{"id":278175,"date":"2023-06-12T13:54:38","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T12:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/blog\/how-to-secure-the-very-best-air-rail-and-hotel-rates-for-your-employees\/"},"modified":"2023-07-21T11:40:43","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T10:40:43","slug":"how-to-secure-the-very-best-air-rail-and-hotel-rates-for-your-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/en-au\/blog\/how-to-secure-the-very-best-air-rail-and-hotel-rates-for-your-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Secure the Very Best Rates"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”HEADER BANNER” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMAGE-Train-Meeting-Header.jpg” parallax=”on” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”How to Secure the Very Best Rates” subhead=”our top tips to save money across air, rail and hotel for your employees” admin_label=”HEADER – Fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ title_line_height=”1.7em” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.29)” background_enable_image=”off” z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”SECTION – Introduction (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ admin_label=” ROW – Introduction (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – Intro Text” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Are you getting the most out of your travel programme?<\/h3>\n

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In today’s fast-paced business world, companies are always looking for ways to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Travel is no exception. A well-managed business travel program can provide significant savings without removing the essence of what makes a great traveller experience – so long as companies take the time to understand what they need from their travel.<\/p>\n

At Gray Dawes, we understand the importance of securing the very best air, rail, and hotel rates for our clients. Our travel experts have decades of experience crafting travel programmes that not only save time and money, but also put the wellbeing of the traveller at centre stage.<\/p>\n

In this article, we explore some of the key strategies that companies can use to do the same<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMAGE-Plane-in-Sky-Trail.png” alt=”Plane in Sky Trail” admin_label=”IMAGE” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”439.4px” height=”313px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”SECTION – Understand Travel Needs (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#efefef” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”ROW – Understand Travel Needs (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMAGE-Airport-Waiting-1.jpg” alt=”Young woman in black coat looking at the depature boards at an airport with a yellow roller case” title_text=”IMAGE—Airport-Waiting” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_height=”1000px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – Understand Travel Needs” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Understand your Travel Needs<\/h3>\n

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Before you can start to make any savings, you need to fully understand your travel needs. Ask yourself: When do we travel most? Where do we most often go? Do we have any specific travel requirements that must be met?<\/p>\n

Then start tracking your travel patterns. Identify your busiest travel months. Make a note of your most and least frequent destinations. Determine what airlines, rail companies, or other transportation companies you have used. This information can be used to negotiate better rates with suppliers and allow you to save big on travel costs.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”SECTION – Stay Flexible (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”ROW – Stay Flexible (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – Stay Flexible” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Stay Flexible<\/h3>\n

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Another key factor in getting the best air fares is to be flexible with your travel dates and times. Airlines often offer discounts for flights that are off-peak or have less demand. The same is true with rail. By maintaining some flexibility in your travel programme, you can take full advantage of these discounts.<\/p>\n

Though it might not always be convenient to travel off-peak, it is certainly worth \u2013 if possible \u2013 scheduling meetings for times that allow you to catch a train outside of usual business hours or hop on a plane that follows a cheaper route.<\/p>\n

When booking a hotel, don\u2019t forget to check whether the dates of your stay clashes with any big, local events or national holidays that can send room prices skyrocketing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMAGE-Young-Woman-Train-Phoner-1.jpg” alt=”Young businesswoman talking on the ohone while sitting on a train” title_text=”IMAGE—Young-Woman-Train-Phoner” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”SECTION – Support Travellers (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#efefef” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”ROW – Support Travellers (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMAGE-Young-Woman-at-Call-Centre-1.jpg” alt=”Young woman at call centre on the phone to a customer” title_text=”IMAGE-Young-Woman-at-Call-Centre” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – Support Travellers” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Support Your Travellers<\/h3>\n

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Saving money on your travel is not only a straight one-to-one relationship with you and your suppliers. It is also important to maintain strong communications with your own travellers.<\/p>\n

Ensure that your globetrotting employees have complete access to any travel resources you have available. If they fully understand what you aim to achieve from your travel programme, they can begin to make informed decisions about how they spend while on the move.<\/p>\n

Here at Gray Dawes, we are always on. Our \u201cfollow the sun\u201d model means that no matter whether you\u2019re at a conference in Melbourne or a business lunch in Miami, we are available to answer any questions about your business travel programme at a moment\u2019s notice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”SECTION – Advantage of Discounts (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”ROW – Advantage of Discounts (V2)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – Advantage of Discounts” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” ul_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Grab Discounts<\/h3>\n

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If you plan smart and take the time to research your options, you are guaranteed to nab discounts that considerably cut the cost of your travel:<\/p>\n