business trip status

Travel After Five

• After Five Guides
• Careers That Travel

A Business Travel Blog

April 21, 2019 By Michelle Maraj 1,396 Comments

5 Out of Office Examples for Traveling on a Business Trip

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that we will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. All opinions are those of the author.

When you need to travel for work, you might need to set an out of office message. Out of office messages are useful if you are not available during regular work hours. This may be necessary if you are out of the office in transport, such as on an airplane without WiFi, or if you are participating in a conference and cannot be online.

Out of Office Message Requirements

Your out of office message can be as detailed as you would like, but there is one requirement for your auto reply email: state when you will be back. You do not  need to explain why you are away, however you should at least communicate when you will be able to respond to your emails. Otherwise, you can be as creative as you would like.

A typical business travel out of office email will have the following components:

• Thank the person for their email.
• Let the person know when you will be returning.
• Provide an alternate contact person or emergency contact number.
• State that you will respond to emails when you return.

Additional components of your out of office message could include:

• Whether you are checking your email, versus if you are out of the country
• Why you are currently out of the office

See some of our business trip out of office messages below.

Out of Office on a Business Trip

If you are out of the office on a business trip, you can state so in your auto reply message. If you are traveling for a client, you do not want to get too specific on the location. Instead, leave your email vague. Put your location on your corporate calendar. If your coworker needs to know where you are, they can check your calendar for details.

Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office on a business trip, and I will be returning on [Date]. I will respond to your email upon my return. Sincerely, Michelle

The above should be the bare minimum included in your auto reply message. If there is the possibility of urgent matters coming up while you are gone, you should include a contact person or an emergency contact number in your message as well.

I am currently out of the office on a business, and I will be returning on [Date]. If your matter is urgent, please contact [Name] at [Name’s Email], or call me at [Number]. Otherwise, I will respond to your message when I return. Thanks, Michelle

Only include your phone number in your out of office message if you do not mind being reached. If you are traveling to a place without service or will be unable to talk, it is best to only leave a contact person.

Out of Office during Business Travel

Occasionally for work, you may find that you are in commute for an entire day and will have limited access to email. If many of your coworkers will wonder where you are, it may be ideal to set up an out of office message for business travel.

I am currently traveling with limited access to email. If you need immediate assistance, please contact [Contact]. Otherwise, I will respond to your email as soon as possible. Thanks, Michelle

You might also be traveling to work, but find yourself at a client with a poor Wifi connection. While you are working, many of your coworkers may be wondering why you do not appear online, or why you are taking longer than usual to respond. In these circumstances, you might want an auto reply message similar to the following:

I am currently on-site with limited access to Wifi. If your matter is urgent, please contact [Contact] or call me at [Number]. Thanks, Michelle

Out of Office Attending a Conference

If you are on a conference business trip, mentioning the conference in your out of office can be beneficial. If a client who is also attending the conference emails you, your client may notice the opportunity to meet up with you.

Thank you for your email. I am currently at the Tableau Conference in Las Vegas, with limited access to email. I will be returning on [Date]. If you need immediate assistance, please contact me on my cell at [Number]. Sincerely, Michelle

Auto Reply Messages for Business Travel

Depending on your company culture, your out of office messages may be more casual or fun. However, if you work in professional services, it is best to keep your auto reply messages as fluff-free and simple as possible. State that you will be out, say when you will be back, and include what to do if it is an emergency.

Get on the List

Subscribe and get a free business trip packing list!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

How to answer “Why do you want a career in consulting?”

Trending now.

Become an Insider

Join our Travel After Five mailing list for our business trip packing list, along with business travel tips and new products on the market.

Welcome to Travel After Five, a blog for business professionals that travel for work. Along with advice for business trips, Travel After Five focuses on activities you can do after 5:00 pm, after you get out of your last meeting or conference.

Destinations

Business travel tips.

• Travel News
• Travel Products
• Press & Portfolio

Get Involved

• Be Featured on Careers That Travel
• Privacy Policy
• Disclosure Policy
• Terms of Use

© 2024 Travel After Five All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Travel After Five with appropriate and specific directions to the original content. · Theme by 17th Avenue

17 Out-of-Office Message Examples + Templates

Melissa Williams

What Is an Out-of-Office Message?

What to include in your out-of-office message, what not to include in your out-of-office message, vacation out-of-office message examples, using your out-of-office message for lead generation, business trip out-of-office message examples, funny out-of-office examples, personal leave out-of-office message examples, free for the taking: 8 out-of-office email templates, instructions on setting up out-of-office message in outlook, instructions on setting up out-of-office message in gmail.

Out-of-office messages are autoresponder emails that usually go something like this:

“Hi there, I’m out of the office until DAY OF WEEK, DATE, with limited access to email. If you require immediate assistance, please email […]”

But they can be so much more. You can use them as a tool to show your personality, generate leads, and entertain your audience.

Let’s look at some unique and personable out-of-office messages that you can use as inspiration next time you set automatic replies, for different occasions (plus some templates you can copy and paste today).

Autoresponder emails or out-of-office (OOO) messages are auto-reply messages that inform people reaching out that you’re absent from work for an extended period of time.

The reason for out-of-office messages is to let recipients know that you’re away and won’t be responding to their email until you return. This clarifies you’re not ignoring the recipient and that there will be a delay in your reply.

Out-of-office messages also help to guide the recipient in the right direction if they’re looking for information while you’re away or a point of contact to reach out to about urgent matters.

Common reasons for out-of-office messages are:

• Business trips
• Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Medical Leave

Although every out-of-office message is different, here are some common elements:

• The dates of your absence 
• The reason for your absence (optional)
• Point of contact for urgent requests
• Links or resources to help the recipient while you’re away

Here are some elements you should avoid in your out-of-office messages:

• A lengthy message with too many details
• A specific time you or your point of contact will reply (avoid false promises)
• Grammatical errors and typos
• A point of contact that hasn’t given you permission to include their information

Our brains love surprises . What’s more, research has shown that small surprises that feel like they were “just for you” can spawn some incredibly strong goodwill from the receiver.

Next time you go on vacation, try surprising your customers with an out-of-office message that breaks the mold. Here are four of our favorite examples of out-of-office messages for inspiration.

1. Include a poem in your out-of-office message

Write a poem.

Below is an example from our Product Education Manager ( Note: she truly raised the bar for writing out-of-office messages):

2. Include a GIF to make your auto-response more fun

Everyone can appreciate the excitement of pushing work aside to go on vacation.

Bring this to life by linking to a GIF in your vacation responder message. Here’s an example out-of-office reply:

Not only are you giving your recipient something they can relate to with humor, but a GIF makes your message memorable. As Moz explains , “There’s an emotional component to a great GIF that mainlines sentiments straight through the cerebral cortex.”

3. Funny out-of-office messages to remind others you’re on vacation

When to use : If you’re absolutely unavailable but you want to deliver some humor with your message.

4. Include a photo of an animal so your out-of-office message sticks

Research from Hiroshima University found that looking at animal pictures actually increases focus and productivity at work. Including a photo (or two) could help create a positive attitude toward you and increase the likelihood that they remember your email.

Here is an out-of-office message example using baby animals to attract your attention:

5. Acknowledge your colleagues in your out-of-office

Is someone covering for you while you’re gone? Acknowledge how awesome they are for helping you out. A few kind words can go a long way — especially if you receive an email from an important customer or prospect while you’re gone and are directing them to your colleague’s email address or phone number.

When you compliment your coworker who will receive requests in your absence, it has a two-fold effect.

• It makes that person look trustworthy in the eyes of the reader (and likely strengthens your working relationship)
• It shows your reader that you’re kind-spirited and a team player
• It directs them to whom they should bring urgent matters

Here’s one such out-of-office email example (we received it from a  blog subscriber in response to an email we sent):

6. Make your message memorable with emojis

Emojis are officially a language unto themselves, and they’ll help you catch the attention of whoever has sent you an email.

Your out-of-office message may be read by someone who already knows you, is actively reading email, and wants something from you. Sounds like a great time to share content that helps build trust and drive more sales.

7. Sign up for our course via this autoresponder

Below is an out-of-office message example from our own team, linking to our free 7-day course on sales prospecting.

Unsure of what resources you should be linking to? Try checking in with your marketing team about new collateral worth highlighting.

8. Working the sales funnel with an offer in your out-of-office

We love this example from Upserve’s Director of Marketing, Jesse Noyes . He knows his audience, anticipates what people are emailing about, and provides lead-generating content that offers immediate answers to questions.

Traveling for work might be a standard part of your job, but it doesn’t mean your email can’t be unique.

9. Connect with conference-goers using your autoresponder

If you’re traveling to a conference that you expect many of your contacts to be at, too, then use your out-of-office message as a networking opportunity. By including some information about your trip and your phone number, you may be able to network with colleagues you may not have expected.

Here’s a great example from Sales Consultant Blair Lineham:

10. Use your autoresponder as a cold email

Remember the AIDA cold email formula ? It also works as an out-of-office reply by captivating your reader’s attention all the way through to the call to action.

Here’s a great example of how this works from Ann Handley of MarketingProfs. Ann begins with a rhetorical question that grabs her reader’s attention and builds interest with her subsequent details and fun facts. She then creates desire with the way she describes the conference and lists a call to action with the conference website and a link to her Instagram account.

Pro tip:  To make sure you don’t forget to set an OOO for your next confirmed trip(s), take 5 seconds to schedule a  Send Later email  to remind yourself. Schedule it for your last day of the office, and we’ll place it at the top of your inbox at the best time for you.

These final funny out-of-office examples are purely for entertainment. A little humor can go a long way in building rapport with your network.

11. Add a reference or joke to your message

Here’s a great example of a funny out-of-office message:

12. Use a fun fact in your autoresponder to let people get to know you

Have some interesting facts up your sleeve? This one’s for you .

13. Use your autoresponder to remind people you are human

TL;DR Robots > Humans. Here’s a hilarious example provided by Jim Julius .

14. Holiday

Here’s a great example of a fun and high-spirited out-of-office message for the holidays. 

15. Maternity/Paternity Leave

For Maternity/Paternity leave out-of-office messages, you can go the classic route or have some fun with it. The example below pokes some fun at herself and then guides the recipient in the right direction.

16. Medical Leave

When it comes to medical leaves, not a lot of detail is necessary. Give your recipients a heads up so that they respect your privacy/time, but there’s only so much you want to share publicly. Communicate the details that are necessary.

17. Short-Term Out-of-Office Message

When you’re out of the office for a few hours and don’t want to leave anyone hanging, a short-term out-of-office message lets the recipient know you’ll be back in a few hours. You can even provide a contact for them to reach out to if it’s an urgent matter.

Ready to write your own, but not wanting to start from scratch? Here are 8 examples to copy and paste (then customize).

We surveyed our team, did some research, and asked around to compile the top 8 out-of-office email examples.

Next time you find yourself on the cusp of vacation or a work trip, consider these out-of-office email template examples. Copy and paste as you like.

1. Not All Heroes Wear Capes

Subject: I’m Out, But My Colleague Is In Thanks for your email. I’m currently on holidays with my [friends/family] for the first time in (what seems like) forever. For urgent matters, [first name of colleague] will help you. [S/he] doesn’t have a cape, but [s/he] is basically super[man/woman]. [Your first name]

2. Smoke Signals Welcomed

Subject: Bonding with Nature I am out of the office and bonding with nature from [date of departure] to [date of return]. I have little to no cellphone service and no wifi. Smoke signals are the most reliable form of communication. [Insert colleague or team’s contact information]. Thank you, and if your matter isn’t urgent, I will talk to you on [date of return]. [First Name]

3. Fun Facts

Subject: Not here but facts for you Hello! I am off for the week—gone from [Day of week departing] to [Day of week returning] with limited access to email. If you require immediate attention, please contact [colleague name] at [colleague email address]. If not, here are some facts that you might find interesting, before I return: [Fun fact 1] [Fun fact 2] [Fun fact 3] [And so on] [Your first name]

4. Adorable Animal

Subject: Out of Office But Hello! I am off for the week—gone from [Day of week departing] to [Day of week returning] with limited access to email. If you require immediate attention, please contact [colleague name] at [colleague email address]. If not, then please enjoy this [picture/video] of an [type of animal] [action it’s doing]: [Image/video here] [Your first name]

5. Expect Delays

Subject Line: Will Reply, But Expect Delay

Hello — I’m out of the office today [doing X]. While I will be able to answer you today, please expect a slight delay. For anything urgent, please contact [team distribution email].

6. Conference Connection

Subject Line: I’m at [Conference Name], Are You? Thanks for your email. I’ll be away from the office until [date returning] and will respond as soon as I can. For all support requests/needs, please reach out to [team distribution email] and one of my colleagues will be happy to assist you. If you’re interested in signing up for [your product or service], feel free to reach out to my manager [First Name Last Name] at [manager email address]. If you’ll be at [conference name] [Month gone, date leaving – date returning], let me know and I’d love to find a few minutes to connect. You can learn more about [your company name]’s [conference name] presence [“here” — hyperlink applicable landing page], including [X], [Y], and [Z]. Don’t forget to smile!

7. I’m On a Plane

Subject Line: Out of Office: [Day of Week You’re Out, Date] Hi, Thanks for reaching out. I will be out of office on [Day of Week], [Date] with limited availability (depending on the plane’s internet!). I’ll respond to your message as fast as possible, and/or you can call my cell phone and leave a voicemail at the number in my signature. In the meantime, please contact [colleague name] at [preferred method of contact]. Have a great day!

8. Lead Gen

Subject Line: Helpful Content While I’m OOO Hey there, This message is automated because until [date return] because [reason you are out of office]. I’ll get back to you when [something pithy here or a simple “I return to the office”]. Did you email me about [your company’s realm of expertise]? Well then, no need to wait. Get our [piece of lead gen content–insert link here] now. Talk soon, [First Name] Here

Want to file more than one for the future? Good news: you can stash them right in your Gmail or Outlook inbox.

Here’s how to set up an out-of-office message in Outlook:

1. Click File, then “Automatic Replies”

2. Select “Send automatic replies”

3. Inside the “ Inside My Organization ” tab, write your message

4. Click “Ok”

Here’s how to set up an out-of-office message in Gmail.

1. Click Settings, then “See all settings”

2. Scroll down to “Vacation responder”

3. Select “Vacation responder on”

4. Fill in the first day, last day, subject line, and message

5. Click “Save changes”

This article was updated on March 13, 2024.

Get sales tips and strategies delivered straight to your inbox.

Yesware will help you generate more sales right from your inbox. Try our Outlook add-on or Gmail Chrome extension for free, forever!

Hit your number every month

Works on Outlook or Gmail (+ many more integrations)

Related Articles

Sales by Email: Outreach Strategies and Best Practices

Casey O'Connor

How to Write an Introduction Email That Wins You an In

20 Sales Prospecting Email Templates + Best Practices

Jenny Keohane

Sales, deal management, and communication tips for your inbox

We're on a mission to help you build lasting business relationships.

75 Kneeland Street, Floor 15 Boston, MA 02111

[email protected]

Business Trip Packing List: Checklist for Stress-Free Travel

By Status.net Editorial Team on December 12, 2023 — 12 minutes to read

Sample Checklist to Help Organize Your Business Travel Packing

Business travel packing checklist.

Carry-On Essentials: – Passport/ID and travel documents (e.g., visas, travel insurance, itineraries) – Wallet (credit cards, cash, frequent flyer cards) – Mobile phone and charger – Laptop/tablet and charger – Earphones or noise-cancelling headphones – Portable power bank – Travel pillow and eye mask – Reading material or e-reader – Pen and notepad – Business cards – Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes – Face masks – Essential medications and a small first aid kit – Snacks and a refillable water bottle – Travel-sized toiletries (in compliance with TSA liquid rules if flying) – Change of clothes (in case of luggage delays)

Clothing: – Suits or business attire for the number of workdays – Business casual outfits for less formal meetings or dinners – Dress shirts or blouses – Ties or scarves – Belts – Undergarments and socks – Sleepwear – Casual clothes for off-duty hours – Workout clothes and athletic shoes – Comfortable walking shoes for business – Dress shoes – Light jacket or coat (depending on weather) – Sweater or cardigan for layering – Swimsuit (if applicable)

Toiletries: – Toothbrush and toothpaste – Shaving supplies – Deodorant – Hairbrush or comb – Shampoo and conditioner – Body wash or soap – Moisturizer and skincare products – Makeup and makeup remover – Hair styling products and tools (e.g., hair dryer, straightener) – Sunscreen (if appropriate) – Insect repellent (if traveling to a location with mosquitoes or bugs)

Tech and Accessories: – International adapters or converters (for overseas travel) – USB cables and portable USB hub – HDMI or VGA cables for presentations – Portable Wi-Fi hotspot or Ethernet cable (if needed) – Camera (if not using a smartphone)

Other Items: – Umbrella or raincoat – Sunglasses – Travel sewing kit – Laundry bag – Collapsible tote bag for day trips or extra items

Additional Items to Consider:

Office Supplies: – Highlighters and markers – Stapler and staples – Paper clips and binder clips – Folders or document organizer – Envelopes and stamps (for mailing documents)

Health and Wellness: – Vitamins and supplements – Prescription glasses or contact lenses and solution – Sleep aids (e.g., melatonin or prescribed medication) – Pain relievers and fever reducers – Motion sickness medicine (if applicable)

Entertainment: – Playing cards or small travel games – Travel guidebooks and maps – Language phrasebook or translation app (for international travel)

Security Items: – Luggage locks (TSA-approved for air travel) – Money belt or neck wallet – Photocopies or digital copies of important documents (in a separate location from originals)

Travel Comfort: – Compact blanket or travel throw – Compression socks (for long flights)

Personal Items: – Jewelry and watches (keep to a minimum for security) – Glasses and sunglasses case

(When planning your business trip, consider the climate and cultural norms of your destination. Researching the weather can help you pack accordingly.)

Essentials for Every Business Trip

Travel documents.

Ensure you have all necessary travel documents, such as:

• Passport: Make sure it’s valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
• Visas: Check whether you need a visa for the country you’re visiting and apply well in advance.
• Driver’s License: Carry it with you, especially if you plan to rent a car during your trip.
• Travel Insurance: Protect yourself against unforeseen events like accidents, flight cancellations, and lost luggage by getting travel insurance.
• Itinerary & Flights: Print or save your itinerary, along with your flight details and boarding passes.

Travel Gear

The right gear can make all the difference in keeping you organized and comfortable during your business trip:

• Carry-On Luggage: Opt for a high-quality, lightweight luggage piece that fits airline specifications.
• Packing Cubes: Use these to keep your clothes sorted and wrinkle-free.
• Comfort Items: Pack a travel pillow, eye mask, and earplugs for more pleasant flights.
• Toiletry Bag: Choose a clear, TSA-approved bag for hassle-free security checks.
• Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated by bringing your own refillable water bottle.

Electronics & Accessories

You’ll need your devices and gadgets to stay connected and productive:

• Laptop & Charger: Don’t forget your workhorse, along with a suitable charger.
• Smartphone & Charger: Keep your phone charged with the right cable and plug.
• Power Bank: A portable charger can save you from your devices dying when you need them the most.
• Adapters & Converters: Double-check what type of plug/socket is used at your destination and pack the appropriate adapters.
• Noise-Canceling Headphones: These help you focus and reduce stress on noisy flights or in busy environments.

Health & Hygiene Items

Taking care of your well-being while traveling is paramount:

• Hand Sanitizer & Wipes: Keep germs at bay by regularly sanitizing your hands and wiping down surfaces.
• Face Masks: Bring a few comfortable and breathable face masks for use on public transport and in crowded spaces.
• First-Aid Kit: Take a compact first-aid kit with essential items like band-aids, pain relievers, and any necessary prescription medications.
• Personal Toiletries: Bring travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and so on to maintain your routine.
• Packable Laundry Bag: Separate your dirty clothes from the clean ones with a foldable laundry bag.

Packing for Professional Needs

Attire planning.

When packing for a business trip, consider the dress code of your destination. If the trip involves formal meetings or conferences, pack suits or blazers, dress pants or skirts, dress shirts or blouses, and ties or scarves. Don’t forget comfortable yet stylish shoes to match your outfits. It’s also a good idea to bring a few casual outfits for downtime or less formal events.

Tips for packing clothes :

• Choose versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched.
• Opt for wrinkle-resistant fabrics to minimize ironing.
• Roll your clothes or use packing cubes to save space.
• Pack a small laundry bag for used garments.

Climate-aware packing

No one wants to be caught off-guard by unexpected weather changes. So, here’s a quick list to help you pack:

• Cold weather : Warm coat, sweaters, long sleeve shirts, thermal wear, gloves, woolen socks, and waterproof shoes
• Warm weather : Light clothes, short sleeve shirts, comfortable shoes, and sunglasses
• Rainy weather : Waterproof jacket, umbrella, and waterproof shoes

Don’t forget to check for any extreme weather conditions or seasonal changes while packing.

Dressing for cultural norms

Consider the local guidelines of your destination’s dress code, especially if they differ from your own. Some countries have strict cultural dress codes that you’ll need to follow to show respect and avoid offending locals. For example, if you’re visiting a conservative country, you might need to avoid revealing clothes and pack more modest attire.

To help with understanding cultural norms, here are a few considerations:

• Business meetings : When attending business meetings, you must wear formal or semi-formal clothing, unless specified otherwise.
• Site visits : If your trip involves visiting certain venues or work sites, make sure to pack any required safety gear or specific clothing in your luggage.
• Social events : Understand the dress code for any social events you’ll be attending, like galas or networking activities, and pack appropriate attire.
• Religious sites : When visiting religious sites, it’s vital to show respect by dressing modestly and following their specific guidelines.

Work Equipment Necessities

Besides your clothes, you’ll need to pack essential work equipment. Ensure you have your laptop, charger, smartphone, and any necessary accessories, like a portable mouse or USB drive. Don’t forget power adapters if you’re traveling internationally.

Here’s a checklist of work-related items to pack:

• Laptop and charger
• Smartphone and charger
• Portable power bank
• International power adapter
• Earbuds or noise-cancelling headphones
• Small notebook and pen
• Business cards
• Portable Wi-Fi hotspot (optional)

Smart Packing Techniques

Layered packing.

One great way to pack efficiently is by using the layered packing technique. Start with heavier items at the bottom of your suitcase, then work your way up with lighter items. For example, place shoes, toiletry bags, and heavy electronics first, followed by clothing layers like jeans and jackets. Finally, place lighter items like shirts, underwear, and accessories on top. This method helps to distribute the weight of your items evenly and prevent delicate items from being crushed.

Rolling vs Folding

When it comes to packing clothes, the age-old debate is often between rolling and folding . Both methods have their merits, but we recommend giving rolling a try. Rolling your clothes saves space and helps to prevent wrinkles. To roll your clothes, lay each item flat, fold it in half, then roll it tightly from the bottom up. Rolling works best for lightweight and wrinkle-prone items like t-shirts, dresses, and blouses. However, for bulkier items like jeans and sweaters, folding may work better and provide a neater appearance in your suitcase.

Utilizing Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are another fantastic tool for keeping your belongings organized and compact. These lightweight and durable cubes come in various sizes and can be used to separate different types of items. For example, you can use one cube for your shirts, another for pants, and another for accessories. They make it easy to locate items quickly and help keep everything tidy throughout your trip. You can even color-coordinate your packing cubes for an extra level of organization.

Staying Organized on the Move

Packing for a business trip requires careful planning and organization to ensure a smooth experience. Here are some tips and examples to help you stay organized while traveling for work:

1. Create a packing list: Before you begin packing, create a comprehensive packing list to ensure you don’t forget any essential items. Include clothing, toiletries, electronics, work-related items, and travel documents. You can save time by keeping a digital list that you can reference and update for each trip.

2. Use packing cubes: Invest in a set of packing cubes to help keep your belongings organized within your suitcase. Packing cubes are small, lightweight bags that come in various sizes, making it easy to sort your clothes and accessories efficiently.

3. Roll your clothes: To save space and keep your clothes wrinkle-free, consider rolling your attire instead of folding them. Rolled clothing takes up less space and helps prevent wrinkles, which is especially important for business attire.

4. Limit your footwear: Shoes can be bulky and take up a lot of space in your suitcase, so it’s beneficial to minimize the number of pairs you bring on your trip. Aim to bring two versatile pairs of shoes – one for formal meetings or events and another for casual outings.

5. Keep your essentials in your carry-on: Prepare for unexpected scenarios, such as lost or delayed luggage, by keeping your essential items in your carry-on bag. These items include important documents, medication, a change of clothes, and any items you might need to work during your flight.

6. Organize your electronics: Use a small organizer or pouch to keep your electronic accessories, such as charging cables, adapters, and headphones, in one place to prevent them from getting tangled or misplaced.

Coping with Common Travel Hurdles

• Lost luggage? First thing’s first, make sure you pack a small bag with essentials (like toiletries, important documents, and a change of clothes) and keep it with you as a carry-on. This way, even if your main luggage gets lost, you’ll still have your most crucial items with you.
• Jet lag got you down? Stay hydrated, and try to get on local time as quickly as possible. Drinking plenty of water during and after the flight can combat dehydration, a stealthy contributor to jet lag. To help you adjust faster, expose yourself to daylight for brief periods and focus on getting a good night’s sleep.
• Wrinkled clothes? Pack smart by rolling clothes instead of folding them. This saves space and helps reduce wrinkles. Invest in a decent travel-size garment steamer or carry wrinkle-release spray to keep your clothes looking fresh and professional upon arrival.
• Forgot an adapter? Make a mental note to pack a universal adapter for all your electronic devices, so you don’t have to stress when it’s time to charge. In case you forget, don’t panic! Most hotels will have adapters available for guests to use or purchase.
• Managing expenses: Keep track of all your receipts and expenses on the go. Take photos of receipts with your phone and use an app to help you organize them. It will simplify the reimbursement process and save you the headache of managing slips of paper.
• Feeling under the weather? It can happen, especially with all the stress and germs hiding in airports and airplanes. Make sure to pack a small first-aid kit with the most commonly used over-the-counter medications, band-aids, and antibacterial wipes or gel for quick sanitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the essentials to include in a 2-day or 3-day business trip packing list.

For a short business trip, you should focus on the essentials. Pack a few clothing items appropriate for your meetings, such as suits, blouses, or dress shirts, and versatile pants or skirts. Bring undergarments, sleepwear, and a spare change of casual clothes for non-business activities. Don’t forget your toiletries, chargers, and any essential medications. Keep travel documents handy and consider a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.

What items should women consider while packing for a 4-day work trip?

For a 4-day work trip, women should pack clothing items that can be mixed and matched, like blazers, skirts, or pants in neutral colors. Include a few blouses or tops to complement the bottoms. Comfortable shoes for walking, as well as a pair of dressier shoes for meetings, are also important. Be sure to pack makeup, personal hygiene items, and any additional accessories (like tights or scarves) to complete your outfits.

How can you effectively pack for a 10-day business trip?

When going for a longer trip, consider packing clothing items in a color palette that can be easily mixed and matched. Bring enough undergarments and sleepwear for each day and plan to do laundry if needed. Include casual clothes for downtime, workout gear if applicable, and a lightweight jacket for fluctuating temperatures. Keep all your essentials – toiletries, chargers, medications – in a separate small bag, so they’re easy to access.

What are some helpful tips for packing light on a 1-week work trip?

To pack light for a 1-week work trip, use packing cubes or compression bags to save space and organize your suitcase. Stick to a minimal, neutral wardrobe that can be mixed and matched, and choose versatile shoes that work with multiple outfits. Select travel-sized toiletries to reduce bulk, and consider doing laundry at your destination if needed.

• Business Formal vs. Business Professional Attire
• 20+ Core Values: Examples for Travel and Accommodation Companies
• What is Business Casual? (Avoid Mistakes)
• Best Mission Statements Examples [for Travel & Accommodation]
• The Power of the Open-Ended Question for Business Leaders
• Parts of a Business Letter (Components with Examples)

An official website of the United States government.

Here’s how you know

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• 中文（简体） (Chinese-Simplified)
• 繁體中文 (Chinese-Traditional)
• Kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole)
• 한국어 (Korean)
• Español (Spanish)
• Filipino/Tagalog
• Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
• Standard Interpretations
• Determining work-relatedness for injuries while on travel status
• Standard Number: 1904.5

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov .

October 20, 2014

James Goodwyne Shell Exploration & Production Co. 150-C North Dairy Ashford, C480 Houston, TX 77079

Dear Mr. Goodwyne:

Thank you for your letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding the recordkeeping regulation contained in 29 CFR Part 1904 - Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. Specifically, your letter requests clarification of OSHA¿s injury and illness reporting requirements at Section 1904.5, Determination of Work-relatedness.

Scenario 1:

An employee traveled out of town to attend a one-day meeting at the direction of his supervisor. The employee arrived in the town the evening before and stayed at a nearby company apartment. The employee planned to travel back home directly from the meeting. On the way to the meeting, the employee was injured in a car accident. The employee went to the emergency room and received medical treatment.

– Does this travel fall under the Section 1904.5(b)(6)(i) exception for a "home away from home," and therefore the injuries do not have to be reported? – Does a return trip to the "home away from home" have to be planned in order for the commuting exception to apply to the travel to the meeting? Would this determination be any different if the employee drove only half of the distance to the town where the meeting was to be held due to fatigue, checked into a hotel for the night, and woke up early the next morning to drive the final 75 miles of the journey to arrive at the meeting on time?

Response 1:

First, the travel conducted between the apartment and the meeting worksite is considered the employee's normal commute. An accident occurring during the normal commute is not considered work-related. Section 1904.5(b)(6)(i) states that when a traveling employee checks into a temporary residence, he or she is considered to have established a "home away from home." The company apartment described in your scenario meets OSHA¿s definition of a "home away from home" so long as the employee is not required to stay there as a condition of employment. When an employee has established a "home away from home" and is reporting to a fixed worksite, injuries or illnesses are not considered work-related if they occur while the employee is commuting between the temporary residence and the job location. These cases are parallel to those involving employees commuting to and from work when they are at their home location, and as such, do not have to be recorded. See, the January 19, 2001 preamble to OSHA¿s final rule revising the recordkeeping regulation, 66 Federal Register 5960 .

The fact that the employee did not return to the apartment after the meeting does not affect the status of the trip from the apartment to the meeting. A normal commute is generally comprised of two legs, a trip from residence to work and a return trip from work to residence. Under the scenario described above, only the trip from the temporary residence to the meeting is considered the normal commute.

The second half of the scenario above is not considered a normal commute. Because the employee was still in the process of traveling to his ultimate destination, the continuation of the trip from the temporary residence to the meeting location is considered to be travel status. An accident occurring while in travel status is work-related.

Scenario 2:

Employees travel to their normal workplace, a remote production site in a mountainous region, in a company-provided bus from a nearby community. The company provides the transport free of charge to its employees. Use of the bus service is encouraged, but optional.

- Is this travel considered part of the employees¿ normal commute from home, even though the transportation is provided by the company? - Would the bus ride be categorized differently if the employees were required to take the bus? - If use of the bus service is required, does the bus become part of the work environment and the geographic presumption apply to any injuries that occur during the travel?

Response 2:

The mode of transportation is not determinative of OSHA¿s definition of a "normal commute." Under your scenario, the daily trips between the residence and work site are considered the employee¿s normal commute, regardless of whether they are made by personal vehicle or company-provided vehicle. An accident occurring during the normal commute is not considered work-related.

The situation is different if the employer requires the employee to use the company-provided bus. A requirement to use the bus is a "condition of employment" (Section 1904.5(b)(1)), which makes the travel work-related. This interpretation is similar to the guidance provided for employer-furnished living accommodations in the letter of interpretation at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25637 . In this letter, OSHA explained that the furnishing of housing accommodations by an employer to employees is considered a "condition of their employment" when (1) employees are required by the employer to use them or (2) are compelled by the practical realities of the employment situation to use them. The same holds true for employer-provided travel arrangements. So, an accident during a commute is work-related where the mode of travel is a condition of employment.

We hope you find this information helpful. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in responses to new information. To keep appraised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov .

Francis Yebesi, Acting Director Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis

An official website of the United States Government

• Kreyòl ayisyen
• Search Toggle search Search Include Historical Content - Any - No Include Historical Content - Any - No Search
• Menu Toggle menu
• INFORMATION FOR…
• Individuals
• Business & Self Employed
• Charities and Nonprofits
• International Taxpayers
• Federal State and Local Governments
• Indian Tribal Governments
• Tax Exempt Bonds
• FILING FOR INDIVIDUALS
• How to File
• When to File
• Where to File
• Update Your Information
• Get Your Tax Record
• Apply for an Employer ID Number (EIN)
• Check Your Amended Return Status
• Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)
• File Your Taxes for Free
• Bank Account (Direct Pay)
• Payment Plan (Installment Agreement)
• Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
• Your Online Account
• Tax Withholding Estimator
• Estimated Taxes
• Where's My Refund
• What to Expect
• Direct Deposit
• Reduced Refunds
• Amend Return

Credits & Deductions

• INFORMATION FOR...
• Businesses & Self-Employed
• Earned Income Credit (EITC)
• Child Tax Credit
• Clean Energy and Vehicle Credits
• Standard Deduction
• Retirement Plans

Forms & Instructions

• POPULAR FORMS & INSTRUCTIONS
• Form 1040 Instructions
• Form 4506-T
• POPULAR FOR TAX PROS
• Form 1040-X
• Circular 230

Understanding business travel deductions

More in news.

• Topics in the News
• News Releases
• Multimedia Center
• Tax Relief in Disaster Situations
• Inflation Reduction Act
• Taxpayer First Act
• Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts
• The Tax Gap
• Fact Sheets
• IRS Tax Tips
• e-News Subscriptions
• IRS Guidance
• Media Contacts
• IRS Statements and Announcements

IRS Tax Tip 2023-15, February 7, 2023

Whether someone travels for work once a year or once a month, figuring out travel expense tax write-offs might seem confusing. The IRS has information to help all business travelers properly claim these valuable deductions.

Here are some tax details all business travelers should know

Business travel deductions are available when employees must travel away from their  tax home  or  main place of work  for business reasons. A taxpayer is traveling away from home if they are away for longer than an ordinary day's work and they need to sleep to meet the demands of their work while away.

Travel expenses  must be ordinary and necessary. They can't be lavish, extravagant or for personal purposes.

Employers can deduct travel expenses paid or incurred during a  temporary work assignment  if the assignment length does not exceed one year.

Travel expenses for  conventions  are deductible if attendance benefits the business. There are special rules for conventions held  outside North America .

Deductible travel expenses include:

• Travel by airplane, train, bus or car between your home and your business destination.
• Fares for taxis or other types of transportation between an airport or train station and a hotel, or from a hotel to a work location.
• Shipping of baggage and sample or display material between regular and temporary work locations.
• Using a personally owned car for business.
• Lodging and  meals .
• Dry cleaning and laundry.
• Business calls and communication.
• Tips paid for services related to any of these expenses.
• Other similar ordinary and necessary expenses related to the business travel.

Self-employed individuals or farmers with travel deductions

• Those who are self-employed can deduct travel expenses on  Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship) .
• Farmers can use  Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Farming .

Travel deductions for the National Guard or military reserves

National Guard or military reserve servicemembers can claim a deduction for unreimbursed travel expenses paid during the  performance of their duty .

Recordkeeping

Well-organized records  make it easier to prepare a tax return. Keep records such as receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support a deduction.

Subscribe to IRS Tax Tips

•  Facebook
•  Twitter
•  Linkedin

Enable JavaScript

Please enable JavaScript to fully experience this site. How to enable JavaScript

• AAdvantage Business™

Business travel with benefits everyone will love

Better for businesses

Earn miles for the business

Businesses earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on eligible travel booked through aa.com and the American app.

Simplify travel management

Use our convenient suite of tools to handle reporting, traveler management, duty of care and more.

Redeem miles for travel and more

Use miles for flights, upgrades, lounge access and beyond.

Redeem miles

Better for travelers

Fly for business and earn more Loyalty Points

Earn additional Loyalty Points on business travel along with the miles and Loyalty Points you earn through your AAdvantage ® membership.

AAdvantage® status

Manage all travel in one place

Switch between business and personal travel with ease on aa.com or the American app.

Get personalized offers

Receive a variety of offers and promotions just for you.

Better with the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

Earn more miles

Turn business expenses into miles. Earn 2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, 2X miles at telecommunications merchants and cable and satellite providers, and 2X miles on car rental merchants and at gas stations.

Earn more Loyalty Points

Each cardmember (primary and employees) earns one Loyalty Point for every $1 spent on their business card purchases.

Enhance your travel experience

Primary cardmembers enjoy their first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries, plus preferred boarding on American Airlines flights.

Apply today Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.

More ways to earn on flights

In the AAdvantage Business™ program, your business can now earn miles on business travel booked through American. These miles can be used across your company for future travel and beyond. Business travelers earn additional Loyalty Points toward status, while still earning miles and Loyalty Points as AAdvantage ® members.

Plus, with the CitiBusiness ® / AAdvantage ® Platinum Select ® Mastercard ® you can make business travel even more rewarding by earning miles for your business and Loyalty Points when you use your card for purchases.*

*For accounts applied on or after October 16, 2023. Read the CitiBusiness ® / AAdvantage ® Platinum Select ® Mastercard ® terms and conditions for additional details about earning with your card.

Terms and conditions Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.

**One eligible AAdvantage ® mile equals one Loyalty Point. Basic Economy tickets issued on or after January 1, 2023 for travel on or after March 1, 2023 will earn miles at a rate of 2 miles per dollar. AAdvantage ® status members receive additional miles based on AAdvantage ® status on top of base miles earned on eligible flights.

***Eligible flights purchased through American-owned channels, including aa.com, American Airlines Reservations, or the American app.

Make the most of your rewards

Transfer miles to employees

Transfer miles from the business account to a registered employee who can use the miles for flights, upgrades and more.

How to use miles

Earn Loyalty Points toward status

AAdvantage Business™ travelers earn additional Loyalty Points to accelerate their path to status. Once they reach status, the benefits are even better.

About Loyalty Points Opens another site in new window that may not not meet accessibility guidelines.

Have questions about the program?

Read our FAQs and get the answers you need fast.

Explore FAQs

You may also like...

AAdvantage Business™ terms and conditions

Business Traveler Freedom

Trip disruption wreaks havoc on the schedules of thousands of business travelers daily., flights canceled this past quarter:.

• Trip Disruption Assistance

JTB continuously monitors weather and flight status across multiple sources, working behind the scenes to provide alternate solutions for your Travelers in the event that a flight is determined to be “at risk”. We handle all of the details in rebooking your Travelers, helping them avoid lengthy waits in line and enabling them to arrive at their destinations and maintain their schedules. Mission Accomplished.

“JTB was on it! I had significant delays and cancellations last week and again just the other day – both times my travel advisor saw what was happening and took care of me when I needed it most. Basically, with Trip Disruption Assistance, I wasn’t left to manage the problem on my own – my advisor arranged everything.”

– mark, director of sales, casio america, inc..

• Book Travel Anytime

Travelers expect and receive more from JTB, by being able to book travel anytime. Each one has online, mobile and Business Travel Advisor booking options, and their every move backed by our Live24 support.

Online booking.

Choose Concur, Deem or GetThere and gain control of costs while providing Travelers a great experience.

Mobile Booking

Search and view upcoming flights, hotels and rental cars on the go with real-time flight status updates.

Business Travel Advisor

One-on-one experienced Business Travel Advisors that can assist Business Travelers on their travel requests.

You travel outside of regular business hours, so we don’t limit ours. We’re there for you, any time of any day.

• Before Your Trip

Price Assurance

Rates can increase and decrease between the time your Traveler books a trip and before they actually take the trip. We monitor each reservation to find opportunities for lower costs right up until the day of the trip.  If we find something, you save.

Unused Ticket Management

Track all unused tickets in real time & proactively help Travelers to use them regardless of how they book travel. Remember that airlines are counting on you to forget about them because every unused ticket you forget means more money for them. It also means higher costs for you.

Passport and Visa Assistance

JTB provides the industry’s best Visa & Passport services to ensure fast and easy processing of your Travelers’ documents.  Take advantage of the experiences and expertise provided to assist your Travelers through the paperwork for their upcoming trips.

Itinerary Management

Turn your confirmed reservations into an electronic document that resides on your mobile device.  With Itinerary Management, Travelers can view all aspects of their trip along with the ability to share their trip, get flight alerts, directions, maps on demand, and much more.

• Travel Ready, Travel Safe

At the time you book a trip, we help with pre-trip preparation by providing visa requirements, passport assistance and health precautions. At the same time, and during your trip, you will receive destination-based Late Breaking Alerts. Should you need to be re-routed due to any travel emergencies, JTB will be ready to provide you with assistance.

• During Your Trip

Airline flight notifications are not always in real-time.  JTB utilizes multiple leading technologies to provide Travelers with the most comprehensive service in the marketplace with real time information on their upcoming trips, ticket restrictions and flight notifications.

Airport Parking Discounts

Booking airport parking with JTB allows employees to quickly and easily book and reserve guaranteed parking at many airports. Companies save money by directing employees to lower-cost parking options and enjoy increased employee efficiency.

Status Upgrades

Having status on frequent traveler programs is not just a benefit but a need of your road warriors.  If your Travelers need help obtaining status matches or need a special consideration with the airlines, let us know. We can help.

Travelers deal with many issues when they are traveling. Airlines overbook flights. Bad weather & mechanical problems create delays and misconnections. No matter what happens, our travel consultants are proactively monitoring every flight and will contact your Travelers to assist when things go bad.

• After Your Trip

Expense Report Automation

Put an end to the manual creation of expense reports. They’re time consuming and they make compliance more difficult. Simplify expense management and reduce costs by using either Concur or Deem expense solutions. With automation, you achieve better compliance and you can rein in out-of-policy spend.

• Traveler Training

We believe that a well-informed Traveler is the best Traveler, which is why we offer complimentary traveler training anytime.  JTB will train your Travelers on industry trends and how to maximize benefits and save your organization money in addition to online booking tool training to keep your adoption rates high.

• Print My Invoice

Give your Travelers the ability to reprint their travel invoices well after the date of travel, 24/7/365. They will appreciate the efficiency of having the last 30 months of invoices available at their fingertips.

> Go to Print My Invoice now!

Business Travel Services

Experience common sense business travel, want to get a firsthand look at the common sense approach to business travel, fill out the form and we’ll be happy to demonstrate the many outstanding products and services that you can take advantage of., request a free consultation.

SAP Concur Partner | TMC Elite

Privacy Statement

GDPR and Privacy Statement Europe

GDPR Privacy Statement

CCPA Privacy Policy

Copyright 2022 JTB Business Travel. All Rights Reserved. CST#2031531-50

Site by Ruff Haus

JTB Business Travel Services:

    •  Home

    •  For Travelers

    •  For Travel Managers

    •  For Executives

    •  Contact Us

Stay Connected:

• Business Intelligence
• Duty of Care
• Traveler Care
• Account Management Services
• Cost Saving Programs
• Full Content
• Travel Technologies
• Cost Avoidance
• Virtual Payments
• Risk Mitigation
• Travel Management 2.0
• Our Expertise
• Spend Management
• Corporate Meetings & Events
• JTB AnswerCenter
• Business Travel InSight
• Video Library
• Waypoint Blog
• Go Like a Pro with National
• eSIM Phone Services
• eVisa Assistance
• Global Entry Locations
• Travel Requirements Help
• Travel Reports
• Travel Risk Alerts
• Traveler WorldCue
• TSA PreCheck Map
• JTB Business Travel
• JTB Business Travel Brand Resources

• Share full article

Planning to Combine Business and Leisure Travel? You’re Not Alone.

As employees increasingly add leisure time to their business trips, companies are trying to figure out where their duty of care obligations begin and end.

Credit... Aart-Jan Venema

Supported by

By Amy Zipkin

• April 7, 2024

On a Sunday in late January, Melinda Buchmann, who lives in Florida and supervises client relations for RevShoppe, a 30-person remote company advising organizations on sales techniques and strategies, arrived in Banff, Alberta, to help set up a four-day company meeting.

The last day of the event, her husband, Josh, a director of strategic partnerships for the delivery company DoorDash , who also works remotely, joined her. They spent two leisurely days hiking in Banff National Park and visiting Lake Louise.

“I take advantage, because I don’t know when I’m going to return,” Ms. Buchmann said of the decision to combine downtime with a business trip.

As postpandemic work life has changed, and arrangements now include full-time office attendance as well as hybrid and remote work, so, too, has business travel. The phenomenon known as bleisure, or blended business and leisure travel, was initially embraced largely by digital nomads . But such combined travel is now also popular with people outside that group . Allied Market Research, a subsidiary of Allied Analytics, based in Portland, Ore., estimated that the bleisure travel market was $315.3 billion in 2022 and would reach $731.4 billion by 2032.

As employees increasingly add leisure time to their business trips, companies are struggling to determine where their legal obligation to protect employees from harm — their so-called duty of care — begins and ends. And workers may think that because their trip started with business, they will get all the help they need if something goes wrong on the leisure end. Instead, they should generally consider the leisure part of a trip as a regular vacation where they cover all expenses and contingencies.

Companies are responsible for knowing where their employees are during a business trip, covering expenses if an accident or emergency occurs, securing new lodging if a hotel is damaged, even swapping out a broken down rental car. Still, it’s not entirely clear if that coverage ends completely after the conference or the last client meeting.

Companies recognize that threats are increasing, said Robert Cole, senior research analyst focusing on lodging and leisure travel at Phocuswright, a market research company. They are trying to figure out how to take care of a valuable company resource, the employee, without leaving themselves open to financial risk or potential litigation.

“Crafting a comprehensive policy that balances business objectives, employee well-being and legal considerations can be challenging,” Nikolaos Gkolfinopoulos, head of tourism at ICF, a consulting and technology services company in Reston, Va., wrote in an email.

Employees may be on their own without realizing it and may be surprised by out-of-pocket expenses if they require hospital care abroad or evacuation, said Suzanne Morrow, chief executive of InsureMyTrip , an online insurance travel comparison site in Warwick, R.I.

Ms. Morrow said medical coverage provided by a company “is generally only for the dates of the actual business trip abroad.” If travelers are extending the trip for personal travel, she added, “they would want to secure emergency medical coverage for that additional time abroad.”

Employers and employees are left to figure out when the business portion of the trip ends and the leisure segment begins, a significant detail if an employee has a medical emergency. “Where does the corporation liability end?” said Kathy Bedell, senior vice president at BCD Travel, a travel management company.

Companies have varying policies to deal with the new travel amalgam. The chief executive of RevShoppe, Patricia McLaren, based in Austin, Texas, said the company provided flexible travel options and allowed employees to work anywhere they choose.

Even so, there are constraints. The company requires all employees, including executives, to sign liability and insurance waivers when they are on a voluntary company-sponsored trip, such as an off-site meeting. Such waivers typically place responsibility on employees for their own well-being. And if they bring someone, they are responsible for that person’s expenses.

Employees are responsible for requesting the paid time off and notifying their managers of their whereabouts, although that part is not a requirement. Managers have to ensure adequate staffing, Ms. McLaren said.

Elsewhere, employees may not bother to mention the leisure portion of their trip. Eliot Lees, a vice president and managing director at ICF, said he had been on trips as a child with his parents when they combined business and leisure. His parents were academics, who would piggyback vacations onto conferences.

Now he does the same. “I don’t think I ever asked for approval,” he said. (ICF has no formal business-leisure travel policy. It’s allowed as part of personal time off.) After a conference in the Netherlands last year, he spent four days hiking in the northern part of the country.

“I go anywhere, and take more risks than I should,” he said. He said he didn’t carry personal travel or accident insurance.

Any nonchalance may quickly evaporate if a threat emerges. Security experts say even low-risk locations can become high-risk for a few days or weeks of the year.

“Companies are concerned about losing visibility into a traveler’s whereabouts if they booked flights and hotels outside their corporate travel management company,” Benjamin Thorne, senior intelligence manager in London for Crisis24, a subsidiary of GardaWorld, wrote in an email. “The company may think the traveler is in one city when, in reality, they could have booked a holiday package to another nearby city. This lack of visibility by the company makes it difficult to support travelers when a disaster occurs.”

He also raised the possibility that “a traveler with bleisure travel reservations and expectations may find their work trip canceled due to changes in the risk environment or company policy, disrupting their leisure plans.”

Will a company step in off hours if there’s a problem? “That depends on how you are booked,” Mr. Cole, the senior research analyst at Phocuswright, said. A rule of thumb is the further you get from corporate control, the greater the gray area gets.

Half of GoldSpring Consulting’s clients take the responsibility for the entire trip, said Will Tate, a partner at the consultancy based in Cross Roads, Texas, and a certified public accountant. They don’t want the reputational risk. The other half say: “The business trip ended Friday. That’s when we end our duty of care.”

Some companies are trying to define and narrow the gray area. “If you are clearly on personal time, there is no legal requirement for your employer to provide for you,” said Nicole Page, a lawyer whose practice includes employment law at Reavis Page Jump in New York.

Uber provides employees with advisories before a trip, travel assessments, safety tips while traveling and emergency travel assistance, including medical aid, airport travel support, urgent and emergency assistance, and lost or stolen personal property insurance whether they are on business or pleasure travel or a combination.

And at DoorDash, Chris Cherry, head of global safety and security, wrote in an email that “while personal travel is not something we track, we have received requests to extend our travel support capabilities to personal travel.” Mr. Cherry said in those cases, the company has manually added employee leisure itineraries to its travel risk management system and “provided the same level of overwatch that we do for regular business travel.”

The Buchmanns plan to travel this month to Barcelona, Spain, for the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention. DoorDash will have a booth, and Mr. Buchmann will work on the exhibit floor and also entertain clients.

Ms. Buchmann will accompany him. She plans to go sightseeing in the morning, and work in the afternoons and evenings Barcelona time. She will also take three days of paid time off and has shared her plans with Ms. McLaren, the RevShoppe chief executive.

They will stay a day after the conference and plan to visit the Dalí Theater and Museum in Figueres. “I’m sure there will be no shortage of tapas and window shopping along way,” Mr. Buchmann said. He expects to be back at work the next Monday.

Explore Our Business Coverage

Dive deeper into the people, issues and trends shaping the world of business..

Stopping a Huge Cyberattack: A Microsoft engineer noticed something was off on a piece of software he worked on. He soon discovered someone was probably trying to gain access to computers all over the world .

Hoping for an A.I. Productivity Boost:  Economists doubt that A.I. is already visible in productivity data . Big companies, however, talk often about adopting it to improve efficiency.

Cashing In on Graffiti:  Brands, developers and even officials are embracing the global appeal of street art , but the boom comes with questions about preserving a neighborhood’s cultural cachet.

‘Twitter Menace’ or True Believer?: The deep-pocketed tech investor Garry Tan says he wants to save San Francisco. But his pugnacious online habits are making him enemies .

A C.E.O.’s Bold Claims:  Amira Yahyaoui, a human rights activist, promoted the success of her student aid start-up, Mos. Some of her statements do not add up .

Advertisement

• Our Podcasts
• WUIBT Podcast
• LTTI Podcast
• NoJetStress Podcast
• The BTA Podcast
• Ben's Big Deal Podcast
• Personalities in Travel
• Perspectives
• Status Match

'WHAT'S UP IN BUSINESS TRAVEL' PODCAST

A weekly business travel podcast where we update you on what’s up this week in the world of business travel.  This podcast is great for those who need to know what’s happening, 

in under 15 minutes.   Tune in every Monday morning to get your weekly update.

ACCESS ALL OUR SHOWS ON ANY PODCAST PLAYER

" This podcast is my go-to resource for what’s new in business travel each week. It's brief which is awesome, yet thorough covering all aspects of the industry. Plus, I’m a big fan of the music!"

- Jim Buttkus

"If you get to pick one and only one aviation news podcast, BusinessTravel360 must be the one. In 15mins or less Aash gives an incredible overview of the major industry news, M&As, events and more.  Think of it as a lemon juice concentrate.  Highly recommended for all."

- Alexandra Vukolova

"My schedule is filled with many tasks and lots of networking. This leaves limited time to read all the news updates that are of interest to me.  Thanks to the BusinessTravel360 podcasts I get all the highlights I need weekly in just 15 minutes.  This is really important news to have whether you travel for business or pleasure.  The stories are quick and informative." 

- Michele Delgado

"If you are experiencing an overdose of communication on Business Travel Information and feel a sense of chaos to chase the most relevant and current news, here is a chance for you to start your Mondays where you can listen to a 15 minute weekly podcast with your morning coffee.  Thank you for this. Can't wait for Monday!" - Shalini Iyer

 “I’ve been kicking off my Mondays with a walk around the neighborhood and listening to BusinessTravel360. Although I try to keep up with the various industry publications, events, and webinars, there are simply too many and too little time. BusinessTravel360 cuts straight to the chase by delivering the cold hard facts in 15 minutes. Thank you, Aash, for the punchy soundbites that I can apply immediately in my daily work.”

- Peter Psaltakis

 "As a travel industry professional, I would not consider starting my week without BusinessTravel360.  I get access to a comprehensive review of everything I need to know in 15 minutes or less.  I find that this puts me "in the game" and sometimes even ahead of it - with every conversation and meeting I have scheduled that week.  To sort through countless newsletters and websites would take me hours, and BusinessTravel360 not only gives me those hours back, it keeps me current with what is actually relevant to our industry.  I can't thank Aash enough for his weekly insights, without them I would be lost.  Keep up the great work!"  - Suzanne Wahl

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

We hope you will make this a regular part of your week and listen in while you on the move or sitting back and sipping your coffee.  You can subscribe to this business travel podcast by searching BusinessTravel360 on Apple Podcast , Google Podcast , iHeart , Pandora or Spotify .

Promote Your Brand

Podcasting has become one of the biggest new forms of media out there next to TV, Radio, and other online entertainment.  With a podcast sponsorship, you gain intimate access to a loyal, captivated audience.

Our podcasts provide information from many different sources so that you have the best information possible.  We do not verify or write the news and our sources include but are not limited to airlines, hotels, OTAs, USA Today, CNN, Fox, Reuters, MSN, Business Travel News, Travel Weekly and many others.

HOME TO THE BEST PODCASTS IN TRAVEL

What's up in business travel.

A weekly Monday morning business travel podcast where we update you on what’s up this week in the world of business travel.  This podcast is great for those who need to know what’s happening, in under 15 minutes.

LINKING THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY

A travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn.  We take the curated top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session recording!

PERSONALITIES IN TRAVEL

A business travel podcast where we speak to unique personalities in travel who have made an impact.  This podcast is a great way to get an insight into what makes them tick and who they are.  Strong opinions are required.

NO JET STRESS

Don't go unless.

A traveler wellbeing podcast for frequent business travelers covering health and peak performance on the road so that they can maintain optimal health and avoid burnout.

BEN'S BIG DEAL

A podcast for anyone interested in great deals offered by airlines, hotels or credit cards.  Learn about the latest offers to take advantage of and become a points master.

A podcast for discerning travelers that want their trips to be fulfilling & without entrenching toxicity that lead to the depletion of resources, cultures, and the environment.

Copyright © 2020 - 2024 BusinessTravel360 - All Rights Reserved.

• Breaking Travel Podcast

• Latest Latest
• The West The West
• Sports Sports
• Opinion Opinion
• Magazine Magazine

Use these digital tools to ease your travel stress

Be an airport insider with these hi-tech offerings that will get you to your final destination in no time and with less stress.

By Amy Iverson

Air travel is a key part of many vacations, but the lines, delays and crowds can make it less than perfect.

The good news is that technology is available to ease your journey.

A simple text prompt, Google search or phone app can help you avoid the problems that cause many common difficulties.

Check flight status with your phone

This first text tip is the simplest, yet the most mind-blowing. Anyone using an iPhone can easily find out flight information by tapping on a flight number in Messages.

That’s right, there’s no need to open an airline’s app, just text yourself the airline name plus the word “flight” and the flight number. Then tap on that number to see flight information at a glance.

When you click, a map pops up showing where the plane is in real time. You can see whether the flight is on time, its arrival gate and how to get to baggage claim.

This smartphone trick is especially helpful when you need to stay in touch with your ride home from the airport. Whether your family member is doing you a solid, or a ride-sharing driver is headed your way, texting the flight number is a simple way to get them all the information they need.

This flight tracking service works for iOS, even if the text is coming from an Android phone. But the feature does not work if an Android phone is the receiver.

Use AI to create travel plans

In the past, I’ve relied on Frommers or Fodors to give me an initial itinerary for any location I plan to visit. Now, artificial intelligence can help me plan upcoming trips.

To use this travel tip, turn on Google’s generative AI capabilities in Search Labs by clicking on the lab beaker in the upper left-hand corner of the Google app’s homepage. Then, ask something like, “plan a two-day trip to Boston” to get a specific itinerary, including where to visit and eat, as well as hotel and flight recommendations.

The AI-generated schedule will be a jumping off point that you can fine-tune the schedule with your own ideas.

I tried something similar on Chat GPT and was underwhelmed with its specificity. Google’s AI did a much better job at giving me a fairly robust travel plan.

Using PreCheck and Global Entry

For years, I’ve been pushing the advantages of TSA PreCheck for anyone who flies more than a few times per year.

After you enroll, you get to use a shorter security line and don’t need to remove shoes or belts. You can also leave your laptop inside your bag.

The online application process takes five minutes. After you complete the form, you’ll need to appear in person for about 10 minutes at one of their sites.

And now, those with digital driver’s license IDs are getting even more perks at airport security. Chicago O’Hare and Los Angeles International are no longer asking to see a driver’s license for travelers who have both TSA PreCheck and a digital driver’s license. You get your face scanned, but since it compares that photo with your digital ID, you don’t need to show or insert a physical driver’s license anywhere.

If you fly internationally four or more times each year, you may want to opt for Global Entry , which grants expedited customs screening for travelers returning to the U.S.

TSA PreCheck comes as part of Global Entry, which costs $100 right now for five years (that price goes up to $120 in October). Some credit cards and frequent flyer programs will reimburse these fees.

But if you don’t go for Global Entry, be aware of this little-known app that could save you time at customs. The Mobile Passport Control app has you submit a photo, customs declaration and passport to streamline your return to the U.S. at some airports.

Create a profile with your passport, then once you land in the US, take a selfie, complete some questions and bring your passport to a Customs and Border Patrol officer. You can add up to 12 profiles on the app for family members.

Business Travel That Works As Hard As You Do

Simplify travel with exclusive benefits and more.

Expect More on Every Business Trip

Traveler Benefits

Enjoy more convenience and rewards with Corporate Priority benefits like Preferred Seats, Priority Boarding and exclusive discounts just for business travelers.*

Fast, Free Wi-Fi

Stay better connected to what matters most, from takeoff to touchdown with fast, free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles® Members. Wi-Fi Terms of Use Apply.

Reliable Operations

Don’t miss a meeting with industry-leading on-time performance and completion factor recognized by the Wall Street Journal, J.D. Power & Business Travel News.

Make the Most of Your Experience

Join SkyMiles®

Join SkyMiles and earn toward Medallion® Status when you travel, shop and dine.

Download the App

Use the Fly Delta app to plan, book and manage day of travel.

Earn a Bonus Miles welcome offer with select personal Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards. Terms apply.

* Terms and Conditions Apply.  To be eligible for any Corporate Priority benefit, tickets must be purchased via authorized company channels and be associated with the company's corporate travel arrangement with Delta.

By continuing to browse, you consent to our use of cookies. To know more please refer to our  Cookie and Privacy Policies.

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Create Account

Temporary Visitors for Business

To visit the United States for business, you need to obtain a temporary visitors for business visa, unless you qualify for admission without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.

The table below describes the different classifications of temporary business visitors. For more information on eligibility and the application process, see the links in the chart below.

4.8 magnitude earthquake rattles NYC, New Jersey: Live updates

NEW YORK – A 4.8 magnitude earthquake recorded in New Jersey that shook residents in surrounding states and New York City on Friday morning was one of the strongest in state history.

The temblor was reported about 5 miles north of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, at about 10:23 a.m. Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The epicenter was about 45 miles from New York City, where residents reported shaking furniture and floors.

“Earthquakes in this region are uncommon but not unexpected. It’s likely people near the epicenter are going to feel aftershocks for this earthquake in the magnitude 2-3 range, and there’s a small chance there can be an earthquake as large or larger, following an earthquake like this,” Paul Earle, a seismologist at the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program told reporters. “In terms of our operations, this is a routine earthquake … Immediately we knew this would be of high interest and important to people who don’t feel earthquakes a lot.”

People reported feeling the shaking as far north as Maine and as far south as Norfolk, Virginia, following the quake, according to USGS. Scientists said those in the affected area should listen to local emergency officials and be prepared to seek cover if aftershocks occur.

“If you feel shaking, drop, cover and hold,” Earle said.

No major disruptions or damage have been reported in New Jersey or New York.

"We have activated our State Emergency Operations Center. Please do not call 911 unless you have an actual emergency," said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

President Joe Biden spoke with Murphy about the earthquake and the White House is monitoring the situation.

“He thinks everything's under control,” Biden told reporters before leaving the White House for a trip to Baltimore. “He’s not too concerned about it, the governor of New Jersey, so things are all right.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the quake was felt throughout New York, and officials are assessing impacts and any potential damage.

In Yonkers, New York, Mayor Mike Spano said City Hall shook but no injuries were reported.

"A few moments ago our entire house shook for about 25 seconds or so here in Mendham, New Jersey," former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said.

USGS is still investigating the exact fault line at the center of Friday’s quake and said it occurred in a region with dozens of fault lines that were more active millions of years ago.

4.0 magnitude aftershock strikes hours after earthquake

Officials in New York and New Jersey alerted residents to an aftershock Friday evening, nearly eight hours after the earthquake.

A 4.0 magnitude aftershock slammed New Jersey at around 6 p.m., with an epicenter about four miles southwest of Gladstone, according to the USGS. New York City’s emergency notification system alerted residents to the aftershock minutes later, urging people to remain indoors and call 911 if injured.

Hochul said there were no reports of serious damage after the aftershock, and officials were continuing to assess critical infrastructure.

The aftershock Friday evening was at least the third that USGS recorded after the quake struck.

As of Friday afternoon, the USGS aftershock forecast predicted a 36% chance of aftershocks at a 3.0 magnitude or higher, an 8% chance of aftershocks at a 4.0 magnitude or higher, and a 1% chance for aftershocks at a magnitude of 5.0 or higher over the next week.

USGS scientists said informal observations can be a big help in understanding earthquakes, especially in a region where they’re less common.

“We encourage people to fill out the ‘Did You Feel It?’ reports on our website,” said Sara McBride, a scientist with the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. “This citizen science project is critical in terms of building our knowledge around earthquakes.”

By midafternoon on Friday, the agency said it had received more than 161,000 reports, and extrapolated that the quake had been felt by millions of people. McBride acknowledged that earthquakes can be nerve-wracking for people who don’t live in seismologically active regions, and said knowledge is power in combatting that discomfort.

“The best thing you can do to relieve any unsettling feelings you might have is to learn how to protect yourself during shaking and how to prepare for earthquakes in the future,” she said.

Man getting vasectomy during earthquake recounts experience

One Horsham, Pennsylvania, man shared his unusual earthquake experience, saying the tremors hit when he was in the middle of receiving a vasectomy.

"The surgeon sort of froze and all of us kind of seemed a bit confused," Justin Allen told USA TODAY . "Even when the surgeon said 'that’s gotta be an earthquake,' I thought he was joking."

Luckily, Allen's doctor was able to resume the procedure after a brief pause, and the rest went off without a hitch. Now recovering at home, Allen said it's an experience no one involved will forget, especially because his social media post about the incident has since gone viral.

"My wife says that 'this is a clear and obvious sign that we should not have any more kids,'" Allen said.

New Jersey resident thought sound from earthquake was an explosion

Madeline Nafus had just finished feeding her 7-week-old baby when, simultaneously, she was thrown off balance and the loudest sound she’d ever heard rang out.

“I thought it was either an explosion or a bombing because of how loud it was,” said Nafus, who lives in Long Valley, New Jersey, a few miles from the earthquake's epicenter. “It was just terrifying.”

Nafus, 29, watched as her light fixtures swung and wine glasses, framed photos and a 6-foot elk head crashed onto the floor. Feeling as if her “house was going to crumble,” she picked up her baby boy, grabbed some blankets and headed outside. Meanwhile, her friend came running downstairs and picked up Nafus’ quivering dog, Olivia, a small golden doodle.

After about 15 seconds, the rumbling went away and only occasional, minor tremors could be felt. Nafus called her husband, who was teaching a golf lesson at the time, and then their 2-year-old’s day care.

“They said the children were all confused and asking a lot of questions but that they were OK,” she said.'

How common are East Coast quakes?

Earthquakes are less frequent in the eastern part of the country than in the west, but they have occurred in every state east of the Mississippi River, according to the USGS.

"Since colonial times people in the New York – Philadelphia – Wilmington urban corridor have felt small earthquakes and suffered damage from infrequent larger ones," according to the USGS. "Moderately damaging earthquakes strike somewhere in the urban corridor roughly twice a century, and smaller earthquakes are felt roughly every two to three years."

USGS officials also said that even smaller-magnitude quakes are more likely to be felt more widely on the East Coast than similar size quakes on the West Coast due to the rock properties of eastern soil, which can cause concern to East Coasters not used to the tremors.

Rocks in the eastern part of the country are much older than in the west, by up to millions of years. Those older rocks have been exposed to more extreme temperatures and pressure, and faults have had more time to heal. Seismic waves travel across the resulting harder and denser faults much more efficiently, so the effects of a quake are felt across a larger area. In the West, faults are newer and absorb more of the seismic wave energy without spreading as far.

Quake felt in Massachusetts

In Auburn, Massachusetts, more than 200 miles from the earthquake's epicenter, Jerry Steinhelper was on a video call for work when his house began to tremble. His dog Maize started barking, and books and trinkets fell from their shelves. He looked out the window and saw trees shaking.

“I thought at first it may be ice falling off the roof. But it kept going and the entire house was shaking,” he told USA TODAY. “Then I just knew it was an earthquake.”

Steinhelper, 55, lived in San Diego in the 1980s and experienced temblors there, but he’s never felt one in Massachusetts, where he’s been for over 25 years.

“It was an interesting 10 to 15 seconds,” he said.

'It felt like a plane crashed outside' near epicenter

Nicole Kravitz, 33, was baking muffins at the cafe she co-owns with her husband in New Jersey when the floor began to shake. She and the cooks looked at each other for a few moments, and then at some stacked plates and glasses that had started vibrating.

Their eatery, Branchburg's Best, is located in New Jersey's Somerset County, near the epicenter of Friday’s earthquake.

“It felt like a plane crashed outside,” she said. “No one knew what was happening.”

Some workers ran out the door to see if something had smashed into the building while she checked the basement for damage. Meanwhile, Patrick Tucker, her husband, who was picking up beef from a nearby farm, watched agitated chickens and cows run around in their pens, visibly shaken by the quake.

Kravitz said the intensity of the earthquake made her feel like she was back in Southern California, where she had lived for several years before she returned to her home state in 2016.

Quake was one of the strongest to ever impact New Jersey

Friday's earthquake was the most significant in New Jersey since 1884 , when an Aug. 10 earthquake somewhere near Jamaica Bay, New York, toppled chimneys and moved houses off their foundations as far as Rahway, New Jersey, 30 miles away.

Other than that quake, there were only  three earthquakes in modern history  that caused damage in the state: 1737 (New York City), 1783 (west of New York City) and 1927 (New Jersey coast near Asbury), according to New Jersey Office of Emergency Management records.

The Dec. 19, 1737 earthquake is believed by modern experts to have been a 5.2 magnitude quake. Charted as taking place in the greater New York City area, some accounts say its epicenter was near Weehawken. State records show it threw down chimneys. Chimneys were also hurled down during the Nov. 29, 1783 quake. Estimated at a 5.3 magnitude that originated in modern-day Rockaway Township, according to state records, it was felt from Pennsylvania to New England.

The Aug. 10, 1884 quake, estimated at a 5.2 magnitude was the last the state has seen of its significance and was felt from Virginia to Maine, according to state records.

  Read more about New Jersey's earthquake history.

– David M. Zimmer, NorthJersey.com

New Jersey business owner describes worst quake ever felt but went right back to work

It was a busy day for La Bella Salon & Spa in Lebanon, New Jersey, when an earthquake struck near the rural township.

About a dozen stylists and customers, some whom were getting their hair dyed while others got manicures and eyelash extensions, all froze as the building rattled for about 30 seconds.

“People started to feel the shaking, and it got worse and worse. We were like ‘Oh, my god, what is going on?’" said shop owner Rosanne Drechsel. “I thought a truck hit the building or something.”

After the tremor subsided, nearly everyone in the building started receiving texts and phone calls from friends and family, Drechsel, 61, said.

Nothing was damaged and no one was injured, but Drechsel, who was born and raised in New Jersey, said it was “by far the worst earthquake” she had ever felt.

“We all went back to work and finished the appointments,” she said. “Customers are calling now to see if we're still open and if they can still make their appointments later on today.”

'It was scary': Quake rattles shelves in Brooklyn bodega

In Brooklyn, residents said they felt their buildings shake and many went outdoors after the rumbling stopped to check in with neighbors.

Julio Melo, a deli worker, said he thought the sounds of the earthquake resembled those of a large truck going down the street. But when Melo, 32, looked around and saw beer bottles rattling on store shelves, and a potted plant shimmy down the counter, he thought it might be something bigger, he told USA TODAY.

“I looked at my employee and he had the same tragic face on as me, it was scary,” he said at Jenesis’ Grocery Corp. in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.

– Claire Thornton

Where was the earthquake felt?

Residents and officials said the earthquake was felt throughout New York, as well as in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and elsewhere. It was also felt as far away as Cambridge, Massachusetts, about 250 miles away from the reported epicenter.

Charita Walcott, a 38-year-old resident in the Bronx borough of New York, said the quake felt "like a violent rumble that lasted about 30 seconds or so."

"It was kind of like being in a drum circle, that vibration," she said.

Earthquakes common in the region, but the size is unusual: Expert

Chuck Ver Straeten, a geologist and curator of sedimentary rocks at the New York State Museum, told USA TODAY it’s not surprising this earthquake happened where it did.

“New York, around New York City going into New Jersey, there’s a lot of earthquakes historically down there. Happens every year,” he said. But it’s less common for them to be of such a high magnitude. It’s not surprising that many people felt it, he said. Usually, earthquakes in the region are at a lower magnitude and less likely to be felt.

Ver Straeten said the real question now is if this is just a precursor to a larger quake.

“You never know what is the earthquake, what is a pre-earthquake, what is an earthquake happening after the main earthquake, you just have to see,” he said. “One slip along the rock fault, when one happens, it makes other areas around there more tense also and they start to slip and you slip again and slip again.”

But, he added, it would be unlikely for a larger quake to follow this one. In the Northeast, it’s more common for one large quake to be followed by smaller aftershocks, rather than a mounting series of tremors. 

What does magnitude mean in an earthquake?

Magnitude is a measurement of the strength of an earthquake . Officially it's called the Moment Magnitude Scale . It's a logarithmic scale , meaning each number is ten times as strong as the one before it. So a 5.2 earthquake is moderate while a 6.2 is strong.

The magnitude and effect of an earthquake, according to Michigan Technological University :

◾ Below 2.5: Generally not felt

◾ 2.5 to 5.4: Minor or no damage

◾ 5.5 to 6.0: Slight damage to buildings

◾ 6.1 to 6.9: Serious damage

◾ 8.0 or greater: Massive damage, can totally destroy communities

Intensity scales, measured in Roman numerals, are used to describe how strong the earthquake felt to people in the area.

According to the California Earthquake Authority , an intensity of I is typically felt only under especially favorable conditions. A IV, which leads to light shaking, is felt indoors by many, but not typically outdoors. It might awaken some people at night and lead to a sensation like a truck striking a building. A parked car would rock. Intensities VI and above would be strong, frightening and felt by all, with the damage increasing up to a X where the shaking would be violent. Some well-built wooden structures would be destroyed and most masonry and frame structures along with their foundations would be ruined.

While you might have heard the term " the Richter Scale " used to describe earthquakes, it is no longer commonly used because it was only valid for certain earthquake frequencies and distance ranges.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Contributing: Reuters