Business traveling is increasing day by day. Hence, companies are spending more and more on business travel to increase meetings with current clients and prospective clients. Or sometimes, simply to attend some overseas conferences or business meetings.
So, there has never been a shortage of reasons for executives to pack their bags and hit the road. The respective companies pay all these expenses by comparing the best flight websites. This year, the US companies’ travel expenses are expected to top $310 billion. It is roughly equal to the GDP of Malaysia.
Moreover, companies offer a budget in which an employee has to undertake a business trip. Sometimes the total cost of the trip seems to surpass the given limit. So, to avoid that, some important measures should be taken to complete the trip in the given budget as provided by the company.
Hire a travel agent
Hire a travel agent and allow him to take care of the flight tickets and accommodation. As the travel agents have access to all the latest information about the air, hotel, cab fares, they will make a wholesome cheap travel package that will help you to save loads of money.
Travel with a carry on
Try to carry small luggage and an extra bag like a purse or laptop bag to avoid the checked baggage charge. If you are going for two to three days, smart packing will go a long way and will save you some money.
Compare prices: Some hotels offer the corporate discount, negotiate with them and find out the best-discounted room they offer and compare with other hotels to find the quality hotel at a cheap price. This will also give you an idea about how to get the best flight deals.
Opt for coach class for domestic travels: Booking coach class will save you tons of money and the plane will take your employees to their destination regardless of their seat types for a domestic trip and save the high-class business seats for the international travel.
Hire a bus or shuttle
For a larger group, hiring a bus or shuttle will save you money. They even provide the facility of free WiFi, parking, refreshments, and video. This will take your whole group for a much cheaper price than flying.
Try cheaper airlines: Cheaper airlines will take you for a much lower cost than the high profile airlines. Those are the best air tickets. Just be flexible to save a lot. Avoid choosing seats, print your boarding pass at home, read the fine print and pay for your checked baggage online.
Utilize the sharing economy
If you have family or friends living at the place where you are traveling, stay with them for the time you are there. By doing that you will be able to save the money on the hotel rooms. Also, you will be able to spend some time with your loved ones.
Stay an extra day: If you have a business for 2 days try to stay there for 3 days instead. Also, you can get great airplane ticket discounts and hotel deals by staying more nights in one place. Plus it will give you some time to relax and chill.
Do consider these points when you plan your next business trip. If you have a small business, these tips will help you to save a big amount of money on the business class flight cost and the accommodation cost.