As a business owner, you always look for ways to save money when running a business. Amongst all areas, business travel is one key area where you can find savings on flights and hotels. By following the best booking strategies and utilizing affordable options, travelers can reduce the cost of their business trip.
Here are a few ways to save on hotels and flights:
Saving on Hotels
Book hotels and flights together
Online travel booking sites offer price breaks for purchasing a flight and hotel together. Combined packages are mostly used by vacationers but also offer great value to business travelers with flexible preferences.
Surf online, book over the phone
To get the best deals, browse through various online booking channels and figure out your preferred option. Wizootravel is one platform where you can compare all the top travel sites in one search and get what you are after. Get in touch with the hotel and ask them to reduce the rate further. This works as many hotels will go lower to avoid paying third-party booking fees.
Advance fees
If you are sure about your travel plans, nonrefundable hotel reservations offer the best price. Paying advance can save up to 20% on bookings made directly with hotels.
Take advantage of refundable bookings
Alternatively, you can make a refundable booking by looking for the best prices online. Hotels usually don't have any cancellation fees like airlines.
Use corporate discounts
Businesses often negotiate with preferred hotel vendors and get discounts up to 40%. So, using corporate booking tools can give you the lowest possible fare when booking.
Last-minute travel
If you are booking in last-minute, you can find deals on unused rooms. Talk to your preferred hotels to know about possible cancellations. Also, searching last-minute booking sites such as Hotel Tonight can help you get other options.
Say no to cookies
Travel sites maintain cookies to identify customers with a strong intention to buy. Clearing your browser history might give you more favorable prices.
Flight Saving Strategies
Travel during off-peak hours
Flights are cheapest between 5 am to 7 am and after 8 pm. Businesses can save an average of $116 per flight by flying at peak times.
Fly on specific days
Reports from recent studies revealed that Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are the low-cost days to fly. Flying on these days can save you money.
Take connecting flights
Direct flights are convenient, but flights with layovers will cost you less. Taking connecting flights is one of the strategies that can help you save money.
Check out from less expensive airports
When you search for flights, check the box "include nearby airports". You can choose alternative airports that cost you less than others and not necessarily farther away.
Make early bookings
Tickets booked fewer than seven days before departure will cost you an average of 44% more than if they had been booked 15 or more days in advance.
Book at the right time
Airfares fluctuate throughout the week. Studies revealed that the best time to book air travel is Tuesday at 3 PM ET, the time when airlines will release their discounted seat inventory.
Leverage refund rules
Bookings made at least 7 days in advance can be canceled within 24 hours. This creates a grace period in which you can cancel your bookings if your travel plans are not final.
These strategies can help you save money while booking flights and hotels.
Author: James Maron
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