Four ways to add value to your travel program

Incorporating value adds into your business travel program can deliver lower travel spend, less administrative effort and happier, hassle-free travellers according to Corporate Traveller expert Phil Symonds.

Partnering with the right travel management company is a critical strategy for striking the right balance between productivity and cost savings. Here are some of the ways working closely with that partner can add value.

1. MANDATE TRAVEL POLICY

The key to getting the most benefit from your Travel Manager is to use their expertise to craft a travel policy: 

• Make all your bookings on a single online platform to maximise visibility across your program. Once all your bookings are easily tracked, a Travel Manager can help you identify patterns and opportunities for saving time and money.
• Create a single travel policy for the whole business and ensure all employees comply with it. Your Travel Manager can assist in the formulation and implementation of a travel policy and conduct regular reviews to ensure it reflects your changing business needs.

2. BUNDLE BOOKINGS

Using consolidated bookings saves money - Travel websites can charge up to $30 per booking in excess fees. If you were to book a flight online from Brisbane to Sydney with one carrier and another carrier for the return flight, you would be typically charged two different booking fees. Similarly, you can also save money by bundling flights and accommodation and/or car hire within a single booking. 

Bundling also saves time - A recent Flight Centre Travel Group study showed booking a standard domestic return flight with two nights accommodation and two days car hire took more than 75 minutes. The same booking process with a Travel Manager took less than eight minutes all up.

3. AUTOMATE TRAVEL CREDITS

Without a dedicated focus on travel credit management, many forego the actual value of their spend. Your Travel Manager can help you with holistic management of travel credits through reporting and proactive account management. It’s essential to pick a travel partner with the technology, skills and process efficiencies to ensure complete visibility of travel credits to reduce waste.

4. USING THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY

All of the above are underpinned and made possible by the right technology. The ideal travel management company  will be able to offer a wide variety of  online tools and the expert advice to help you select the right combination for your business.