Build your freelancer business travel toolkit

As a freelancer, you know which tools you need to do your job. Photographers, you can’t work without your camera and editing program. Writers, you can’t make your deadline without your laptop and pages of notes. These items will be atop your packing list, but what about your business travel toolkit? Do you have everything you need to be successful away from home, too?

Here’s what the experts recommend (hint: most of these won’t add any weight to your checked bag):

1. Apps

One of the easiest ways to get organized and stay productive already rests in the palm of your hand, now it’s just a matter of curating the right apps. Freelance writer and photographer Spencer Spellman shared: “I love apps that track and mainstream expenses, as they can do a lot of the financial heavy lifting that I would otherwise have to do every month. I also love to-do list apps, like Todoist. I set these up to send me notifications and email summaries of what I have to do for the day.”

Other useful business travel apps our experts love include: TripIt—for keeping all of your travel plans organized in one easy to access spot; WorkFrom—for locating a space to work while traveling; Calm—for taking a break to meditate and refocus; XE—for accessing foreign exchange rates; and Uber—for getting around new cities easily.

2. Gadgets for on-the-go

Next, stock your toolkit with helpful travel gadgets. Spencer recommended always bringing a power bank or electronics charger with you on a business trip, since outlets at airports and on planes can be few and far between. His pro tip? “I especially like solar chargers, because I just set it by the window on the plane and it fuels up.”

As a freelancer, you won’t always have the luxury of an ergonomically-friendly workspace. Susan Shain, freelance travel writer, shared: “I started getting neck pain from working on my laptop all the time. So I fixed it by purchasing an external mouse and keyboard and an amazing Roost laptop stand.”

If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, some gadgets might seem more like luxuries than necessities. So, start with the basics for what you need now, then build your arsenal up slowly. And remember to always track your business-related expenses.

3. Travel credit card

Lee Abbamonte, travel blogger, entrepreneur, and the youngest American to travel to every country plus the North and South Poles (whew!) recommended getting a credit card that rewards you for your business travel and spending as it relates to your freelance work. That way, you can maximize your rewards for the business expenses you’re accruing anyway. Most travel credit cards offer a host of additional travel-related perks, too. As always, do your research and ensure you choose a card that works for you, your budget, and your business.

4. Frequent flyer number

As a business traveler, you should sign up for (free!) frequent flyer accounts with every major airline you fly. You should also become a member of hotel loyalty programs.

What’s the incentive here? “As an entrepreneur, I’m free to arrange my own travel. This is great for a few reasons, like managing miles and points accumulated on the airlines and hotels I choose. Without being limited by corporate rules and partnerships with certain airlines, hotels or even fare classes, I’m able to obtain status and upgrades with the airlines I prefer,” said Lee.

5. Known traveler program memberships

Finally, save time—and your sanity—by signing up for known traveler programs like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR. These programs help you skip the long lines at security, reducing stress and ensuring your business trips run as smoothly as possible.

Tip: When you become a TripIt Pro member, you receive a four month free trial of CLEAR. That’s four free months to test our experts’ advice—what do you have to lose?