Browning in his office
Do homework
I use apps to find out as much as I can beforehand -- and during travel. I use Quid for currency conversion, SayHi Translate for voice translation, and AroundMe for entertainment in the area.
Talk to people
Sure, you can book everything online, but a group salesperson at a hotel is hungry for your business, will take good care of you, and is more likely to throw in extra stuff like free Internet.
Hire a greeter
They'll meet you curbside, get you checked in, and expedite you through security. For most cities in the U.S., it will cost you about $200, up to $500 internationally. Totally worth the money.
Have a pack habit
I always put the same items in the same pockets. It helps me create a mental checklist. I also always bring myCharge, a power bank that works on different devices.
Second opinions
Your concierge is a good source of recommendations, but you can also just call up the concierges of other hotels in the area to get different tips. They don't know you're not staying with them.
Time your sleep
The best way to combat jet lag is to book morning flights, schedule your arrivals for late in the evening, and make sure you don't fall asleep on the plane. I use, sparingly, energy pills like HydroxyStim to stay awake.
This story is from the June 10, 2013 issue of Fortune. 
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