Here are 9 small changes you can make that will help your organization reduce its costs when you travel.
- Fly one class lower than you are entitled to. If you get business class, only fly premium economy. If it is premium economy, fly economy.
- Book your flights 8 weeks or more before you fly. This will get you the cheapest flight. Late bookings can be as much as double the price as flights booked well in advance.
- Book your flights on a Tuesday. This varies depending on location but check prices over a week and you will see fluctuations on the price advertised. Book your flight on the cheapest day.
- Fly on cheaper days. Much outward-bound business travel is on Sunday or Monday and airlines price to reflect this. Again this varies by location so check how prices fluctuate depending on the day you are flying. If possible, schedule your flight for a bit later in the week when prices drop.
- Go for one day less. You could spend the evening sitting watching bad television in the hotel room or you could work through the evening and be able to return quicker.
- Make the most of loyalty schemes. Use the same airline, stay in the same chain of hotels and sign up for their loyalty programmes.
- Use public transport. The taxi from the airport to the hotel should be for emergencies only. Most airports have excellent train or tube connections at a fraction of the cost. When booking your hotel take into account how close it is to public transport.
- Share a room. I know pretty much everyone hates doing this but the impact on costs is higher than all the others above. If all you are doing is working and just need a place to sleep, what does it matter?
- Don't go. How many days away from the office did you have last year? If you don't know, you need to! Once you know, set a limit that is 10% less than the amount you travelled last year. Stick to it. Each year your travel should be a little less. I am convinced that much travel can be replaced with good Video Conferences. Travel should be the last choice, once you have tried every other option.
Your small improvement for today is to do one or more of the above to cut the cost of your travel.
