All of us who fly for leisure can thank business travelers for the low fares we pay. Business travelers keep the airline industry in business, because they often pay full price for airfares. Business travelers usually fly Monday through Friday--they don't want or need to stay over Saturday night, which is a requirement for most discount fares. However, there are ways for corporations that have huge travel expenditures to save money.
Travel management companies help large, and mid sized companies spend their money for travel more effectively. There may be many divisions inside a company, and each division may book their travel and accommodations differently. Travel management companies urge corporations to adopt strict company wide travel policies in order to contain costs. Once, everyone in the company starts booking their travel arrangements through the travel management website, the corporation may see savings as high as 20 percent.
Travel management companies work with individual firms to determine what their general travel needs are, and then help them to develop working travel policies. The travel managers negotiate with airlines, hotels, and ground transportation companies for the best rates. When all travel arrangements are made through one website, then it becomes much easier to track expenses and hold employees accountable.
Rewards Programs
In addition to the competitive rewards programs that airlines and hotels offer, many business travel companies add in their own rewards programs. Once business travelers reach a certain level in the rewards programs they have full access to first-class lounges around the world. They get VIP escorts through various airports, express check in, and concierge services within the airports. Business travelers usually value these programs a great deal.
All of the top hotel chains cater to business travelers. They have generous rewards programs where members can accumulate points or airline miles. Hotels may double the amount of points members receive for groups of 10 or more and other special promotions. Many hotels specialize in hosting large conferences and have all the meeting facilities and banquet rooms to host groups of 10 to 650.
Many of the older business hotels have established relationships with their clients that span decades. They don't need to rely on gadgets or gimmicks to insure customer loyalty. They keep customers by giving excellent service. The newer hotels do have all the bells and whistles--including location-wide Wi-Fi, flat screen televisions, in-room refrigerators, DVD players, and more. Internet access is increasingly important to business travelers.
Corporate Apartments
Corporations often have to place employees and contractors in locations far away from home for lengthy periods. A consultant may have to stay six months in a location, for instance. Many people don't like living out of hotels for that long, and instead prefer corporate apartments. Corporate apartments are fully furnished, and have fully equipped kitchens. Guests at corporate apartments can cook their own meals and don't have to eat every meal in a restaurant, though many corporate apartment locations do have restaurants.
Corporate apartments usually offer every service that luxury hotels do. There is either daily or weekly maid service. Concierge service and car services are available. Most corporate apartments have pools, spas, exercise rooms, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities on-site. Corporate apartments usually have tight security as well. Corporations can usually save money by placing their people in corporate apartments for stays of a month or more.
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