Why access to more travel options helps SMEs save money on business travel

Many small and medium-sized businesses assume that controlling travel costs means limiting employee choice. In reality, the opposite is often true.

When travelers have access to more travel options across flights, hotels, rail, car rental, and other transportation services, companies gain more opportunities to compare prices, find better value, and stay within budget. A broader selection also helps travelers make policy-compliant choices without sacrificing convenience.

In this article, we’ll explore why access to more travel options can reduce business travel costs and help growing companies build a more efficient travel program.

What does “more travel options” actually mean?

Access to more travel options means having a wider range of:

• Airlines
• Hotels
• Rail providers
• Rental car companies
• Ground transportation services
• Fare types and room categories
• Corporate and negotiated rates

This can be achieved by working with a travel and expense management platform that prioritizes having a wide range of travel inventory. A travel and expense management solution like GetGoing is backed by award-winning TMC, BCD Travel that has negotiated rates and deals with top providers like Booking.com, Expedia, Hertz, Avis, Deutsche Bahn, UK Rail, SNCF, and top hotel chains worldwide. 

What’s good about pre-negotiated rates? In the case of GetGoing, you can save up to 25% on flights, hotels, rental cars, and rail. It’s also a way of ensuring you spend your budget wisely.

1. More competition means better prices

Access to more travel options helps companies save money. By comparing a wider range of airlines, hotels, rail providers, and regional suppliers, travelers can find more cost-effective options that may not be available on every booking platform.

Airline price variations

Different airlines often charge different fares for the same route. If travelers can compare a wider range of carriers, including low-cost and regional airlines, they’re more likely to find a lower fare. And by comparing them all in one place, they can cut down on time, and time is money.

Hotel rate differences

The same destination may offer hotels with similar quality but very different prices. Greater visibility of available properties helps travelers find comparable accommodation at a better rate.

Regional suppliers vs. global brands

Large hotel chains and airlines aren’t always the most cost-effective option. Regional carriers, independent hotels, and local suppliers can sometimes offer lower rates, but travelers can only benefit if those suppliers are available on the platform.

Last-minute price opportunities

Some suppliers lower prices close to departure or check-in to fill remaining inventory. Access to a broader supplier network increases the chance of finding these deals.

2. Travelers are more likely to stay within policy

When employees can’t find suitable options inside the approved booking tool, they are often tempted to book elsewhere (whether it’s allowed or not). Out-of-policy booking can be costly and give you less visibility around your travel budget, meaning that you need to put more work into reconciliation, instead of your travel policy working in the background to automatically control spend and compliance. This also leads to travel leakage.

The bottom line: Limited inventory creates hidden costs such as manual servicing, policy exceptions, and challenges to reporting and reconciliation. The more travel inventory that is available, the more travel spend stays in the travel program, making sure companies are set up to make better decisions in the future based on a complete spectrum of data.

3. More travel options improve budget control

Flexibility is a good idea when it comes to travel options because the wider the choice, the more businesses can compare costs effectively, select the most economical itinerary, avoid paying for unnecessary fare flexibility, and identify savings opportunities across suppliers. 

Imagine you have two employees traveling to Paris. One of the employees books the only available option, which is flexible, refundable and last-minute (read between the lines: premium price). The other employee chooses from multiple suppliers, meaning they choose the cheapest, most convenient option, and because there is more competition, that means prices are also lower.

4. Alternative travel modes can deliver significant savings

It’s also important to consider when working with an all-in-one travel and expense management platform like GetGoing, you can get access to alternative travel modes like travel by train or rental cars. Depending on the destination this can be a cheaper and more convenient option. 

It’s true that many growing companies lack a systematic approach to travel that keeps them from considering alternative options like:

• Rail travel
• Public transportation options
• Airport transfers
• Ride-sharing services
• Regional carriers

5. Better travel options create happier, more productive travelers

This is probably the most important of all the reasons to ensure you have access to travel content. Meaningful business travel experiences are a key part of any business travel program because it’s one thing to travel because you have to, but it’s another to travel because you know you are serving the higher good of your company and you can see the benefits of your work. 

Furthermore, when employees can choose options that suit their schedule, they are less likely to change reservations, request exceptions or book outside approved channels. This ultimately leads to less manual work, less “winging it” when it comes to business travel and approvals and fewer support requests. Overall, there is less travel stress and therefore productivity skyrockets.

How SMEs can increase access to travel options

Look for a travel management solution that provides:

Flights, hotels, rail, and car rental in one platform Access to multiple travel suppliers Competitive rates and negotiated content Built-in policy controls Centralized reporting Expert support when travelers need assistance

Conclusion

Access to more travel options isn’t about giving travelers unlimited freedom. It’s about helping businesses make smarter travel decisions.

By increasing visibility into available flights, hotels, rail services, and other transportation choices, SMEs can reduce travel costs, improve policy compliance, minimize booking leakage, and create a better experience for travelers.

The result is a travel program that delivers savings without compromising convenience.

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