If you’re the type of RCLifer who frequents LAX’s Private Suite or travels to your next business deal via the SkyRanch, you probably don’t need to read this article.
For the rest of us, business travel isn’t really all that amazing these days—unless you fly on Emirates. But for the chief executive officers of the world, it couldn’t be better.
Bloomberg recently caught up with luxury travel consultancy Sienna Charles‘ president and founder Jaclyn Sienna India, who oversees business trips for over 20 CEOs—as well as a few former U.S. presidents.
RCLife has condensed the story down to its meat and potatoes (with a fine wine, of course):
Highly expense-ive: CEOs and their families who coast around the world in luxury private jets can almost always write those trips off as a business expense.
Experts abound: The only way CEOs can get where they need to go on time and in the lap of luxury is if scads of different experts are taking part in putting together the itinerary. (See: Quintessentially.)
Forget about reward points: Says India of her CEO/billionaire clients: “They don’t care about rewards that offer them amenities or free breakfasts or upgrades—they’d rather book the room they want from the beginning.”
Size doesn’t really matter: Since most CEOs already live in sprawling mansions, when they travel, their rooms don’t always have to mimic their home life. Reports Bloomberg, “The five key things they’re looking for are good light, outdoor space, seamless technology, high-end furniture, and a super-comfortable bed.”
General management: India says she puts together a one-sheet on her clients’ trips and sends it directly to their hotel’s general manager, cutting out any middlemen that may be involved. To this end, “she is getting high-powered requests into equally high-powered hands,”
Kindness counts: While she admits that some CEOs are difficult to deal with, India tells Bloomberg that the majority are “really nice people.” And there’s always some kind of thank-you—whether it be a personal gift (not a lavish one) or an invite over for dinner.
This article was featured in the InsideHook newsletter. Sign up now.
