In charge of your boss’ work trip? Don’t make these mistakes!
From choosing the wrong time to book, to overbooking flights and accommodation, some mistakes are common missteps that assistants and team members make when arranging travel for their bosses.
Now, a new survey of business owners and managers has revealed that more than half have either been inconvenienced, stranded between flights, or lost money when their teams have looked after their travel bookings.
The findings have been taken from a survey of an independent panel of 255 SME owners and decision-makers, commissioned by Corporate Traveller, a leading travel management company for SMEs and a division of Flight Centre.
Corporate Traveller asked survey respondents about nine mistakes that their team assistants, or someone in their organisation, has made when booking travel.
Saskia Boxem, NSW/ACT Head of customer success for Corporate Traveller, said that by sharing the results, in-house travel bookers can take note of the slip-ups that are being picked up by their managers, and seek to address them.
“Booking business travel can be a complicated process, especially when arranging travel for large groups or booking at the last minute,” Boxem, said.
“As assistants do their best to juggle travel bookings alongside their other, often higher priority tasks, they can sometimes be more prone to making mistakes.”
“However, for many businesses and managers, these mistakes can have a large impact on their budgets and be costly ones to make and rectify.
“To help alleviate the pressure, team assistants should consider using travel booking platforms and travel management companies, such as Corporate Traveller, which offer round-the-clock support and the best travel expertise.
Not only are there financial implications to rectify the mistakes, but an organisation’s corporate reputation could suffer damage if a traveller arrives late to a meeting because of a simple booking mistake.
The top mistakes team assistants are making when booking business travel:
- 40 per cent of the mistakes are missing out on good deals by booking last minute. The most common error made by those who admitted to making a mistake, with two-fifths (40 per cent) of respondents who have made mistakes when booking travel saying they had overspent on bookings, because they booked too close to the travel date. It’s easy for assistants and office managers to be distracted with other urgent tasks and so business travel bookings can slip down the priority list. So, by the time the booking is made, prices have shot up due to demand.
- Getting traveller’s details incorrect on bookings make up 27 per cent of mistakes. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of those who admitted to making mistakes said they had incorrectly inputted traveller details when booking travel. Whether it’s misspelling a name, an incorrect date of birth, or a wrong name altogether, incorrect traveller details take time to rectify. Businesses are unlikely to make this mistake when using a travel management company or platform, which eliminates manual errors by creating a booking profile for each traveller.
- 27 per cent of mistakes are flights that don’t align. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of travel bookers that have made mistakes admitted to this error. Travellers can be left without a bed to sleep in if their flight arrives after hotel check-in has closed or miss their flight if their adjoining flights times are unaligned. This is the third most common mistake, which not only incurs added costs, as additional bookings will need to be made, but it can also put the traveller at risk if they are stranded in a new city late at night.
- 25 per cent of errors are travel booking that are not approved or go over budget. If an employee is left to book their own travel, they could risk overspending on a hotel or flight and by the time management has noticed it could be too late to amend without financial penalties. It’s the fourth most common mistake made by those who admitted to getting things wrong when booking travel, at 25 per cent. A travel management company, on the other hand, can lock in a spending cap to keep a lid on frivolous spending.
- Making bookings that inconvenienced travellers make up 24 per cent of mistakes. Businesses also reported that when travel is managed by assistants or other team members, there is a risk the traveller could be booked onto an inconvenient flight time, or at a hotel that is miles from their early morning meeting location. Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of businesses that have made travel booking mistakes admitted to this particular error.
- Booking with travel providers that have poor service make up 24 per cent of errors. An assistant that books travel on behalf of their manager may not be privy to the best travel services, and 24 per cent of those who have made mistakes booking travel said this had happened in their business. Instead, by using a travel management company and leaving business travel booking to the experts, businesses can be assured that they are booked onto the travel provider that best suits their needs and expectations.
- 20 per cent of mistakes have the wrong destination or date. This may seem an inconceivable mistake to make, but Corporate Traveller’s survey results indicate this is the seventh most common mistake made by businesses that have admitted to booking errors, at 20 per cent – and comes with huge cost implications, especially if the business has booked the cheapest airline tickets that don’t allow date changes or don’t offer refunds or credit.
- 15 per cent of errors were bookings with incorrect people or number of people. Booking for large groups can be stressful, risking mistakes. Booking for too many or too few people, or the wrong names, can also be difficult to rectify and 15 per cent of those who have made mistakes admitted to this error. A flight or hotel may no longer have availability, or refunds might not be applicable on the type of booking made.
- Overbooking, such as booking too many rooms or flight seats. While last in the ranking, overbooking was admitted by 11 per cent of travel bookers who said they have made mistakes when arranging travel in-house. If the employee making the booking has chosen the cheapest flight seat, refunds or credits might not be available. Likewise, if they have a booked rooms directly with the hotel, they might lose the deposit.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
corporate traveller Saskia Boxem travel tipsLatest News
APT’s world-first hydraulic-powered restaurant and bar ‘will be the envy of river cruises’
In a world-first in cruising, APT’s soon-to-launch European river ships will feature a state-of-the-art hydraulics system that will raise an entire restaurant and bar up to meet an expansive open sun deck while the ships are docked. In an exclusive announcement made at a special launch in Sydney today (Thursday, 9 May), the almost 100-year-old […]
Air Vanuatu cancels all flights to Australia, files for insolvency
Hundreds of passengers have been stranded across the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand after Air Vanuatu cancelled a slew off flights across the region. Riddled with technical faults over the last year, Air Vanuatu filed for insolvency on Monday and has cancelled flights to and from Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland until at least Sunday. The Vanuatu […]
South Australian beach crowned best ‘hidden gem’ in the country
Stoked baby! Or was that a typo?
Avalon Airport champions low-cost rail connection from Melbourne CBD
Avalon rail connection? Bring it on! In two years, say officials, but we say they've got Buckley's.
2024 Green Revolution Summit brings travel heavyweights into green fuel discussion
It's almost like the organisers read our article on sustainable fuel this week.
Wendy Wu Tours first China mega-famil for 100 travel agents will be full of Wow!
China travel guru Wendy Wu should have no trouble ordering 100 dumplings for key travel agents on her mega famil.
Oaks Hotels & Resorts gets behind Netball’s Suncorp Super League
So Netball Australia draws its moral line somewhere between Gina Rinehart and Oaks Hotels & Resorts.
Tourism Australia appoints new regional general manager United Kingdom
Expat Aussie Andrew Boxall steps off a Flight Centre gig to plant the flag as UK Tourism Australia GM.
Chef Alessandro Pavoni unveils Cibaria at Manly Pacific MGallery Collection
Only problem is you'll get stuck on the Spit Bridge on the way back, after you finish your meal.
Hotel Review: Atlantis The Royal – Stunning in every sense
You can look but you can't touch. At least that's what it feels like when reading an article on this masterpiece.
Flight Centre’s Big Red Sale starts today
Flight Centre taking inspiration from Qantas' Red tail sale yesterday, someone's gotta change for the next round.
Aurora Expeditions announces savings for solo travellers
Save your money and travel and go solo, just don't spend it all buying friends at the bar.
Etihad and Tourism officials launch free Abu Dhabi Stopover
Etihad's giving you free hotel stays on your stopover while Qantas pays fines for ripping people off.
New MSC Australia boss talks hot topics for local cruisers, including the Caribbean
New MSC Australia boss, Antonio Paradiso, spills the Caribbeans on where he expects Aussie cruisers will go next.
Contiki’s latest campaign inspires travellers to engage with the world around them
Hands off! Influencers invited on holiday and told not to post anything. We can assure you they're back at it now.
Aussies a hit on the conference floor for IPW 2024
Diana Ross on opening night, Keanu's Dogstar band and a dozen lobster rolls. All in a week's work at IPW 2024.
Disney excited about prospects of cruise business as Disney Treasure nears completion
Disney's booming cruising business is set to knock Disneyland experiences out of the park.
Scoot’s first E190-E2 flights take off between Krabi and Hat Yai
When flying's a pitch. Airline lite Scoot offers a standard seat pitch of 29” on its new 112-seater.
Premium hotel operator ERDI launches it’s own academy in heart of Melbourne
ERDI expects to be shaken not stirred with the launch of its ERDI Academy in its Melbourne hotels.
Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts
Sporting enthusiasts and adventure seekers are gearing up for an action-packed year in Tropical North Queensland, with a lineup of sports events and adrenaline-pumping experiences set to take centre stage in 2024. Leading the charge is the highly-anticipated return of the Crankworx World Tour ‘Paradise Edition’ to Cairns from 22-26 May 2024. The mountain biking […]
Singapore Airlines Group first to receive SAF from Neste as AU/NZ play catchup
Singapore leaving many in their green dust. Here in Australia, we're hoping for a tortoise and the hare type outcome
Qantas Red Tail sale discounts more than 200,000 fares
Qantas marketers forever thankful to the team who chose the red and white colours. How else would they name a sale!
Bannisters by the Sea unveils retreat style package for new mothers
Three hours in the car with a newborn from Sydney might be tough, but trust us, it'll be worth it when you arrive.
Nothing Bonza can do to prevent loss of planes, ACCC concerned by latest aviation developments
Going, going, gone. It seems...
APT offers destination incentives to enjoy the Best of Asia
Whether its a cocktail by the beach or a hike through the mountains, APT has you covered. You'll find us at the beach!
Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland
Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]
Get ready to roll the marketing dice with Susan Coghill: Travel DAZE EXEC 2024
It's heating up in Cairns and we're not talking about the weather! Get ready for a marketing masterclass with Susan.
Aranui Cruises slashes prices with No Single Supplement and Half Price offers
French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is slashing thousands off its 2025 Austral and Marquesas Islands cruises with an autumn sale offering 50 per cent off the second guest in a twin share room and no single supplement for solo travellers. On sale until June 21, 2024, Aranui’s 12-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to […]
Cebu Pacific campaign aims to boost Aussie trips to the Philippines
Cebu Pacific's bouncy singalong ad campaign 'Fly to Happy, Fly to the Philippines’ aims to get more bums on seats.
Tauck’s new river and small ship ocean cruises, plus increased Seine capacity
Tauck adding itineraries like it's going out of fashion, which cruising certainly isn't.
Railbookers and La Dolce Vita Orient Express partner up for new luxury Italian itineraries
Fancy a luxurious trip through Italy? Who are we kidding, we know you do. Start your daydream here.
Luxury Travel Collection’s Nikki Glading spills all on member network perks: Travel Weekly TV
We urge you to enjoy this in true LTC style and lift a glass of bubbles with lunch today.
Auckland’s new domestic terminal comes with all the modern gadgets
We're not talking about drones or VR goggles, but these updates will change the game in Auckland.
Air New Zealand crew sign up for Sign Language Week
Have you signed up for Sign Language Week? Let this be your sign to do so!
Holland America Line gives one lucky winner the Ultimate Alaskan Cruise Experience
There's only one winner, so it's sort of like the Hunger Games of cruise prizes... but no one gets hurt.
TAG’s Byron Carr excited about K-Pop induced Asia expansion
Carr to go all Gangnam Style with TAG's Asian expansion