With fuel surcharges, baggage fees and rising ticket costs, flying employees around the globe is more expensive than ever. American Express Business Travel has cash-saving tips for companies and road warriors:
- Confirm travel plans before booking; airlines often charge $150 or more for flight changes.
- Check as few bags as possible: Overnight delivery of presentation materials may be more cost-effective than checking an extra bag.
- Keep passports up to date and make sure you have all required visas for foreign travel.
- Check flights to all airports in a region, not just the one closest to your final destination.
- Coordinate car service or taxis to save on expense costs if several employees are traveling to the same place at the same time. Some companies now require traveling workers to share hotel rooms.
- Book flights for the lowest fares. American Express advises staying on top of hotel and airfare prices: If you see a price lower than the one you paid, ask for a discount.
- Extend a midweek trip over a weekend to cut down on airfare costs.
- Choose "offseason" destinations if the location is up to you -- for instance, a group meeting in Las Vegas during the summer.
