you can breeze through security, but be willing to take the regular lane if the PreCheck lane is backed up. If the wait is half the time, it’s worth it to take out your laptop and take off your shoes.”

Cost: $85

Global Entry

Global Entry has all those benefits above from TSA PreCheck. Plus, you skip filling out blue customs forms or long waits in line at customs when flying internationally.

Your life is fleeting time, so live more with Global Entry. (Sounds like a tagline, but that’s the truth.)

Cost: $100 (includes TSA PreCheck)

Good Headphones

Jared’s tip is easy: Get yourself Bose noise-cancelling headphones. Seriously.

Business Travel Loyalty Programs

A good business traveler joins a specific loyalty program for hotel and flight and stays with that program, letting their loyalty points rack up. Typically, a company will have an agreement with a specific loyalty program or status-match offers for its employees. Travel hacking your business travel could mean vacation travel for free later.

Virgin America Elevate

US News just ranked Virgin America as #5 on its best airlines loyalty programs. Now that Virgin joined forces with Alaska Airlines — US News’ #1 choice — your airline options just opened wide up.

With both programs, US News likes how easily you can earn a free flight, airline quality, and award flight availability. Meaning that the more paid flights you fly, the more quickly your miles stack up.

National Car Emerald Club

The ads starring Patrick Warburton are true. Conquer the wait at the car rental line with National Car Emerald Club.

Jared says, “Walk past the counter, pick any car you want and drive off. Its the quickest, easiest, and prevents you from getting a minivan. I like the Cameros and Challengers. The points tend to add up very quickly for free car rentals.”

American Airlines

American Airlines is a favorite airline among business travelers, now that United has lowered it’s bar on quality and standards with Sub-Par Economy Tickets. Um, excuse me, I mean United’s Basic Economy fare.

Mike says, “With airlines, they’re really all the same: You won’t get upgraded unless you’re on an unpopular flight or have super-ultra-diamond status. That said, I like that American Airlines’ program uses vouchers for upgrades on >500 mile flights, rather than automatic, so that you have a better shot if you’re lower-tier.”

Marriott

Marriott is a beloved hotel among business travelers. At Springhill Suites or Residence Inn under the Marriott umbrella, kick back with extra space and kitchen amenities like microwave, mini-fridge, or fully equipped kitchen.

Mike says, “For hotels, I liked Marriott because you have access to lounges at mid-tier versus needing higher tiers like at other hotel brands.”

And now that Marriott has joined forced with SPG hotels, your status is worth more — at both hotels.

Best Travel Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve

This credit card is made for frequent, business travelers. We’re talking about no international fees, points add up quickly, trip insurance, extended warranties, auto coverage for rental cars. For every $1 spent on travel and dining expenses, you get 3 points back, meaning your points add up quickly.

Oh, and you get free Priority Pass membership, and Executive Emerald Club level for National Car. Downside is the hefty annual fee of $450.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

NerdWallet listed Chase Sapphire Preferred with its 2 points on every $1 spent on travel and dining expenses, and no foreign transaction fees — plus great travel insurance — makes this card a winner for a small annual fee of $95.

Other top mentions were United MileagePlus Visa and Southwest Visa.

Travel Apps

Award Wallet (Free)

Keep track of those miles and hotel points you’re racking up with this AwardWallet. Finally, see all your points and miles from travel loyalty programs in one place.

TripIt Pro ($49)

One app for all your travel needs and reservations. This app comes in two versions: free and pro.

Pro version features real-time flight alerts, including which gate your plane is departing from, and find out when a better seat is available on your flight. This app keeps you organized, no matter how tight you are on time. Speaking from personal experience, it makes you look like an airline god.

Uber

Order a car and know the exact fare ahead of time. Need I say more? Uber is your new best friend for business travel.

FlightAware

Track your flight with a live tracking map, flight delay notifications, and airport delays. Or just use the site to see when Harrison Ford makes aviator news as he pilots his plane.

FlightView

Mike says, “This app is great for watching your flights and getting info on the planes (so you can look up the seating chart).”

App for your fav hotel and frequent flyer airline

Jared says, “It’s a lot better to know what gate you’re going to without having to look at a departure board. If your flight changes or if there is a delay, you’ll get a notification sometimes before the gate announces it.”

Business Travel Tips

Knowing the little hacks to make a travel day flow more smoothly, or your time in a hotel in a strange city feel more like home, makes a big difference in how enjoyable business travel can be. In addition to choosing the right gear, experienced business travelers recommend the following:

Flight Tips

With thousands of miles of butt-in-a-plane-seat, business travelers excel at the fine art of flight travel.

Here are their best tips:

Get Airline Status

“Collect your points and get status or sign up for a credit card that gives you status,” says Jared who works at a large banking risk management company. He traveled about 60,000 miles in 2016.

“Status allows for priority boarding, upgraded seats. If flights are delayed, you tend to get better service on a dedicated phone line with a smaller wait time.”

Be Prepared

When booking your flight, be aware of what days you’re flying.

“I feel that picking your flight time and day of the week you’re flying is important,” says Kris. “Avoiding Mondays and Thursdays or Fridays, and flying later in the afternoons, will get you the best flights because the business travelers tend to fly those days the most.”

Window or aisle seat is an ongoing debate for travelers. Whichever one you prefer — I like the window, thanks — a good seat makes all the difference on a flight. With your airline status, you’ll have the option to pick your seat.

“Get status and maintain it,” says Mike, an economist who traveled frequently at his last job with Deloitte. “So you can board first and ensure overhead space, keeping space open for your legs under the seat in front of you. On long flights, sit in the exit row so you have lots of room. On shorter flights, sit as close to the front of the plane as possible so you can get off first.”

Next, pack the essentials for your flight.

Kris brings:

  • Eye mask
  • Noise canceling headphones
  • Inflatable neck pillow to avoid uncomfortable neck cramps

Don’t forget to have your electronics charged before boarding to squeeze in some extra working time.

If You Check a Bag…

Pack a small personal item with all your essentials, in case your checked bag is misplaced.

Jennifer Deane, who traveled for her last job at EMSI, recommends stocking this small carry on — like a briefcase or daypack — with your laptop, snacks, contact case and/or glasses, phone chargers, makeup, and any medications. In the event your checked bag doesn’t arrive at your destination, you’ll be a-okay.

Hotel Tips

When you spend a lot of time on business trips, your hotel room is your home away from home.

Get the Hotel App

Many hotels have smartphone apps, and these apps are a must-have business travel gear.

“Get the app on your phone, make check-in a lot quicker and easier,” says Jared. “I stay at Marriotts whenever possible. Once you get status with them, you have your own check-in line. So you can bypass everyone else.”

Prep the Night Before

Kris says, “Getting everything ready the night before is a godsend for me. Sometimes, I’m not able to do this. But when I can, I try to steam all of my clothes, setup my bathroom items as soon as I get in my room. This is a time-saver for the mornings when you’re running late. Plus, you get to sleep in a little longer.”

Ah, Hotel Status

Sense a theme for business travelers? Attaining status with loyalty programs.  Get status and maintain it so you get room upgrades. Or have the spine-tingling power to select your own room.

Mike says, “If you’re staying in a big city with tall, narrow elevators (like NYC) and you don’t get an upgrade (or don’t care) to have a high floor/view room, request a lower floor so you’re not dependent on old, slow elevators. If you’re dependent on them, you may be waiting 10 minutes for a ride down/up during busy times.”

Small Details

These are the small things that make a hotel stay more pleasant.

For Rachel Garcia, marketing manager at infoedge LLC and founder of Leafy Tamale, her small details are early check-in and late check-out.

“This gives yourself time. Take advantage of the hotel amenities that are free. Commit to a hotel brand and stay consistently at it so you earn points and can utilize these for perks and discounts.”

For Jennifer, it’s about a relaxing view at the end of a long day.

“Make sure you’re not booked on the ground floor. A nice view can be super relaxing after a hard day, especially if it’s relatively close to something touristy or relaxing you can do in your free time like a river walk or a sushi bar.”

Travel Day Strategies

Dressing well, for comfort and style on a travel day, as well as packing your sense of humor are two keys to a smooth travel day. Think ahead and plan for the details.

Look Your Best

Borrow a page from the celebrity’s playbook is Mike’s tip.

“Dress up when you travel, not just to not wrinkle your suit, but because you’ll look good and people will treat you better. Seriously, a suit jacket with nice jeans makes you look like an important person. Even if it’s not as comfortable as sweats. The suit jacket’s inside pockets are way more convenient for putting stuff in than your pant pockets while sitting down on a flight.”

Keep Your Cool

After 145,000+ miles of travel in two years, Kris is pragmatic: “Don’t get frustrated with air travel! Things happen, planes get delayed. Don’t lose your cool. Be friendly with everyone when you travel. Traveling can bring out the worst in all of us. A little bit of kindness will go a long way,”

Gate Agents = Your New Friend

Mike’s approach is more hands-on.

“If you have a tight connection, you can ask the gate agent at the departing flight before the tight connection to put you on a backup flight in case you miss your connection. You will have to check into the backup flight if you miss your flight. Typically, you can do that on your mobile app or with the gate agent at the connecting airport.”

Keep Vital Items Close

If you checked your bag, Jennifer recommends bringing a small overnight bag in your carry on“In case, your flight is cancelled or delayed so you don’t have to sleep in a weird hotel, naked, with your day-old contacts.”

Select your business travel gear wisely to make your next business trip a raging success. Our recommendations are:

What is your best business travel gear recommendation?

Laura Lopuch

Laura’s first trip was when she was 3 months old, instilling an insatiable wanderlust. She hasn’t stopped traveling, or writing about it. As an expert in carry on travel, she’s flown on over 100 flights with only a carry on bag. Even on trips with her husband and kids.

She believes travel is the great educator — and vital to our humanity.

Read more from Laura

Shawn Forno

If you want to learn about budget travel, minimalist carry on packing, or how to travel (and even live and work) in dozens of countries all over the world, Shawn is your guy. Shawn is not a New York Times bestselling travel author, but he is a full-time freelance blogger, copywriter, and content manager and is also a published photographer. He likes to rock climb, trek, surf, ride his bike, and read a bunch of sci-fi books.

Read more from Shawn

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