NSBA PARTNER - IHG Business Edge | How To Balance Work and Personal Life Through Travel Management

Tips and tools for balanced travel, personal, and small-business work life from NSBA's partner IHG Business Edge

How Small Businesses Can Maximize Travel Savings Without Compromising Quality

For many small and midsize businesses, travel is essential for growth—whether meeting with clients, attending conferences, or expanding into new markets. But managing travel expenses without sacrificing employee comfort and productivity can be challenging. Fortunately, with the right strategies and resources, small businesses can stretch their travel budgets while still delivering rewarding experiences for employees.

Here are some practical ways to help maximize travel savings:

1. Book Early and Travel Smart: Airfare and hotel rates often fluctuate. Encourage employees to book as far in advance as possible, and consider traveling midweek to avoid peak travel surcharges. According to industry data, booking flights on Sundays can lead to meaningful savings—up to 13% on international flights.

2. Negotiate and Leverage Discounts: Larger corporations often have access to negotiated rates, but small businesses can tap into savings too. Partnering with travel programs designed specifically for small and midsize enterprises can unlock exclusive discounts, preferred rates, and perks that reduce overall spend while improving the travel experience.

3. Streamline Travel Management: Lost receipts, unclear expense policies, and inefficient booking processes can quickly erode savings. Implementing a centralized travel portal makes it easier to track spend, manage approvals, and consolidate reporting. This transparency not only reduces errors but also provides valuable insights into travel patterns that can inform future savings strategies.

4. Encourage Loyalty Enrollment: Encourage employees to enroll in hotel and airline loyalty programs. Loyalty status often unlocks benefits such as early check-in, free upgrades, and executive lounge access—all of which improve the travel experience at little to no cost to the business.

5. Support Employee Well-Being: Cost savings shouldn’t come at the expense of employee satisfaction. Providing comfortable accommodations with amenities such as reliable Wi-Fi, fitness centers, and healthy dining options helps employees remain productive and energized. Balanced travel experiences also improve retention and morale, which can be just as valuable as direct savings.

With a vast network of over 6,600 hotels in more than 100 countries, IHG Business Edge ensures that you will find the right hotel for your needs, no matter where your travels take you. By combining smart travel practices with the benefits of IHG Business Edge, small businesses can ensure every dollar spent on travel goes further—without compromising on quality, comfort, or productivity.