Travel Tips
WSJ.com has a series of travel tips from well traveled executives, all of which are on the road more than they are at their home base. My interests is really piqued by this topic and I think I do have some of my own. Although, my air mileage is really more pedestrian rather than frequent, I think I picked-up some of my own tips to share.
To make it more interesting, mainly for my benefit, I'll answer some of the standard questions the WSJ series asks the road warriors and then I'll add on some more.
Up in the air: once last year, 4 times this year.
Areas of travel: UK last year, India and the Philippines this year.
Frequent-flier plans: Krisflyer.
Best journey from airport to city: Singapore, because I'm heading home.
Best airline food: I take Budget airline back to the Philippines so there are no meals, I took SIA and their food I think is good value for money.
Most comfortable airline seats: I've only taken cattle class on SIA, PAL, Cathay and Cebu Pacific. The best one I'd been on is on the A380.
Preferred carrier: SIA.
Best luggage: I'd really love to get a TUMI Alpha carry on, but now, I have a crumpler.
Best tip for staying fit on the road: Don’t drink or eat to much on the plane, just enough to not upset your stomach. You actually don't have to finish the entire meal. Bring along a lip moisturizer and a small towel you can soak and drop over your face, it really helps with the humid air inside the plane.
How to beat jet lag: Have'nt really felt it affect me.
How to get an upgrade: I honestly don't know.
Essential travel gadgets: Pen, pencil, aircraft headphone adaptor, small towel, lib and skin moisturizer.
Best drink: Singapore, Teh Tahrik or Teh C from Ya Kun Kaya.
My Tips: Wear a casual attire with pockets, I try to get a shirt with a pocket or at the least pants with loose pockets, this will help keep passport, tickets, boarding pass, pens and other really handy.
When in more security conscious airports, in the Philippines for example, it's useful to wear slip-on shoes as security will ask you to let it go through x-ray.
Whenever possible, it's best to not check-in any luggage, if not, limit the luggage to 2, more than that will be impractical to carry and it's a lost luggage incident waiting to happen.
Always check the weather at your destination, and it's best if you can get a "feels like" value rather than rely on the temperature. Sometimes, temperature would say 25 degrees Celsius but it actually "feels like" 18.
To avoid the hassle, don't bring anything on the controlled list of your destinations customs. I don't think worth the hassle and I think you can get what you would most need when your already on the ground.