Whether you travel occasionally with your family for leisure or very often as a business person, knowing the ‘insider travel tips’ available to those in the travel industry can make your trips much smoother and more enjoyable.

Here are a few gems to help make your next trip better:

1. When packing, pack as light as possible. If you can avoid having checked baggage, you can shave off at least 15 minutes (and often way more) from both ends of your trip, and that means you can get to your hotel or destination much faster, beating the crowd from your plane that is headed to the baggage carousel. Some tips for traveling light include: packing only small-sized toiletries (this is mandatory for carry-on baggage now at any rate); owning and packing high quality staples and reworking them for various situations, such as a classic black shift which can be worn with heels and a scarf for a business meeting, sparkly jewels for an evening, or dressy flip flops for a day of shopping.
2. Dress nicely. While this should not need to be said, I see many, many people in sweats and raggedy jeans on my travels, and I can guarantee that I get better treatment at hotels and airline gates by dressing in a professional, clean cut manner. If you are going to ask for upgrades and perks (see next point) you need to look like you warrant it: present yourself with pride!
3. ASK for what you want; airline upgrades, room upgrades at hotels, discounts on rooms and rental cars, and packages or perks available you may not be aware of. As an example, if you are a AAA/CAA member, you are entitled to amazing discounts at many hotels, rental car companies and tourist attractions. There are many other discounts and specials available that agents won’t mention unless you ask – always ask!

You can find many more tips, along with money-saving travel ideas and special offers from travel providers, at Travel-Like-A-Pro.com. Happy travels!