Booking Business Travel
Sunday July 26, 2009
I'm not allowed to book my own travel - my company uses an agency - but that hasn't stopped me for shopping around for good flights (which, in this economy, means cheap flights!) before I call the travel agent. I've been using Comcast.net (powered by Kayak) because a) it was linked to from my computer's homepage, and b) the Kayak technology lets me search all the big online agents (Expedia, Travelocity, etc) at one time. It's also free, which makes me wonder why my company wants to shell out $30 for each agent booking when I can do the job for free.
I'm a creature of habit, but there are lots of other flight booking sites out there - check out my list of top online flight booking sites (and find out how they differ from one another) - before you book your next business trip. Safe travels!
Comments
How you think when the economic crisis will end? I wish to make statistics of independent opinions!
The reason you company is use those agency, 1) they could provide monthly statement for Finance department check, 2)company use agency normally have 15 to 36 day credit, so it will release a bit of cash flow, 3) As long as you stay with one agency, they might give your discount base on how much you spend, so total of this, if everyone seraching their owe flights, you won’t be able to have those credit.
You should be glad your company uses an agency. For that $30 fee you get an independent view of airline availability, access to consolidator fares, 24 hour emergency service, rebooking assistance when the airline cancels to avoid you standing in line at the ticket desk, rebates at hotels, management information so the company knows what it spends on travel, and where people are in a crisis, a resource to re-use your cancelled tickets, etc etc. $30 sounds pretty good value to me.
Hi Greig,
You are absolutely right! Often it is due to ignorance or just laziness but as a company one shuold think business travelling from more business oriented point of view.
The travel agent costs come from sum of different fees from different operators. Travelling in general should be cut down to pieces and this way save money. You should check out Hotelzon International’s offerings as they can make your business trips that much easier and cheaper in terms of business hoetl bookings.
We now live in a click and order type of society. People like to do there searching for the best deals in travel.
One site that is more competitive then priceline, travelocity, etc etc is:
http://www.afadventures.rovia.com
Check it out to book your holiday travel.