8 ways to save money on business travel
29 Oct 2019
If you’re a frequent flyer overseas on endless business trips, it can be easy to get carried away with the expenses, but we have some simple advice to reduce work travel costs...
If you’re a frequent flyer overseas on endless business trips, it can be easy to get carried away with the expenses, but we have some simple advice to reduce work travel costs.
It’s tempting to leave plans to the last minute so you can arrange your calendar around changing events, however this can end up costing you hundreds (if not thousands) more over the year.
Look at conferences and opportunities happening throughout the year and pick the most profitable ones, and decide which meetings you could hold over Skype instead of travelling. If you plan ahead, you can also organise nearby trips side-by-side to cut down on travel costs.
Not only does booking with the same hotel chain mean you’ll know what to expect and feel more relaxed, in many cases it will also get you free extras, such as meeting room hire or airport transfers. Plus, if your chosen hotel chain has a loyalty points programme you’ll earn free stays.
Why do you need to eat in a fancy restaurant for every meal while you’re away? Instead, research popular, good value options favoured by the locals, or just buy some food from a supermarket or street food stall which you can eat outside, enjoying the views of your new destination.
Believe it or not, sometimes picking a lesser known airport might actually mean you end up closer to your destination. Also see these top money-saving tips for booking flights.
Using a credit or debit card abroad can be a costly mistake. The Multi-Currency Cash Passport by Mastercard gives frequent travellers security and convenience, and – crucially – you’ll avoid those hefty transaction fees.
Don’t wait until just before you fly to get your travel money! Rates change daily, and if you want to snap up the currency you need at the best price, just sign up to our free Rate Watch service. We’ll send you email or text alerts when your currencies reach the price you want .
On some trips, you’re going to have to wait around for a few hours in between meetings, and often people simply book an extra night at their hotel so they can be sure they’ll have a room to work and relax in even if they’re not actually staying another night. Hotels now offer ‘day stays’ instead – often at a greatly reduced cost – so check out sites like DayUse, 6Hourly and HotelsByDay.
The budget taxi alternative is now available in over 400 cities across 70 countries – and they even now offer a tailored business service to help make company travel arrangements easier and more organised.
What are your top tips for cheaper business travel? Let us know in the comments.
1. Plan out your year
It’s tempting to leave plans to the last minute so you can arrange your calendar around changing events, however this can end up costing you hundreds (if not thousands) more over the year.
Look at conferences and opportunities happening throughout the year and pick the most profitable ones, and decide which meetings you could hold over Skype instead of travelling. If you plan ahead, you can also organise nearby trips side-by-side to cut down on travel costs.
2. Get your loyalty rewarded
Not only does booking with the same hotel chain mean you’ll know what to expect and feel more relaxed, in many cases it will also get you free extras, such as meeting room hire or airport transfers. Plus, if your chosen hotel chain has a loyalty points programme you’ll earn free stays.
3. Eat like a local
Why do you need to eat in a fancy restaurant for every meal while you’re away? Instead, research popular, good value options favoured by the locals, or just buy some food from a supermarket or street food stall which you can eat outside, enjoying the views of your new destination.
4. Adjust your airport
Believe it or not, sometimes picking a lesser known airport might actually mean you end up closer to your destination. Also see these top money-saving tips for booking flights.
5. Get a new card
Using a credit or debit card abroad can be a costly mistake. The Multi-Currency Cash Passport by Mastercard gives frequent travellers security and convenience, and – crucially – you’ll avoid those hefty transaction fees.
6. Use Rate Watch
Don’t wait until just before you fly to get your travel money! Rates change daily, and if you want to snap up the currency you need at the best price, just sign up to our free Rate Watch service. We’ll send you email or text alerts when your currencies reach the price you want .
7. Use day stays
On some trips, you’re going to have to wait around for a few hours in between meetings, and often people simply book an extra night at their hotel so they can be sure they’ll have a room to work and relax in even if they’re not actually staying another night. Hotels now offer ‘day stays’ instead – often at a greatly reduced cost – so check out sites like DayUse, 6Hourly and HotelsByDay.
8. Embrace Uber
The budget taxi alternative is now available in over 400 cities across 70 countries – and they even now offer a tailored business service to help make company travel arrangements easier and more organised.
What are your top tips for cheaper business travel? Let us know in the comments.
