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1. Air travel is on sale. With fewer travelers in this tough economy, airlines, hotels, cruise lines and car rental companies are trying to fill seats and put heads in beds. Less than two months into the New Year, U.S. airlines have initiated 25 fare sales and prices are back to pre-2007 levels in many markets. A Topaz International study found that for the seventh year in a row, airfares booked by a corporate travel management company versus various public sites like Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity averaged $56 less than the exact same fare booked on the public site.
2. Double check hotels. If you booked in advance, chances are that hotel prices have fallen and you may get a lower rate. Many hoteliers are matching their competitors to gain the business. If your plans are firm then pre-paid non-refundable hotel rates are cheaper but you can’t make changes. Through Hurley Travel Experts' BCD affiliation our hotel rates are up to 30% off published rates at over 18,000 hotels worldwide spanning 139 countries and 5 continents, including last room availability. In addition, we also check six worldwide consortiums and web products for hotel discount programs. We also have locally negotiated hotel rates from various properties in Portland that are the lowest rates in the market.
3. Consolidate travel. If you are not making all of your reservations for you and your company through one source like Hurley Travel Experts, consolidate your travel and sign up for airline and hotel loyalty programs for yourself and for your company. Denise Meiler at 207.874.7400 can help you navigate through these “soft dollar” programs for airlines and for car companies so that you pool all your reservations and earn free travel and other amenities.
4. See who’s covered in the driver’s seat. If you’re traveling with a business associate or a family member, check with the car company to see who is covered. Some car rental companies will offer a business partner for free or without a surcharge and some will charge as much as $70 per driver.
5. Trimming and downgrading travel spending. A recent survey by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives found over 70% of corporations trimming their travel budgets by 10% to 20% this year. Many corporations are downgrading travelers from business to economy class on long-haul flights and lowering the hotel class used for business travel. Now is a great time to review your travel policy or create one and look for these types of savings. Please contact Pam Hurley-Moser at 207.874.7400 for a complete travel policy analysis.
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