Business travel has taken a backseat in the last few years. With the increase in virtual meetings and online conferences, the need for business travel has virtually disappeared. However, as we begin to emerge from the pandemic and everything returns to normal, it is likely that to some extent we will return to travel as before.
The setting in the future is likely to be some hybrid of online meetings and in-person meetings and events. Business travel has changed and we must adapt to the new normal.
Here are some business travel tips to help you save time and money and make the most of the resources available to us today.
Business travel tips to save time and money
The most significant part of travel is the cost of the flight and hotel. If you’re an entrepreneur who has to pay bills, charge all expenses to your business credit card to maximize benefits and keep track of expenses easily.
Finding a place to stay
If you have a travel credit card, put it to good use! Find out if you can redeem your points for stays, get extra nights for free, or get extra bonuses.
Check out these sites for affordable pricing options outside of the realm of travel credit cards.
If you don’t have a hotel chain membership or status, or are traveling somewhere where budget accommodation is limited, consider non-hotel options. This includes:
By “Call a Friend” I mean contact your network and see if they have a place where you can stay temporarily. You can also ask if your friends have timeshare options in the city you are about to visit. If they don’t use their dates and it works, you can sub-rent a timeshare! Along with long stay sites, this option can be useful for longer business trips.
Search for the best flights
This is where business travel credit cards come in handy. You can find an extensive list of the best ones here.
Each travel credit card has different benefits. Some are associated with certain airlines; others are versatile and give you extra points for travel purchases. Others have great cashback options. The one you choose should suit your overall business needs.
If business trips are rare for you, then a cashback card is best. An airline card can give you the most benefits if you travel frequently.
Alternative resources for finding the best flights for your business trips:
There is also a Hopper app. This application allows you to specify your desired destination and travel dates. It helps you track and monitor airfare prices over time and alerts you when prices are likely to be the lowest. If you are good at planning business trips, this app will help you book and save at the right time.
Plan your trips in clusters
If you need to have multiple meetings or face-to-face meetings and they happen to be geographically close, consider group business travel planning.
Traveling between neighboring cities allows you to explore other modes of transport and save on airfare. For example, you can take a bus, Amtrak, or rent a car if your destination is close enough to your starting point. This will save you time and money as you can have multiple business meetings in one trip!
If you are a business meeting organizer
If you’re someone who invites people to come visit you, consider hosting a hybrid event. This means you personally invite those you need most and host a live virtual event for others to join from home. With this option, you can get the job done in an inclusive way, while saving time and money on site for the event, catering, etc.
Trip abroad
For international business travel, you also need to be prepared for this! Save time at the airport by signing up for TSA Pre-Check (saves time at check-in) and Global Entry (saves time when you get home). They cost $100 each and last about five years. Many travel credit cards will also reimburse you for these costs, which are well worth it.
For those longer trips, booking a travel package with flight and hotel can sometimes be more economical on your wallet. You can also ask the event organizer if they offer discounts at nearby hotels for conference attendees. Another idea is to see if your colleagues are gathering. You can plan to split the hotel and split the costs, saving a lot of money on the whole trip.
When it comes to car rental, doing it abroad can be expensive and often unnecessary. Instead, look for ground or public transportation options, as both options can help you save money. Shared rides are another option, especially for getting from the airport to the hotel.
Hybrid events
As mentioned above, the future of business meetings is likely to be a hybrid event. Whether you’re an employee preparing for a business trip or an employer looking for ways to keep your employees connected, this trend is important for you to adapt to.
As an employee, ask your company about online business event options. If possible, you can save time and money by visiting online.
As an employer, you must be mindful of your remote workers and their limitations. This is also important if you cannot finance business travel for everyone.
Hybrid events allow people to choose what works best for their needs while remaining engaged in the work and the company.
Pandemic Precautions
Many business events are likely to still have Covid precautions in place. This is important to note as you may need to provide proof of vaccination, exclusion or negative test results in order to attend the event in the first place. As a participant, please review the guidelines and prepare accordingly.
If you are hosting an event, adhere to the company’s policies in this regard and be sure to consider the different needs of your attendees. This includes having extra masks, hand sanitizer, and a cleaning plan between events or meetings.
Business travel management
As a side note, if you are an employer that is gearing up for an increase in business travel for their employees, consider using the services of a business travel management company. An example is Concur, which has a platform to help track costs, refunds, and the like.
Such software can help streamline and streamline business, allow everyone to be aware of their travel and expenses, and find out where the most travel expenses occur.
Final Thoughts
Restoring business travel may not look like you imagine. Adapting to the new normal is essential for sustainable business travel in the future. Travel smart like a pro with these tips to save time and money while growing your career!
This post originally appeared on Savoteur.