Corporate hotel booking is among the several job functions of the travel manager. Access to a large spectrum of hotel booking options can sound like a luxury as most companies, irrespective of their sizes, struggle to find the right hotel for business needs like meetings and employee accommodation during business tours. Usually, travel managers look for options through an online search, which may not be a reliable approach to choosing the best hotel with special corporate hotel rates.
Booking the right corporate hotel is crucial to ensure employee satisfaction and cost efficiency in business travel. Travel managers must consider the safety of employees and equipment while finalizing accommodations. Booking accommodations for employees can be challenging, as one must find the best hotel with the right neighborhood and amenities to facilitate business activities without hassles.
How Corporate Hotel Rates Work
Reputable hotel chains offer special rates to corporate clients that apply to future bookings. Travel managers must negotiate corporate hotel rates in advance. After negotiating affordable corporate hotel rates, the hotel generates a passcode for the company.
The corporate code is helpful to get the benefit of the concessional rates. You must share the corporate code while booking accommodation and other services like banquet or conference hall booking. Company executives should provide proper identification while completing the check-in formalities.
Corporate hotel rates are applicable as per the negotiated discounts and other conditions. Some hotel chains may not allow discounts during peak seasons or weekends. The hotel may extend the discount facilities to employees even if they are not on official duty. Corporate travel managers should negotiate all conditions to get maximum benefits to help the organization save the cost of hotel booking.
Ask for additional perks like brownie points to redeem for free night-stay or other facilities. Hotel chains value corporate customers, as there is a guarantee for long-term business despite slack seasons. They may offer flexibility in their cancellation rules to accommodate loyal corporate customers.
Advantages of Corporate Hotel Rates for Businesses
1. Cost Savings
One of the primary advantages of corporate hotel rates is the potential for cost savings. Negotiating discounted rates and obtaining loyalty rewards with hotels allows businesses to manage and control accommodation expenses effectively.
2. Convenience
Corporate hotel rates often come with streamlined booking processes, making it convenient for business travelers. This can include centralized billing, direct booking platforms, and dedicated customer support for corporate clients.
3. Enhanced Amenities
Corporate hotel rates may include additional amenities or services, such as complimentary Wi-Fi, airport transfers, breakfast, or access to executive lounges. These added benefits enhance the overall experience for business travelers.
Ways To Get Good Corporate Hotel Rates
Travel managers are accountable for fixing the best corporate hotel rates. The job may be easier for travel managers of large organizations as different hotel chains compete to win the contract. However, most small and medium-sized enterprises must negotiate hard to extract the best possible concessions to help save accommodation costs.
The following guidelines may be helpful:
- Hire a corporate travel agency. They can negotiate hotel rates on your behalf by leveraging their contacts in the hotel industry. You will get handsome hotel discounts by paying a nominal service fee to corporate travel service providers.
- Favoring a particular hotel chain that meets your requirements, like locations and services, will empower you to ask for special concessions. The hotel chains usually offer special corporate hotel rates because of the volume of business you are providing.
- A SaaS-based travel management platform like Paxes allows access to a vast inventory of hotels and global hotel chains. It frees travel managers from the tough job of negotiating exclusive rates for corporate hotel booking.
- Some companies enter an agreement for a set number of nights by assessing the employees’ travel needs. It will help you negotiate better as you commit to a fixed business. The app facility enables employees to book hotels at special corporate hotel rates.
- Hotels need high occupancy rates and may offer some discounts for filling up the rooms. Try asking for concessions by booking a few hours before your employee goes to check in. The approach involves some risk, as rooms may not be vacant.
Corporate travel managers from small companies should contact the hotel authority to fix special discounts by assuring specified businesses. Building a friendly relationship will always help extract add-on perks. They should study the hidden costs by assessing the terms of the hotel. It helps avoid unnecessary complications during the settlement of bills.
Must Read: 8 Tips To Get Best Deals On Corporate Flight Bookings
How paxes can help you get the best hotel corporate rates?
- Engages in direct negotiations and partnerships with hotels to secure competitive corporate rates
- Ensures consistency and access to negotiated rates by centralizing hotel bookings
- Integrates with hotel suppliers for potential access to exclusive corporate rates
- Enforces corporate travel policies to guide employees and control accommodation expenses
- Corporate rates are generally available for group bookings at hotels
Conclusion
Negotiating special corporate hotel rates requires bargaining and networking skills. Keeping track of special hotel rates for different suppliers at various travel locations adds to the workload of travel managers. Established travel management software programs offer an inventory of hotels across global locations with pre-negotiated corporate hotel rates.
Corporate Hotel Rates FAQs
What are standard discount rates for businesses?
The corporate hotel rates are less than regular tariffs. The standard concession rate for corporate clients is 10 percent. The discounts may be higher for companies ensuring more business through corporate hotel booking. Using hard bargaining can also ensure better discounts.
Are there exclusive business hotels for corporate customers?
Business hotels belong to the category of hotels providing easy access to business locations. The location is within the business area of the town, such as the city center.
What are the standard facilities in a business hotel?
A business hotel offers Wi-FI, a fitness center, conference rooms, and airport transfer services besides a convenient location.
What is a corporate hotel program?
A corporate hotel program lists hotels that support the special travel needs of a company and offers special corporate hotel rates because of continuous business.
What methods do hotels adopt to get corporate customers?
Hotels offer special discounts besides fast check-in or check-out, free airport transfers, and loyalty programs to increase business from corporate companies.
Are corporate rates available on group booking hotels?
Yes, corporate rates are often available for group bookings at hotels and many hotels offer discounted rates for group reservations.
What is an extended stay discount on business hotels?
An extended stay discount on business hotels typically refers to reduced rates or special pricing offered to travelers planning longer stays, such as for business assignments or projects.
