Travel is back, and it’s better than ever. But it’s also more expensive than ever. Inflation is hitting the travel industry hard.
This is a huge setback for businesses. Travel is essential for most companies. It’s not a cost that can be removed.
However, there are ways to save money on business travel. Here are ways you can save money this year.
1. Off-Season
Don’t travel when everyone else is traveling.
Flights are most expensive around holidays. Avoid flying around Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you can, don’t fly during the school holidays.
Families tend to take vacations during the summer and over Spring break.
This makes everything more expensive during these seasons. Flights, hotels, and transportation will all be pricier than during other times of year.
Travel during the school year. If you’re traveling for business, this is probably good timing anyway. You’ll want to spend the holidays with your families.
Visit destinations that aren’t as popular during a certain time of year.
Everyone flocks to the beach during the summer. Instead of the coast, consider a ski resort. You might not be able to ski, but you could hike.
For best prices, be as flexible as possible with dates.
2. Booking Services
You probably don’t have great travel industry connections.
Booking services do. That enables them to reserve hotels, flights, and other travel essentials for good prices. If you use their service, you’ll get that cheaper price.
Look into a service that specializes in bookings for business travel.
They can also give you lots of tips on how to save money while traveling. For instance, having a company credit card will save you lots of money.
You don’t have to be a company to have a business credit card. As long as you’re a business traveler, you can apply for one. Even freelancers count as business travelers.
Planning travel details wastes time. Unless you use a booking service, you’re losing valuable work hours from your employees.
It will cost you some money to use a service. However, it will end up saving you money in the long run.
Instead of a cost, consider it an investment.
3. Rewards Programs
Saying no to rewards programs is saying no to free money.
Many rewards programs are entirely free to sign up for. There are no commitments, and every time you use it you earn points.
Sign up with all major airlines and hotel chains.
That way you have flexibility when you travel and won’t be trapped with one brand. You should have choices while you are traveling.
Rewards members are more likely to get upgrades than non-members.
You’ll also accumulate points over time, and most points will roll over from year to year. The longer you’re a member, the more likely you are to get perks.
Perks can be as small as a free drink. Sometimes they’re as big as a first-class upgrade on an international flight.
Sign up for rewards programs today to start saving.
4. Remote Work
Embrace the digital workspace.
There’s no reason that you can’t work remotely on the road.
If you’re an employer, be flexible with your office policy. Let employees work remotely when they go on vacation. That lets them travel without being rushed or making it back to the office.
It also lets business travelers enjoy their destination. Bleisure travel, which is a combination of business and leisure, is on the rise.
More companies are starting to see the benefits of remote work and flexible paid time off policies.
If you aren’t already hybrid, you’re falling behind.
5. Cost Cutting
The most obvious way to save money is to stop spending it.
Cut costs wherever you can. This usually means cutting costs at the office.
See about reducing energy costs by turning off lights as much as possible. There’s no reason to have the bathroom lights on all the time when no one is in there half the time.
Cut down on printing costs by going digital.
If you can help it, don’t cut employee perks. That will only make them upset and not want to work.
Create incentives for your workers to cut costs wherever possible.
Conclusion
Travel doesn’t need to be expensive. If you plan right, it can be affordable.
