NSBA PARTNER | 12 Practical Tips to Save on Small Business Travel from IHG Business Edge

12 Practical Tips to Save on Business Travel

Business travel helps small companies build relationships with customers, clients, and employees—but rising costs can strain limited budgets. Here are practical ways to control expenses while keeping trips productive.

1.  Set a Travel Policy: A clear corporate travel policy defines spending limits, preferred suppliers, booking guidelines, per diems, and reimbursement processes. This keeps budgets on track and avoids confusion.

2. Communicate Policies: Make sure employees know the rules. Share policies in writing and store them where they’re easy to access so travelers can plan efficiently and submit accurate expense reports.

3. Consolidate Appointments: Encourage employees to group multiple meetings into one trip. Fewer trips mean lower transportation and hotel costs and less time away from the office.

4. Plan and Book Early: Airfares and hotel rates usually rise as the travel date approaches. Booking early helps secure better prices and preferred times or routes.

5. Support Bleisure Travel: Allow employees to add personal time before or after business trips. This can increase job satisfaction and sometimes reduce costs through longer stays or lower leisure rates.

6. Join Hotel Loyalty Programs: Loyalty programs offer rewards like discounted rates, free Wi‑Fi, late check‑outs, and points that can be redeemed for future stays. Choose programs with hotels in your most‑visited locations and amenities that fit your needs.

7. Join Airline Loyalty Programs: Airline programs provide perks like priority boarding, free changes, lounge access, and points toward future flights, helping stretch your travel budget.

8. Spend Less on Meals: Stay at hotels that include free breakfast or social hours with appetizers. For longer trips, book accommodations with kitchenettes to save on dining out.

9. Use a Corporate Travel Credit Card: Corporate cards make tracking expenses easier and offer rewards and perks. Setting spending limits for each user can further control costs.

10. Monitor Spending with Supplier Tools: Programs like IHG Business Edge provide portals to track hotel spending and analyze trends, helping you spot savings opportunities.

11. Explore Alternative Transportation: Rideshares, trains, buses, public transit, or hotels with free shuttles or bikes can lower costs and reduce environmental impact.

12. Choose Eco‑Friendly Hotel Brands: Supporting sustainable hotels shows clients and employees that you value responsible business practices.

13. Partner with the Right Program: IHG Business Edge was created specifically for small and midsize businesses. It offers guaranteed discounts, exclusive partner offers, loyalty benefits, and more. With 20 unique brands and more than 6,600 hotels in over 100 countries, IHG Business Edge makes it easy to find the right stay wherever your work takes you.

Visit IHG Business Edge for more information on how you can reduce costs and streamline your company's travel strategy.