Business travel can be a major expense for companies. Between airfare, hotels, meals, and transportation, those frequent flyer miles can really add up. But what if we told you there are clever ways to keep your business travel budget under control?
You’ll want to pay attention if you’re interested in slashing your company’s travel costs. In this article, we’ll spark your interest with budget-friendly tips and hacks to make your next business trip far less expensive.
You’ll discover easy tricks like flying at certain times and booking smart accommodations to get your wanderlust desires fulfilled without breaking the bank. We’ll give you actionable advice to put into practice so your company can afford more trips and boost travel ROI.
With a few simple policy changes, you can rein in travel spending for good. Read on to learn clever strategies that make business travel affordable!
Rethinking Airfare
When it comes to airfare, timing is everything. Booking early, traveling during off-peak times, and comparing budget airlines can lead to major savings. Aim to book flights at least 4-6 weeks in advance for optimum deals.
If your schedule is flexible, fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday rather than high-demand days like Friday. Scheduling meetings on less popular travel days means lower fares for your company. Use flight search engines like Kayak and Google Flights to compare prices across multiple airlines and get alerts for price drops.
Always check budget carriers like Spirit, Frontier, and JetBlue which offer no-frills flights at a fraction of the cost. While less comfortable, eliminating amenities like seat selection and baggage allowances can mean huge savings – so do the math. Rethinking air travel strategy takes effort, but the payoff for your bottom line is worth it.
Get Strategic With Accommodations
Lodging costs often trump airfare, so getting strategic with accommodations is key. Compare hotel chain rates with peer-to-peer rentals on Airbnb – often privately owned condos or apartments offer more space and amenities for far less.
For longer 1-2 week stays, extended stay or serviced apartments can provide home-like conveniences like kitchens with major discounts off regular hotel rates. Call the hotel directly rather than booking on third party sites for unpublished promotions.
Traveling off-season when tourism is down means lower demand and prices, so coordinate trips in fall/winter rather than spring/summer. Ask about corporate discounts or reduced weekly/monthly rates for frequent business travelers. Getting strategic with where you rest your head at night can save hundreds per trip.
Use Ground Transportation Wisely
Once you arrive, smart ground transportation choices keep costs low. Use subways, trains, buses, and other public transit when possible – most offer day passes for unlimited travel. Download transit apps with mobile ticketing and real-time schedules/maps.
For group travel, look into charter bus rentals which can transport larger away teams or regional employee meetings between cities affordably. Companies like BusBank provide corporate shuttle services and buses with WiFi and luxury seating for far less than booking many taxis or rideshares.
Or split Uber rides and taxis with colleagues when traveling in pairs – it cuts individual fares in half. Avoid overpriced airport transfers by taking the metro or hotel shuttles. With savvy ground transportation, you can save time and money getting around efficiently.
Cut Meal & Entertainment Costs
Dining and entertainment can bust travel budgets fast. Do some research ahead of time to find affordable local restaurants near your hotel or meeting venue. Search Yelp, TripAdvisor or blogs for highly rated spots that are easy on the wallet.
Use apps like HappyHourFinder to locate dinner specials, discounted appetizers, and BOGO drink deals to save while out with colleagues. Schedule group dinners earlier to take advantage of the best happy hour steals. If you have access to a kitchen, grab groceries and prepare simple meals yourself rather than eating out for every meal.
Stock up on breakfast foods, snacks, and sandwich supplies and bring a refillable water bottle to reduce spending. Set per diems for meals and stick to them – and say no to overpriced hotel mini bars or room service. A little planning makes it easy to wine, dine, and entertain affordably.
Other Tips & Tricks
Take advantage of a few other clever tricks to maximize travel savings. Ship presentation materials, product samples or other heavy items via UPS/FedEx to your destination instead of paying steep airline luggage fees.
Consider travel insurance for cancellations or lost baggage – it offers protection if plans change. Sign up for airline/hotel rewards programs and use travel rewards credit cards to rack up points and miles for free flights and nights. Leverage guest posting services to land articles on travel blogs and build relevant backlinks to your site. Download apps like LoungeBuddy to access airport lounges for free when you have long layovers.
Pack light with versatile items and coordinating colors to create multiple outfits. Travel doesn’t have to be a financial burden for your company with some creative thinking and smart planning.
Key Takeaways: Business Travel
The bottom line is that business travel can stay within your budget limitations by using clever hacks. Booking strategically, minimizing ground transportation costs, cutting dining and entertainment spending, and taking advantage of loyalty programs allows the same trips at a fraction of the price.
Put these tips into practice and watch your savings add up over time. Instead of travel being a necessary evil, it can be an affordable – even profitable – investment that keeps your company connected and thriving.
Don’t let budget fears keep you grounded. With a few easy policy tweaks, blue skies are ahead to grow your business!
