Business travel comes at a cost but that cost can be cut down to the barest minimum. Traveling is a necessary evil for most businesses. It’s always better to close that deal, meet prospective partners, etc without necessarily meeting them in person. That way you can save your business the cost of traveling, but it doesn’t always work like that.
Business travel does not necessarily means getting on a plane, you could be traveling on a train, in an automobile, on a bus, in a cab or you may be even traveling on foot for a few miles.
The most important thing is that you want to be able to cut cost on your travel as much as possible no matter your means of transport. These are a few ideas that can help you cut the cost of your next travel.
1. Find out your company’s policy on reimbursements.
Greater number of companies have travel policies that clearly spells out how much employees or departments can spend in a fiscal year. Before you book any travel, find out your company’s policy on reimbursements.
You could streamline your travel expense report process when you have the right information about how your company handles employee travels. You don’t want to spend your annual fiscal budget for travel on a single trip. The return on each travel should be worth more than the cost of your time and expense.
You may not remember all the details of your spending when on a business travel, keep your receipts organized by placing all your expense receipts inside a large envelope that holds every important travel document to make the expense report process easier when you get back.
2. It pays to plan in advance!
Unless you have to attend an emergency meeting outside the city tomorrow, you are better off planning your travel schedule in advance. Don’t wait to book your flight and hotel until the last minute, rates always tend to get higher closer to a travel date-most experienced travelers are well aware of this travel tip. Some hotels and airlines offer discounts for booking several weeks in advance.
Check out the best flight deal out there; cheap flights can always be found online with some research. Find cheap fares by comparing fares between airlines and pick the best deal that fits your travel needs.
Advance booking may not be always feasible for every business traveler, but when you can, take that option to save on your business travel. Planning in advance helps you avoid traveling during peak holiday times when everything costs more.
3. You don’t have to be in a cab!
Taxis are some of the most convenient means transport for business professionals especially for short distances if traffic is not worse. But guess what, you could save some of that travel budget if you use the subway, metro or underground or even a bus.
Most business professionals are always rushing for that meeting and can’t afford to waste time underground when they should be on the ground in a taxi, but you can make it early enough if you set out early. Don’t be in a rush, you know when you have to be there, enjoy that new city and it’s flavor by exploring cheaper means of transport.
4. Check out frequent flyer programs
If you travel on regular basis, there’s got be a frequent flyer program for professionals in your industry or better still ask your regular airline, they always have packages for frequent flyers. You could be eligible for cheaper fares, upgrades, and just maybe a free companion ticket.
5. Ask for hotel reward programs
Lost of great hotel brands have reward programs and perks for frequent visitors. Again you could be eligible for perks like free nights or room upgrades. Some companies register with particular hotels and get discounts for bookings that exceed a certain number. Register your company with an international hotel you trust and overtime your hotel expenses could minimize when you reach the booking threshold.
6. Use short-term housing instead of a hotel
If you plan of staying in a particular city for over a month , there are better and cheaper alternatives. You don’t have to use a hotel all the time. For easy experience you can try Homesuite, an online marketplace that removes the guesswork and hassle from finding short-term furnished housing for your travel needs.
7. Roaming is still expensive
In as much as roaming is convenient, it is still one of the most expensive ways of communicating when on business travel. Call your carrier and check your options. Look for other call options. For connectivity, check out local alternatives.
What are some of the best ways you have cut cost in your past business travels?
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