Latest news with #worktrips
Condé Nast Traveler
6 days ago
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Apps for Managing Your Travel Expenses and Receipts
Work trips can be exhausting and full of small expenses that quickly add up. Between the Ubers to and from the airport, the snacks to keep up the energy, and the long dinners with clients, spending can quickly sprawl out of control. The last thing you want upon returning is to search through a voluminous pile of crumpled receipts only to find they're not all there. WIRED and Condé Nast Traveler are here to help. Bringing together our expertise on software and travel, we picked a few of our favorite apps for tracking expenses on work trips. These could be worth trying out during your next big conference or even adopting as a wider organization. Do you have a reliable option that you trust and it's not included on this list? Make your voice heard in the comments. Expensify Expensify is probably the best app for the widest number of people, from freelancers to bigger staffs. It includes all of the must-haves like receipt scanning, distance tracking, and easy categorization as well as a way to manage how you submit the reports and who is involved with the approval process. It's not too flashy overall, but integrations with other apps commonly used on work trips, like Uber, Delta, and Workday, are nice to have. Expensify for iOS, Android, and macOS SAP Concur Concur is popular with larger enterprises for handling travel; we've used it a few times for work trips ourselves. While the SAP Concur app has some rough edges, it's worth having on your smartphone if that's the expense protocol used where you work. Like all of these picks, you can take photos of your receipts in the app to streamline the process. Are you driving? Automatic distance capture can help you file those mileage reports as well. SAP Concur for iOS and Android This story is part of The New Era of Work Travel, a collaboration between the editors of Condé Nast Traveler and WIRED to help you navigate the perks and pitfalls of the modern business trip. Zoho Expense Like many other expense apps, Zoho Expense lets you save your corporate credit card on the platform and scan receipts as you go. The app then helps you categorize and itemize expenses and extract important details. Hitting the road? No need for guesswork; you can track car mileage with the click of a button to get accurate reimbursements for driving time. You can also calculate your petty cash spend, and businesses can regulate employees' daily allowances with customizable rules made just for them. It's also one of the most budget-friendly expense apps, with free plans available for small businesses (three users or fewer) and a premium plan available at just $7 per month.
Condé Nast Traveler
6 days ago
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
16 Golden Rules That Business Travelers Swear By
You have to do your work, and do it well, in order to continue being sent on work trips. And you're likely going to be exhausted thanks to the itinerary, networking, and drinking, all of which are reliable elements of her business trips. Make sure work, and then rest, are your priority, before finding time for sightseeing and moments of leisure in your after-hours. To that end… Alex Green Prioritize rest 'I have given up trying to get the most out of the hours directly around my required work, because I really need those times to rest,' Zelda says. "A fancy hotel room should be enjoyed to its fullest. A bathrobe? Pool? Spa? Even just sleeping or watching TV in freshly changed sheets. Charli XCX says it best: Everything is romantic.' Give yourself a break, especially if you're going to be on the clock for longer hours than when you're at home. Convenience is not king—loyalty is Frequent business travelers are the reason points, miles, and loyalty programs exist, and to not take advantage of them only hurts you. This may feel less true in recent years, as it's become notoriously difficult to earn status at one single airline. But most agree that the following remains true: The moment it becomes clear that travel is going to be a big part of your job, choose an airline alliance and lock into the loyalty program. When Lucie, now a partner at a major management consulting company based in New York, first began traveling a lot for work, she booked whichever airline had the most convenient departure time. 'I admittedly was not in that game as early as I should have been, and then I realized the money that I was leaving on the table.' Now, she has 'insane' Delta status that makes her personal travel basically free, she says. Which Airline Has the Best Rewards Program? A new study from ranks the world's best airline rewards programs that offer the most value for travelers—even those who don't fly frequently. Delta, among the sources in this story, is far and away the favorite, with United not-so-close behind. But if you're wondering which airline has the best rewards program, Paul, a corporate lawyer, keeps an eye on the situation and says it's not always so simple: 'Some airlines are clearly better than others, and it's fluid. Right now, I've been getting way better deals from American Airlines than United or Delta.' Which brings up another point: Even if you're loyal to one airline, enroll with everyone and collect points wherever you can. Book flight times strategically Give yourself the luxury of time and book your flight to arrive the day before you have to get down to business. You don't have to take that red eye. Rahul Khosla of says, 'It makes the trip longer, yes, but it's much easier to keep your routine this way and feel more sharp for the meeting [or work event] itself. [Otherwise] eating gets weird, sleep gets disrupted, and you probably won't have time to go to the gym because you'll be too tired. One more perk of flying out early—I'm not as stressed if delays happen, because I know I'm not cutting it super close.' Clear and TSA PreCheck are non-negotiable 'I don't know if you can call yourself a savvy business traveler without them,' says Paul of programs like Clear and TSA PreCheck that help expedite travelers' journeys through airport security. The lines at most airports are long and only getting longer, and the lounge is sitting on the other side waiting for you. Divide the annual fee by the amount of times you traveled last year and see how little it will really cost you. (And, if you've got a great credit card, the fee may even be waived.) 10 Credit Cards That Cover the Cost of Global Entry and TSA PreCheck There's no excuse not to enroll in one program or the other, especially with one of these cards in your wallet. For the best shot at an upgrade, book premium economy Regardless of your status, it's unlikely, according to my sources, that you'll get upgraded out of basic economy into business. But premium? That's when they see you. That's when they might move you up. And if they don't, you're already in premium. It's difficult to regret. Always ask for the upgrade, but be super polite about it That second part is key. You have nothing to lose when you request an upgrade, whether that's from the aforementioned premium into business, or from a standard hotel room to an executive suite. But it's also true that you'll catch more flies with honey: Gate agents and hotel reception are the keepers of the keys, they've seen it all, and they get to be arbitrary. If you approach them with even a shred of entitlement, they'll clock it and you'll lose out. Humble yourself, business traveler. 'I've gotten some outrageous upgrades just from asking nicely,' one private equity man tells me. Alex Green Use the packing cubes While there's a clean split between checking bags and carrying them on, in no space were these sources more unanimous than in their exultation of packing cubes. Nearly everybody that I spoke to brought them up organically, including Carl Friedrik, co-founder of Niklas Oppermann (and not just because his company sells them). 'I do it by type of clothing,' he says, 'and then you can use one or two for dirty laundry as the trip progresses. I'm a convert to packing cubes.' The Best Packing Cubes to Keep Your Suitcase Organized These Traveler-tested sets will save space and maintain order in your carry-on. Don't take jet lag lightly Jet lag is the bane of the business traveler's existence. Some cases are worse than others, but it's always looming to some degree in the shadow of those who change time zones. Tips on how to best cope vary, but there's a consensus around one particular strategy: adopting the time zone of your destination the moment you board your flight. 'So, if you're landing at 9 in the morning wherever you're going, you have to act like it's night on the plane even if it isn't where you're leaving from,' DEI executive Yentil Rawlinson of Sherwin-Williams tells me. 'It's a necessary evil and the only thing I've tried that works.' Some travelers even manually reset their phone to the time zone of their destination upon boarding the plane, to begin adjusting. However you can trick yourself, trust your body will follow. Find a hotel that can feel like home I know we said that loyalty is everything, and for airlines it absolutely is. It is similarly difficult to deny the power of accruing those big brand points at hotels, which many travelers use to cash in on a luxury stay (ideally, on their personal travels in the future). But while you're untethered and unmoored, go for something that feels like a version of home to you. 'I generally prefer staying in independent hotels because they get to know you over repeat visits,' says Paul. 'If you stay at a big brand, it's hard—the concierges at these places are not as good as they used to be. In London, I used to stay at the Chiltern before it burned down. I've gotten on a flight, texted them that I forgot my pajamas, and guess what's waiting for me pressed on arrival? High thread count cotton pajamas." He would even leave a suit and tie there. While many such properties aren't part of loyalty programs, World of Hyatt brought Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and the boutique properties available on their booking platform, under the Hyatt umbrella this year—so it's becoming possible to earn points while staying boutique. You can expense those mundane hotel services, so make use of them One of the most valuable lessons a former CEO taught Rawlinson was to hand your clothes over to the hotel pressing service upon arrival. 'If you're going for four or five days, keep one outfit and have the rest pressed," she says. "And at the end, have them all dry cleaned so you're only packing clean clothes.' Build out your wrinkle-free wardrobe Mariet Westerman, director of the Guggenheim, is wearing one of her favorite suits for travel when she speaks to me. It's from Theory. 'They make these really lightweight clothes that you almost never have to dry clean.' When things get more formal, a gala for example, she trusts one brand: Missoni. 'Missoni just does not crinkle—they have the crinkles they need, and that's it.' For the boys, most observe that suits have been phased out of their packing list entirely. They instead bring black or navy pants, and black or navy shirts. Alex Green Your gym shoes are also your walking shoes and your casual office shoes You need one pair of shoes that can do it all. Multiple people I speak to swear by the collaboration sneaker between New Balance and Aimé Leon Dore for this exact multi-purposing. The hotel gym is an extension of the workplace Bring nice gym clothes, people—odds are, your boss is going to be at the treadmill next to yours. 'You do not want to show up in ratty gym shorts,' Bianca Consunji of Netflix tells me, 'I speak from experience. You also want to bring headphones, to signal that this is time that you want for yourself.' Talk to your coworkers—especially when they're the locals Whether they're fellow convention-goers, or coworkers from the office abroad, the people who live in the destination you are traveling to harbor the best recommendations for low-key, off-the-beaten path things to do once the working day is done. Westermann from Guggenheim was in Hong Kong with a locally-based colleague, and they had a lot of time to spend together. He told her: 'Let's go walking in the warehouse district and you'll see a different demographic.' They walked and took the metro together, as was his preference, rather than hailing cabs; this showed her the city anew.
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Forbes
Facial Treatments in Asia to Restore Skin After Flying
Travel, whether for work, pleasure, or a combination of both, enriches the soul and senses. But it can also take a toll on skin. Long haul flights that enclosed us in high pressure air cabins result in exposure to dry, recycled air. This causes in loss of moisture, stress, and a compromised skin barrier. Similarly, new destinations entail shifts in temperature, diet, and circadian rhythm. When we drastically undergo these changes, skin issues like breakouts, puffiness, dehydration, flaking, and dulling manifest. More than an indulgent luxury, skin rejuvenating facials scheduled post flight could just as well be one of the smartest travel hacks to consider. After a fight and just before getting on with the travel itinerary, an express or 90-minute facial can do wonders for skin recovery. Those few precious moments in the spa can aid in refreshing the senses, easing muscle aches, and fighting off jet lag. During my last few work trips around Asia, I fought off the dreaded 'flight face' by booking a facial within the first 48 hours from landing. This new travel ritual has helped in addressing tired, dull looking skin as well as puffiness around the eye area. I've also since discovered that a relaxing and rejuvenating facial can get you ready for work, play and even the red carpet with little to no makeup required. More than piling up the layers, facials as the best pre-makeup base. Here, a short list of restorative, skin-boosting facials around Singapore, Hong Kong, Bali and Manila. The spa at the Capitol Kempinski Hotel in Singapore. The Capitol Kempinski The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, located in the Civic and Cultural center of Singapore is an iconic landmark. With only 155 luxury suites, the restoration masterpiece is the ideal destination for immersing in colonial art deco and Venetian design. Many of the key celebrations and galas in the Lion City are also held at the Capitol Kempinski. But beyond premium accommodations, exceptional dining, and A-list events, the hotel is home to a little known beauty secret: the Valmont facials at the spa. Valmont Facials at the Capitol Kempinski Spa CAPITOL KEMPINSKI HOTEL Shaped by Swiss expertise in cellular cosmetics, Valmont's Signature Facials were first introduced in 1985 as the holy grail for anti-aging. Products from the innovative skincare brand harness the healing properties of pure Alpine ingredients and state-of-the-art skin science. There are several types of Valmont facials, each one designed to address a specific skin concern and goal. Hydration of the Bisses is a 'moisturizing bath' for skin, ideal for dull, dehydrated skin. An rich infusion of hyaluronic acid brings back skin moisture, while illuminating skin. is a 'moisturizing bath' for skin, ideal for dull, dehydrated skin. An rich infusion of hyaluronic acid brings back skin moisture, while illuminating skin. Energy of the Glaciers is a skin booster that revitalizes and boosts cell renewal. It utilizes a combination of anti-wrinkle concentrates, triple DNAs, liposome RNAs, anti wrinkle boosters and cocktail of peptides to bring back skin's natural glow. After the treatment, features are visibly softer, youthful, and plump. is a skin booster that revitalizes and boosts cell renewal. It utilizes a combination of anti-wrinkle concentrates, triple DNAs, liposome RNAs, anti wrinkle boosters and cocktail of peptides to bring back skin's natural glow. After the treatment, features are visibly softer, youthful, and plump. Lifting des Sommets is a heaven-sent if you are looking for a facial that lifts and minimizes the superficial appearance of wrinkles. Specific massage techniques and a protocol of Valmont products are utilized to alleviate facial tension, relax the muscles, lift and smoothen. It's the perfect combination of a spa experience and a beauty transformation rolled in one session. The Red Carpet Facial at the Nobu Spa, City of Dreams, Manila The Nobu Spa at the City of Dreams in Manila NOBU SPA, CITY OF DREAMS Although my birthday was anything but a red carpet event, I deemed it a day special enough to spend an entire afternoon at the Nobu Spa in the City of Dreams, Manila. After a soothing Nobu Raken Massage (using warm oils and heated bamboo), the masseuse turned me over to a trained facialist for an indulgent Red Carpet Facial. 'We recommend this for clients who want to look refreshed, especially after a long flight or a sleepless night,' she said. The Red Carpet Facial at Nobu Spa is a multi-step regimen that highlights the age-defying properties of plant-based ingredients, mostly algae and rose. getty The newest addition to Nobu Spa's menu of highly-specialized treatments, the Red Carpet Facial utilizes products from a pioneer in German skincare research, BABOR. The multi-step regimen highlights the age-defying properties of plant-based ingredients, mostly algae and rose. This skin firming and nourishing facial incorporates potent collagen boosters and concentrates that minimize the appearance of fine lines and puffiness. Post treatment, skin was firmer and deeply moisturized. I stepped out with a birthday glow, just in time for an intimate dinner celebration with loved ones. La Mer Revitalizing Healing Facial at The Ritz Carlton Spa, Hong Kong The Ritz Carlton Spa in Hong Kong is a wellness sanctuary on the 116th floor that offers panoramic views of Victoria Harbor. RITZ CARLTON SPA, HONGKONG The first time I visited the Ritz Carlton Spa in Hong Kong was for an intimate launch of fine jewellery South Sea pearl brand, ARAO at the gift shop. I've since regarded that spa on the 116th floor as a go-to for quick pampering retreats, especially when tied to a tight schedule while in the Harbour City. Apart from the Lava Shell Jet Lag Solution, transformative facials by La Mer are reasons to sign off for a couple of hours and give mind, body and senses that much-needed reset. La Mer's Revitalizing Healing Facial harnesses the skin renewing and youth regenerating properties of pure Miracle Broth. This precious elixir, which is at the heart of all La Mer products, helps with healing dryness and duling to improve overall health and appearance of skin. At The Ritz Carlton Spa, a bespoke sequence of massage techniques are combined with La Mer's most iconic creams, serums, and elixirs. This treatment also targets specific points and contours of the face to naturally boost vitality, radiance, and energy. Oxygen Infusion Facial at the Mello Spa, Seminyak, Bali Entrance of Mello Spa in Seminyak, Bali MELLO SPA The Mello Spa in Seminyak, Bali offers body and facial treatments that are anchored on biohacking principles. This wellness haven, which will soon a second branch in Canggu, has also developed a comprehensive menu of experiences that address specific concerns of travelers in Bali. This includes recovery from jet lag, sun exposure, and fatigue. Oxygen Infusion Facial at Mello Spa in Seminyak, Bali MELLO SPA The Oxygen Infusion Facial is ideal to book shortly after arriving on the island and just before diving into a full itinerary of activities. It is also recommended for those looking to revive dry, dull, and sun drenched skin. Using state-of-the-art Intraceuticals Oxygen Machine, the treatment follows a specific protocol of products and massage technique for the face that naturally stimulates blood circulation and collagen production. No two facials are identical at Mello Spa. Depending on skin's current state, products used may vary. The team writes, 'Our expert skin therapists begin every treatment with personalized consultations–assessing skin type, concerns, and goals–to ensure your facial is perfectly tailored to you. We customized facials using products from Dr. Spiller, Elemis, Skeyndor or Innisfree,' writes the team. Combining touch and tech, this facial also utilizes a mechanical exfoliant to unclog pores and high pressure oxygen to infuse skin with super charged serums. After the treatment, skin was visibly more plump, smooth, hydrated and radiant. Regardless of destination, travel agenda or itinerary, a few house of self-care and pampering can truly enhance how we discover and show up for the world.
News.com.au
31-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
New Gen Z work trip trend that would make Boomer's heads explode
Since Gen Zers started entering the workforce we have seen a rise of a multitude of different work trends, all focused around not letting work take of your life. It started with quiet quitting and bare minimum Mondays, before moving onto coffee badging and acting your wage. Now, the youngest working generation are taking things a step further. Rather than just focusing on work-life balance, they are now looking for ways their work can benefit them during their personal time. They are capitalising on perks like fully paid work trips by having their partner, a friend or even a family member tag along. It seems the younger generations have less reservations about mixing business and leisure, with the new trend fittingly dubbed 'bleisure' or 'blended travel'. And they aren't shy about sharing it either, with a rise in young people sharing their bleisure travel online. 'POV you take your bestie on all your work trips,' one TikToker wrote on a video. 'You hire me, you hire her.' Another showed a clip of her and her mum walking hand-in-hand, writing 'Normalise taking your mum on work trips.' Another video read: 'When your bf brings you on a work trip to NYC but he has to work all day while you enjoy the fancy hotel and explore the city.' While having a plus one tag along on a work trip isn't inherently problematic, it is the way some people are going about it that is causing controversy. A YouGov survey of 12,000 people commissioned by the Crowne Plaza hotel chain revealed that 74 per cent of employees would invite a family member or friend on a work trip, according to Business Insider. Shockingly, one in five admitted they had already done so and didn't tell their employer. It is the secrecy aspect that is the real issue with this new trend, according to recruitment specialist and author of Earning Power, Roxanne Calder. 'It's not the act of bringing someone that signals immaturity; it's doing it without transparency,' she told 'If your job funds the hotel room, there's a basic social contract in place.' Ms Calder said breaching this contract raises ethical questions and is not a good look professionally. 'Not telling your boss isn't clever; it's a failure to understand the power of trust in professional environments. And maybe the fact it is conducted in secrecy signals you might also sense it might boarder on being unprofessional,' she said. The act of bringing a plus one on a work trip isn't a new thing in and of itself, with Ms Calder saying what's new is the 'lack of shame about it'. Previous generations may have still done it, but it was done quietly and possibly with some guilt or awareness that they were bending the rules. 'Only in a generation raised to believe that every moment of their lives deserves to be shared, and preferably reimbursed, would this be considered a trend,' Ms Calder said. 'That shift isn't just cultural, it's psychological. Gen Z is the first generation raised to optimise experience as much as achievement. 'They don't view a career as a ladder, but as a landscape. And in that landscape, if you're travelling for work, why shouldn't joy come too?' HR specialist and founder of Corporate Dojo, Karen Gately, agreed that there has been a definite shift, with young professionals being more open about blending work and personal life. While the behaviour itself isn't unique to any generation, Gen Z are more comfortable challenging traditional boundaries. However, Ms Gately warned sneaking your bestie onto a work trip isn't without its risks, saying it could very easily lead to a breach of trust between you and your boss. 'If your employer finds out you've concealed this, it can damage your professional reputation and relationship with your boss,' she told A plus one could also prove to be a distraction from the main reason for the trip, which is to work. 'Even unintentionally, splitting your focus between work and personal time can impact your effectiveness,' she said. 'If you're disciplined enough to be focused on work when you're meant to be working, it can be OK. But if having your partner or friend with you is likely to distract you from achieving the outcomes you need to, it's not a good idea.' There are also insurance implications that need to be considered, with Ms Gately pointing out if your travel companion is injured or causes an issue it could complicate liability and insurance coverage. While for many, this trend may just be seen as a fun way of getting the most of your work life, Ms Calder said it also speaks to something larger. While the rise of hybrid and remote work has allowed employees previously unheard of flexibility, it also means workers are now more accessible than ever. Most people have access to work emails on their phones, making it easy to slip into the habit of responding out of hours. Is there a small 10 minute task that needs to be done over the weekend? Well you might as well log on at home and get it out of the way. Ms Calder said it is this type of overlap into people's personal lives that is driving young people to ask: 'If work shows up in my personal life uninvited, can my personal life show up in my work life by design?' 'Employers who treat this purely as a compliance issue will miss the point. And employees who treat it as a loophole to exploit miss the longer game: trust, maturity, and self-awareness will always outperform hustle masked as rebellion,' she said. In the end, the recruitment expert said it is not about whether we should ban or endorse blended travel. 'It is about having an honest conversation about boundaries, trust, and what professionalism means in a world where the personal and professional are increasingly entangled,' she said.
