Corporate Accounts Get More Access to discount business class airfare
Utilizing a corporate travel agency has many rewards. Some of them can include price discounts, hotel reservations, emergency, and customer service to mention a few. It may seem practical and cheaper to use the web, but it has many limitations as compared to having a professional travel management business.
Reality Check
Let’s be truthful – airlines are businesses. They will try to make as much money as they can and will look for every chance to so. Do you believe those things for sale in the plane are for your convenience? If you think the net or newspaper has the best prices you couldn’t be more wrong.
Why do airline ticket prices vary? During peak seasons such as Christmas, a lot more people buy travel tickets. The amount of airplanes and seats are pretty much the supply and it’s limited. More and more people will get tickets with departure dates near December 24 and return dates after January 2.
There aren’t enough plane seats to fit every single person who would want to travel on that date – consequently airlines ask for higher prices. How do you beat it? Reserve at least 3 months prior. The issue is the majority don’t know their schedule since their work might interfere with their plans. Airlines know this and most importantly, will take advantage by charging you higher prices.
A corporate travel agency buys tickets in bulk and well in advance. These are charged wholesale discount business class airfare unavailable to you on the internet or elsewhere. It’s their incentive from airlines so that they can also generate profits.
Travel Management Companies
Corporate travel agencies aren’t dinosaurs. They also use computers as well as have internet. In the same way you probably scour the internet for prices, these businesses have special software that could view dozens of websites at the same time.
Agents know where to hunt for better airfares. Some agencies have special deals with selected airlines so they have access to the ticketing system. If you are looking for discount business class airfare, or special prices for a group package it is better to go to these businesses. You may negotiate prices with them whereas you can’t while reserving online.
Customer Service
When you book online it is not easy to change plans, but agents could be provided a tentative date and may wait for you till a specific time. The longer your company’s relationship with them, the better your benefits are going to be because of your credibility.
Bad weather happens anywhere resulting in cancelled flights. When this happens what do you think everyone would do? They all call the airline at the same time. It often will take you ages to reach them or they won’t really be of much help.
A corporate travel agency is going to be there for you and figure out what emergency actions to take. They already know your first question – how soon could I leave? Good firms are informed and will act immediately for you. They’re going to either rebook you in another airline quickly or get you an affordable hotel nearby if the weather becomes very bad.
Hotels & Meeting Management
Corporate travel management isn’t limited to plane tickets. They also know where to shop for hotel rooms in an emergency at good prices too. In fact some even have meeting management services.
A corporate travel business has considerably more advantages over undertaking reservations yourself. The advantages are discounts, customer service and other services all leading to peace of mind.
Claude McInnis is a travel agent with years of experience working with numerous corporate travel agency. For more information on how to find very good tickets, please read up about discount business class airfare.