The VIP Travel Treatment
29 January 2025
Have you seen the film “Up in The Air”? George Clooney has got business travel down to a fine art. His goal being to earn 10,000 frequent flyer miles and the respect and admiration (he feels) that comes with it. Whether you fly a lot or a little, here are our tips to help you get the most out of your business trips.
HSBC Premier World Elite has a strict application criteria and an annual fee of £190 per annum. The benefits are being able to earn points that can be converted for travel with a variety of airlines and doesn’t restrict you to just one which is useful if you, like Clooney’s character, have commitment issues. In addition, it will get you unlimited airport lounge visits and an iPass wi-fi subscription, which includes in flight wi-fi too. Both BA and Virgin also offer cards: British Airways Amex (£195 annual fee) and Virgin Atlantic Premium Mastercard (£160 annual fee). Both offer a 2 for 1 voucher when you spend £10,000 in a year. While the Virgin version is only good for economy it does offer more choice for rewards like upgrade to premium or lounge passes.
If you are a regular flyer or even only fly occasionally, it is worth signing up for airline membership. It is free to join British Airways Executive Club which enables you to collect points but also enjoy other benefits such as priority check in, boarding and access to premium lounges. The points earned can be spent on flights, hotels and car hire. Virgin Airways offer something similar and the points you collect can be spent on a wider range of products such as Virgin Wines for example. Don’t want to be restricted to one airline? Sign up for all!
In order to help you keep tabs on your packing, devise a check list template that you can use every time you travel. Even if you are likely to be taking the same or similar items for every trip, it helps to plan in advance and be sure you include all your items on your return, and nothing gets left behind.
If you are able to do this it will mean no waiting for your luggage at the carousel, which saves at least an hour and avoids the potential horror of lost luggage.
Speed up time spent going through security by limiting jewellery to just a wedding ring and avoid wearing a belt. Be aware of the restrictions before you travel (liquids and so on) and prevent embarrassment and possible delays. Check what you are allowed to take with you on the Transportation Security Administration website.
Google Maps and Google Translate are so useful, it goes without saying they will most likely be on your phone already, but also consider the following:
Eat at the right times, don’t skip meals and eat the right things. Makes sense really but when you are on the go it is easy to skip meals or, at the other end of the spectrum, overindulge, after all, it is going on expenses right? Nope! Eat well during the day and perform well at work.
The body needs one day to adjust to 1 hour of a different time zone. Start planning ahead of your trip and go to bed an hour later or an hour earlier every night, until you are at your target time zone.
Some gentle exercise will go a long way to helping you feel more energised.
Use a driver to be waiting at the airport on arrival. After a tiring trip the last thing you will want to do is tackle the airport car park and drive home. Travel to and from the airport in one of our executive level cars and enjoy the stress-free comfort you deserve.
