Limit Luggage to a Carry-on

Travel is stressful when you’re worried about lost luggage or being late to a meeting, says Barbara DesChamps, author of It's In The Bag: The Complete Guide to Lightweight Travel. Bring only a carry-on, check in for your flight online and go straight to security at the airport. If you don’t check baggage, you won't have to wait for it when you land. 

Use Technology to Plan Ahead

Check out Seatguru.com to view your airplane’s seating plan in advance, including information about limited recline or legroom seats and in-seat power ports. Find out where galleys, lavatories and exit rows are, and request a seat change that makes working or relaxing easier. 

Instead of calling around to restaurants at your destination, make reservations at OpenTable.com, of which 20,000 restaurants worldwide are members.

Bring a GPS with pre-loaded maps of your destination to make driving your rental car in a new place easier. 

Join a Rewards Program and Stick With It

If staff notices you frequently patronize their airline, rental-car company or hotel, they are more likely to help you. Members of rewards and loyalty programs often receive early boarding on flights, priority hotel room, first-class upgrades and “all-around better treatment,” Perez says.  Some rental-car companies deliver rental cars to rewards program members personally, while less frequent customers must shuttle to the company’s facility to retrieve their rental. 

Dress Well

People get much better service when they dress well and appear wealthier, says DesChamps. Wearing an outfit that doubles as presentation attire while traveling is also wise in case your baggage is lost or you are late, says Melissa C. Gillespie, partner at Innova Communications. That way, you're not stuck in jeans for a big meeting. Dressing well used to get one upgraded but it doesn’t work that way anymore.  But people are generally nicer to people who look good, so travel feels easier while in the air and at a hotel or resort. 

Keep a Bag Packed – Good Strategy for the Frequent Business Traveler

Save time packing by keeping a carry-on suitcase packed with the minimal amount of clothing, shoes and accessories you need, including any prescription medications your will need while away. Also include 3-ounce toiletries in a Ziploc bag. Trade bulky laptops for thinner laptops and tablets such as a MacBook Air or an iPad. Replace hardcovers with eBooks. If you must bring a coat or bulky shoes, wear them on the plane to avoid taking up space in your luggage.