SMEs led South Africa’s corporate travel recovery, but many small businesses now find themselves needing to tighten their belts due to rising travel costs caused by restrained capacity, supply and demand, high fuel costs, and inflation.
But can you really afford to cut back on travel when face-to-face contact with your customers gives you your competitive advantage? You don’t have to. According to Bonnie Smith, GM Corporate Traveller, you’re probably spending unnecessary money on business travel right now, yet there are simple strategies you can use to make significant savings – without crossing rows off your Excel spreadsheet.
These are some surprising ways you can avoid overspending on business travel.
Avoid racking up penalties when you book online
Booking a flight online may make you think you’re getting a good deal. But what happens if your business meeting has to be rescheduled or you have to cancel your trip at the last minute?
Your travel budget will take a hit, as costs or penalties add up when travellers book fares that can’t be changed or refunded. A Travel Management Company (TMC) can hold seats, or negotiate ‘waivers and favours’ on your behalf … meaning no change fees for SMEs on the move.
Stop relying on the buying power of one
Tapping into the power of ‘bulk buying’ can be a great way for small businesses to get preferential rates – you’ll know this from negotiations with your own supplies. Travel is no different.
TMCs have global buying power and can help you save money on business travel expenses by using their relationships and negotiating power to get discounts from suppliers worldwide. TMCs also often act on behalf of their clients to secure special industry rates that aren’t readily available online and which result in significant savings, making better use of your business travel budget.
Make sure you have a contingency plan in place
No one likes to have their plans disrupted, especially when it comes to travel. But what happens if your luggage, which contains important business documents, or personal items arrives late or is lost?
The costs associated with sorting out the situation can add up quickly, and you’ll feel the pain if you haven’t invested in a good travel insurance policy. Again, a TMC can help by advising you on ancillary services, including insurance, that can save your SME money in the long run.
Avoid booking at the last moment
South Africa is suffering from low flight capacity, which means last-minute bookings will cost you dearly if you can get one. Business travellers used to booking flights on an ad hoc basis have found themselves in situations where they are being forced to book an overnight stay to get a seat on the next available flight.
Last-minute travel can be expensive too. Booking your flight at least eight to 14 days in advance can save up to 14% on full economy fares, research shows. Change your travellers’ booking behaviour so they can be sure to get the right price, class and time of flight they want.
Leave the travel planning to the professionals
Have you ever thought about the hidden costs of booking your own travel? Not only in terms of money but also time and stress? Studies have shown that the average business traveller spends 20 minutes reading hotel reviews before making a booking.
And if something goes wrong during the trip, it’s not just the cost of rebooking that you need to think about. It’s also about the well-being of the traveller. Disrupted travel plans can lead to missed opportunities and reduced productivity, affecting the individual and your company’s bottom line.
If you’re stuck on the idea of managing your travel in-house, you’re missing out on some great benefits and savings, Smith says. “TMCs have years of experience working with different travel suppliers and can get you amazing rates that you wouldn’t get on your own. They can also negotiate additional perks like lounge access or early check-in and late check-out.”
So don’t write off the services of a TMC just because you think you’re too small to warrant their services – they could end up saving you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
