Business travel involves traveling away from one's home for
more than one day, in relation to business, professional, or
job-related responsibilities. The business traveler is primarily
concerned with checking relevant travel advisories, acquiring the
necessary travel gear, and traveling from point A to point B in the
fastest and most convenient manner. Upon arrival at his or her
destination, the corporate traveler wants to quickly review cultural
highlights and attractions offered in the area, then lodge at a
comfortable hotel that provides tasty meals and standard business
services. Arriving at the appointed conference or meeting
fresh and well-rested is a key business travel objective.
Air travel is one of the most efficient means of transportation, and
this image shows an executive jet flying by a cityscape at
night. Many people travel for business purposes every day,
and air travel, via private jets and commercial airlines,
accounts for a high percentage of business travel.
Business travelers make up only 18% of travel volume in the United States,
yet they contribute 33% of total domestic travel spending.
There are a number of programs dedicated to serving this important market,
from corporate travel agencies to online business travel websites.
To take advantage of those programs and maximize efficiency, while
reducing the cost of your business travels, follow these eight steps:
Plan ahead. Planning ahead is almost always the #1 way to get
a better deal. From airline tickets to rental cars to hotel rooms,
you'll likely pay less if you book in advance.
Use the Internet. Websites like Egencia offer discounted deals on hotels, car rentals,
and plane tickets. Sometimes, though, the individual vendors may
offer even lower rates. Before you book online, call the vendor
directly to see if there's a lower rate.
Use your company's corporate travel manager or agency, if
available. It can reduce the amount of time you spend planning
your trip, and may reduce the cost if your company has negotiated deals
with certain vendors.
Take advantage of travel group or association memberships.
Being a member of an association such as AAA or AARP could save you 10%
on hotel rooms, for example.
Consider booking a room on the executive level. While executive
level rooms are often more expensive, the amenities they offer —
from breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres to complimentary use of the
business center and meeting rooms — may outweigh the additional
expense.
If you're going to be in one place for at least a week, consider
efficiency apartments or suite hotels that charge weekly rates.
Many efficiency-type hotels and apartments have small kitchens, allowing
you to save money over restaurant meals.
Magellan's is
a popular online source of travel supplies. The company features
a travel products catalog as well as travel tips and articles.
The United States Internal Revenue Service offers a series of
business travel expense guidelines for taxpayers. Be sure
to review this information, especially if your travel plans include both
business and leisure activities.
When traveling overseas, remember that certain countries, particularly
European countries in the Schengen area, require that your passport be valid
for some months beyond your intended date of departure.
For more information, visit the State Department's
Schengen Area Travel Fact Sheet.
Air travel is frequently utilized by business travelers who need to travel
long distances in a short amount of time. This illustration depicts
a commercial jet coming in for a landing on a runway at sunset with a
cityscape in the background.
BusinessTravel.us can help make business trips more enjoyable by providing
business travelers with information about travel and lodging options, as
well as airport and destination overviews. Website visitors can use
the featured business travel resources to arrange travel plans, or they
can engage the services of a corporate travel agency or in-house travel
office to process the necessary paperwork.
The website features convenient access to focused products and solutions
for American business travelers, including travel accessories, airline
tickets, hotel reservations and car rentals, as well as selected business
travel information resources.
Find international travel and passport information for
United States citizens, including tips for travel abroad, document
requirements, and overseas services. Learn how to get a passport,
download passport forms and applications, and get help with lost or
stolen passports. Travel.State.Gov
Trade association dedicated to promoting the value of
business travel management. GBTA creates a direct connection between
corporate travel buyers and suppliers, and serves as a leading source of
information, education, and networking in the business travel industry. www.GBTA.org
Guide to over 200 major airports around the world features
maps and driving directions as well as information on car hire, public
transport, airport facilities, conference and business facilities,
and hotels. www.WorldTravelGuide.net/airport-guides
Searchable database of worldwide airline flights and flight connections. www.FlightLookup.com
This photo shows a business traveler checking his flight status on the
airport display. Airlines offer a convenient, efficient way to
travel long distances for business or pleasure, and many companies are
able to accrue frequent flyer miles which lower the cost of travel.
This full-service corporate travel agency helps companies
easily manage travel and reduce costs, while providing more choices
to travelers. www.BCDTravel.com
The leading hotel chains offer fairly predictable levels of quality and service
at each of their properties. This website groups the popular lodging chains into five categories,
ranging from 5-star luxury hotels to 1-star budget motels. www.HotelReviews.us
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