camjr

I've always travelled for business, but it was so infrequent that I never built up any status on any airline, and had only made it to Silver on HiltonHonors. Beginning in June of this year, I'm travelling weekly to one, maybe two locations and earned Gold on American and HHonors in less than 2.5 months. Luckily, most of my flights are direct since my home base is DFW. My company's travel policy for colleagues like me that are frequent travellers allows us to expense an airline club membership (obviously Admirals Club for me), which helps as well - either at DFW or connecting through ORD. Much of my stress went away with status simply because more seat options are available. Further, boarding and security lines are now so much quicker and easier.

For all you long-time road warriors, what is your one tip for making the business travel less stressful?

For me, it's simply being polite. What say you? I'm still a relative noob to the weekly grind.

sonofzeus

Audio and ebooks.

KurtVH

Have membership in an airline club. While dmestic U.S. clubs are not what they used to be, having a place to work and/or relax during layovers and when I'm at the airport early has been a lifesaver on many occasions.

CMK10

Learn to keep as open a mind as possible. The sooner you realize that THINGS WILL GO WRONG and prepare for that eventuality and are able to take the delays, frustrations, cancellations, hotel and airline snafus etc. as they come, the better off you'll be.

gglave

Getting Nexus and Global Entry.

Ocn Vw 1K

I follow CMK10's approach, specifically, scoping out my flight alternates/backups in case my ticketed flights cancel or are delayed.

AAL

I use a trip planning app (TripIt) so my reservations for flights, cars, hotels, etc. are all in one readily-accessible place.

cordelli

It's an old thread, but still has good information in it

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...win-500-a.html

BearX220

Long layovers that will accommodate a late-running first leg without blowing up my plans. No connections through EWR.

SanDiego1K

Eye shields and ear plugs, both for on the plane and in the hotel room.

And a great travel alarm.

stut

Always make time for yourself, however brief, to explore where you are. Even if it's 11pm and bucketing down.

Doc Savage

Treat hotel front desk staff well. Worth more than any loyalty program out there.

txflyer77

Just roll with whatever happens.

I'm flying with a bunch of just-graduated new hires overseas for an extended training program. Single connection in EWR which the storm just blew up.

UA rebooked us all tomorrow. I couldn't find anything better so I took it, made sure I was on the upgrade waitlist and checked back into the hotel. The others began panicking.

When the worst case scenario is spending an extra night in a hotel on the company's dime, you're really doing pretty well.

Sorthum

On longer flights, I find that tipping the FA when they give me my first drink works WONDERS. "Sir, it's complimentary--" "I know, but I'd be *personally offended* should you refuse" with a sly wink. It tends to make their day.

Obviously I don't do this every time, but when they seem particularly run down from dealing with the general public, it's nice to brighten their flight.

linsj

I always put an extra book in my carryon bag. (I don't own an e-reader and get all the books I want for free.) As long as I have something to read, I can roll with anything that happens.