Business Travel Hacks to Save Time and Money (Without Losing Your Sanity)
- Laci Jo Brimer
- Jul 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 22
Business Travel Hacks to Save Time and Money (Without Losing Your Sanity)
Ever found yourself sprinting through the airport in business casual, balancing a lukewarm latte, your laptop bag, and a boarding pass that's mysteriously gone missing from your app? Same. Business travel can be productive and exciting, but only if you’re prepared. Otherwise, it’ll eat up your time, budget, and patience faster than a TSA line during spring break.
I’ve gathered the best travel hacks I’ve learned through years of both personal and professional travel. These tips save time, stretch budgets, and might even restore a bit of your sanity.
Let’s dive in.
Time-Saving Travel Tips
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
This one’s a game-changer. With TSA PreCheck, you don’t have to strip down at security or unpack your electronics like you're starring in a baggage screening reality show. Shoes stay on. Laptop stays in the bag. You breeze through in minutes.
If you ever fly internationally, go for Global Entry instead. It includes PreCheck and gets you through customs faster than most frequent flyers can grab a rental car.
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love.
Recommended Accessory: Travel Document Organizer - Perfect for keeping your ID, passport, boarding passes, and other important docs in one place.
Use Airline Apps for Digital Boarding Passes
Gone are the days of printing tickets or panicking when your email won’t load. Download your airline’s app. It gives real-time updates about delays, gate changes, and even lets you rebook mid-meltdown if your flight gets canceled.
Bonus: You’ll look like a pro while everyone else is huddled around the monitor wondering where their flight went.
Only Use Carry-On Luggage
I haven’t checked a bag in years—and it’s glorious. You avoid those sneaky baggage fees, skip the carousel crowds, and never have to worry about your suitcase taking a solo vacation to another state (or country).
Traveling light doesn’t mean sacrificing what you need—it just means packing smarter. Once you experience the freedom of rolling straight off the plane and heading out the door, you’ll never look back.
My go-to bags:
✅ Underseat Spinner Bag – 👉 Shop on Amazon
Fits under the seat in front of you, holds more than you’d expect, and no Olympic overhead-bin lifting required.
✅ Overhead Carry-On Suitcase – 👉 Shop on Amazon
A classic rolling carry-on that fits in most overhead bins—perfect when you need a bit more space but still want to skip checked baggage.
✅ Personal Item Travel Backpack – 👉 Shop on Amazon: My favorite pick!
✅ Carry-On Must-Haves:
Packing Cubes – 👉 Shop on Amazon
TSA-Approved Toiletry Bag – 👉 Shop on Amazon
Stain Remover Pen (Travel Size) – 👉 Shop on Amazon
Collapsible Water Bottle – 👉 Shop on Amazon
Travel Document Organizer – 👉 Shop on Amazon
Money-Saving Travel Tips
Book Flights on Tuesdays (and Clear Those Cookies)
It’s not a myth—Tuesday afternoons often have the best flight deals. But here’s a sneaky trick: clear your browser cookies or use incognito mode. Websites track your searches and sometimes raise prices the more you look.
I also love using Google Flights’ “Track Prices” feature. It’s like having a deal-hunting assistant who works for free.
Use Loyalty Programs and Points
Even if your company books travel for you, sign up for airline and hotel loyalty programs. Points can go toward upgrades, free nights, or lounge access. It’s a low-effort way to turn work trips into future getaways.
And speaking of lounges… if you travel often, consider a credit card that includes lounge access. Unlimited snacks and comfy chairs? Yes, please.
Compare Booking Tools
Your company might require you to use a corporate travel portal, but if not, shop around. Tools like Skyscanner and Hopper often show better rates. Just make sure to follow reimbursement guidelines—finance departments aren’t known for their sense of humor.
Make Business Travel More Productive
Pay for Wi-Fi on Longer Flights
If you’ve got deadlines or a backlog of emails, invest in in-flight Wi-Fi. It’s cheaper than playing catch-up once you land. I’ve edited entire proposals in seat 14A while the person next to me watched Toy Story 4 with no headphones.
Also, bring wired earbuds. Some planes still have those weird two-prong headphone jacks.
Use Layovers Wisely
Don’t dread that two-hour layover—use it. Walk a few laps around the terminal, call your kids or your team, or knock out admin tasks.
I once had a surprisingly productive conference call while parked in one of those coin-operated massage chairs. Use what you’ve got, right?
Must-Have Travel Accessories
These are in my bag every time I travel—and I recommend them to all my clients, too.
Door Wedge Alarm
For added hotel room security when you’re traveling solo or in unfamiliar cities. (Get a 2 pack if staying somewhere with front and back door)👉 Shop on Amazon
Portable Travel Lock
Keeps your hotel or Airbnb door extra secure. Easy to use and takes up no space. (Get a 2 pack if staying somewhere with front and back door)👉 Shop on Amazon
Portable Charger (Power Bank)Keep your phone and laptop charged no matter how long the layover.👉 Shop on Amazon
Smart Expense Tracking
Use an Expense App
Download something like Expensify or Concur. Snap photos of receipts as you go and let the app do the rest. You’ll save time and avoid the dreaded end-of-month “Where did that $7 charge come from?” drama.
Prefer old-school? Keep a Ziploc baggie in your carry-on for paper receipts.
Track Business Mileage Automatically
If you’re renting cars or using your personal vehicle for meetings, don’t forget to track mileage. Apps like MileIQ or Everlance do it in the background and make expense reports painless. You can also use Expensify for this.
Final Thoughts: Business Travel Can Be a Breeze
Sure, business travel can feel exhausting—but with a few smart strategies, it can also be smooth, productive, and even enjoyable.
Some of my best work ideas have come to me at 30,000 feet. Some of my worst coffee experiences have too, but that’s a different story. With the right gear and a little planning, you can navigate the business travel world like a pro.
And hey, if you ever need help booking a conference trip, client retreat, or solo workcation, I’ve got your back!
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Your Turn:
Drop a comment below—what’s your weirdest or most hilarious business travel moment? I might just feature it in my next post (with your permission, of course).
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