Be it individually or as a business, travel discounts are always welcomed with open arms. Corporate travel discounts are special offers or reduced rates provided to businesses and their employees by hotels and airlines to encourage regular bookings and customer retention. Many online travel management platforms also offer discounted rates on different airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and other travel-related service providers. These offers attract corporate clients and build long-term relationships. To avail of the best discounts, one must be aware of the different types of offers. Here are some common types of corporate travel discounts:
Types of corporate travel discounts
1. Airfare discounts
Airlines recognize the significance of corporate travel and frequently provide discounts to businesses. This ensures brand loyalty and a regular inflow of bookings made with the same brand. These discounts are not limited to a specific class. They encompass everything from economy to first class. Establishing good partnerships with airlines enables businesses to secure reduced rates and ensure cost-effectiveness. Some of the airlines also offer numerous amenities and services exclusive to frequent flyers. This approach encourages companies to maintain long-term relationships with preferred carriers, creating a mutually advantageous situation.
2. Hotel discounts
Hotels strategically offer corporate rates to cater to the needs of frequent business travelers. These rates not only provide mere reductions in room charges; they often include complimentary services or exclusive amenities. The key goal for corporate rates is to offer discounts and enhance the overall staying experience of the corporate guests. By establishing relationships with hotels, businesses can secure affordable options while maintaining a high level of services and amenities.
Suggested Read: Decoding the Hotel Rack Rate: Published Rate Without Discounts
3. Car rental discounts
Car rental companies actively boast bookings by offering business clients exclusive rates. It is a practice that serves as a powerful incentive for loyal clients and finding new customer bases. These discounts apply to both short-term and long-term rentals. They frequently come bundled with attractive perks such as vehicle upgrades or waivers of additional fees. By securing these corporate rates, businesses not only save on transportation costs but also provide their employees with added conveniences and trip satisfaction.
4. Travel packages
Custom-made travel packages provided by travel management companies are comprehensive solutions for corporate clients. These packages are more than individual bookings, tying airfare, accommodations, and transportation into a unified offer. Additionally, these packages often provide flexibility and customization options. This allows companies to meet specific travel requirements while enjoying the financial benefits of a bundled approach. They can add or remove some of the content from the itinerary as per their requirements and the rules of travel management companies.
5. Reward programs
Businesses can get more than their travel budget by enrolling in loyalty or reward programs offered by travel providers. These programs allow companies to accumulate points or miles based on their travel expenditure. Subsequently, these accumulated points can be redeemed for future discounts, upgrades, or other perks. This provides corporates with a tangible return on investment for corporate travel. This not only enhances cost-effectiveness but also adds an element of employee satisfaction, as they may enjoy additional benefits during their trips.
6. Membership programs
Travel providers often extend membership programs designed specifically for businesses. These programs are more than typical consumer offerings, providing exclusive discounts and access to premium services. Joining these programs gives businesses a competitive edge, as they gain access to specialized offerings not available to the general public. This exclusivity enhances the overall travel experience for employees. It contributes to the company’s image as a discerning and strategic traveler, potentially opening doors to additional perks and benefits.
7. Travel management systems
Companies optimize their travel expenses and booking by integrating advanced travel management systems such as Paxes with travel providers. These systems ensure compliance with corporate travel policies while automatically capturing available discounts. By automating the process, businesses can efficiently utilize their travel budgets, avoiding unnecessary expenditures and ensuring adherence to company guidelines. Additionally, these travel management software provide spend analysis to secure better opportunities in the future.
Suggested Read: Corporate Flight Management: Effective Ways To Book Air Travel
To take advantage of corporate travel discounts, businesses usually need to establish corporate accounts with the relevant travel providers. It is common for companies to have a designated travel manager or use specialized software to streamline the booking and expense management process.
Corporate Travel Discounts FAQs
What are the different types of travel discounts?
Flight, hotel, and car rental are the top travel discounts.
How does travel packages help in saving money?
While booking travel packages, corporates get discounts on numerous bookings and services while saving the valuable time spend otherwise on individual bookings.
What are travel loyalty programs?
To facilitate continuous bookings travel suppliers provide loyalty programs offering regular discounts on the inventory.
