Business travel often gets a bad rap. But what if much of what we think we know is actually a myth?
Challenging these misconceptions can not only save money but also make your trips more productive and even enjoyable.
Bonnie Smith, GM of Corporate Traveller, believes that rethinking our perceptions is key. “By questioning stubborn myths, we can turn business travel from a stressful obligation into a strategic advantage,” she said.
Smith shares some common business travel myths and her expertise on how you can rethink them to your advantage.
Ridesharing is always cheaper than car rentals
Smith said that while Uber and Bolt have their place, renting a car can often be the smarter financial move and travel management companies (TMCs) frequently score great deals with car rental firms, offering rates that ridesharing can’t match.
“Plus, those rideshare costs can skyrocket fast when you’re in an area prone to surge pricing. A rental car’s flat rate starts looking good in comparison.
“So, before you default to ridesharing for your next business trip, take a moment to crunch the numbers. You might find that good old- fashioned car rental is the way to go, especially for longer stays or when you need to zip around town frequently,” she said.
Business travel is bad for employee health
According to the business travel expert, a recent Maxis white paper revealed that employees hitting the road for 1 to 6 nights a month often enjoy better health, lower anxiety, and improved sleep compared to their desk-bound colleagues.
The paper found that a bit of travel can inspire more activity and reduce the odds of smoking or obesity.
She said that business trips are golden opportunities to sneak in exercise, savour nutritious meals, and recharge — luxuries often overlooked in the daily grind, plus, face-to-face interactions can spark morale and strengthen teamwork.
As Smith points out, many companies are catching on by revamping their travel policies to support employee wellbeing and this includes enticing options like hotels with gyms, healthier meal allowances, and time to relax on longer trips.
“With fresh surroundings and valuable networking, occasional business travel might just be the secret ingredient to boosting employee health,” said Smith.
Business travel is always bad for the environment
Smith noted that while business travel can contribute to carbon emissions, many companies are taking steps to minimise their impact.
For example, airlines are investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and makes flights greener.
“Businesses are also rethinking how they approach travel. They’re cutting unnecessary trips and opting for virtual meetings to reduce travel frequency. When travel is essential, they focus on direct flights and use public transport, which are greener choices,” said Smith.
She added that many companies are choosing eco-friendly hotels that prioritise sustainability and TMCs are also upping the ante offering clients carbon reporting tools.
“These give businesses the cold, hard facts on their travel emissions. Companies can now make data-driven decisions and set concrete sustainability targets,” said Smith.
Booking through a TMC is always more expensive
The business travel expert said that many assume TMCs increase travel costs, but nothing could be further from the truth.
“TMCs have access to better deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals that you can’t get on your own. They know smart booking strategies, like when to book for the best rates and how to mix fare types to reduce expenses.
“They handle time-consuming tasks like price comparisons and bookings, saving your team effort,” she added.
Smith said that by keeping travellers in line with company policy, they help avoid unnecessary spending and many TMCs also offer efficient booking tools that can lower fees.
“A good TMC looks at your whole travel programme, finding ways to cut costs while making trips smoother for your employees,” said Smith.
Business travel is a great way to rack up loyalty points
Smith said that the idea that business travel is your ticket to rake in loyalty points is more myth than reality these days.
“While you can still earn points on work trips, loyalty programs have evolved to favour businesses over individual travellers.
“Airlines and hotels are making points harder to redeem and less valuable, meaning those frequent flyer miles aren’t stretching as far as they used to,” she said.