Going Places Without Going Broke
By: Brooke Stauffer, World Executive's Digest
To get the most out your travel budget, consider a few cost-saving measures.
If you're an entrepreneur, it makes sense to economize on business travel. Consider a few cost-saving measures. Continue below.
Ask the company or organization you're visiting to pick you up at the airport or transport you to a meeting. Often it will be glad to oblige, regarding this as a simple courtesy.
The next best way from the airport to the hotel is a free hotel shuttle van. There may be a 20-minute wait, and you usually have to share the services, but these are small prices to pay considering the money you'll save on a cab ride.
Public transport may not be the best option if you have lots of luggage, but if you're just coming in and out for a business meeting, taking the subway is your cheapest bet. If you have to travel by cab, ask the airport dispatcher or hotel doorman to estimate your fare before you climb in the car.
The best way to save on airfares is to fly midweek or buy a non-refundable ticket several weeks before departure. Other cost saving approaches:
- Standby . If you must change flight plans on short notice, try standby. Normally, you can do this without the fare increase that would result if you changed your seven - or 14 –day ticket. Your travel agent or the airport desk agent usually has a good idea whether you'll be able to get on.
- Frequent-flier plans . Watch for promotions involving double or triple miles, or free tickets for certain routes.
- Trains . Depending on your destination, trains can be a great way to go and are invariably cheaper than flying.
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Don't distain cheaper hotel chains. They typically offer great value. The room may be smaller and the décor less fancy, but as long as it has a bed and a television, who cares? For longer stays, hotel suites offer their own kind value. While they cost more, their living rooms can do double duty as mini-conference rooms, and you can work more efficiently with more space to spread out.
Suites with kitchenettes or in-room refrigerators also help economize on food costs. When making reservations or checking into a hotel, inquire about the best rate. If you're attending a meeting or convention, ask if there's a special rate.
Never eat in a hotel restaurant. Outside restaurants are nearly always cheaper, and frequently offer better food, or at least, greater variety.
- Breakfast. If you have a hotel room with a coffee machine, buy a box of doughnuts or some rolls for breakfast the evening before.
- Lunch. Maybe you're a big breakfast person. In that case, skip lunch and go jogging or catch up on messages.
- Pack your own . If you're staying at a suite hotel with in-room refrigerators, stock up on cold cuts, cheese, cereal, bread, and milk.
Laundering, dry cleaning, and gift items are always cheaper outside the hotel. If you're in a downtown area or near a suburban shopping mall, take advantage of the lower prices there.
Avoid bellhops in countries where tips are expected. Don't travel with more luggage than you can carry. If you got your luggage halfway across the globe by yourself, why pay some young man $2 or $3 to lift it out of a car or take it up in the elevator?
Some hotel advertise a free toothbrush, razor, comb, and other toiletries if you forget your own. It sure beats the inflated prices in the hotel gift shop, but don't make the tactical error of letting a bellhop bring a “free” toothbrush up to your room, or you'll have to tip him more than it's worth.
>>> Proceed now to the concept of 'the lowest fare' is an unprovable myth
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