If you’re a busy business traveler, keeping up is a tough task. We’re here to help, by compiling some blogs that you may find interesting. Grab an iPad or laptop and enjoy reading these 5 blogs for the busy business traveler:

• Road Warriorette: Advice, insight and observations about life on the road.
• Gulliver:The Economist’s correspondents inform and entertain business travellers with news, view and reviews.
• The Middle Seat Terminal: Tracking and unpacking the world of travel.
• Upgrade: Travel Better: Living the First Class Life…At Coach Prices.
• The Cranky Flier: A consumer travel blog from a self proclaimed “airline dork.”

What business-travel blogs are you a fan of? Share in the comments.

Receive 25% off our standard room rate and 2,500 bonus Gold Points® at any participating Country Inns & Suites hotel in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Latin America, when you book and pay for the Summer Offer at least 14 days in advance for stays August 5th through September 9th.

At Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, every guest is a VIP. That’s why specious rooms, free high-speed Internet and complimentary hot breakfast come standard. And now we’re proud to be the first mid-scale hotel chain to serve breakfast on classic diningware at select locations. It’s just our way of making your meals feel special while also being environmentally responsible.

Visit countryinns.com/summer for more details and terms and conditions.

When is it OK to pack the spouse and kids for your next business trip?

For many frequent business travelers, mixing work and play can afford much-needed family time. But only if:

1. They want to go and will have something to do once they get there.
2. You’ll have some time to spend with them.
3. It doesn’t take away from the business goals of the trip.
4. The people you’ll be meeting won’t feel awkward or burdened.

Business Travel as a Family Affair
Amy Weirick, who travels about 10 times a year for her Columbus, Ohio-based public relations firm, invites her husband along half the time and her two sons two or three times a year. “It’s great to give the kids travel experiences beyond the family vacation,” she said. “They get a real sense of what I do for a living, which they may not have understood otherwise.”

The upside of traveling with the family is spending quality time together in a new and interesting environment. The downside can be limited flexibility to adapt to changes in your business schedule and feeling mentally exhausted from being “on” all the time.

It is important to maintain boundaries between business and family time and find out in advance the company policy for bringing family members along. Most companies know that spouses sometimes tag along to desirable locations. Usually between frequent flier miles and shared sleeping quarters, the cost for a spouse to accompany a traveler is small. Staying in a Country Inns & Suites hotel, with extras like free breakfasts, family-friendly swimming pools and locations convenient to top tourist attractions, makes it easy and affordable to enjoy quality time together.

Taking the family demands some advanced planning. Definitely wear comfortable clothes when traveling with children—you may have diaper mishaps and spills. You might even pack a change of clothes in your carry on if you’re going to a meeting directly after family time.

Do some research ahead of time in case you need to purchase attraction tickets in advance. A minor league baseball game; a visit to the local science or history museum, zoo or aquarium; and tours of historic sites are a few family-friendly options.

When a client or association gives the green light to bring the family, there can be another more subtle benefit. Depending on the situation, mingling with colleagues, clients and their families can convey a shared sense of family values, exchanging the gloss of corporate speak for a more authentic experience.

Traveling with the spouse and kids is something most clients can identify with, notes Weirick. “It’s good for clients and other professionals to see how important family is to me,” she said. “It helps them understand what really matters, which isn’t just the bottom line.”

All travel is not created equally. If you know the system, there are plenty of ways to do things better, faster and cheaper than other travelers. Sometimes it’s as easy as asking or doing a little advanced planning.

Loyalty Counts
There’s no reason not to join the free loyalty program for the hotel, car rental company and airline on your agenda. With Club Carlson^SM your hotel stays can quickly add up to points redeemable for free hotel nights, airline miles and even gift cards. Once you achieve an elite level, you’ll also be eligible for benefits such as room upgrades and late checkouts.

Likewise, by opting for the same airline each time you fly (when it’s possible) you’ll build up mileage points for future flights. But these days, what is even more appealing to travelers is that once you earn elite status, you can take advantage of perks such as waived baggage fees and upgrades for you and a companion.

The Airline Seat Shuffle
Even if you don’t have elite status, you can still try and get your favorite spot on the plane. When you make your reservation, go ahead and select the best seat available at the time. If you prefer a different seat, pull up your itinerary on the airline website using your confirmation number. You should be able to view the open seats on the plane and change seats if you’d like. You can do this as many as four or five times leading up to departure and move your seat to a better one. Elite status members are upgraded 24 to 48 hours before a flight, leaving their seats in coach up for grabs.

And if you’re wondering which seat to jockey for, take a look at SeatGuru to see detailed seating charts organized by airline. SeatGuru alerts you to seats with obstructions, those that do not recline, etc.

Breeze Through Checkpoints
Standing in line can be frustrating. Many airports, thankfully, now have separate lanes for different types of travel. If you get in the expert traveler lane, chances are you’ll get through faster. Just make sure you know the TSA guidelines and have your ID ready.

Another option is to pick a different checkpoint. People generally funnel from the ticketing counter to the nearest security line. If you know the lay of the land, you may find that a short walk leads you to a wide-open checkpoint.

Just Ask!
Sometimes, all you have to do is ask and you can get the VIP treatment without an extra penny. When you book your hotel room, ask about transportation from the airport. You may find that a car service sedan is the same price as a taxi. Also, let them know if you prefer a certain floor or view. If your flight is full, ask about compensation options for switching to a different flight. Many travel perks are available just by asking politely. You might be surprised by the answers you get!

Let the weekend fun continue! We’re wishing you and yours a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July. If you’re looking for a place to get out of town soon, visit www.countryinns.com to discover our hotel packages for great destinations all across this Country.

Happy Fourth of July!

Did you know that the state of Virginia is the birthplace of more presidents than any other state? Eight of our U.S. presidents were born in Virginia. Learn other interesting U.S. facts by booking one of our Tours & Sightseeing hotel packages. These activity filled destinations make the perfect summer getaway, just in time for Fourth of July weekend.

• Visit America’s oldest city and enjoy the great weather in sunny St. Augustine, Florida. With this hotel package from Country Inn & Suites – St. Augustine, Florida you’ll be treated to:
  • Two tickets per reservation for either the Red Sightseeing Train or the Old Town Trolley, which include unlimited on-and-off privileges for shopping, attractions and restaurants at more than 20 stops
• Tour New Orleans’ waterways by airboat. Country Inn & Suites New Orleans is proud to offer this Airboat package where you’ll ride through the depths of nature and experience a unique, once-in-a-lifetime adventure. This hotel package includes:
  • Two passes to Airboat Adventure
  • Pick-up and drop-off from hotel
• Explore Stone Mountain Park and enjoy this great family vacation destination from Country Inn & Suites – Stone Mountain, Georgia. Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park features a wide variety of fun family activities. This offer includes:
  • Four all day, all attraction passes to Stone Mountain Park
• All Aboard! Take the trolley tour of Watertown. Enjoy VIP perks at all of Watertown’s Trolley stops with this hotel package from Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Watertown, South Dakota. This package includes:
  • One-night stay in a single king or double queen room for two at the newly renovated Country Inn & Suites
  • Free trolley fare and VIP perks at all Watertown trolley stops
  • Two tickets to Bramble Park Zoo
  • Keepsake cookie cutter and Mellette fan from the historic Mellette House
  • Terry Redlin exclusive edition print from the Redlin Art Center

And, as always at Country Inns & Suites, enjoy complimentary hot breakfast and free high-speed Internet in the U.S. and Canada.

Make this Fourth of July one to remember forever!

A tough economy has made many businesses, and their traveling employees, rethink how they spend travel budgets. Even if your company hasn’t put the squeeze on your expense account, it’s a good idea to watch your spending and show that you have their interests in mind. Being a conscientious traveler is sure to make a good impression no matter how your budget has changed.

At the Airport
If you’re flying to your destination, the first thing you can do to make a difference is to book early. Fares will continue to increase, as your departure date grows closer. If you can, book at least two weeks in advance to avoid price increases.

When your travel day arrives, save money by catching a ride. Parking costs add up quickly and can eat into your travel budget. If you don’t have someone who can drop you off, weigh the cost of taking a taxi from your house versus parking. Many airports also have inexpensive long-term parking with shuttles to and from the terminal. You may even be able to negotiate with some of the companies managing off-site parking and get lower rates for extended stays.

Many airlines now charge baggage fees of about $25 per checked bag. If you’re able to travel with only a carry-on bag, you’ll save on fees and not have to waste time waiting in baggage claim. If you need a larger bag, consider an airline that doesn’t charge fees, such as Southwest. Many airlines also waive baggage fees for customers who have reached a certain status in their loyalty programs.

Take Advantage of Hotel Amenities
Some hotels charge outrageous amounts for amenities such as Internet, parking and breakfast. Even if you find a low room rate, these extra fees can bring your nightly costs to that of a premium hotel. An easy way to make your company’s bean counters happy is to pick a place that includes these perks.

Every Country Inn & Suites hotel offers free hot breakfast and, in the U.S. and Canada, free high-speed Internet. That could mean a savings for a family of four of about $50 a day for choosing one of these properties over other hotels.

Avoid Car Rental “Extras”
Renting a car is more complicated than ever. Do you need insurance? A GPS? A hybrid? Extra mileage? Chances are, you’re fine answering, “No.” Check with your company administrators, but you’re likely to be covered under your company insurance and can decline additional coverage. A GPS can be convenient, but it’s usually not worth the extra cost. And most rentals include unlimited mileage, but check to be sure.

As for the type of car, it’s better to go ahead and lock in the low rate on a compact and upgrade on the spot. The low-price economy and compact classes sell out first so you may get lucky and get an automatic upgrade to the next available car class. Even if you’re not offered an upgrade, you can usually negotiate one at the service desk. You may even get one for free—it never hurts to ask!

Country Inns & Suites is proud to sponsor the Best of the Road tour with Rand McNally and USA Today!

On June 23, five Best of the Road teams will embark on an unforgettable three-week adventure. Teams will depart from New York City and take different routes that will zig-zag across the country with a final stop at Los Angeles. Each team will enjoy a unique journey tailored to explore the country’s best towns for: beauty, patriotism, friendliness, fun, and food.

Traveling a variety of scenic routes, teams will leave no landmark unturned and no local secrets undiscovered, from dining and entertainment, natural landscapes and modern world wonders, to roadside rarities that make up the heart of America.

We’ll be following the team’s progress each day, so be sure to check back for all the updates and highlights! And, for more information on the teams, destinations, challenge and more please visit: http://www.bestoftheroad.com/

• Get started with Hit the Road Country, an easy to navigate portal of road-tested, family-approved itineraries divided into popular destinations, such as Colonial Williamsburg and Phoenix, as well as by activities category, like Founding Fathers Country and Sun and Surf.

• Figure out what your travel M.O. is on Best Trip Choices by taking the quick Plog Travel Personality Quiz, agreeing or disagreeing by degree to statements like “I prefer to travel independently rather than with a group of people,” or “I will hurry to places even when I have plenty of time.” Depending on your answers, you’ll group with Venturers, Authentics or Centrics, and be guided to travel experiences that match your expectations.

• It’s all about the local’s point of view on NileGuide, chock full of free travel guides and advice from a team of local editors from around the globe. Content is also divided into themes like family travel and honeymoon destinations.

• Sharing tips with fellow savvy travelers is what Dopplr is all about, a (free) membership-based network of collective intelligence for frequent travelers ripe with insider info.

• Event-driven PlanCast organizes by geographic location and interest. Sign in using your Facebook or Twitter account and have at it. Members share events of all kinds, from 5K runs to strawberry festivals, allowing you to search your destination for fun things to do.

• TimeOut, which got its start as a series of print entertainment guides, offers a lively interactive site organized by destination, with special emphasis on arts, culture and nightlife. Select a city and then explore categories like Sports & Fitness, Sights & Tours and Music & Nightlife to create an itinerary you can download to your smartphone.

Father’s Day is right around the corner and we want to help you find the perfect gift for the father in your life. Whether he’s a geeky guy, a burly outdoorsmen, or stylish fellow, we’ll help find the perfect gift for him.

For the Geeky Dad

He loves computers, he already has an Apple device (or 2), and his favorite reading material is a blog. This geeky guy loves relaxing with his technological devices, especially his iPad. The BookBook for iPad is a great gift idea.

For the Outdoor Dad

This dad loves being outside. Whether he’s fishing in a local river or painting the deck, nothing makes this guy happier than being outdoors. Show him what its like to be a cowboy with the Escape in Town Trail Ride hotel package by Country Inn & Suites Shoreview, MN. He’ll encounter a true “North Woods” experience just minutes from Country Inn & Suites Shoreview.

For the Stylish Dad

He loves reading design blogs and appreciates a good chair. This dad is an architect in his current life or was a famous painter in his previous life. Surprise him with a nice piece of furniture.

For the Athletic Dad

His favorite thing to do is to watch a live sporting event. And his second favorite thing to do is participate in a sporting event. This dad gets his fix from being on the field. These Sporting Events hotel deals will definitely put a smile on his face.