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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.

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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 via flickr cc)

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Thrifty Rental Car’s loyalty program, Blue Chip, stands out as head of the class in with its peers in the rental car loyalty program thanks to its ease of use.

When you sign up for Blue Chip, you’ll fill out a questionnaire regarding your preferences, which will then be stored and used for every subsequent rental, which saves you lots of time. At most airports, there is a special line dedicated to Blue Chip members. Instead of waiting in line for an hour, as a Blue Chip member you simply present your driver’s license and credit card, sign the contract and off you go. They promise that it’s even faster when you return the car.

You can put your rewards toward free rental cars or airline miles at the airline of your choice. If you choose free rentals you’ll get a free one-day rental for every 16 Blue Chip Reward credits you earn. You can redeem the certificate for any class of car between a compact and a full size. Blue Chip members also receive 50 percent off for every upgrade.

You can also earn points for airport parking. Thrifty offers parking facilities in 24 major markets throughout the US, some of which offer auto detailing and valet parking. When you park on three occasions in a Thrifty lot within 12 months, you receive 5 Blue Chip Reward credits. It only takes 16 for a free rental day.

Now through November 15, you’ll receive double Blue Chip Rewards for any rental completed at a Canadian location. To enroll in the Blue Chip program, visit https://www.thrifty.com/BlueChip/Enrollment.aspx?BlueChipRewards=true. In order to earn free rental days, make sure that you select Blue Chip Rewards on your profile to receive the credits.

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When you’re booking your hotel room for business, what services and amenities do you want? Must you have in-room desks with fax machines, or are you more concerned about  conference space thanin-room features?

Here are some of the things business travelers commonly want at their hotels:

• Wi-Fi connections. Business travelers usually bring a laptop with them and they want to be able to connect as easily from the pool as from their rooms.
• Advanced phone systems. You don’t just want to be able to make calls. You want to be able to make conference calls, retrieve voice mail and pick up a second line if need be. Hotels are starting to add VoIP services, decreases calling costs and streamlines productivity during business travel.
• On-site meeting spots. Whether it’s a big conference room for hosting a presentation or just a nice lounge for drinks with a client, business travelers usually keep an eye out for where they can do business on site.
• Fitness centers and/or spas. Sure, it’s a luxury. However, the person who is frequently away on business still needs to keep in shape. And the spa helps travelers stay rejuvenated enough to do their jobs.

What other services do you want as a business traveler?

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If Budget Rental Car is your auto rental company of choice, then you should strongly consider joining RapidRez, its loyalty program to earn rewards.

Budget was founded almost 50 years ago, and its target consumer was and still is the “budget-minded” traveler. One of the primary rewards of joining the program is the substantial timesaving. As a part of the application process, you can establish preferences, which are retained and used toward future rentals. This includes:

• Vehicle class preference that allows you to reserve a car online with one-click booking.
• Protections preferences, such as whether you choose insurance coverage through the rental.
• Instant profile updates to your personal information.
• Special offers and discounts emailed to members on a weekly basis.

Another program that Budget offers is Fastbreak. With a Fastbreak membership, not only are your rental preferences stored but your signature is stored too, which really saves time. Eight hundred rental locations throughout the world offer the FastBreak pick-up service. At participating locations, you stop at the FastBreak counter to flash your license, grab the keys and go. At many major airport locations, Budget offers FastBreak Choice, in which you bypass the counter completely.

Budget also has a Business Program available for companies located within the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Budget offers a $2  rebate for each day’s paid completed rental for US-based companies. All car classes are subject to discount rates and mileage is unlimited. While the minimum driving age is 21, a small surcharge may be accessed against drivers under the age of 25. Membership in FastBreak is included.

To sign up, visit www.budget.com.

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If you’re doing business in the Asia Pacific region, tipsters saychecking into a Hilton is the way to go. The recent Asia Pacific Hotel Business Guest Survey found that Hilton hotels were the most popular from a list of 50 chains frequented by business travelers in the region; 34 per cent of business travelers said they had stayed in a Hilton recently.

Hilton hotels weren’t just considered the best places to stay, but they also had the highest brand recall rate. And the Hilton HHonors loyalty program was also the number one of all the hotel frequent guest programs in the Asia Pacific region. Almost 6 per cent of the business travelers surveyed belonged to the Hilton HHonors program, which offers free hotel nights and other rewards to loyal guests.

Business travelers within and to Australia were the most strongly in favor of the Hilton brand: and Hilton’s been on top there for the last three years, too. Whether you like staying in a big chain hotel or prefer the uniqueness of a small boutique hotel, there is definitely something to be said for choosing a chain like the Hilton while you’re on a business trip. No matter where you are, you can reliably predict what your experience will be like, and no unpleasant surprises will get in the way.

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Alamo offers two rental programs for business travelers: The Business Benefits Program is for small- to medium-sized businesses, while the Corporate Program caters to larger volume customers.

Upon signing up for membership, you’ll receive personalized special offers appear on your member’s homepage. On your personal webpage you can also review reservations, make changes or cancel reservations with a few clicks.

Most airport serving locations offer a Quicksilver counter where members can pick up/return the rental by flashing their driver’s license and ID card. All of your information is stored in their system so Alamo takes care of the details. No more standing in line for an hour after your flight arrives to pick up the rental car. Another benefit to being a member is that you earn frequent flier miles when you rent from Alamo and fly on one of their partner airlines. Additionally, many leading hotel chains offer discounted rates when you rent from Alamo and stay at one of their hotels. Rentals aren’t subject to any mileage restrictions either. Depending on your needs, the fuel and insurance coverage options are more flexible than they are with standard rental agreements.

The Business Benefits Program includes the following:

• No volume commitment
• Guaranteed low rates year-round
• Free Quicksilver® enrollment
• Express Return service
• Business Value Partner benefits
• Priority service at the Silver Service counter
• Airborne Express discount program
• Special discounts for leisure travel
• Unlimited mileage on round-trip rentals
• Flexible fuel and coverage options, tailored to meet your needs
• Dedicated Corporate Reservation Desk
• Executive Traveler Assistance toll-free line
• 24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance

The Corporate Program offers the following additional benefits:

• Guaranteed, low rates available throughout the year with volume discounts
• Reduced surcharge for underage drivers
• Reduced city surcharges
• Flexible billing options
• Accurate monthly management reports, upon request

For more information or to sign up for Alamo’s Quicksilver or Corporate Program, please visit www.alamo.com.

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Many business travelers don’t really know what it’s like to just take a vacation. But everyone needs to take an occasional  break from work. A break, meaning no working at all during the trip, will actually allow you to become more productive.

It’s all too easy these days to go away with your family while remaining in touch with work. When you take your laptop and cell phone with you for a weekend away, you’re on a working vacation.  Working vacations are great,  but every once in awhile, you need to recharge your emotional batteries by taking an actual vacation without business.

To ensure a guilt-free vacation, make sure you notify in advance everyone you do business with that you won’t be available during your trip. Set your email vacation responder. And don’t take your laptop or check your email at all while you’re away. Many people justify this practice by saying they want to be in touch in case of an emergency. Instead, leave an emergency phone number that will enable a few key people to reach you in case of emergency. And leave your business cell phone at home. Everyone needs a break now and then; let yourself have one!

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Avis has several programs geared to frequent travelers that can save you both time and money when you need to rent a vehicle. The advantage of Avis compared to many other rental car companies is that it’s free to enroll in their special programs.

Avis offers top quality customer service at 4,400 locations worldwide. Avis’ fleet of GM cars are equipped with the latest features for your safety and comfort. Here is an overview of some of the programs that Avis has to offer.

Avis Preferred Service
This free program allows you to skip the lines, as well as the paperwork and go straight to your car. By enrolling in the program, Avis will also keep your rental preferences on file, so you don’t have to repeat them each time you make a reservation.

When you arrive at Avis, you don’t have to go inside the office, the courtesy bus will just drop you off at one of their newest cars and you can be on your way. The lowest mileage cars in the Avis fleet and the best parking spots are reserved for Preferred Service members.

Avis Preferred Service members with 12 or more qualifying rentals or 35 or more qualifying days in one calendar year will get automatically upgraded to Avis First - the company’s invitation-only program.

Avis First
This program has some of the best benefits in the car rental industry. Benefits include continued Preferred Service, plus the following perks:

• Free two-day weekend rentals with every third rental
• Free upgrades when available
• A dedicated 800 number and members-only website

Avis Corporate Awards Program
If you are the owner of a small or medium-sized business, Avis Corporate Awards Program is a terrific option for you. This free program offers special rates and discounts, the ability to earn free rentals and top-notch customer service for frequent business travelers.

Unlike other rental car companies, which charge an annual fee for their corporate program, Avis Corporate Awards is free to join. When you enroll, Avis will assign your company an Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number. With this number, your employees can easily reserve cars at the corporate discount. For your convenience, Avis will send you one monthly statement of all rental charges for your company through its Central Billing Program.

Other Programs
Avis provides discounts for government employees, and for hundreds of different associations and affiliates. Avis also has a lease program, if you need to rent a car for more than 30 days. To learn more about Avis Rent A Car, enroll in one of their special programs, or make a rental reservation, please visit AVIS.com.

(Photo via flickr cc)

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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.

(Photo via flickr cc)

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