Small Business Owners – Here are some Travel TIPS & HACKS for a low budget trip!

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Small Business Owners - Here are some Travel TIPS & HACKS for a low budget trip!Business travel can take a big bite out of your bottom line, and for small businesses, that bite can feel large and exceedingly painful. Is there any way to stretch your travel budget? The small business travel management professionals at GTI Travel have the tips and tricks you need to get the best bang for your travel buck.

10 Travel Tips & Hacks for a Low Budget Trip

  1. Don’t assume business and economy plus seats are out of budget.
    Searching for coach class seating when you’re on a budget makes sense, but during the holidays when business travel drops, the price of business and economy class seating will as well.
  2. Search one-way fares, then combine them.
    While round-trip purchases may be easiest to book, they’re not always the best deal, or the most convenient. Purchasing two one-ways and mixing and matching carriers and routes may offer you more flexibility and a better price.
  3. Look to on-time arrival records.
    The best business travel agencies know airlines with a low flight cancellation and rate high on-time arrivals helps you avoid the unexpected expense and stress of missing connections.
  4. Travel on holiday.
    No one wants to fly on Thanksgiving or Christmas day. Traveling on big holidays ensures both flight deals and ample space.
  5. Sign up for rewards programs.
    Even if you don’t plan on future travel, travel services pros always recommend signing up for reward programs, such as frequent flyer miles. Doing this offers you opportunities in the event of a mishap or request, representing opportunities for future business.
  6. Weigh luggage.
    The cost of overweight luggage is beyond excessive. An inexpensive digital baggage scale can save you a ton of dough, allowing for the weighing of items before each trip segment.
  7. Carry on.
    Instead of checking luggage, carry on instead. This not only saves money but saves time and hassle at the luggage carousel – or worse: Lost luggage. With the right luggage and compression bags, it’s easier than you think.
  8. Share your problems.
    Tweeting travel issues, such as a bump or missed connection, is now faster or easier than standing in the customer service line next to tired parents with screaming children. Most major carriers employ customer service reps that monitor these services, making it faster and easier to get help in such situations.
  9. Avoid touristy locales when dining.
    Eating in any city that is near a major tourist attraction almost always ensures inflated prices and low-quality food and service. Local hot spots (and even food trucks) often offer far better food at lower prices.
  10. Eat out for lunch, dine-in for dinner.
    Enjoying the complimentary hotel breakfast, eating out for lunch, and dining in at your in-room kitchenette for dinner can be a great way to stretch your dining dollars.

Don’t let business travel expenses bite you. Ensure sweet success, protecting your budget. Secure the best airfare and lodging prices with the help of the business travel planning pros at GTI Travel today.

Is Your Company’s Travel Program Ready for 2020? Let’s Review.

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Is Your Company's Travel Program Ready for 2020? Let's Review.As consumer needs and technology evolves, so too does the business travel industry. What trends are expected to have an impact on business travel in the year ahead? The corporate travel planning pros at GTI Travel predict these industry shifts based on current business travel statistics and data in the coming year.

Upcoming Business Travel Trends for 2020

  1. Businesses are experiencing an upsurge in female business travelers.

Each year, more and more women are traveling for business. To date, women make up nearly half of U.S. business travelers, and this segment has different concerns than their male counterparts, particularly surrounding safety. 77% report experiencing harassment or mistreatment during their travels, making considering the unique needs of female business travelers in your travel policy a must. Does your current corporate travel policy include safety tips and emergency travel resources for women travelers? 2020 is the time to evaluate your duty of care policies to meet the changing needs of your traveling staff.

  1. Employees are becoming increasingly frustrated with companies slow to provide them access to technology that could improve the business travel experience, such as:
    • Expense reporting tools
      1 of 4 travelers would rather have a cavity filled than fill-out an expense report. Though technology exists to make this process easier and less painful, many businesses are slow on the uptake. The current model of written reports often leads to delays in reimbursement, misplaced trust, and discontentment with the business travel experience.
    • Online booking tools
      Online booking tools that streamline the travel booking process for obtaining airfare, lodging and transportation help employees feel more in control of the travel experience while maintaining your corporate travel policy requirements.
    • Travel safety technology
      Despite employer duty of care responsibilities, many travelers believe their company does not consider their safety during trips a top priority. Showcasing your commitment to employees and shielding your business against travel mishaps could be easily addressed, however, with the implementation of travel technology such as real-time alerts based on your employee’s region of travel.
  1. “Bleisure” is increasing in popularity. 

Travel that mixes both business and leisure is on the rise, with many frequent business travelers expecting to spend more than a few days enjoying their destination, including higher-quality accommodations and the time to step into the tourist role. This freedom to travel is linked to employee retention, making encouraging such trips an integral part in ensuring the continuing happiness of your traveling staff.

  1. Airline service changes are on the horizon.

Many major air carriers have announced upcoming service changes, including expansions to airline routes and increased availability of flights. Staying on top of these route changes is key to maximizing rewards and benefits from your favorite service providers.

Head into the new year with confidence. Optimize your travel program and safeguard your bottom line in 2020 with the help of business travel planning experts at GTI Travel today.