Business trips rarely follow your original plans exactly, so the cost of the trip could fluctuate from time to time. Taxes and fees can add 25 percent (or more) to your budget, especially when you travel internationally; including adds luggage fees, Wi-Fi access, and extra meals (think of those frequent airport delays). All those bills add up, so even if you think you know how much a trip will cost, the final amount can be a shocker.
According to a survey released last month by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, nearly three-quarters of companies plan to cut travel budgets in 2009. While travel budgets continue shrinking, teleconferencing systems keep improving. However, videoconferences will never eliminate the need for face-to-face contact because business is about relationships, and you have to create those in person. So how do you save big on your business travels?
American Express has suggested 5 tips for efficient travel spending; you should try them out on your upcoming business trip.
1. Plan twice, book once. Confirm appointments before you book; check and double-check to make sure your bookings make sense.
2. Pack light. Most airlines charge baggage fees and levy charges for overweight bags.
3. Be flexible. Be flexible about the days of the week and even the time of day you travel. Take flexibility a step further and consider other ways of travel than airlines (train, express bus or driving).
4. Double up on a hotel rooms. Co-workers traveling together should try to share a room or suite. If you can, stay with a friend or relative. Some companies are willing to reimburse you if the total is less than the cost of a night's stay in a hotel.
5. Plan ahead and stay in touch. The earlier you book air tickets and hotel rooms, the more likely you'll find a good price.
I wholeheartedly agree with number 4. I went on tens of trips in high school, and I never had a room to myself.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of corporate attitude is what got us into this economic mess in the first place.