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12 Reasons Why A Corporate Travel Manager Makes Sense
Do you book business travel for yourself or for colleagues? Get ready to meet your new favourite partners in travel. Spare five minutes reading this and discover how Corporate Traveller’s proven expertise will benefit your company. While SAM makes your travel experience better.
Successful SMEs use corporate travel companies
Imagine, never wasting time and resources again searching for airfares, hotels, car rentals, etc. No more chasing down Carre in Marketing for his name as it appears on his passport. For instance everyone knows me as Jamie, but the name on my passport is not.
Finance no longer has to hound travellers to submit their airline invoice, as it goes direct to them. I had a CFO tell me that the efficiency we have added, to his department alone, was a great reason to work with us.
There are numerous advantages to working with corporate travel companies. Here are 12 that you may wish to consider and in no specific order;
1. Unparalleled Expertise
You are given a dedicated travel manager whose sole job is to make your life easier. Assessing your current travel management process and identifying areas that can improve efficiency and save money.
Imagine arriving at the airport, only to be turned away due to improper visa requirements? We don’t like to fear monger, but these are realities that no traveller wants to face-- especially when you have a make-or-break business meeting at the other end.
I had one client tell me the story of one of their salespeople who arrived in a country not knowing that their passport was not enough to get them in to do business. They missed a week of meetings and were sent straight home at their expense.
Working with Corporate Traveller, you'll not only know which documents you need, but you'll also make experienced, knowledge-based decisions to make the most of your travel. We are also travellers ourselves, giving you unique personal insights and even in-destination tips.
2. Travel Policies
Does your organisation have established corporate travel policies that are compliant with Canadian business travel standards? I have discovered that many do not. That’s right, we’ll help you with that, too.
From travel policy example templates, to a great "How to build a travel policy" guide and expert recommendations. You will get the guidance to walk you through a process that will help to control costs for your growing company.
Then once your policy is in place, we will make sure everyone adheres to that policy. With reports that will lend transparency to what is being spent in travel by each department and individual.
3. Savvy Travel Solutions
We find unique travel routing that saves your travellers time and money. Accessing things that are not easily, or at all, found online.
We track your company’s travel spend, taking one heaping serving of stress off your proverbial plate. We provide you with detailed Client Value Reports regularly, which is included in our service, requiring no contract nor retainer fee.
If all this accounting makes us sound boring, not to worry, we do have a creative side as well! Clients marvel at our out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to using frequent flyer points, unique routing, varied payment options and airline promotions. Finding hotels that are unique and inspiring places to stay.
Furthermore you lose none of your personal points. In fact we watch and highlight when a bonus points program is being offered. Or even notice when a traveller is not enrolled in a points program and make suggestions to them.
4. Valuable Time Savings/Speed & Efficiency
Planning business travel can be time-consuming. Let us handle the comparative research, emails, calls, bookings and endless back-and-forth's, so your valuable time is spent on what’s most important-- focusing on your company's needs. Rather than being called last minute for an urgent change that you know will take you away from what you are currently working on. Let us manage that for you.
We know you have a ton on your plate. So we guarantee, in writing, speed. Answering the phone within 3 rings, you get your travel manager directly. Replying to emails with confirmation of receipt within 10 minutes. You never wonder if we are working on your request or not.
Have you ever been on hold with an airline trying to get an earlier flight or change one that has been cancelled due to weather? A client told me of being on hold with an airline for more than 2 hours and no one ever picked up. We do that for you, while you go enjoy a beverage and continue working.
Options can be overwhelming, we know. Your Travel Manager has top of mind your peace of mind, ensuring every little detail is taken care of, whether you are booking for yourself or on behalf of your leaders.
5. Better Budgeting
Our teams continuously track your savings so you can immediately see the value we bring to your business. More money means better ROI on the reason why you're travelling.
Our global strength allows us the opportunity to work closely with airlines and hotels to secure you waivers-- and favours-- when needed. This means that issues like name change fees and refunds for non-refundable flight changes can often be avoided, ultimately saving your organisation money.
We can provide quotes for departments who are budgeting for ROI on attending a Trade Show, client visits, conferences, etc. This saves time and allows for more accurate budgeting.
6. Knowledge of Your Business
You are appointed a dedicated Travel Manager who is versed in your business, fluent in spending and travel habits, offering suggestions based on your preferences. We keep our clients’ preferences securely on file, such as meal choices, seating, room types, rental car specs, and so forth, along with your loyalty membership(s) and frequent flyer number(s). As well as authorisation process.
When that dedicated travel manager is off sick, vacation, they always have a backup team member who is equally aware of your business needs. Stepping in just as quickly and efficiently.
7. Access to our Global Travel Network
As part of Flight Centre Travel Group, we have the widest range of travel products and are in constant touch with our suppliers, giving us an edge that no other SME corporate travel companies offer. We are in a privileged position to negotiate the best rates for you.
We have colleagues (Flighties) all over the world, we can reach out to. To get expert recommendations from people who live there, understand their culture of business and speak the language.
8. Bespoke Technology
Your Travel Manager will be your favourite partner in travel. While our game-changing travel app, SAM, will be your favourite companion on the road. Ask us for a hands on demo of SAM, your personal assistant managing your trip from before you leave until you arrive back home.
Corporate Traveller is continuously seeking ways to make your travels easier, using user-friendly, state-of-the-art technology that truly goes the distance! Constantly investing in new technology Corporate Traveller and Flight Centre Travel Group are embracing AI and machine learning to develop new tools to improve the efficiency of the humans that book travel and the companies that use us.
9. Human Touch
Our high-touch service is our point of difference. Our Travel Managers are experienced, devoted and care about your business and people. Thanks to fostering ongoing relationships with our clients. You’ll never have to deal with a call centre where you are an anonymous ticket holder, having to explain your business and situation.
Combine that with an online booking tool for your travellers, we still offer the hybrid approach of your dedicated travel manager there in the background should you need help. Also to protect your company from bookings that are not in the best interest of your traveller or the company.
10. We Make You Look Good
We know you already are great at what you do -- but when you have an expert taking care of the myriad of details business travel involves, things get done a lot quicker. You’ll have everything your people require for travel, delivered efficiently and executed flawlessly. Plus, when you factor in all the time you’ll have to focus on bigger-picture items, your work life balance is instantly improved.
11. Emergency 24/7 Service
As we mentioned above, no travel website is going to offer you the personal touch and peace of mind that comes from working with your dedicated Travel Manager, who acts on your behalf as a consumer advocate. They have your safety and best interests at heart. Should a problem arise during your trip, your travel Manager, or someone from their direct team, is there for you -- around the clock, around the calendar and around the world.
12. Vacation Deals for You & Your Employees
Corporate Traveller offers an exclusive VIPartnership program for your employees. Leverage our relationship with our sister company, Flight Centre, to access insider vacation deals. Why not work hard and play hard? We enhance and enable not just your business travel, but leisure travel, too.
As much as I hate the word, Bleisure, I LOVE the concept. I never go away on business without extending my stay. It has been proven time and time again this is of great value for your travellers. Improving performance, loyalty and state of mind. Business travel is stressful and tiring, allowing your travellers the chance to unwind a little before returning home is a great way to improve employee satisfaction. Your HR team will love this.