Seven ways SMEs can get more from their travel budget

One of the challenges of owning and operating a small-to-medium enterprise (SME) is managing the expense of business travel. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce costs and save time. Here are some tips for staying on top of your travel budget.

1) Consolidate and conquer

Researching and booking travel across multiple websites or suppliers is an easy way to waste time and lose sight of your travel budget. Consolidating your bookings through one central online booking platform will help provide greater visibility and control over travel spend, improve staff efficiencies, and give travelling staff greater peace of mind while on the road.

Online booking tools make it easier for you to compare the best rates across multiple airlines, hotels and car rental companies in the one location. You can usually book and manage your travel on the go via a travel booking app for maximum productivity and peace of mind.

2) Stay loyal

Travel is a competitive industry. From airlines and hotel chains to credit card companies and car hire firms, there is no shortage of suppliers keen for your travel dollar. With numerous incentive and loyalty programs available, be sure you are not missing out on a ‘value added’ offering geared at rewarding your business for simply doing business.

In the past, small businesses didn’t have the power to negotiate lower prices due to the relatively small size of their travel spend. But now, small businesses can also access corporate deals when they reach certain spend brackets. Both major Australian airlines have SME programs providing discounts, airport lounge access and rebates: Qantas Business Rewards and Virgin Accelerate.

SMART Corporate Travel customers benefit from exclusive discounts and offers from rewards partners, discover the latest offer here.

3) Plan ahead

Research shows that travel services booked further in advance generally cost less than those made at the last minute. Based on Corporate Travel Management’s benchmarking data, booking flights between eight to 14 days in advance of travel can save you up to 14 per cent on a full economy fare. Making sure you plan ahead can deliver significant savings to your travel budget.

4) Policy and reporting

Create and distribute a travel policy within your team that will provide employees with clear guidelines about the types of travel and expenses permitted. Consider limiting the class of air travel permitted. For example, is business class necessary on short domestic flights? Also, consider a rate-cap on hotels. The cost of a hotel located a little further out of the city combined with taxi or rideshare transfers can be significantly cheaper than expensive CBD hotels.

Establish a uniform reporting system for employees’ travel expenses. This will provide visibility of spend and ensure every report is accurate and can be easily reviewed. Again, booking all elements of your travel within a single platform will provide consolidated reporting for quick and easy budget tracking.

5) Payment and expenses

Use a single corporate credit card for all travel and entertainment expenses. This simplifies record keeping and expense reconciliation and potentially increases your ability to build valuable loyalty points. Credit cards can also come with a whole host of additional benefits, including cash back and travel insurance. Using an airline branded credit card to pay for flights with that carrier can reap even greater benefits every time you fly.

Business travel costs can also be deducted as a business expense, so make sure you take advantage of any tax deductions.

6) Be tech savvy

Understand what technology, such as travel apps, is available for greater productivity on the road. Always be aware of wi-fi hot spots and be mindful of your data security. Also, don’t forget your chargers!

Consider using ride-hailing services, such as Uber or Taxify, which can offer significantly cheaper rates compared to traditional taxi companies. Small businesses travelling on a budget would be wise to take advantage of these services and enjoy getting from A to B in an unfamiliar town or city for less.

7) Know when to outsource

You know your business better than anyone. You’re an expert on the ins and outs of the sector you specialise in. Well, the travel industry is no different. Using the expertise of a travel management company will not only free up valuable time allowing you to focus on your core business function, but it also provides the peace of mind that a true travel expert is on your side when you need it the most – such as assisting with a last-minute itinerary change, an unforeseen emergency, or a cancellation request.