Let the following key points sink in if you’re a corporation with an unmanaged approach to business travel:

1. Cost Control: This is undoubtedly the most fundamental of the reasons for managing travel. Interestingly enough, even though there is an expense (fees) associated with managed travel, those fees are always mitigated by vendor waivers and favors, human traveler support, and scores of other services that are included. True cost control can only be engineered by consolidating travel to facilitate relevant reporting. Additionally, travel policy control at the point of sale through travel management companies is further insurance against abuse.
2. Vendor Leverage: The only way that an organization can fully exploit opportunities for discounts with travel vendors is by way of consolidation of travel bookings. The ability negotiate discount programs is contingent upon tracking. To track company travel performance by preferred supplier is only inherent in a corporate — travel management company relationship. The latter is able to provide the kind of ongoing reporting for airlines, car rental companies, and hotels that suppliers require.
3. Risk Management: Disruptions in travel take many forms; strikes, health issues, natural disasters, geo-political events, etc. A managed travel approach is, by far, the most efficient method for understanding where travelers are going and where they currently are. The instant availability of this information allows for quick action to accommodate affected travelers and, in many cases, reduce liability for the company.

These fundamentals form the basis of the rationale for a managed travel program. Aside from these key areas, the service component itself, of course, is quite important for many companies as well. The ability to have a real dialogue about complex travel plans, to handle international travel, to book it yourself on a managed basis, to solicit support for changes to itineraries, to manage non-standard travel such as groups, meetings, or incentives, or to take advantage of research and reconciliation resources are inherent in the professionally managed travel process.

Consider the foregoing carefully and make the booking right for you.

Karl Dring
General Manager
GlobalPoint Travel Solutions
kdring@sdtg.com