Biz class comfort with an economy ticket: 5 tips

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(MoneyWatch) Do you have champagne tastes, but your company has a beer budget? Comfort while traveling might seem like a luxury, but it is essential to your productivity. If you spend hours up in the air flying economy, you can arrive tired and stressed, and not exactly in prime shape for working.

That doesn't mean you have to beg your boss to splurge for the upgrade. Here are five savvy tips from experienced business travelers that will make you feel like you feel like a million bucks by the time you arrive at your destination (without costing your company the same).

Time your travel
One of the worst parts of flying economy are the long check-in lines. If you're smart and have a flexible enough schedule, you will time your travel so you never have to deal with them. "Airports are at their busiest in the early morning on weekdays," notes Mathias Friess, CEO of Webjet, a international online travel agency. If you fly the night before, you'll avoid the crowds, and if you book an airport hotel, the small extra cost may be made up by finding a less popular (read: cheaper) flight.

Earn frequent flyer miles, fast
Focus your miles on one or two airlines, and then start using the airline's branded credit cards. "Every dollar I spend is on credit and gains miles. I once flew and stayed in a 4-star hotel for free for a week for a business trip using only frequent flyer miles. Frequent flyer credit cards [also] can actually lower the cost to check baggage. The Delta Gold Amex allows passengers to check a free bag," notes Michael Stanat, global research executive with SIS International Research. He adds that some cards also offer free access to airport lounges.

Ask for things
If you don't try to get upgrades or freebies, you never will. "Traditionally in economy class, they make you wait until the plane has reached a certain altitude before serving drinks. I've found that if you ask the flight attendant for a bottle of water or a can of ginger ale when you first get on the plane as you board, they will just give it to you right then and there," shares Richard S. Bernstein, CEO and Founder of Richard S. Bernstein & Associates, Inc., a national health care and life insurance company. And consider paying a few bucks for some small luxuries, like a pillow or blanket. "Think of it this way: What's better, paying a couple hundred dollars extra for business class or pay a couple bucks for the amenities of business class?" says Bernstein.

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Pack pampering products
In business and first class, you'll be greeted with complementary products like moisturizers, that can make a flight seem more like a few hours at a spa than a part of your business day. You can recreate that atmosphere in economy. "Visit 3floz.com. This is the site where you can pick up all kinds of wonderful cosmetics that are three fluid ounces or less -- which of course, is ideal for going through security at the airport," recommends Debbi Karpowicz Kickham, president of Maxima Marketing, and author of The Globe Trotter's Get-Gorgeous Guide.

Join Klout
Some airlines have partnered with Klout, the analyzer of social media influence. "Because I'm a 'Chairman' on US Airways, that puts me at the top of the food chain, which means I almost always get complimentary upgrades to first class," says Teri Gault, CEO and founder of The Grocery Game, a coupon and savings site. This social media "in" also allows Gault to check three free bags. It's worth seeing if your favorite airlines are running any promotions through Klout or other social media sites.

[WestburyHealy]

Amy - good/helpful article. One other idea that's helped me when traveling with work is shipping my bags ahead of time. I know it sounds crazy but it's actually cheaper than checking them at the airport, and it's a lot nicer to travel without carrying your bags to the airport and then waiting for them at your destination (on my honeymoon I had to wait more than 2 hours for my bags at JFK... at 4 in the morning). Now when I travel for work I just bring a small carry on with my iPad, magazines, maybe a laptop... Much easier.

I've used LugLess (www.lugless.com ) and was very happy with it.

[mshelton_]

Don't forget safety! No matter where you may travel, it's important to make sure you have access to the resources you need in an emergency. Companies should take advantage of corporate solutions such as securing services from a travel, medical, and security emergency assistance company like On Call International to help eliminate any worries for employees while traveling. For business travelers who are uncertain whether their employers have emergency response plans in place, memberships can be purchased directly through the On Call International website: www.oncallinternational.com/enroll. All memberships include medical and travel assistance services like a 24-hour nurse helpline, emergency medical transportation to your home hospital, regardless of medical necessity, 24/7 emergency travel arrangements, worldwide legal assistance and more when traveling 50 miles or more from home.