Helpful Business Travel Web Sites

If you still haven't booked your ticket for that important business trip, are putting off the packing, or are hesitant to use the frequent flier miles you've accumulated, you need guidance in managing your business travel affairs. You'll be relieved to learn that there are a number of Web sites dedicated

About.com
The highly popular About.com has a section dedicated specifically to business travel. Visit the page and you'll find expert advice, travel offers, and handy tips and tools for the business traveler. The "Essentials" section offers packing tips, frequent-flyer program information, and help with booking last-minute trips. The "Topics" section provides handy resources, such as hotel and airline listings, domestic city guides, and a directory of travel loyalty programs. And to help you stay in the know, you can sign up for their free weekly business travel newsletter.

Weather.com
Business travelers who are constantly on the go would be wise to bookmark the business traveler's page of the Weather Channel Web site. You'll find up-to-the-minute weather conditions and arrival and departure delays at airports around the world. You can also check your flight's status and use the Trip Builder feature, which will provide you with weather forecasts for both your arrival and departure airports. In addition, you can search business travel tips and seek advice on car and air travel, accommodations, and money management.

Planetrider.com
Check out the Planetrider.com directory of hand-picked business travel Web sites. It's organized into categories: lodging, transportation, health, practical travel information, law, the news, and government agencies. Each site is rated for both its quality of content and ease of use.

MSNBC.com
The MSNBC.com business traveler page provides a wide assortment of up-to-the-minute articles and videos devoted solely to business travel. You can also sign up to receive a free weekly travel newsletter.

Business Travel Guides
This basic and easy-to-navigate Business Travel Guides site offers help with locating online hotel and airfare deals, tips on how to neatly pack your business attire, and a useful last-minute preparation checklist. Also find advice on how to minimize your travel expenses, handle emergencies, and prepare for the trip.

CNN.com Business Traveler
The CNN.com official site for Richard Quest's highly popular cable show includes news articles on current business travel-related topics and issues. Share your own tips on how to travel smoothly and successfully, and check out the handy travel kit that offers essential etiquette lessons, wireless travel info, and guides to cities throughout the world. Richard Quest's personal blog is also a fascinating firsthand account of his globe-trotting adventures.

Fast Company
Techie business travelers won't want to miss out on the collection of articles on the Fast Company Web site, which instruct readers on such need-to-know topics as how to use laptops and cell phones throughout the world. There are also articles on frequent flier miles, proper luggage storage, and minimizing business travel.

Business Traveller
The Business Traveller Web site maintains a U.K. focus, but is still useful to American business travelers, especially to those doing business in Europe. The online version of the esteemed magazine of the same name offers news on current travel issues, international city guides, and consumer checks on everything from airport lounges to car rental agencies. You’ll also find information on hotel arrival, currency conversion, flight and hotel booking tools, and the magazine’s archived articles. Use the "Ask Our Expert" section to find answers to business travel-related questions that stump you.