For the über-Road Warriors - those who spend their lives on the road

Do this, do that.   

Rather than tell us what we should do in order to cut cost when traveling on business, Christopher Elliot has given us 10 Business Travel No-Nos instead. Most of them may be obvious to some of us but do keep in mind that despite that, some of us still need to be reminded from time to time.

Here they are:

1. "Don't pay full fare for your airline ticket"
   
   Use travel aggregators to scour the net for the best deal available.
   
   
2. "Don't become a serious frequent-flier mileage collector"
   
   I do not really agree with this 100%.  Check Mark Ashley's Upgrade Travel Better for tips on getting the most out of your frequent flier miles.
   
   
3. "Don't pay the rack rate for your hotel room"
   
   If you have not made any reservation and plan on just walking in, don't!  Take your laptop out, look for WiFi connection at, say, the airport and make a reservation using a third party site.
   
   
4. Don't accept the key to your minibar
   
   I am the worst example for this as I NEED to munch on a chocolate or sip Coke while I work alone hence, making me the easiest target of hotel minibars.
   
   
5. Don't rent anything other than a matchbox car
   
   Small and compact cars are not cheaper to rent, they also guzzle less gas.
   
   
6. Don't tip just because you feel guilty.
   
   If you get crappy service and a waiter with a bad attitude, don't tip.
   
   
7. Don't buy the optional car rental insurance
   
   Check your travel insurance's coverage first.  It may cover car rental.
   
   
8. Don't order room service or laundry
   
   Greg Wesson's tips should keep that laundry cost down during extended trips.
   
   
9. Don't use a hotel phone
   
   Unless you want to get ripped off for something which you could have done somewhere else.  Hotel phone rates are, despite their best deal offers, expensive!   If your mobile does not have global roaming capabilities, go online and use VoIP.  If not possible, look for a place where you can get a phone card. 
   
   
10. Don't pay for anything that you can get for free
    
    It would be a pity to find out later that you could have had, say, that ride to the hotel for free after you have paid 45US$ for it.  Before you leave for your trip, check with the hotel what services are available to you for free.

Read Christopher Elliot's complete thoughts here.