Why use a business travel agency?
Are you fed up with the constant struggle of trying to book the perfect flights, haggling for hotel deals, and keeping a tight rein on your company’s travel expenses? Are your employees wasting valuable time planning trips – and still not getting it right? Well, it's time to bring in the experts in corporate travel.
A business travel agency can completely revolutionise how your company handles travel, saving you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary stress.
What is a business travel agency?
A business travel agency is a dedicated team in charge of efficient, cost-effective business travel. Their B2B travel agents are seasoned negotiators, securing discounts on flights, hotels, and more. They’re masters at scoring upgrades, expediting rewards, and ensuring VIP treatment. As a global travel company, FCM has bulk buying power, cutting travel costs by as much as 50%. Plus, they handle policy, bookings, and traveller issues 24/7.
What are the benefits of a corporate travel agency?
A corporate travel agency is the same as a business travel agency. The biggest benefit?
No more wasted time! Your team spends countless hours researching flights, reviewing hotel options, and booking trips, only to redo them when plans change. Corporate business travel agencies take all that work off your plate.
These are other ways they make a difference to your business travel:
- Big savings: B2B travel agents secure substantial discounts on flights and hotels, potentially saving your company six figures.
- Customised travel policies: Corporate travel agencies adjust travel rules to fit your company's preferences. Whether it's upgrading to business class or focussing on hotel loyalty programmes, they give you control over your travel.
- Green travel: These experts develop eco-friendly travel policies, optimising trips, selecting sustainable hotels, and offsetting carbon footprints.
- All-in-one assistance: Your business travel agency is a 24/7 help desk for travellers, handling everything from bookings to emergencies and cancellations, ensuring smooth journeys.
How to choose the right travel agency for your business?
When it comes to finding a business travel agency, it's crucial to zero in on their corporate industry expertise. Look for travel companies that really know your travel destinations, have solid airline contracts, and understand the unique demands of your industry, be it healthcare, tech, or any other field.
Make it a point to go for agencies that provide tailored services that match your travel patterns, culture, budgets, and policies. Don't settle for anything less than excellent customer service, a user-friendly online booking system, robust data security, evidence of cost savings through real-life examples, and positive references. Trust your instincts and go with a top corporate travel management company that feels like a natural extension of your team.
What does a business travel agent do?
Corporate travel agencies do a lot more than just book flights; they offer a bunch of services to make business travel smoother. Business travel agents provide strategic guidance and everyday help for all your travel needs.
First up, they're all about travel programme consulting. That's where they create money-saving policies, get you the best discounts, set up traveller profiles, and fine-tune your business travel programme. They also take care of trip planning and booking, making sure your flights, hotels, cars, and group travel fit your company's rates and what your travellers like. Plus, they've got your back 24/7 with traveller support – whether it's booking snags, emergencies, changes, or cancellations.
On top of that, business travel agencies offer game-changing travel tech, like easy online booking platforms and mobile apps for travel management on the go. They keep things simple with expense reporting, making dealing with expenses and reimbursements quick. They also crunch the numbers with data and analytics, helping you understand spending, trip data, and policy details. Lastly, they ensure your travellers are safe with duty of care – watching things in real-time, sending out alerts, and providing emergency support wherever they go.
What are some trends in business travel?
Business travel is getting a makeover, thanks to five game-changing trends.
- “Bleisure" smoothly merges conference calls with poolside calls.
- Lean into green with sustainable travel's earth-friendly choices.
- Your safety? It's our top priority, not just a policy.
- Ditch the paperwork—our mobile-first method streamlines your itinerary.
- With personalised travel, it's not just a trip; it's your journey, tailored.
To navigate these changes effectively, consider partnering with a business travel agency like FCM.
A business travel agency simplifies corporate travel, offering savings, customised policies, and 24/7 support. Choosing the right business travel partner is crucial, as they provide strategic advice, user-friendly tech solutions, data insights, and prioritise traveller safety. In today's fast-paced business world, a business travel agency is essential for hassle-free, cost-effective corporate travel.