Business travel can be an expense that’s hard to justify. With all the technology that can bring teams together virtually, travelling for business can seem like an extravagant expenditure. However, sometimes you have to make the journey to connect with teams, meet with clients or attend events.
In order to justify the expense of business travel – and reduce your costs – follow these top hacks:
Earn as you travel
If you often travel for business, it’s a necessity that you join your preferred airline’s frequent flyer program. You’ll receive rewards every time you travel and can rack up points that will score you flight tickets, free upgrades and hotel credits. If you are going to be travelling anyway, why not reap the benefits – it will save you money on flights and travel in the future.
Alternative cities
Instead of spending a huge amount of money on accommodation right in the centre of town, try venturing outside of the hustle and bustle, and find yourself a cheaper alternative. Ensure that you get to all your meetings on time by hiring a car – you’ll have full control on where you need to be without relying on public transport or cabs, plus you’ll be able to explore at your own pace in your downtime. Compare prices with sites such as easyCar to get the best deal wherever you are.
Foreign currency
If you are traveling to a different country, check your money exchanging options well in advance so you can receive the best deal. Keep a currency converter on your phone to keep track of the best rates before you travel. And whether you exchange cash at your bank or at the airport, use an ATM or buy currency online, you can make sure you don’t get hit with an overage of fees.
Stay connected
Rather than racking up a long distance bill on your mobile phone, stay connected on the road by using digital communication tools such as Facetime, Skype & WhatsApp. Using data roaming can be extremely expensive, and there is no need for it when there are so many free apps available. If you are caught in a setting without Wi-Fi, invest in a dongle for instant Wi-Fi access on the go. If that fails, and you are still struggling to get online, then it is worth talking to your phone network about their travel deals. Most providers have add-on options where you pay a certain amount per day to use your allowance abroad.
Reusable Water bottle
This is a simple hack, but it’s effective. Bring a glass or aluminium water bottle with you while you travel so you don’t have to waste money on bottled water as you hop from plane to train to automobile. Fill up in your hotel and stay hydrated and refreshed as you venture out for the day.
Go carry-on
We’re assuming most business trips won’t keep you away from your desk for too long, but even when you are travelling for longer than a week or so, see if you can keep it to just carry-on, rather than checking luggage. Use packing cubes and the rolling method to fit all of necessities in, and get creative with dual-purpose garments that can be layered.
Business travel doesn’t have to be expensive, with a little savvy planning, you can reduce the costs for your company.
