INSIGHTS
10 reasons why you should always book through your TMC
Recent research has found that, on average, 60% of business travellers follow their company travel policy all or most of the time – including booking though their nominated travel management company. But what about the other 40% who don’t follow policy? Why do they do this?
The research found that in the UK and parts of Europe, 94% of non-compliant travellers choose to book outside policy to minimise any negative effects on their health and wellbeing. A similarly high percentage book outside policy because they – mistakenly – believe it saves their company money.
Of course, compliance predicates itself upon having a clear travel policy that is effectively communicated. And the number one rule of any effective travel programme is for travellers to always book through their travel management company (TMC). Here are ten reasons why…
- Your security – Most TMC systems have built-in traveller tracking software, so the TMC knows where you are when you’re away on business. This ensures you can be kept you informed about disruption to flights and any other incidents that might affect your journey. And if you find yourself in a travel hot-spot, your TMC can get you out – quickly.
- Your productivity – Everyone knows that, if you look hard enough, you can find a cheaper deal somewhere. But consider how much time it takes, and the cost of that time. Your TMC takes inventory from thousands of websites, as well as traditional travel distribution systems, so you’ll be wasting yours and the company’s time searching. FCM offers MarketPlace, a one-stop shop for all your travel content needs, for example.
- You can’t save what you can’t see – If you do your own thing, your company can’t see what it is actually booking. In the same way, if you book at the hotel down the street from the company’s preferred hotel because it’s got a comfier bed, your company cannot leverage that spend against a better rate at your preferred hotel. So money is actually lost.
- TMCs don’t know everything – If you know a really good hotel near the client’s office, or one that’s better than the preferred hotel, tell your TMC. Any good travel management company will then see if that property can be added to your business travel programme, so everybody wins.
- Avoid hidden costs – You’ve found an unbelievable deal that’s cheaper than your travel programme's alternative, and you book it. But then your plans change so you need to amend or cancel it, but can’t without incurring a fee. If you'd booked via your TMC, it would probably have negotiated special terms and conditions with the hotel because it knows the unexpected happens, especially in business travel. So your company wouldn't incur the cancellations/change fees.
- Your TMC understand your needs – It’s tough to build a rapport with the internet, and while you don’t need to speak to a human for most bookings, there are those which aren’t as simple as "click and confirm". Your TMC has built up a deep understanding of the company’s travel programme and will make the recommendations that best suit you and the company as a whole. You’ll also be treated as a person, not a booking reference number.
- TMCs can hold airline seats without committing to buy them - Instead of buying straightaway online and then being tied into various restrictions, TMCs can hold seats within its system so you can change or cancel flights right up until the fare expires, letting you make adjustments to your trip without penalty.
- Alternative travel modes – When it comes to traveling between cities that don’t restrict you to one means of transport, the TMC can give you an immediate comparison of the available options, such as renting a car or using a train.
- Added value – A TMC can secure extra benefits for travellers as part of the preferred partnerships it negotiates on behalf of your company. Free wi-fi in rooms and complimentary lounge access at some airports are both examples of services you’ll could receive when you book through a TMC.
- TMCs listen – You might have thought the hotel you booked online was perfect, but then you encountered a sleepless night. But once you’ve complained, will the problem be resolved? TMCs have clearly laid-down processes for ensuring that traveller feedback is actioned. After all, a travel programme that doesn’t meet your needs is not in anyone’s interest.