By the way, it should go without saying that you should become a member of each and every loyalty program for the airlines you will fly and the hotels at which you will stay. And from there, check elite status qualifications. Since you'll likely do weekly travel, flight segments and hotel stays will build up quickly.

Each is one of the criteria by which loyalty programs will determine elite status, which may offer many benefits beyond a room upgrade or a late checkout. For instance, if you're an elite member of the Starwood Preferred Group program, you earn three Starpoints for every dollar spent at a Starwood property; non-elite members only earn two points per dollar spent (BTW, hotel charges on an SPG Amex card would add another two points/dollar to the equation).

Airline programs offer similar extra benefits to those who have elite status. Even if you have little influence over your travel plans for your employer, a little research in the forums will give you more information about the benefits from each of the loyalty programs you will use.