Sunday, October 21, 2012

Preferred Airlines, Hotels & Rental Cars - Choose your Travel Partners wisely, to make your job easier.



Throughout the Fall Season, it's a challenge, to get as many of our Supplier Partners' products and ideas in front of our Distributor Customers, and their Customers. Whether it's visiting with our Suppliers to see new products, or making sure we have the best of the best to highlight at Clients' Customer Showcases . . .  Each week, brings a new city and sometimes a new state, and all of this, while balancing home and family life.


Sprinting through airports, is not preferred, so partnering with quality travel partners is Key.

Over this past month, I've found myself from San Diego to New York City, Washington D.C. to Washington  State, and Phoenix to Philadelphia, working with Suppliers and Distributors on current and new projects.

Helping along the way are my three primary travel partners, Alaska Airlines, Hertz, and Marriott Hotel Brands.  Each of them, provide the consistent and quality service I can count on.  Each one in their own way, provide benefits to their preferred customers and this allows my business travel to be a problem-free.

Starting most every trip, from the Alaska Airlines terminal is a breeze. Smooth clearance through check-in lines, expedited security and many times a 15-20 minute chance in the Alaska "Boardroom" to re-check schedule and send off some notes to my associates and customers.  The team at the Boarding lounge is always there with a fresh cup of coffee or snack, before heading on my way.



Before, during and after, Alaska is also there to offer free checked bags, no change fees and preferred seating as available while I offer them a top share of my Airline Travel.  After landing, they guarantee my bags will be there for me within 20 minutes of connecting at the gate, which usually is soon after arriving at the Baggage Claim.

Once there, it's off the the Hertz lot, where they have my car lined up, with my name in lights, and allows me to be on my way usually not more that 30-40 minutes after arriving in my travel city.  Along the way, they'll have sent a text to me, which stall my car can be found.  My preferred choice of car is most always there, and if not, many times they've upgraded me to the next class.  Allowing to drop at other nearby airports, allows me to not always have to return to the same one, and helps to cut some valuable time before my flight home.

While traveling on Business now for over 30 years, I've stayed a a number of hotel brands.  Over the last 12 or so years, I've chosen the Marriott brands of Hotels for their clean and quality properties, and their friendly and well trained staff.  Depending on the trip, they have multiple levels of hotel chains to service the business traveler needs.  If enjoying dinner with a customer is in the plans, many times their Marriott brand has restaurants and Sports lounges to fill the bill.  Most often, I choose their Courtyard hotels for the ease of getting work done and again, consistency of service. All have work out facilities to keep my energy up on the road.  For longer trips in the same location, I usually prefer the Residence Inn or SpringHill Suites as they have meal services included, and allows for an even more, productive day.

By tying in my Business Partners with every trip I can, I have found that it makes my commutes and stays to cities away from home, much more enjoyable.  Just like most all of us in business, we appreciate good service, quality and value and each of these bring it the their office each and every day.