Booking Air Travel for Biz Owners

Question: It's 1 a.m. and I just woke the baby with my yelps of frustration. I'm trying to book airline tickets for some business travel, but only a lunatic could appreciate all the ridiculous rules and rate structures. How can I find convenient but cost-effective air travel without going bonkers?

Answer: Your travel booking frustrations are shared by millions - and especially small business owners. We're the ones the travel industry loves to fleece. Biz owners lack the clout of big corporations to wrangle the best deals. And we don't have the flexibility of leisure travelers, so we often pay more to get places on short notice.

Each plane leaving the gate may have 20 to 30 different ticket prices, not including first or business class. The gap between the highest and lowest has narrowed somewhat in recent years, but the difference is still huge.

For a time, the Internet increased confusion with "backdoor" deals available through travel discount sites. But the Web's growing popularity and the efficiency of search engines are making "insider deals" a thing of the past.

Today, the best airfares are available directly on each airline's own Web site and consumer satisfaction with online booking is up, according to the Consumer Internet Barometer, a quarterly survey by The Conference Board. The latest survey says two-thirds of travelers are using the Web to either research or book their travel. And 88 percent of those who booked online were satisfied with the experience.

Here are some ways to save time and money:

1. Don't be locked into using the same old "legacy" airlines. Business owners are flocking to discount carriers such as Jet Blue, Southwest, Ted (a United spinoff) and Song (run by Delta).
   
   
2. The further ahead you book, the less it will cost. Try to book at least 21 days in advance and stay a Saturday night.
   
   
3. Sign up for the small business travel programs offered by most major airlines. They offer modest discounts (generally 2-5 percent) and perks like bonus frequent flyer miles. American Airlines' Business ExtrAA program for small business just launched a special American Express card with rebates of up to 10 percent. Other programs include Delta Sky Bonus, Northwest Biz Perks, Continental Reward One and America West Corporate Awards. Signups are free.
   
   
4. The top three online travel discount and booking services - Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity - do a huge business but have lost some luster because most airlines now offer the same (or better) rates on their own sites, with less clutter. The travel services may also tack on a small booking fee.
   
   
5. If you need to make a change in a restricted ticket you already bought, call the airline and ask for the "re-issue desk" to see what can be done. The agents in this department are specialists at handling these situations and can suggest the most cost effective options.
   
   
6. Use a travel agent. A travel agent who specializes in business travel can save you huge amounts of time and a lot of money. Sure you'll pay something for their services. But the expertise of knowing how to navigate the travel industry maze is worth every penny.

Here are some savvy business travel resources:

• Business Travel When it's Your Money is an excellent new book by veteran travel writer Ed Perkins that delivers travel strategies for small business owners and independent professionals. Perkins is founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter and his advice will undoubtedly save you time and money. Get updates at www.mybusinesstravel.com. The book lists for $24.95 but you can buy it here for $19.96.
  
  
• For help finding a travel agent, visit TravelSense.org the new consumer Web site established by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). The site also has travel tips and alerts. The main ASTA site is www.astanet.com.
  
  
• Hassle-Free Business Travel ($12.95) by William Mitchell is loaded with helpful travel booking advice for business owners. Look for the edition published in 2003, subtitled "Strategies for Navigating The New World of Travel." Appendix lists phone numbers, Web sites and helpful details for airlines, frequent flyer and other travel programs.