Recent data reveals a shocking trend among office assistants: more than half are making costly travel blunders. These are not just simple oversights. They’re missteps that leave executives stranded between flights, overcharged, or worse, with no place to stay in an unfamiliar city.
A new survey involving 255 business owners and decision-makers from SMEs, commissioned by Corporate Traveller – a top-tier travel management organization and offshoot of Flight Centre – has unearthed the most frequent travel-related blunders committed by their teams.
According to Saskia Boxem, NSW/ACT Head of Customer Success for Corporate Traveller, the intention of sharing these findings is clear. She hopes that by shining a light on these issues, businesses can improve their processes and reduce the risk of similar missteps.
Boxem explains, “Booking travel, especially for large groups or at the last moment, is no small feat. When assistants, burdened with their everyday responsibilities, handle these tasks, the room for error grows. It’s not just about inconvenience; these mistakes cost businesses significantly. Our mission at Corporate Traveller is to provide the necessary expertise and 24/7 support to ensure a smooth travel booking experience.”
Based on the survey, here are the top business travel mistakes:
- Last-Minute Bookings (40%): The most reported blunder. With tasks piling up, assistants often delay the travel booking, increasing prices.
- Erroneous Traveller Details (27%): Misspelled names or wrong birth dates take time and money to correct.
- Misaligned Flights (27%): A risky error that could leave a traveller stranded or missing a connecting flight.
- Unapproved or Over-Budget Bookings (25%): Employees might unknowingly spend more than what’s allowed when left unsupervised.
- Inconvenient Bookings (24%): Flights at odd hours or hotels far from meeting venues. This mistake adds to the wear and tear of travellers.
- Booking with Subpar Service Providers (24%): Not all providers offer the same quality of service. Falling into this trap costs both time and money.
- Incorrect Destinations or Dates (20%): Believe it or not, some bosses find themselves in the wrong city or on a wrong day.
- Incorrect Group Bookings (15%): The complexities of group bookings mean assistants sometimes miscount or book for the wrong people.
- Overbookings (11%): Booking more rooms or seats than needed can be a financial drain, especially when refunds aren’t an option.
The ramifications of these mistakes extend beyond the pocket. A company’s reputation can be hit when a key executive or team arrives late due to booking errors. Boxem reiterates, “The consequences are far-reaching. It’s essential to have experts handle or at least oversee corporate travel bookings.”
While technology and expert guidance can alleviate many of these issues, awareness remains the first step. The next time you book, double-check all details, or better yet, consider leaning on the expertise of a trusted travel management company like Corporate Traveller.
Written by: Christine Nguyen
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