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Tips to Survive Corporate Travel Cutbacks

Companies are cutting back, but that needn't force you to the back of the plane. Here are strategies ... and a specialized tool ... to get you where you need to go in comfort and keep your CFO smiling.

In yesterday's Wing Tips, we listed the sometimes draconian measures companies are taking to reduce business travel expenses. These include replacing travel with online conferencing and forcing downsizing in every aspect of travel, from the seat you reserve to the room you book, to suggesting you eat at home to save the cost of a meal at the airport.

In response to these trends, business travel experts have generated some hints to survive, or even thrive, in this environment. Here's some of what they suggest:

Travel Smart, and Only When You Have To

--Know your company's travel policies. Your company may already have a deal with travel suppliers based on volume or repeat purchases, says Forbes.com. If you don't use these committed dollars, your company may lose them. No deals made? Time to cut some. Travel suppliers have seldom been more willing. In any case, your policies may allow exceptions if you can make a case that they're needed--such as when you face a 12-hour flight, dovetailing right into a critical meeting.

--Advocate for technology. Some trips really may not be necessary, if the purpose can be accomplished via remote means. Recommending their use makes your case stronger when you do press for a trip.

--Book low, travel high. In these recessionary times, airlines and hotels are playing a unique strategy, says travel expert Arthur Frommer. They're reducing capacity in the hopes of filling up early at full price. But when that doesn't happen, they revert to last-minute offers that blow the doors off prices. "Buy a pool view room or an economy class ticket," Frommer advises, "then wait for the 'special offer' to upgrade to Business Class or get into the suite."

--Compensate with innovative savings. You may be able to spend more on the trip if you save in other ways. Forbes suggests printing meeting materials at the destination rather than paying to lug them on the plane. Frommer urges "thinking outside the travel box." Instead of an expensive hotel, what about a house exchange for your trip, he asks?

--Upgrade on your dime. Fortunately for frequent and elite fliers, one trend that's not evident is companies confiscating the miles or award points they've allowed employees to keep from past business travel, even though company money generated them. Upgrade to premium on this basis.

And perhaps the best cost-cutting tip of all...

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