The New York Times recently highlighted a growing trend: business travelers booking their own trips outside of company channels.
This might seem like a harmless act, but for companies, it can be a major headache. Let's explore why AllFly is the perfect solution to keep your business travelers safe, compliant, and saving money.
The Problem: Rogue Travelers
The article describes a phenomenon called "rogue travelers," employees who book flights and hotels themselves instead of using the designated corporate travel tools like AllFly. There are a few reasons why travelers might go rogue:
- Convenience: They might find searching for flights and hotels on their own to be faster and easier.
- Points & Rewards: Some travelers prioritize accumulating personal rewards points over company benefits.
While these reasons might seem understandable, rogue travelers can create big problems for businesses:
- Loss of Control Over Travel Spend: Without a centralized booking system, it's difficult to track and manage travel expenses.
- Duty of Care Concerns: In case of an emergency, it can be difficult to locate employees who haven't booked through approved channels.
AllFly: Your Solution to Rogue Travelers
AllFly is a corporate travel booking tool designed to address these exact challenges. Here's what AllFly offers:
Simplified Booking: Our user-friendly platform makes booking travel a breeze for employees, keeping them happy and compliant.
Enforced Travel Policy: AllFly allows you to set clear travel policies and ensures employees book within budget restrictions.
Real-Time Tracking: Always know where your employees are with our built-in tracking features. This is crucial for ensuring their safety in case of emergencies.
The Rise of Rogue Travelers
Kenneth Diederich, a corporate executive chef, is among the "rogue travelers" who prefer to book their own travel. Despite the availability of corporate travel agents, Mr. Diederich chooses to use online tools like AllFly to book his flights and hotels, citing the allure of reward points as his main motivation.
Many business travelers share his sentiment, seeking the best fares, unique accommodations, and loyalty rewards.
Balancing Control and Freedom
While companies want to control travel costs and ensure employee safety, they also recognize the need to accommodate the preferences of their travelers.
AllFly enables companies to enforce policies regarding travel bookings while allowing employees like Mr. Diederich to book their travel how they want.
By forwarding the out of policy booking confirmations to the corporate travel agent, employees can ensure compliance with company policies and reimbursement for their expenses, while the company maintains visibility over their whereabouts.
The Challenge of Compliance
Managing travel compliance can be challenging, especially as more travelers turn to their smartphones to plan and book trips outside of corporate tools.
Travel management companies acknowledge that the trend of direct booking is here to stay, making compliance difficult to mandate.
However, companies can encourage compliance by requiring travelers to alert the corporate travel department or management company of their bookings, ensuring that duty-of-care standards are met.
Ensuring Safety in an Uncertain World
The safety of business travelers is a top priority, especially in light of global uncertainties such as terrorist attacks. AllFly helps companies mitigate travel risks by providing travel itineraries.
AllFly is a valuable tool for companies looking to manage corporate travel effectively. By enforcing policies, ensuring compliance, and prioritizing employee safety, AllFly empowers companies to navigate the complexities of corporate travel in an ever-changing world.