What are effective strategies employees can use to save their company money while traveling for work?

Booking flights 3-4 weeks in advance can save companies up to 30% compared to last-minute bookings.

Flying during off-peak hours or on less popular days of the week (e.g., Tuesdays, Wednesdays) can reduce airfare costs by 20-30%.

Utilizing budget airlines like Spirit or Frontier can cut airfare expenses by 40-50% compared to major carriers, though cabin amenities may be more limited.

Negotiating corporate rates with hotel chains can yield 10-25% savings versus standard retail prices for business travelers.

Expensing meals according to the government's per diem rates rather than submitting actual receipts can reduce food costs by 15-20% on average.

Combining business trips with personal travel ("bleisure") can lower overall trip costs by allowing employees to share expenses between the company and themselves.

Adopting virtual meeting software like Zoom or Microsoft Teams can completely eliminate the need for some business trips, resulting in 100% savings on travel expenses.

Strictly adhering to company travel policies and leveraging approved booking channels can help avoid unapproved, higher-cost transactions.

Employees who proactively monitor airfare, hotel, and other travel price trends can identify optimal booking windows to maximize savings.

Utilizing ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft instead of taxis can reduce ground transportation costs by 30-40% on average.

Enrolling in loyalty programs and redeeming points/miles can provide 5-15% additional savings on airfare, hotel stays, and rental cars.

Careful expense reporting and receipt management can help avoid reimbursement errors and unnecessary expenses during the reconciliation process.