There are many different careers and jobs that will require you to travel overseas for work purposes.
If your job also requires you to travel overseas for your job, and if you are relatively unfamiliar with the process of overseas travel as a whole, there are several critical mistakes that you will be wise to avoid.
Here are the top five mistakes that you must avoid when traveling overseas for work:
Mistake #1 – Booking At The Last Minute
Booking at the last minute is without question one of the very worst mistakes you can make when traveling overseas, both for your flight and your hotel room. For one thing, doing this is sure to cost you money as the later you book a flight, the more you typically have to pay.
In fact, flights that are booked within only a few days of departure are oftentimes 50% more expensive in contrast to if you were to book several weeks if not months in advice.
Be smart and plan out (and book) your trip several weeks in advance at least.
Mistake #2 – Failing To Use Rewards Points
Another mistake that will cost you money on your business trip is failing to use rewards points if you have any at all. For example, do you have any rewards saved up from credit card purchases, or do you have an account created with a specific airline or hotel chain that enables you to save up points from last purchases with them?
Granted, it could be that your company is going to pay for your travel expenses or at least for part of your expenses. But if you’re self-employed especially, having a travel rewards credit card and using rewards towards expenses will be one of the simplest and easiest ways that you can save money.
Mistake #3 – Using Airport Currency Exchanges
When you travel to a foreign country, it will always be smart to get cash in the currency of the country you’re traveling to for random expenses, food, taxis, emergencies, and just to have on hand.
Many people will get cash using the airport currency exchanges, and while that is certainly one way to do it, the truth is that the exchange rate at those exchange is often very poor.
If you want to save money, a far better choice will be to use online remittance services where you can easily send or transfer money to yourself online and then pick up at your
Mistake #4 – Not Using TSA Pre-Check
You will save a lot of time at the airport by using TSA pre-check to go through security instead. This is an investment that can really pay off in the long run, because it gives you more time on your layovers to get work done form the computer.
The TSA pre-check option will be even more valuable for you if you’re someone who travels often.
Mistake #5 – Not Enjoying Your Trip
Sure, you’re on this trip primarily for business purposes, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t turn it into a vacation of sorts. After all, as long as you’re going to be traveling to a new country, you might as well take some time to explore and enjoy yourself, right?
The concept here is called ‘bleisure’ travel.’ It basically means that you add on time to your business trip for vacation purposes and to do whatever you want. Even if it’s only one extra day or tow, that gives you plenty of time to relax, sightsee, go to the beach, or whatever else sounds like fun to you.
Mistakes To Avoid When Traveling Overseas For Work
Altogether, these are the top five mistakes that you will want to avoid when you start traveling for business this year or the next.
Kidal Delonix is a contributor to Mr. Hoffman's blog. The views and opinions are entirely his/her own and may not reflect Mr Hoffman's views.
