Summer Travel Tips

HOW TO AVOID SUMMER TRAVEL HEADACHES:

TIPS FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS AND FREQUENT FLYERS

It's that time of year again - the summer travel season. The time when that occasional empty seat next to you will surely be filled; most likely by a precocious four year-old who wants to play with your laptop! It's a time when unhurried summer travelers take their time checking-in at your usually efficient business hotel. And when your favoite "unknown" on-the-road restaurant now has an hour wait for a table.

So other than simply staying home, how do you avoid the headaches of summer season travel ?

Elite Programs

Airline elite frequent flyers usually have a block of seats set aside at the front of the coach cabin, and of course have the opportunity to upgrade to first class (although the upgrade competition is pretty stiff). In either case, the precocious kid is probably not going to be in your row. There's often separate lines at ticket counters for the elite flyers, so you avoid the long lines of inexperienced leisure travelers who generally take longer to check-in and check luggage. And pre-boarding for elite members gives you the opportunity to stow your carry-on overhead. Invariably during the summer, there's not enough room, so the last people on the plane are usually forced to check their larger bags. If you are close to qualifying for elite status on your favorite airline, by all means make the effort to qualify now. If you're not sure, check out the rules of your frequent flyer program and see.

Express Check-Out and Frequent Stay Programs

There's nothing worse than trying to check-in or out of a hotel and find that you are in line behind a busload from the Fraternal Order of Procrastinators! During most of the year they wouldn't be in your business hotel, but during the summer there is less business travel, and hotels make it attractive for leisure travel groups to stay in order to fill those rooms. And you end up waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

By all means, use the express check-out from your room. That way, there is no stop at the front desk upon departure. And many frequent stay programs have separate check-in lines for members. If you're not a member, sign up before you go so that you can avoid the crowds.

Give yourself a Culinary Treat

Lets face it. Given the choice between a first-class restaurant and fast food, families with kids will choose the latter. And many leisure travelers eat in restaurants near their hotel, or near the tourist destinations. To avoid the crowds, and maybe find an undiscovered culinary gem, try out that upscale restaurant that's not located in the tourist and hotel areas, and which is a bit beyond the budget of a cost conscious leisure traveler. Of course, don't forget your company meal expense guidelines!

Preferred Renter Programs

Just as elite programs and hotel guest programs can get you out of the crowd, so can the preferred levels of frequent auto renter programs. Many of these programs let you avoid the check-in counter all together, or give you a special automated kiosk where you can check-in.

Avoid Hubs and Afternoons

Often easier said than done. But with airlines flying many new non-stop routes, the chance to avoid changing planes at a hub is somewhat better than before. The normal sea of humanity at hubs becomes an ocean of travelers in the summer. Many of whom wander uncertainly, trying to figure out where they need to go.

There does not seem to be a "best time" to travel during the summer. But there is a time to avoid if you can. The afternoon. Not only is that the most popular time of day for both leisure and business travelers, but it is also the time when summer thunderstorms are most likely to pop up and interrupt air travel. And when service is interrupted, and planes are full, the result is predictable chaos.

Follow these simple guidelines and you'll lessen the stress of summer business travel. If only that kid sitting behind you would stop kicking the seat!

Bruce Goldberg

businesstravel.guide@about.com