Travel Work: Is It Worth The Effort?

Whether travel time counts as work time is a complex issue, with various factors influencing the answer. The Fair Labor Standards Act and the Portal-to-Portal Act provide some guidance on this matter. Generally, travel from home to a regular workplace and back is not considered work time. However, travel between different work sites during the workday is typically considered work time and should be compensated. For employees travelling for a special one-day assignment in another city, the time spent travelling is considered work time, except for the usual commute time, which can be deducted. Travel that requires an overnight stay and cuts across work hours is also considered work time. Driving or riding in a vehicle at the employer's direction is generally considered work time and should be compensated. These guidelines aim to ensure employees are fairly paid for their time and that companies operate within legal boundaries.

You can see cool cities and landmarks

Travelling for work can be an exciting prospect, especially if you get to visit new locations and see some really cool cities. The opportunity to travel for work may be a deciding factor when considering a new job opportunity.

One of the biggest perks of working away from home is the chance to explore new destinations. Whether it's a bustling metropolis like New York, London, or Tokyo, or a quaint European city like Paris, Berlin, or Athens, each location offers its own unique attractions and experiences.

For instance, a work trip to Paris would allow you to visit iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, wander through charming neighbourhoods, and indulge in the city's renowned cuisine. Or, if your work takes you to London, you can explore historic sites like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Tower of London, and enjoy the city's diverse cultural offerings.

In addition to famous landmarks, many cities also offer unique cultural experiences. For example, Athens is home to the Acropolis and the Parthenon, offering a glimpse into ancient Greek civilisation. Similarly, Rome boasts the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and other ancient attractions.

Beyond Europe, there are countless other fascinating destinations to explore. For instance, Sydney offers the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, while also being known for its sunny climate and world-renowned beaches. If your travels take you to Asia, cities like Tokyo, Singapore, and Dubai blend modern innovations with rich cultural traditions, offering a unique blend of old and new.

Of course, the amount of free time you have to explore will depend on your work schedule and the nature of your job. However, with some planning and time management, it is definitely possible to make the most of your work travels and experience the best of what each city has to offer.

You can network and build relationships

Travelling for work can be a great way to network and build relationships. This is true for relationships with both your colleagues and your clients.

When you travel with colleagues, you get to know them a lot better. Spending time working and eating meals together means you really connect with your co-workers. This can help you feel more comfortable reaching out when you hit roadblocks and can also help you get to know seniors and managers who can become great mentors.

Travelling for work also gives you the opportunity to meet and work with new people, including potential clients and other professionals in your field. This can help you expand your career path and build a wider network.

In addition, travelling for work can help strengthen your relationships with your clients. Spending time with clients in person can lead to stronger professional relationships, which can help you stay motivated and productive.

Finally, work travel can also help you build relationships with other stakeholders, such as suppliers, partners, and communities. Collaborating and co-creating with these stakeholders can help foster trust, loyalty, and long-term partnerships.

You can learn new skills

Travelling for work can be an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and gain valuable experiences. Here are some reasons why work travel can help you learn new skills:

Leaving Your Comfort Zone

Leaving your comfort zone is an important aspect of personal growth. When you travel for work, you are forced to step out of your routine and embrace new experiences. You navigate unfamiliar places, cultures, and customs, which can be exhilarating and eye-opening. This sense of exploration can spark creativity and enhance your problem-solving skills.

Adapting to New Environments

Work travel requires you to adapt to different environments and circumstances. You may encounter unexpected challenges, such as transportation delays, language barriers, or unfamiliar work cultures. Learning to navigate these obstacles helps you develop resilience, flexibility, and the ability to think on your feet.

Building Empathy and Cultural Competence

Travelling to new places and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds can foster empathy. You gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives, lifestyles, and privileges. This empathy translates into improved teamwork and a more inclusive mindset when working with diverse colleagues and clients.

Additionally, exposure to various cultures enhances your cultural competence. You learn to appreciate and respect differences, improving your ability to communicate and build relationships across cultural boundaries. This skill is especially valuable in today's diverse and globalised business landscape.

Enhancing Communication Skills

Work travel often involves breaking down communication barriers, whether it's due to language differences or varying communication styles. You learn to be more observant of body language, to simplify complex ideas, and to adapt your communication approach to different audiences. These skills are transferable to your professional life, improving your ability to collaborate and build relationships with colleagues and clients.

Developing Planning and Budget Management Skills

Planning a work trip involves setting goals, creating itineraries, and managing finances. Through this process, you enhance your planning and budgeting skills, which are valuable in any career. You learn to evaluate new information, adapt to changing circumstances, and make informed decisions. These skills can help you become more organised and efficient in your work.

You can earn rewards points

If you're travelling for work, you can earn rewards points in a few different ways. Firstly, you can use a generic travel rewards credit card to pay for your travel expenses. These cards are offered by the card issuers that aren't co-branded with travel providers. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 3X points on dining and 2X points on regular travel purchases, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, and even parking and tolls. The points are earned in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program and can be redeemed for travel reservations with numerous hotels and airlines through their travel portal. Alternatively, these rewards can be transferred to airline miles or hotel points with several different travel partners. Merchandise, gift cards, and cash back rewards are also options.

Another option is to use a co-branded travel rewards credit card. These cards are co-branded with airlines or hotels, and the rewards you earn are in the form of airline miles or hotel points. For example, the United Club Infinite Card offers 4 United miles per $1 spent on United purchases, 2 United miles per $1 spent on restaurants and travel, and more. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers up to 17 total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 participating hotels.

You can also earn points and miles through loyalty programs offered by travel providers such as airlines and hotels. For example, you can enrol in the American Airlines AAdvantage program or the Marriott Bonvoy program. Make sure to add your loyalty account number to every reservation so you can earn points on your regular work flights and stays. These programs also often offer promotions where you can earn additional rewards for completing certain requirements. For instance, you might earn double points for staying at a particular hotel brand.

Finally, you can earn points and miles by being strategic about your online shopping. Many major airlines, hotel chains, and card issuers have shopping portals where you can earn additional rewards for your online spending. You can also find shopping portals that earn cash back if that's more relevant to you right now.

You can stay longer in a place

The ability to work remotely while travelling offers the chance to stay in a location for an extended period, providing a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and community.

Slow down and immerse yourself

By spending more time in one place, you can gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and make meaningful connections. You can establish a routine, discover hidden gems that tourists often miss, and truly experience the local way of life.

Avoid the constant rush of moving

Constantly moving from place to place can be exhausting and detrimental to your productivity. By staying longer in one spot, you can avoid the hassle of packing and unpacking, giving yourself more time and energy to focus on your work and explore your surroundings.

Plan your travels effectively

Combining remote work with a regular holiday can make your trip easier to plan. By staying in one place for a while, you can acclimatize, get settled, and work for a bit before exploring your destination fully. You can also avoid peak tourism times, such as Easter or Christmas, and benefit from off-season deals and discounts.

Make the most of your time

Staying in one place for an extended period allows you to make the most of your time. You can establish a daily routine, wake up early, get your work done, and then explore your surroundings in the latter part of the day. This helps you maintain a balance between work and travel, ensuring you make the most of your opportunities.

Discover the advantages of longer stays

Extended stays can provide a unique perspective on a place. For example, staying in a small village in rural Greece or working from a surfer beach in Indonesia can offer a more authentic and immersive travel experience than a typical tourist itinerary.

In conclusion, by embracing the opportunity to stay longer in one place while work travelling, you can gain a deeper understanding of the local culture, make meaningful connections, improve your productivity, and discover hidden gems that lie beyond the typical tourist trail.

Frequently asked questions