A sweet escape or headache-inducing burden? Travel can be fun, but a whopping 89% of survey respondents consider going on a trip stressful.
When it comes to business trips, travel may be especially exhausting. Preparing for business trips can be a hassle, and one slip-up could lead to a lost client and lost profits.
Read on to learn about six of the top business travel mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Following a Budget
Business trips are meant to boost revenue, not drain it. But if you’re not following a business trip budget, you might be costing your company a lot of money.
Put a limit on how much to spend on big-ticket items like airfare and hotels. Then, tackle smaller expenses and consider how much allowance can be offered to employees.
This Travel Management helps keep track of expenses to ensure you don’t go over budget.
2. Waiting to Book
Your options for hotels, flights, and transportation will dwindle as time goes on. That means if you wait to book, you’ll miss out on valuable deals and likely be left with overpriced options.
As soon as you know a trip is coming up, start researching websites like Jettly for flight details and tracking sales. That way, you can get the exact seat or room you want, while saving money.
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3. Skipping Travel Insurance
If you or your employees travel often for work, travel insurance is essential.
Business travel insurance can cover cancelled trips, medical emergencies, and adjustments to your flights. Insurance may also cover the cost of lost baggage, which is crucial if you need expensive laptops and other equipment during your trip.
4. Overlooking Transportation
When traveling far away, you may spend hours scouring flights, while failing to research transportation after the plane lands.
Taxi lines, confusing train systems, and other transportation snafus can ruin an important business trip. Be sure to plan how you’ll get around a new city or country, including mapping out the locations of any meetings or events on the agenda.
5. Not Using Frequent Flyer Miles
One statistic suggests that 40% of travelers don’t use their miles. Don’t let your company be one of them.
Companies that routinely send employees on trips can collect thousands of frequent flyer miles in a short amount of time, which can be redeemed for discounted and even free travel.
Sign up for a frequent flyer plan or credit card to begin collecting travel miles.
6. Not Checking In With Employees
Your employees may not like being micromanaged or constantly watched over, but tracking their activity during a business trip can help keep them safe.
Ask your employees for their full schedules, including the locations they plan to visit. Also be sure to have updated emergency contact information.
Message them at least once each day to check in and confirm their safety throughout their business trip.
Avoid These Business Travel Mistakes
Traveling, especially for business, can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Watch out for these business travel mistakes so you and your employees can have a safe and successful trip.
For more work advice, check out our other business articles!
