Travel Smart, Travel Cheap

While businesses are cutting costs across the board, business travel is one that's hard to skimp on. For many of us, it's absolutely essential to our companies that we connect with clients across the globe in order to generate revenue. But, is there something more we could be doing? The answer is yes. Here are some incredible tips to traveling on the cheap:

Airlines

Traveling during the fall season is the cheapest by far. These months include September through the beginning of November. But remember that no matter what month it may fall in, traveling over a holiday will always drive the fare up.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are the cheapest and slowest days to travel. Sometimes these cheaper fares require you stay over on Saturday, so you may want to consider leaving on a Tuesday rather than a Monday. Of course, you'll want to weigh this against the price of your hotel for an extra night. Also, keep in mind that purchasing two one way tickets or two round trip tickets might be cheaper.

One trick taught to me by a travel agent is this: If you're traveling for a client meeting on a Monday and would really like to return the same day, the cost of your ticket may be astronomical. For demonstrative purposes, let's say it's $600. However, if you purchase two round trip tickets specially priced for a stay over on a Saturday, it may be cheaper. The first ticket would bring you to your meeting destination, returning a week later. The other ticket would be booked to leave your destination on the same day you arrive, returning a week later. Let's say both of these tickets together are $400. Your itinerary might look something like this:

1^st Ticket              Departing Nov. 3^rd Orlando                          Returning Nov. 16th Atlanta

2^nd Ticket             Departing Nov. 3^rd Atlanta                           Returning Nov. 16^th Orlando

Airlines are almost always cheaper and have more availability the farther out you book it. Lowest fares sometimes require 21 days advance purchase. NOTE: These fares are typically restricted. If you make changes, there will be fees and the tickets are non-refundable. However, many times you can use your ticket toward the purchase of another trip up to a year after you cancel, but there will likely be change penalties.

Travel with one piece of luggage.

Additional luggage fees:

American Airlines                            1^st = $15                2^nd = $25

Continental                                         1^st = Free               2^nd = $25

Delta                                                      1^st = Free               2^nd = Free

Northwest                                            1^st = Free               2^nd = $25

United                                                    1^st = $15                2^nd = $15

Hotels

Big city hotels are often less expensive on weekends because there's usually a lot of business on weekdays (unless you're going to a resort location). If you can schedule a meeting over a weekend, it's a great way to save cash.

A lot of hotels also offer great deals during the fall season as it's a slow time for travel. If you have annual meetings, consider holding them at this time.

Join a loyalty club. It's free and can get you great deals and awesome upgrades. You can also use frequent flier miles for hotel stays.

Rental Cars

Renting a car is always cheaper on the weekends unless it's a resort location; another great reason to hold your meeting on a weekend.

Join loyalty programs but beware that some of them cost money to join. They will give you discounts and upgrades just like hotels.

Typically, if you rent a car for 5 days you'll get a weekly rate which beats a daily rate by far. Sometimes, car rental companies will even give you a weekly rate when renting for 4 days. Be sure to ask the agent what the daily versus the weekly rate is so that you can determine what is best for you. It may be cheaper to rent it for longer.

Rental car companies try to sell you on the extras, but you may not need them. Before you sign the rental agreement or make any deposit, check with the customer service of the credit card you plan to use as well as your insurance company. They may offer free roadside assistance and other helpful things that the rental agency is going to push you to pay for.

You may think we're all just victims of inflation but believe it or not, there are things we can do to save. Traveling smart is something many of us haven't had to do in past affluent times, but with the current economic crunch, we need to pinch our pennies. Using these tips will not only get you the best deals, but will allow you to conduct your business with peace of mind, knowing you're doing your part.