Business travel in the last few years has taken a back seat. With the increase in virtual meetings and online conferences, the need for corporate travel for business was pretty much eliminated.
However, as we start to move out of the pandemic and things go back to normal, there will likely be some return to business travel as before.
The setup in the future is likely to be some hybrid of online and in-person meetings and events. Business travel has changed, and we must adapt to the new norms.
Here are some business travel tips to save time and money and make the most of the resources available to us today.
Business Travel Tips To Save Time & Money
The most significant part of traveling for business is the cost of the flight and the hotel. If you’re an entrepreneur who has to foot the bill, charge all travel expenses to a business credit card to maximize benefits and easily track expenses incurred.
Points and Miles
Another great way to save on business travel costs is by using points and miles.
Sign up for a frequent flyer program with your preferred airline if you fly often; you can also use credit card rewards points to book airfare, hotels, and car rentals. Just ensure you pay your credit card balance in full every month to avoid accruing interest charges.
Finding A Place To Stay
If you have that travel credit card, put it to good use! Find out if you can use points for your stay, get extra nights for free, or score complimentary perks.
Consider these sites to find affordable pricing options outside of the travel credit card realm.
If you don’t have membership or status at hotel chains or are traveling somewhere where budget-friendly venues are limited, consider non-hotel options. These include:
With Phone a friend, I’m referring to reaching out to your network and see if they have a place for you to stay temporarily. You may also consider asking if your friends have timeshare options in the city you will be visiting.
If they aren’t using their dates, and it works out, you can sublet the timeshare! Along with extended-stay suites, this option may benefit longer business trips.
Finding The Best Flights
Business travel credit cards can come into good use here. You can find an extensive list of the best ones here.
Each travel credit card has different perks. Some are associated with certain airlines; others are universal in giving you extra points for travel purchases. Yet others have excellent cash-back options. The one you choose should suit your overall business needs.
If business travel for you is rare, then a cash-back card might be best. On the other hand, an airline card may give you the most perks and bang for your buck if you travel often.
Alternate resources for finding the best flights for your business travel needs are:
- Scott’s Cheap Flights (this is especially useful if your travel dates are flexible and/or you need to go abroad)
- Expedia
- Google Flights
- Kayak
- Momondo
There is also the Hopper app. This app allows you to put in the destination you need and business travel dates. In addition, it helps you track and watch airfares over time and will alert you when the airfares are likely the lowest.
If you can plan your business travel, this app can help you book and save at the right time.
To save time (and money), try to book flights that have a layover of less than three hours. This way, you won’t have to worry about finding a place to store your luggage or dealing with the hassle (and expense) of taking a taxi or Uber to your hotel.
Plan Your Trips in Clusters
If you have several meetings or in-person appearances to make, and they happen to be geographically close, consider having your business travel plans in clusters.
Traveling between cities that are close by allows you to explore other modes of transportation and save on travel costs.
For instance, you can take a bus, Amtrak, or rent a car if your travel destination is close enough to your starting point. Doing this can save you both time and money as you’ll be able to knock out several business meetings in one work trip!
If You’re The Host Of A Business Meeting
If you’re the one asking people to come to you, consider hosting a hybrid event. That means you invite those who are most needed in person and set up a live virtual event so that others can join in from home.
With this option, you can get the work done, be inclusive of everyone, yet save time and money on event space, meals, and the like.
Going Abroad
For international business trips, you should be prepared for that as well!
Save time at the airport by enrolling in TSA precheck (saves time at check-in) and Global Entry (saves time while coming home). They cost $100 each and last for about five years.
Many travel credit cards will also reimburse you for this business expense, which is absolutely worth it.
Be sure to investigate whether your mobile phone plan includes international roaming. If not, you may want to purchase a local SIM card so you can stay connected while avoiding costly roaming charges.
For these longer trips, booking a vacation package with a flight and hotel can sometimes be more cost-effective for your wallet. You may also ask your event host if they are offering discounts at nearby hotels for conference attendees.
Another idea is to see if your co-workers are also going. You can plan to share a hotel room and split the cost, saving you a lot of money for the whole business trip.
Regarding car rentals, doing this abroad can be expensive and is often unnecessary. Instead, look for ground transportation or public transportation options, as both can help you save money.
Shared rides are another option, especially to get from the airport to the hotel.
Hybrid Events
As mentioned above, the future of business meetings is likely to be hybrid events.
If you’re an employee gearing up for business travel, or an employer looking for ways to keep your staff connected, this trend is important you adapt to it.
As an employee, ask your company about online options for business events. If the possibility exists, you can save time and money by attending online.
As an employer, you must be mindful of your remote work employees and their limitations. That is also important if you cannot fund business travel for everyone.
Hybrid events allow people to choose what works best for their needs while remaining engaged with work and the company.
Business Travel Tips To Stay Safe & Healthy
Pandemic Precautions
Many business events will likely still have Covid precautions in place. That is important to note as you may need to arrange for proof of vaccination, exemption, or negative test results to attend the event in the first place.
As an attendee, check the guidelines and prepare accordingly.
If you’re hosting the event, stick to company policy in this regard and be sure to accommodate the different needs of your attendees. That includes having extra masks available, hand sanitizer, and a plan for cleaning in between events or meetings.
When it comes to business travel, safety should be your top priority. Be sure to research your business travel destinations before you go and familiarize yourself with the local laws and customs. This will help you avoid any potential legal trouble.
It’s also important to take measures to protect your health while traveling. Be sure to get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation. And be sure to pack essential items like hand sanitizer, face masks, and disinfecting wipes.
Business Travel Management
As a side note, if you’re an employer who is preparing for an upswing in business travel for your employees, then consider utilizing the services of a business travel management company. An example is Concur, which has a platform to help you keep track of business travel expenses, reimbursements, and the like.
This kind of travel software can help keep things streamlined and fair, allow everyone to stay up to date on their travel and expenses, and clarify where the most travel expenses occur.
Final Thoughts
The recovery of business travel may not look like what you imagine. However, adapting to a new normal is essential for sustainable business travel in the future. Travel smart as a professional with these tips and take advantage of the many resources available to you, such as business lounges, concierge services, and complimentary breakfast at your hotel to save time and money while growing your career!
This post originally appeared on Savoteur.
