Book air, find a hotel, rent a car – fast

There are plenty of travel Web sites that promise the best/lowest/cheapest, but some are better than others.

I recommend: For speedy air searches, use SideStep, Kayak, and Mobissimo (rated best for international carriers). Check Hotels.com and Hotwire.com for hotel deals. For a fast scan of rental car options from several companies, check out BreezeNet.

Make the most of your frequent flyer miles

There are endless ways to accumulate air miles, but the options for using them are getting slimmer. To know when to spend 'em, when to hold 'em, you must stay on top of changing rules and programs:

I recommend: Log on to Flyer Talk where if you've got questions, they've got answers. At Web Flyer, you'll find inside scoop on major programs and the tools to manage your mileage stash.

Keep on top of business travel news

The old saying, "Knowledge is power" is doubly true when it comes to business travel. To stay on top of all that the airlines, hotels, and rental car companies won't tell you, subscribe to regular online revelations by biz travel gurus.

I recommend: "Joe Sent Me," delivered weekly by veteran road warrior Joe Brancatelli is one of the best for accurate and unbiased information (paid subscription required). Ed Perkins, founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, knows a lot about business travel and he shares it in his free newsletter "My Business Travel."

Book through a managed online travel program

If you don't have the interest or time to search multiple web sites for deals and options, an online booking program can give you the best of both worlds.

I recommend: American Express offers an online travel management program for small businesses. Also check out Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity -- each has an online business booking program.