Air Travel
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Air Travel
Air Travel for your business can be rather expensive, and it may seem harder than ever before to find ways to save on your business travel. Airfare can range so much, from very low to outrageously high depending on a number of factors, including where you book your travel and when you book it. In addition, finding an affordable hotel and an affordable rental fees can also make business travel a very expensive task. So, it is important, as a small business owner, to know just how to find the best deals on airfare and travel. There are a number of resources available online, such as the many helpful links on Business.com, that may help you to get the best deal on air traveling.
There some things you may want to keep in mind to get the best deals on business travel. Keep in mind hotel discounts and loyalty benefits that may be available, consider using credit cards that have business focuses, look into rental car deals, and check out any options for upgrades or even free tickets by looking into "soft dollar" programs the airlines you frequent have. Also look into air travel club memberships where you can earn frequent flier miles, as well as other perks for small businesses.
Saving Money on Your Business Travel
Learn how you can rack up big travel savings for your businessBy Betty W. Stark, Business travel consultant and columnist Stark Consulting It's harder than ever to save money on business travel. Airfares range from low to ridiculously high, depending on where and when you book your travel. Meanwhile, skyrocketing hotel room rates shout "sellers market," and the cost of renting a car is accelerating across the country. Savvy small business road warriors know there are tricks of the trade that can whittle down the many costs business travel. Money-saving ideas and internet resources can help trim the fat out of your travel budget. Add a few of these to your carry-on and watch the savings add up. Do your homework before you hit the road and you'll be able to:
- Score free tickets, upgrades and more by tapping into airline "soft dollar" programs
- Maximize hotel discounts and build loyalty benefits
- Capitalize on rental car tie-ins
- Bump up bonuses with business-focused credit cards.
Tap into airline perks
First, pledge your loyalty to just a few airlines that fly the most extensive routes AND go where YOU need to go. Then tap their perks programs specially designed for small businesses. Snag free tickets, upgrades, airline club memberships and more. You'll earn frequent flyer miles on qualifying flights in addition to business bonus points.
Try:
Most airlines offer special benefits to business travelers. United Airlines does it through its “PerksPlus” program, Frontier’s Business Travel Program (BTP) and JetBlue’s TrueBlue frequent flyer program.
Choose hotel partners and then stick with them
Loyalty is the key to maximizing benefits from hotel stays. If your annual room nights warrant it, negotiate a chain-wide contract with a national sales account manager. Otherwise, cut your deals locally where you stay most frequently.
Try:
Look for volume-driven programs at Best Western's Best Business Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards, (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites among others) and the Marriott chain's Marriott Rewards program
Maximize benefits from your rental car programs
Choose one or two car rental companies that serve more of your locations and offer special programs for small business.
Try:
Check out Budget Rental Car's Budget Business Program , the Hertz Business Account Program, the Avis Corporate Awards Program and Enterprise's Corporate Class Business Rental Program.
Pick credit cards that offer the most
You've pledged your loyalty to a few airlines, hotels and rental car companies. Now you need a credit card that gives you a competitive interest rate, miles and points, and is widely accepted.
Try:
Check out these websites for card programs offered by airlines (apply if you want to rack up miles on a single carrier) or cards offering points that can be redeemed on multiple carriers (this will give you more flexibility and options), like the Capital One No-Hassle Card for Small Business.
- Book your air travel as far ahead as possible and then don't make changes. If you do change, most airlines will charge you a $100 fee plus any fare increase.
- Booking fewer than seven days in advance can cost as much as 152% more than fares booked at least seven to fourteen days out.
- Check fares from alternate airports within an hour or two from your home base. Fare savings can be significant.
- Schedule meetings with your client at airport conference rooms to save the cost of overnighting at an airport hotel. Make sure the room is OUTSIDE the secured area.
- Introduce yourself to the manager at hotels you frequent. This can get you reduced rates and no-cost upgrades for future visits.
- Check over your rental car for dings and dents before you leave the lot AND when you return it. Otherwise, you might get charged for damage you didn't cause.
Save up to 50% on Travel Packages. Flights, Hotels & More at ORBITZ!
Expedia Guarantees the Best Price. Find Great Deals on Travel.
Get The Best Fares For Your Trip. Book Your Tickets on Southwest Now!
Spring deals from $59 one way See all flight deals & book now!
Buy Cheap Flights & Save Up To 65%. Extra $15 Off. Limited Seat. Hurry!