Small Business Travel Solutions: How SMEs Book Corporate Travel?

Business travel is a way of forging relationships with clients and exploring new opportunities to expand beyond known horizons. While larger corporates are well acquainted with sending their employees on business trips, it is the small businesses that struggle to achieve easy and affordable travel bookings. Here are the most common ways companies manage corporate travel bookings for SMEs. Read more:

 

Business travel is crucial, even for SMEs and MSMEs. Smaller businesses have to focus more on building relationships rather than transactions. Face-to-face meetings can help businesses turn prospective clients into investors. However, the problem arises because small businesses have fewer options when it comes to their company’s travel needs.

Larger companies have the resources that enable them to confidently book business trips in bulk and without any hassle. They usually have a defined travel policy that further makes this process more convenient.

On the contrary, SME travel management is lacking in resources and is overwhelmed by managing its corporate travel program. They, therefore, use different booking methods that each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The following are the popular booking methods used by small businesses:

Let’s understand methods of booking travel for small businesses in a little more detail.

 

The Different Methods of Business Travel Booking for SMEs

 

 

Online travel websites:

 

Online consumer websites enable users to select their travel requirements based on their preferences and the multiple options offered. Such methods of booking are usually used for non-business travel but they are often a go-to option of travel management for small businesses. Their benefits include:

• •  Wide range of options.
• •  The choice of finding cheaper options.
• •  This is an easy alternative for employees working in companies that offer an open booking policy.
• •  Since people often use these websites for personal travel, they are well-versed with the booking process.

 

However, there are cons to this method when it comes to SME business travel. Here are some of the primary drawbacks:

• •  An open booking policy results in tons of paperwork.
• •  Can often result in overspending.
• •  Policy compliance becomes difficult.

 

Corporate travel agencies:

 

Such agencies are especially useful for SMEs and MSMEs that do not have a dedicated travel manager. These corporate travel agencies act as a mediator negotiating cheaper packages with suppliers like airlines, hotels, restaurants, etc for a business travel discount. The pros of using this method are:

• •  They are inexpensive
• •  It is easier to discuss add-ons and modifications with a travel agent.
• •  They offer customized suggestions as opposed to automated responses.

 

They can help in availing special unadvertised rates and business travel discounts for SME. On the flip side, this method of getting a travel offer for SME comes with its fair share of drawbacks mentioned below:

• •  Their charges are based on the number of bookings.
• •  This process can be time-consuming.
• •  They usually cater to large businesses offering corporate discounts and are, therefore, not able to offer similar benefits to smaller businesses due to slimmer profit margins.

 

As opposed to this, myBiz is one such company that offers discounted corporate rates regardless of the size of the company, making business travel affordable and manageable for all.

 

Free online travel-booking tools:

 

This is the most convenient option as it specially caters to SMEs. They are easy-to-use consumer sites that give both control and greater visibility to companies sending employees on corporate travel. Here are the reasons this option is gaining popularity as a preferred form of small and medium-sized business travel solutions:

• •  Smoother bookings once SMEs set up their corporate travel program.
• •  More choices with a large selection of flights and hotels at the best prices. 
• •  Businesses can retain control over their budget
• •  Dedicated customer support makes troubleshooting hassle-free.
• •  Flexible bookings with last-minute cancellation options.
• •  One-click booking approval, payments, policy modifications, and more.

 

The only drawback to this is the small learning curve involved as opposed to using an online travel website for consumers. However, the pros far outweigh the cons and hence, this method is quickly becoming the most preferred alternative when it comes to booking travel for small businesses.

Here's a comparison chart that outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods in detail:

 

Features	Online travel websites	Corporate travel agencies	Free online travel-booking tools
Time Taken	Easy bookings but longer approval process.	Time-consuming processes.	Quick and easy bookings and approvals.
Fares	Cheaper options available.	Unadvertised rates but commissions result in higher net costs.	Corporate rates and discounts applicable.
Options Available	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ease of Use	User-friendly.	Includes multiple back and forth.	One-click bookings, approvals and payments.
Customizations	Last-minute add-ons are difficult.	Allow add-ons and modifications.	Flexible bookings.
Control Offered	Travel admins lack control.	Travel admins have total control.	Travel admins can choose between a centralised or decentralised model.
Last-minute Cancellations	Difficult.	Possible.	Assured.
Paperwork Involved	Extensive paperwork.	Minimal paperwork involved.	No paperwork involved.
Policy Compliance	Difficult.	Cumbersome.	Easy.

 

myBiz is an online booking tool for corporate travel that can offer a hassle-free experience to travel admins and employees at every step of travel management for small businesses. They offer the largest selection of flights, transport, and accommodation, providing discounted corporate fares and travel discounts for small businesses along with many additional benefits. Moreover, travel management on our platform comes with myBiz special benefits, making corporate travel management easy, affordable, and transparent!

 

Signup to myBiz and make the most of travel solutions with India’s best corporate travel management platform. Join now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Q1. Why is myBiz the right travel management tool for SMEs?

Ans. myBiz offers flexibility by allowing changes and free cancellations on business trips, catering to the dynamic nature of business of SMEs.

 

Q2. Does myBiz offer travel discounts for small businesses?

Ans. myBiz does not differentiate between businesses on the basis of their size and offers corporate fares and discounts that can help SMEs save on their company’s travel expenses.

 

Q2. Do online booking tools offer budget control for SMEs?

Ans. Yes, online booking tools like myBiz for SMEs allow businesses to retain control over budgets, unlike external corporate travel agencies.

 

Q3. Why is myBiz better than a corporate travel agency for budget control?

Ans. As opposed to a corporate travel agency, myBiz empowers SMEs to oversee corporate travel expenses, track travel spending, and assign budgets as per the company’s travel policy.