The Number 1 Travel Hack of all time

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In this post, we share the number 1 travel hack of all time! If you’ve been following our travel blog for a while you know we love sharing travel hacks and travel tips and that we tend to focus a bit more on the business traveler.

You know, the business traveler, right? That thing we used to do before the pandemic? Well, some of us are still doing it. The business traveler may not be out as often as they used to be, but some of us are still traveling and most of us know how to do it pretty well.

Here at the CBoardingGroup, we’ve shared several different lists of travel hacks or travel tips, many of which are geared for the business traveler. However, many can and do apply to the leisure traveler too. We’ve even shared fun lists like the 9 Dumbest Travel Tips I’ve ever Heard or the more serious list of the 11 Tips to Crush your First Business Trip.

Now, after sharing so many great travel hacks we are targeting the most important hack. The one you really ought to follow. The one you should try to do as often as you possibly can – even when traveling for fun and not work.

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What is the Number 1 Travel Hack of All time?

Which one will rise to the top? Which travel hack is the one thing you need to know when you travel for work (or pleasure)?

Is it “Learn the Airport Security Process!?” (that’s a good one). Or maybe “Never Rent from Avis” (there’s a story here…haha). Or get a unique luggage tag or strap? Nope (but you should do that).

Or maybe one my personal favorites: “Explore your business destinations whenever you can!” I do love this particular travel hack. Seriously. For example, I’ve got to see exciting places along the way on my business trips. You can read about some of them here. Places like Salem, Oregon and Grand Rapids, MI (Beer City!).

No, of course not. Those are great travel hacks…but they aren’t the most important one.

Honestly, this was a tough call. There are so many great travel hacks out there. Some of the business travel hacks that we’ve aggregated and shared with you are absolutely fantastic.

For example, I considered the following two heavily in the process:

Stick with a single Airline, Hotel, and Rental Car company 

As I’ve noted in the past, since you’re going to be traveling, you might as well get some points for it. Your company policies may make this more difficult but do your best to stick w/ a single Airline, Hotel and Rental Car company. You can accumulate points and status quicker this way. For example, I typically travel Southwest Airlines (sometimes Delta), stay in Hilton Hotels, and prefer to rent from National. And if you are traveling for pleasure, do your absolute best to stick with one company (even if it’s a tad higher in price). It will pay off in the long run.

The benefits of sticking with a single company generally mean you travel smoother and nicer. For example, Southwest offers early boarding privileges (which helps you get the best seat and stow your bag) for status holders.

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Hilton gives all kinds of privileges like free breakfast, upgrades, extra points, snacks, etc to their higher-tier members (although, over the last few years, the value of the Diamond status has been diluted quite a bit given how many Diamonds there are now). And with National, you can often get free upgrades to nicer cars. Most airlines will give you upgrades to first class depending on your status and availability.

Pack light (and well) 

Packing light minimizes the stuff you have to haul around, makes it easier to stuff your bag into an overhead bin, and reduces the pain when you have to store it under your seat. I do my best to use a single backpack (these days, it’s the Knack Pack) whenever I can. With good packing, and minimizing extra crap, I can make that last almost a week. For example, if you wear jeans on day 1 you can wear them again on day 5, getting that extra room back in your bag.

Wear your jacket with you on the plane so it doesn’t have to go in the bag. Learn how to roll your clothes vs. fold so they store easier (and don’t wrinkle as bad)! Skip the heavy book to save room (use your iPad or better yet, your Kindle Reader app on your phone). If you have to use a suitcase, get one that rolls well (preferably 4-wheeled), fits easily into the overhead compartment, and is durable enough to stand the rigors of regular travel (we recommend something from TravelPro).

But ultimately, we landed on one.

And there can only be one. One ring to rule them all. One ring…sorry got a little carried away there.

Here it is. The Number 1 Travel Hack of All Time.

Roll Music.

The Number 1 Travel Hack of All Time

Never check your bag

Does adding 30 minutes to both ends of your trip and gambling that your airline loses your luggage sound like fun? Then check a bag. Setting aside bag check fees (which ought to deter your enough), checking a bag means extra time at the front and back of your trip.

• Note: depending on your airline and airline status you may be able to skip dealing with baggage fees

You also will have to interact with staff to check your bag, and then you wait with the huddled masses for it to (hopefully) arrive on the baggage carousel. I confidently walk past all the schmucks waiting for the bags…and get the better rental car ahead of them or get to my bed that much quicker.

When you travel for work it’s all about speed and efficiency. Do you want to move fast and easily? Avoid unnecessary interruptions or delays? Checking a bag only slows you down and introduces unnecessary risk.

That’s why the number 1 travel hack of all time is to never check your bag!

Don’t do it.

Ever.

If you listen to one thing and one thing only from me it’s this: Never Check Your Bag.

(and don’t use Avis… a different story for a different day!).

This business travel hack also has an interesting side effect in that it forces you to pack light so that you can check a bag. You really do not need as much as you think you do. You can reuse jeans. Pack smaller bottles of pain pills, less travel hygiene gear, etc.

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It also forces you to get better luggage. For example, it forced me to get a better backpack so that I can fit a little more of my travel essentials. I personally use the Knack Pack which I love for its combination of size, comfort, and durability.

I also settled on a smaller carry-on suitcase. The TravelPro Crew 11 21″ model has been a game changer for me. It’s pretty small, but almost always fits into the overhead bin and because it’s a spinner suitcase it rolls so smoothly. Since I’ve started recommending this piece of luggage, several followers of this site have bought it and they report rave reviews! I love it.

But, if it’s a tad small for you (or maybe you haven’t mastered the deft art of not packing a ton of crap…haha…then maybe this Samsonite Silhouette Xv Softside Spinner will do the trick – it’s a nice one too).

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Are there any situations where I should check my bag?

Uh..sure. The reality is there are a few cases where checking your bag actually makes sense. For example, if you are traveling with a bunch of gear (like you are a musician or maybe packing tools, or conference gear). Fine. That’s ok.

Golf clubs are also acceptable. No worries there.

Occasionally when traveling on a very long trip you might simply have to bring enough stuff that forces you into a larger back (and thus must check it). For example, I recently combined a business trip with a small fishing trip. That meant I had to lug my waders and boots and fly fishing gear around. It also meant I had to check my bag.

But….you should try to avoid this. Pack lighter, if you can.

Final Thoughts on Travel Hacks and other stuff…

Well, there you go. We did it! You did it! Were you surprised at my choice for The Number 1 Travel Hack of All Time? Or did you see it coming? After so many travel hacks and travel tips – it might have surprised you, but if you know us…you knew it all along!

And in the meantime, you might also enjoy reading about the craziest business trip I ever had. Or some of my other favorite topics:

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And, of course, if you are interested in more travel tips and travel advice, you might like these great articles:

• 147 Business Travel Tips – the ultimate list of road warrior tips & tricks
• 31 Amazing Hotel Hacks Travel Pros Use all the Time
• 53 Amazing Gifts for Business Travelers
• 9 Healthy Travel Snacks – eat smarter on the road
• 20+ Best Hotel Beds – Where to Buy that Hotel Mattress You Loved!
• Top Travel Pillows – the best travel pillows for
• What’s a young driver fee & what’s the best under 25 Car Rental Company?
• Product Review: OGIO Metro Backpack, The Business Traveler’s Backpack
• 101 Travel Hacks for the Business Traveler – the Best Business Travel Hacks
• 17+ Packing Tips for Travel (the best packing tips for air travel)
• 26 Must Have Travel Gadgets & Gear to add to your travel kit
• How to get over jet lag while you travel – 11 Jet Lag Tips for every traveler
• The Mileage Run – A Frequent Flyer Travel Hack You Need to Know
• Best Travel Drone – compare and contrast the top rated drones for travel
• Anker PowerCore 20100 Review – Should I buy?

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