NFIB

Seven Cost Saving Tips for Business Travel
10/ 22/ 2002

One of the best ways to cut costs is to cut unnecessary travel. But what about trips that are vital to a company's overall business development? In these cases, costs can still be controlled. Jeffrey Moses shows how in today's Workshop.

1. Avoid use of hotel phones for long distance calls.

Avoid the exorbitant rates hotels charge for long distance service by using a cell phone if you have a good national calling plan or a calling card, supplied either by your phone service provider (these usually bill to your regular phone line), or by a third-party (these are usually pre-paid). If you know you'll be making a lot of calls from your hotel room, get a phone card that allows you to simply press the pound key between calls without re-dialing and re-entering your account number.

2. Stay with friends or relatives instead of in a hotel.

If you know people in the city you're visiting, take them up on their offers to let you sleep in their guest bedroom. This may not be as convenient as staying in a downtown hotel, but it could save you up to $150 or more per night.

3. Stay in a mid-priced hotel rather than an airport or luxury hotel.

You may have to take a cab an extra mile or two, but you may save $50 or more per night. And be sure to take advantage of these hotels' free continental breakfasts.

4. Take lunch with you for the first day of your trip.

Airlines have all but abandoned food service, and airport food is usually overpriced. Pack a sandwich and a few snacks in your carry-on.

5. Order in.

Order Chinese or have a pizza delivered to your room instead of visiting the expensive hotel restaurant. Most hotels have a list of nearby restaurants.

6. Avoid using hotel dry cleaners.

If you do, you may be the one taken to the cleaners. Instead, have all clothing cleaned and pressed before starting your trip.

7. Look around before booking your flight.

Traditionally, the best way to save money is by booking flights as far in advance as possible (assuring at least the 21-day rate for flights)--and staying overnight Saturday to further reduce rates. However, the Internet has opened new possibilities for reducing airfare--as well as hotel bills and car rental charges. There are essentially two types of discount travel sites. One type, represented by Priceline.com, lets you offer a price for travel, hotel or rental cars. After you make a bid, you learn in a matter of minutes whether your bid was accepted. Unfortunately these sites usually don't reveal the time of day or night that flights will be leaving and arriving. Only after you secure the purchase with a credit card are you informed of your travel schedule, and given the names of the airline involved. An additional drawback of this type of site is that incidental charges such as taxes and airport fees are not always totaled prior to payment. This means you may end up paying more than you bargained for.

Other types of sites, represented by Hotwire.com, search for the lowest airline fares, hotel rates and car rentals. The times of your flights are listed before you purchase, and if you're renting a car you'll be able to choose between sizes (economy, standard, luxury). These sites usually total all charges, so you know exactly what you'll be paying before you ante up.

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