Note: I originally wrote this article several years ago as I used to be a frequent flyer for work, but these days I’m traveling a great deal less. As I am packing for a trip I’m taking tomorrow, I thought it might be useful to resurface it. Of course, this time I’m bringing my biggest suitcase so I have room for anything I might purchase! Of course, now, there are other considerations including what to anticipate due to Covid-19 restrictions, new rules for restaurants, and cashless payments. I hope anyone getting ready to take an overseas trip soon might find it useful.
I became a global traveler at a very young age thanks to my dad’s work on behalf of the U.S. government, and over time, I picked up a few helpful hints that I still try to employ when traveling for business that I believe are useful.
The one cardinal rule that I often break is to pack lightly. This is difficult for women when traveling for work because so many items are needed - make up, accessories, toiletries, hair products, hosiery and sensible and impractical shoes. This can be made a bit easier by obtaining travel sizes of the essentials and bringing only those items that are absolutely necessary. I usually make sure I always have a black raincoat (which never goes out of style), a white button down shirt or blouse, a cardigan in a neutral color and black trousers. If you can fit any of these items in a carry on, it is certainly ideal as it can come in very useful if your luggage goes missing. At the very least, I always make sure I have a toothbrush and a change of undergarments in my carry-on bag since I have learned far too many times how difficult it can be to find these items if you are staying somewhere in a remote location.
Planning your wardrobe in advance and then packing items into one-gallon size zip-top bags is also key as the clothes stay dry, wrinkle-free, and avoid smelling like jet fuel when you are ready to unpack. I also pack my accessories in this fashion and write on post-it notes what goes with each outfit. This makes the morning after a long flight a great deal easier. The biggest plus with this packing system is that it prevents you from overpacking, which I have certainly been guilty of on more than a few trips.
Before I get on a plane for a long flight I always try to eat something healthy on the ground. Too many meals on planes have a lot of fat and salt and are generally not optimal choices if you are watching your diet. I always try to pack almonds and bananas in my bag just in case I need a snack and try to stay hydrated on the flight by drinking water so I will be refreshed upon arrival. Like everyone else, however, I am enticed by some of the snacks and candy bars offered and believe it is okay to indulge in moderation!
One of the biggest problems with traveling for business is dealing with time-zone changes. To combat this, I try to handle the time change on the plane versus on the ground by going to sleep right away or forcing myself to stay awake, depending on what the time change may require. There were more than a few occasions where I was expected to give a presentation right after getting off the plane, so this preparation was integral.
If you are fortunate enough to find that your plane isn’t very full, look at the back and see if you can find an empty row. Sometimes you will find that an entire row of seats is free. If this is the case, you might be able to enjoy the same level of comfort that someone in business class is paying a great deal of money for at a fraction of the cost.
Other tips:
1. If you travel frequently overseas, it’s important to maintain loyalty to a specific airline in order to help with status for boarding, seat upgrades, lounge access, and more. There are times when I have cursed my loyalties, but in the end, I have enjoyed far more benefits than minuses in the arrangement.
2. Get minimal local cash at airport money exchangers, obtain most from ATM's (better exchange and fee). And make sure to call your bank in advance of your trip to let them know where you will be traveling and how long your trip will be.
3. Make sure you protect your digestive system by bringing capsules to help promote digestion after giant business meals. I try to stock up on Rennie brand tablets made in the United Kingdom, as they work wonders for me.
Finally, and I believe this is the most important thing that I have learned (special thanks to my dad who impressed this upon us): try to remember, you represent your country as an ambassador of sorts and go out of your way to say please and thank you and be extra courteous, even when tired. You may be the first individual from your country someone has met in person and those impressions can be very important and lasting.
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