Ways to Make Business Travel Less Stressful During Conference and Events Season

(BPT) – With conference and events season right around the corner, it’s time to brush up on business travel best practices. The following tips can help ease the stress often associated with business travel, so you can keep your focus on in-person experiences and make the most of career opportunities.Make a Credit Card Your Best FriendIf you don’t yet have a business credit card, consider applying for one in advance of your next trip. They’re designed to help maximize your rewards on all business-related expenses.You can also take advantage of a timely new Cardmember offer to help you earn rewards faster. Now until August 28, 2023, new Southwest Rapid Rewards™ Premier Business Credit Card from Chase Cardmembers can earn up to 120,000 Rapid Rewards® points. New Cardmembers can earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months from account opening, then an additional 60,000 points after spending $15,000 in the first nine months. This is a simple, yet effective way to earn points to fuel future work travel.Think About Your Plans EarlyWhen traveling for your business, mapping out trip logistics in advance can help eliminate the dreaded “what-ifs” of last-minute plans. Understanding your travel itinerary, like when and where you or your team are needed or schedules for presentations and meetings, can help you to select hotel and dining options that are close and convenient.And, if you plan ahead, you can earn points just by staying at the right hotel. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Cardmembers earn 2X points on every $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel partners.Travel Like a ‘Boss’It’s no secret that packing for an event can be hard when dressing to impress is important. Prior to arriving, research the dress code to ensure you pack properly for the events you are attending. Consider checking your hotel’s amenities to see if they have any laundering, dry cleaning services, or an in-room steamer to freshen your clothes, depending on the length of your stay. Even better, Southwest® Customers’ bags fly free® (first and second checked bags, weight and size limits apply) so you can bring everything you need no matter how long you’re staying.And to ease the stress on travel day, consider checking in to your flight in advance and reading up on airline regulations prior to arriving at the airport. Thankfully, Cardmembers receive two EarlyBird Check-Ins® per year, and conference season is the perfect time to redeem this benefit to help minimize delays ahead of your departure.Make Use of Your Time On-SiteConsider connecting and networking with other attendees leading up to the event so you can use your time on-site wisely by setting up meetings and making meaningful connections. To make the most of your learning experience, review the agenda beforehand, including schedules and programming, to ensure you can attend what you are most interested in.During downtime, relax and recharge with a coffee, explore the areas around you, and grab a bite to eat with a colleague (or even a new connection!).Everyone deserves a seamless travel experience, especially ahead of a business trip where you need to be at your best. Leveraging these tips can help you get where you’re going, while using your time wisely to minimize stress and maximize the points you earn the whole time.*Accounts subject to credit approval. Restrictions and limitations apply. Cards are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. All Rapid Rewards® rules and regulations apply and can be found at Southwest.com/rrterms.