Does Your Company Need a Business Travel Agency?

If you’re reading this, you’ve most likely already answered that question with “Yes.” Or at least, “Probably.” Maybe you’re not sure why, or need help articulating to your CEO why the best choice is not the travel agency he’s been using to book his vacations for the past 25 years. So why exactly do you need travel management services from a business travel agency?

Leisure travel agencies are destination experts—they know the best resorts, the best attractions and the best way to get there. That’s helpful for event planning, but for business travel, logistics, not amenities, are what count. In other words, late check-out is less important than reliable Wi-Fi. With changing schedules, packed itineraries and expense reports, business travel is complicated. Travel management companies are experts at coordinating these variables—and keeping track of the paperwork.

2. Because your travel budget has put on weight.

You know your travel spend could be less, but you don’t have the time to figure out how, let alone what to look for. Yes, using online booking sites or booking directly with the airline may give you the lowest advertised rates, but business travel agencies can offer special rates that they’ve negotiated directly with airlines and hotel chains. Plus, rates are the least of your worries if what’s really bloating your budget is employee time wasted on expense management, scheduling, and complying with byzantine travel policies. True travel management providers like AmTrav can analyze your travel spend and offer seamless integration between your business travel data and expense reporting.

3. Because it’s none of your business.

Look, unless your company is a travel management company, travel management is not your forte – and that’s okay. Outsourcing travel management the same way you’d outsource building management streamlines the process. The travel industry is constantly changing; it’s a travel management company’s job to keep up with those changes and leave you free to focus your resources on your core business. And if something does go wrong, you won’t be stranded for hours on the phone with customer service while your employees are stranded in a snowstorm.

4. Because business travel is not a one-size-fits-all situation.

Depending on the purpose, and the employee, corporate travel needs vary widely. Some divisions may know their travel schedule months in advance; others may need the flexibility of last-minute bookings. AmTrav’s integrated system has been built from the ground up specifically to handle the unique demands of business travel and make it easy.

5. Because happy employees are worth it.

We’re all so focused on the bottom line these days, sometimes we forget that part of what keeps the bottom line low is retaining qualified employees. Hassle-free booking and the peace of mind that comes with in-destination support can go a long way with your employees. Plus, the special rates business travel agencies negotiate with suppliers often come with perks like flight and room upgrades, free breakfasts and VIP status with airlines and car rental agencies.

By: Erin C.