When you’re travelling for business, you should be focused on the why. That’s often about meeting clients, building relationships and connecting with colleagues. How you get there shouldn’t feel like a drain on your time and energy, or a source of stress.
Organising flights, accommodation and transport can become a job in itself, however, whether you’re arranging this yourself or relying on someone else. If your flight is delayed or your train is cancelled, this can have a knock-on effect.
While some disruption is unavoidable, there are ways to reduce the friction that comes with travelling for work. Here are four tips to help your next business trip run more smoothly.
Plan ahead where possible
When you need to be somewhere at a fixed time, having a reliable transport option matters.
Rather than standing in the taxi rank or trying to arrange transport when you leave the airport, reserving a ride in advance can save time and give you one less thing to think about. Knowing how you’ll get from the airport to your destination means you can spend more time preparing for your meeting and less time worrying about the journey.
Travellers told us they saved an average of seven minutes per trip through reduced booking, waiting and travel time by using Uber for Business.
Fuel your journey
When you’re dashing between meetings, it’s easy to forget to eat. Finding food can be challenging when you’re unfamiliar with the local area, have limited options nearby or arrive at your accommodation late at night.
Having food delivered is the most convenient solution. And if you’re visiting colleagues, ordering lunch to the office leaves more time to connect with your team. 83% of employees told us that ordering meals through Uber for Business saves them time.
Pain-free expensing
Capturing and submitting expenses is one of the more frustrating parts of a business trip. Many expenses are still processed manually, with employees keeping paper receipts and submitting them post travel.
This can mean waiting days or even weeks for reimbursement, as well as spending time tracking down receipts and making sure everything is accounted for at month-end.
We spoke to employees in UK businesses who told us that, before using Uber for Business, the most common business travel option was to pay for a taxi out of their own pocket and expense the cost afterwards (51%).
Using a travel tool that handles trip and meal expenses automatically can make this process simpler, saving time for both you and your employer.
Maximise the rewards from your travel
If you’re a frequent traveller, you’re already likely to be signed up to hotel and airline rewards programmes – but it’s worth checking how you can earn extra rewards.
Linking rewards programmes, such as British Airways Club or Marriott Bonvoy, to the Uber app provides another way to earn benefits from the journeys you’re taking. For example, business users can earn extra Avios through eligible Uber Eats orders, airport trips and Uber Reserve bookings.
And if your employer uses Uber for Business, it’s worth asking about Uber One. Eligible employees can access a free 12-month membership, which provides savings on business and personal rides, promotions and £0 delivery fees on Uber Eats orders, at no added cost to their employer.
Business travel shouldn’t be complicated. If you plan ahead and use digital tools to take care of the logistics, you can spend less time worrying about the small things and more time making the most of the trip.
