According to the US Department of Transportation, approximately 98 percent of delayed luggage reaches its owner within a few hours. Still, over one million pieces of luggage were lost, delayed, or damaged in just May and June of 2007. If you’ve ever had your luggage lost en route, you know had it can disrupt your business trip or vacation. Here are some tips on avoiding having your luggage lost, even for a few hours:

1. Check Luggage Tags. When you check in, either at the counter or curbside, make sure that your luggage is tagged to the proper city. If you don’t show the three-letter code for the city to which you’re flying, you’ll find in on your paper ticket or your e-ticket confirmation.

2. Consider Atypical Luggage. If your suitcase looks like the others in a sea of black one-suiters, consider buying a bright red or even a brown case. That one act will greatly reduce the chances of someone taking your suitcase by mistake.

3. Label your Luggage Inside and Out. The airlines require you to label your luggage on the outside. Adding an additional label on the inside of the bag is a good idea, just in case the outer label gets torn off or removed. Use your office address if you don’t want your home address visible to strangers.

Photo credit: reinn

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

How to avoid lost luggage

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It’s estimated that women now constitute nearly half of all the business travelers in America.  Here are a few basic tips for women traveling alone on business.

Never tell anyone you are traveling alone: If you meet someone on the airplane, at the hotel or in a business meeting, never say you are traveling alone. If necessary, even lie and say you have other (male) business associates or your husband with you on the trip.

Look like your know where you are going: Criminals often prey on women who are lost or needassistance. Get directions ahead of time so you aren’t walking (or driving) around looking like you are lost. If you do actually get lost, stop for directions at a brightly lit, safe-looking restaurant or cafe rather than a dim-lit gas station.

Have someone from the hotel front desk walk with you: When you arrive at the hotel, ask someone from the staff to walk you to your room, and check inside before entering. Also have a person walk you to your car in the hotel parking lot at night.

Stay at a smaller hotel or inn: A bed and breakfast or boutique hotel may be a better option for women traveling alone. The hotel owners will know who is coming and going in the establishment and will notice if you have not shown up to breakfast or another activity.

Lock the windows and doors: When you are inside your hotel room, check to make sure the windows are locked. Bolt the door and do not open it unless you are expecting someone. Even then, look through the peep-hole to verify the identity of the visitor. Keep the curtains to your hotel room closed. When driving, be sure your car doors are locked and windows are rolled up.

Don’t leave a room service ticket on the outside of your hotel door: These forms indicate how many people are staying in the room. You do not want outsiders to know that you are staying alone.

Consider wearing a fake wedding ring: This could help to deter unwanted male attention. Register at the hotel as Mr. & Mrs. even though you don’t have anyone with you.

Check in often: Plan to call and check in with someone in your family or a business associate several times throughout the day and evening. This way everyone will be assured that you are safe.
Photo credit: Aleera*

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Tips for women traveling alone

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A new job with travel benefits sounds exciting at first, until that first trip rolls around. Suddenly business travel isn’t so exciting and fun, it becomes stressful and demanding. To make your business trips a little more predictable and easier there are a few packing tricks you can use to help you establish a comfortable routine.

First, make note of every product you use throughout the day. Contact lens solution, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. Then, go to the store and pick up small sample sizes of these products. Pack your travel supplies into a bag and put them inside of your luggage. Now, half your packing is already done. When you return from a trip, refill these sample bottles and repack them.

Next,  consider your wardrobe. What will you need to wear? Build a wardrobe around one neutral color, this way you’ll only need one or two pairs of shoes and fewer accessories. Try to keep your clothing in the same color family so you can mix and match and create several outfits with few pieces.

Finally, consider the job you’ll be doing. List your equipment and tools and pack whatever you can so you don’t forget something simple like a clipboard or a notebook at the last minute. If you’re going to need projectors, or video equipment delivered, call ahead to make your arrangements and then confirm the equipment as soon as you arrive.

These tips can ease the stress of business travel and help you get the most out of your trip.
Photo credit: Giorgio Montersino

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Preparing for life on the road

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You’re traveling with co-workers–or the boss–and you’re not quite sure what rules apply. On the one hand, you’re out of the office on something like a vacation and you think that the etiquette might be relaxed a bit. On the other hand, you don’t want your co-workers remembering you as that guy who got hungover and puked all over the executive suite. It’s important to know the difference between relaxed and professional when traveling for business with others from the office.

There are three times of the trip to consider regarding business travel etiquette: the travel, the work time and your downtime. You can be relaxed during the travel portion of your trip but you should also be on good behavior. In other words, wear jeans and a T-shirt on the drive in the rental car but don’t use the time to make racist jokes or let people in on your bedroom secrets. Offer to chip in for gas, even if it’s covered by the expense account, and to let others drive if the trip is long enough to warrant it. Always ask the boss if (s)he would prefer to drive, would like the window seat, etc.

While in the office during the trip, you should not only be on normal office behavior but should actually be more professional than when you’re in your home office. You are representing the out-of-town company; represent it well. Even if you and your co-workers are close back home, maintain professional standards while in the office.

As for downtime, you might want to let the co-workers know that this is your time alone. Go out, see the city, have a wild time if you want, but do it without their presence. If you do go out with the boss or co-workers, skip the lap dances and the fourth martini.
Photo credit: Mr. T in DC

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Etiquette for business travel

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When you are traveling for business, it’s very important to be able to log onto the Internet and stay connected with clients, co-workers and associates. Here are some quick tips to help you stay connected while traveling.

Print out a list before leaving
You never know what’s going to happen during your travels that may deter you from getting online. So print out a list of important contact phone numbers, reservation numbers and other vital information before you leave.

Keep an eye on your laptop
When passing through airport security, oftentimes thieves are there preying on your luggage, looking to lift notebook computers, cellular phones and other portable electronic equipment. Stay alert and keep an eye on your equipment and luggage.

Look in the lavatory
If your laptop runs out of battery on the plane, look in the lavatory. Sometimes airplane bathrooms have an electrical outlet (intended for an electric shaver) that you can use in a pinch.

Buy a spare battery
You may need to use your laptop for periods longer than the life of one battery. If you have a spare, you can avoid the frantic search for an outlet to plug-in.

Bring your own ethernet cables.
If you are going to be needing ethernet cables for your computer at your hotel, don’t rely on the hotel-supplied cables. They are usually old and worn.

Photo credit: mkosut

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Stay connected while traveling

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If you find yourself traveling to Detroit for business, consider combining a little business and pleasure by staying at the newly opened Detroit MGM Grand Resort and Casino. The much-anticipated $800 million luxury resort hotel opened October 2 on Third Avenue in the heart of downtown Detroit, adjacent to the previously constructed casino.

What’s New
The new complex includes 400 hotel rooms; three restaurants, created by culinary stars, Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina; a full-service spa; several bars and nightclubs; and a concert stage.

Rooms are appointed with luxury linens, a marble bath, and a 42-inch plasma TV. Concierge level rooms also feature a private elevator, a private lounge complete with complimentary food and beverage offerings throughout the day, and wireless Internet access. Suites, located at the corners of the hotel, feature floor-to-ceiling windows with 9o-degree views of the city.

The 24-hour casino features more than 4,500 slots, including the latest video poker machines; 90 table games; and a poker room.

The MGM Grand Resort and Casino offers valet parking as well as complimentary self-parking. Hotel rates and reservation information may be found at the property’s website

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Detroit MGM Grand opens new facility

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Treasure Island used to be one of the Vegas hotels that was known as a family place back during the days when Vegas was trying to market itself as a destination for all ages. The city eventually realized that its appeal was in its adult activities and Treasure Island followed suit by entirely revamping its style. Re-branding itself under the name TI, it added more adult entertainment and better grown-up amenities so that it could appeal to the travelers who really spend time in Vegas. And since business travelers are a major part of the Vegas hotel traffic, TI made sure to pay attention to what its business travelers might want while staying in the hotel.

TI offers a number of different kinds of rooms for different business travelers. The Executive Suite is a favorite since it has a living room that you can use as an office and enough space for entertaining guests when office hours are over. (There are also two marble bathrooms for people who want to do some serious entertaining!) But there are also rooms with views of the Strip and rooms with panoramic views so that you can enjoy looking out at Vegas while you’re busy working late into the night.

Of course, since its Vegas, you’ll be able to go enjoy the nightlife no matter how late you get off of work. TI has 6 bars that you can enjoy including a tequila bar and the classy Mist lounge. It’s also home to the Mystere Cirque du Soleil show and the sexy Sirens show. And there’s always the slot machines and gaming tables where you can see just how lucky you are during your business trip to Vegas. It’s so fun, you won’t want to leave the hotel! That’s okay, you can have the rest of the office come join you there since TI also has multiple rooms to host business meetings and conferences of all sizes.

(photo credit flickr cc)

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

TI Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas

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Business travel can be stressful. You’re running from here to there, trying to make connecting flights, worried that you aren’t going to be where you need to be on time. You’re eating on the run which means you aren’t feeling your best. And let’s face it, you’re just generally uncomfortable because airplane seats aren’t designed for frequent travel (even in business class, it’s true) and your neck pillow can’t keep that crick out of your neck on long trips. It sounds like what you need is a massage!

And your airport knows that this is exactly what you need in between flights. An airport massage will help you to relax, making you feel better about your trip and just better in general. Instead of stressing out, you can de-stress underneath the kneading fingers of a trained professional masseuse or masseur. And if you have to get going on your business calls and meetings as soon as your flight lands, you’ll feel rejuvenated enough by your massage to be able to do so.

Depending on how much time you have, you can get a foot massage, a chair massage or a full body treatment. In fact, many massage spas also have airport salons so you can get a mani/pedi and a haircut if you’re in need of one. Talk about stepping off the plane and being ready for business! For more information about one spa that’s got several different airport locations, visit the D_Parture Spa website. It’ll give you a great idea of what options are out there for helping you de-stress during your trip.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Airport Spa Massages

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