Road warrior survival strategies: three busy professionals share their travel secrets.

MARIA CAROTHERS, SAN DIEGO 

As president of Promo Trends, Maria Carothers spends a significant share of her time crisscrossing the country. Promo Trends is marketer of the African American Women on Tour (AAWOT), a series of personal enrichment conferences targeted to women. Between scouting new locations, soliciting sponsors and holding the meetings, Carothers is on the road five to six days a month, usually in two-to-three-day blocks.

"Because I have children, I try not to spend more than four or five, days in any given week away from home," says the mother of two daughters, 10 and 14 years old.

Carothers prefers to fly. "I typically go with the lowest airfare. But, I also consider the number of stops and change of planes," she adds. Enrolled in six different airline frequent flier programs, Carothers says she prefers to save up her points for a free ticket instead of upgrading her seat to business class. "Because I'm a small independent business, cost is first and foremost in my mind."

Carothers says a good travel agent is essential for the biggest savings. Since AAWOT meetings mean tourism dollars for a city, Carothers can often get localities or hotels to pick up part of her tab. "I also try to do dual purpose trips, such as site visits along with a sponsorship meeting." But when it comes to accommodations, Carothers prefers large, downtown hotel chains, especially Marriott and Hilton. "Because I get points for holding my meetings at a hotel, I can earn anywhere from three to 10 nights."

Carothers always packs black to get the most mileage out of her wardrobe. "And, I try to put everything on wheels to reduce the weight."

ERBY L. FOSTER Jr., LOUISVILLE, KY

"Have wings, will travel" most aptly describes Erby Foster Jr. As director of Worldwide Audit and Consulting for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Foster has logged over 650,000 miles since 1993, checking up on KFC's nearly 9,000 restaurants in 70 countries. "My boss has said that I need a titanium-level frequent flier card," he quips.

A typical trip from corporate headquarters in Louisville, Ky., to die Pacific Rim and Asia includes 20 hours of flight time, four hours of layover, plus a 12-hour time difference. "Louisville is not a hub city, so I have to travel to Cincinnati or Nashville to get an international flight."

For someone moving so far so fast, how does he keep up? Foster says his passport is always in his briefcase. But his real travel secret: "I use the climate [preferably warm] as a good way to make up my schedule," says the Califonia-native. Foster travels 10 months a year for two weeks each month, including weekends; most trips cover several countries but last no more than 10 days.

Foster flies by the book. Company policy says trips over six hours can be flown business class, "which in the international markets is superior to our first-class," he adds, singling out Cathay Pacific and Singapore Air as the best. Domestically, Foster prefers American, United and Delta Airlines, in that order, but balances his preferences with sensitivity to the bottom line.

On the domestic leg of his international flights, Foster is automatically upgraded to first-class; but when flying within the U.S. he doesn't use his points to upgrade his seat. Instead, he gives them to family members.

ENA F. MILLER, CHICAGO

As a sales representative for Mays Chemical Co., a BE 100s concern, Ena Miller spends at least 12 hours a day in her car. "I'm in my car all the time," says Miller. Overnight trips usually last two to three days, and she's on the road 17 to 18 days a month.

To keep in touch with her office, clients and home, Miller says, "I couldn't live without my car phone." In addition to giving her a company car, Miller's employer picks up her $200 monthly phone tab.

But the phone serves as more than a means to stay in touch; it's also Miller's security. "Ameritech has a booklet that tells you how to access emergency and safety numbers in an area. I can dial into one central number and they will give me the services closest to where I am." Safety and accommodations are major concerns for traveling women.

"I try to stay in the same hotel--only a name chain," says Miller, who always asks for a room on an upper level and one not facing the street if it's a low-rise hotel.

Building frequent flier miles

Keeping track of your frequent flier miles can be harder than balancing your books. There are so many ways to earn miles other than travel--phone company tieins, charge cards, even buying flowers or banking--that it's hard to keep track of how many miles you have. Understanding the best way to earn and use those miles is key to maximizing their benefits.

Start by choosing one airline you like to fly. It should travel the route you use most often. Then stick with it. Work your way into that program's elite level where the perks, upgrades and bigger bonuses are.

Use that airline's partners--commuter and international airlines, hotels and rental car agencies--to earn extra miles and points. According to Inside Flyer, you can increase your account by 20% to 30% using partner companies. But remember, your airline's partners can change often.

Bundle your resources. Even long-distance phone calls can help boost your frequent flier mileage.

Use "affinity" credit cards, which let you earn points per purchase charged. Diners Club's Club Rewards program lets you earn miles (on your airline of choice) every time you use it. A new charge card from Chase Manhattan Bank lets you earn flight reward points on any airline for an annual $25 membership fee.

Plan frequent flier trips ahead of time to get the greatest distance for your miles. Don't travel during peak travel times or seasons; you'll spend twice die miles necessary.

To keep track of miles, save all receipts. There are several software programs available to help you track and manage mileage, including Frequent Travel Management (800-FTM-AirMax). American Express Gold Card holders can use the company's Mileage Manager to consolidate all frequent traveler points on one monthly statement.

Know the value and shelf fife of your points. Programs are changing the number of points or miles needed before you can redeem them. Others have put termination dates on the length of time miles are good for.

To ensure mileage credit, always use the same name exactly as given on your account. If you have questions or a mileage dispute, take up your case--and documentation--with that frequent travel partner immediately. Brown