Most of us are probably all-too-familiar with the dreaded feeling of arriving at a destination with a kinked neck after spending 14 hours trying to get comfortable in economy class. Not to mention the added days it takes to recover from such injuries, coupled with a good bout of jetlag. That is why when travelling for business, flying in comfort is essential so that you can arrive at your destination feeling recharged and ready to go. Premium economy offers that sweet spot for businesses who prioritise the comfort of their employees while also managing travel expenses effectively. Although premium economy provides a more elevated experience for business travellers, it is important to be mindful that the offering can differ greatly from airline to airline. Our team of experienced travel managers are regularly asked the question, “is premium economy really worth the cost?", so let’s explore the premium economy cabins of some of our most flown airlines.    But First, Why Fly Premium Economy?  Now almost every major airline has a premium economy offering, but it wasn’t that long ago when the new class was first introduced by Taiwanese airline, EVA Air, in 1992. Bridging the gap between economy and business class, there’s a reason why premium economy has quickly gained traction over the past two decades. Offering an elevated experience for usually a fraction of the cost of business class, premium economy is the cost-effective solution for your business to travel in comfort. Here's some features you can expect to find when flying premium economy:  More Space: The main drawcard for premium economy is most certainly the extra legroom and wider seats, providing passengers with an added level of comfort to optimise rest.   Priority Boarding: Skip the queues with dedicated premium economy check-in counters and priority boarding to allow for a more seamless, stress-free travel experience.  Dining Experience: Kick back and enjoy an upgraded dining experience with airlines like Qantas even offering a glass of sparkling wine upon boarding.   Elevated Service: Seated in a smaller private cabin, you can expect to receive more attentive service from a dedicated premium economy cabin crew.  While all these features sound well and good, it is important to review an airline’s premium economy offering as not all offer the same perks. Our experienced team of corporate travel managers at Pulse Travel can help you find a tailor-made solution that suits your team’s needs, but here’s a summary to get you started:    World’s Best Premium Economy: Japan Airlines  In the recently announced Skytrax 2024 World Airline Awards, Japan Airlines was voted to have the World’s Best Premium Economy Class, followed by Emirates in second place and EVA Air in third place. Japan Airlines came out on top due to their roomy seats; boasting a 42-inch seat, compared to the standard 38-inch seat most airlines have. To add to this, their seats have fold-out privacy dividers and premium economy passengers are granted access to the Japan Airlines lounge prior to departure. In line with most other airlines, the checked baggage allowance for premium economy is 2x 23kg pieces.    Qantas Premium Economy  When travelling premium economy with Qantas, you can expect a dedicated check-in counter, a generous 40kg baggage allowance, along with priority boarding and disembarkation. Their ergonomically designed seats provide a class-leading level of comfort – all sweetened with a glass of sparkling wine upon boarding, followed by a multi-course dining experience and award-winning selection of wines.    Credit: www.qantas.com     Emirates Premium Economy  Voted the second Best Premium Economy Class in the 2024 World Airline Awards, Emirates Premium Economy cabins feature 40-inch-wide cream leather seats with a deeper recline for added comfort. Their dining experience includes regional menus that are refreshed monthly, elevated with Royal Doulton tableware and a wider selection of beverages. Differing from Qantas, there is no dedicated premium economy check-in counter and the checked baggage allowance for these passengers is 35kg.     Singapore Airlines Premium Economy  Flying premium economy with Singapore, you will have a calf rest and footrest built into your seat, an enhanced in-flight meal served with porcelain silverware, and a baggage allowance of 35kg or 2x 23kg pieces depending on your destination. To provide a seamless travel experience, passengers will also have priority check-in boarding and baggage handling.  Credit: www.singaporeair.com   United Airlines Premium Economy  United Airlines premium economy class, Premium Plus, offers the standard extra space, checked baggage allowance of 2x 23kg pieces, as well as priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and security lanes. The difference between United’s offering is that their premium economy cabin is only semi-private and the dining experience is not as elevated as you may expect on Qantas, Emirates and Singapore Airlines.  Credit: www.united.com   Is Premium Economy Worth the Cost?  With fares ranging between 30% to double the cost of an economy ticket, it begs the question - is premium economy really worth it? In short, yes! Particularly for day-time or short-haul flights, you can relax with more space and comfort while travelling for business – without the price tag of a business class fare.   While premium economy certainly is an upgrade from economy class, it doesn’t offer the same luxury of the lie-flat beds you’ll find in business class. So if you’re flying overnight, it’s important to consider the features that will help you arrive at your destination feeling well-rested and ready to tackle the day ahead after a long-haul international flight.   If you’re looking to review your corporate travel policy or identify opportunities to reduce travel costs, our dedicated team of corporate travel managers at Pulse Travel are always happy to help. 

The recently announced 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards has us interested to know which airline really tops all when it comes comfort, price, reliability and travel perks? According to the Awards, which are based off a customer satisfaction survey covering a range of topics, Qatar Airways topped the list of best airlines, followed by Singapore Airlines and then Emirates. But what this survey doesn’t take into account are some non-negotiables for corporate travellers, such as reliability, flexibility and travel perks. We know that travelling for business is much more than just getting from A to B, so we’re delving deeper to provide you with a more comprehensive guide on the best airlines to suit your travel needs.     Best Domestic Availability: Qantas Airways  The World Airline Awards split the Best Airlines by region so that we can see how our domestic airlines rank against each other in these global awards. In the Australia/Pacific region, Qantas Airways was the top Australian airline, ranking 3rd place behind Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand. Qantas was followed by Rex Airlines in 4th place and Virgin Australia in 5th place. While Qantas may be up there in price to reflect their premium services, the availability and frequency of flights between all major cities in Australia is second to none. As Australia’s national carrier, it’s no surprise that no matter which major city you’re in or what time it is, you can be rest assured that a Qantas flight will be able to get you there.   Credit: www.qantas.com   Most Flexible Domestic Airline: Virgin Australia  We all know that business doesn’t always go according to plan. Try as we might, but meetings go overtime, business gets delayed or trips get postponed altogether. No experienced travel manager can foresee these kinds of circumstances, which is why it’s important to seek out flexible fares for corporate travellers. But having the opportunity to make stress-free changes, of course, comes at a cost. It all depends on the type of fare you purchase but in essence, the more you pay, the more flexibility you’ll have. So it’s not necessarily whether the airline is the ‘most flexible’, but more so, which airline allows you to make the most changes when purchasing a flex fare.  A flex fare with Qantas, Virgin Australia and Rex all allow you to make changes at no fee (plus the fare difference), but the difference is the timing of when you can make those changes. Rex allows you to make changes to your flight within 60 minutes of your scheduled departure, Qantas within 30 minutes, and Virgin Australia states “prior to scheduled departure”, assuming that you can do so right up until your scheduled departure time.     Most Reliable Domestic Airline: Qantas Airways  Nothing is worse than a long day of interstate travel and work, than getting to the airport and finding out that your flight is either delayed or cancelled. We know that unforeseen circumstances like weather or resourcing issues can come into play, but if we look to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research’s ‘Domestic airline on time performance report’ for 2023, Qantas achieved the highest level of on time departures among the major domestic airlines. As for cancellations, Rex recorded the lowest cancellation rate of 1.9%, followed closely by Qantas at 3.4%. Qantas may have fallen out of the top 20 global airline rankings announced at the 2024 World Airline Awards, but according to the Bureau’s report, it remains the trustiest airline here in Australia if you’re looking to arrive somewhere on time.    World’s Best Business Class: Qatar Airways  Flying in comfort so you can arrive at your destination feeling recharged and ready to go after a long-haul flight is essential. Qatar Airways was recently recognised by the 2024 World Airlines Awards for the World’s Best Business Class – and for good reason. A trailblazer in the industry, they are widely regarded for their unparalleled service offering, which goes beyond just their world-class hospitality. Inside their renowned Qsuite business class cabins, you’ll find fully lie-flat beds, sliding doors for pure privacy, and we can’t forget their exclusive amenity kit developed in partnership with Diptyque. In the World’s Best Business Class Award for 2024, Qatar Airways was closely followed by Singapore Airlines in 2nd place.  Credit: www.qatarairways.com    World’s Best Economy Class: Cathay Pacific Airways  Cathay Pacific Airways ranked 5th place in the overall World’s Best Airline of 2024, but managed to top all airlines winning the World’s Best Economy Class for 2024. If you’re travelling economy class internationally, Cathay Pacific’s economy class cabins have been designed with comfort and convenience front of mind. One of our favourite features is their award-winning entertainment system which allows you to connect your personal headphones via Bluetooth. And on certain planes, there’s even a dedicated shelf designed to keep your mobile device at eye level so that you can comfortably watch your own content – if you’re not already immersed in their state-of-the-art entertainment system.    Best Perks: Emirates Airlines  A few added perks can make international business travel much more comfortable and convenient, which is where Emirates Airlines shines. Their elevated business class goes beyond just the in-flight offerings. Whether it’s the complimentary chauffeur-drive service to and from the airport, or the exceptional lounge access and fast-track passes for pre-check and immigration, you can fly relaxed knowing that your international travel will be seamless thanks to the perks Emirates provides.    Your Corporate Travel Professionals  Just like life, we know that business travel doesn’t always go according to plan. If you need expert help managing your corporate travel, enquire at Pulse Travel to speak with one of our dedicated corporate travel managers. Whether you need help developing a corporate travel policy that’s consistent with your business objectives or identifying areas to save on travel expenses, we’ve got you covered.  

Global events are once more returning to the corporate calendar. After a few years of turbulent travel experiences the world’s largest business conferences have returned once more, and with business owners prioritising convenience and accessibility more-so than ever, your corporate travel destination has never been more important. Every corporate event is different with different attendees and requirements, but if you’re considering hosting a corporate event in 2024 or beyond, here are our top considerations when choosing a corporate travel destination. Factors To Consider When Choosing A Corporate Travel Destination When first beginning to plan a major corporate event, the most important factor to consider is the destination country or city. Ensuring your destination city or country is suitable for your event is critical to its success, and you’ll want to ensure the space is central and has the infrastructure you need – Consider: The suitability of venues in your travel destination and whether they can comfortably hold the expected number of attendees. The proximity of major international airports in relation to your chosen venue. Nearby accommodation and transportation options for those travelling to get to the event. International attendees will be more likely to attend if your corporate travel destination is in a relatively central location globally, with fewer visa restrictions and straight-forward transportation options to ensure the entire trip is as stress-free as possible. You’ll also want to consider the overall business environment of any destination you’re considering – Does the destination have a strong economy, are there a range of suitable restaurants and venues around for patrons to visit and outside of event hours, is the destination safe? Corporate cultures differ around the world, and you’ll want to do your research to ensure you’re respecting those practices. When hosting an event on a global stage you’ll inevitably bring together a melting pot of different cultures, so it’s important you find a space where you can more easily do this. Top Business-Friendly Cities Around The World Not every city and country is created equal, and a big part of the success of major events such as SXSW, The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and TechCrunch Disrupt are the cities that they’re hosted in. When choosing a corporate travel destination, it’s critical you choose a city that’s business-friendly. While your attendees are visiting they’re also likely to be networking and conducting their own business meetings, so it’s important you ensure your attendees can get the most out of their visit possible. Some common business-friendly cities around the world (and spaces where other major business conferences are held) are: Dubai, UAE Texas, USA Davos, Switzerland Paris, France Tokyo, Japan Each city will come with its own unique infrastructure, and each event with its own requirements and challenges in order to ensure the event is a success. If you’re considering destinations for your next event and want to discuss the logistics in more depth, our experienced Corporate Travel team can help. Conferences and Meetings: Destinations for Corporate Events Once you’ve picked your ideal destination, it’s time to pick the facilities. When hosting a major business event, there are a few things you’ll want to consider – The venue capacity, its parking and transport options, what venue restrictions you may have to deal with and its vicinity to the airport and hotels where your attendees are likely to be staying. While many of the more business-friendly cities around the world are already set up with the infrastructure to host global events, there are a few venues more suited than others for unforgettable corporate events: The Dubai World Trade Centre Located right in the centre of Dubai and just a short drive from Dubai International Airport, the Dubai World Trade Centre is the choice venue for dozens of global corporate conferences annually. Featuring over 106,000m2 of events space and room for approximately 34,000 people, alongside both venue hire and full event management services, the World Trade Centre can support you in both pre- and post-event services to ensure your conference is a success. Hannover Exhibition Centre Currently leading the charge as the largest exhibition centre in the world, few places are better for hosting major corporate events than the Hannover Exhibition Centre in Germany. Covering just shy of 500,000m2 with 58,000m2 of open-air space and 24 halls and pavilions, the Hannover Exhibition Centre is home to the largest events in the world. Also boasting its own railway stop and private Helipad for convenient air transport between the Convention Centre and the airport, the venue offers plenty of infrastructure to ensure all attendees can enjoy their time there. Shanghai National Exhibition & Convention Centre The Shanghai National Exhibition & Convention Centre is one of the world’s more modern major convention centres, offering all of the amenities and infrastructure you’ll need for your next event. As the third largest exhibition centre in the world, the Convention Centre offers roughly 400,000m2 of indoor space, as well as transport amenities to and from the nearby Shanghai Airport for ease of access. Ensuring Safety and Security During Corporate Travel Since Covid-19 shook the travel industry, safety and security have been a top priority for those travelling overseas – and even just interstate. Every corporation that has staff travel on their behalf has a ‘duty of care’, and if you’re looking to plan an event, this is no different. While a duty of care policy should now be included in any company's general travel policy, if you haven’t updated your travel policy in a while, you may need to add it in. There are several benefits to an updated travel policy – Here are a few reasons to update it before your next event: You can ensure your staff are crystal clear on what should happen if they become unwell in a Post-CoVid world. You may be able to save on Travel Insurance costs by evaluating if your current provider is the most effective for you. You can resolve any employee feedback regarding your existing policy and shore up any gaps. Having a Corporate Travel Policy is critical for any business, and with the world changing regularly it’s recommended to evaluate your own policy regularly to ensure no gaps or issues arise. If you’re not sure about what to include in your Corporate Travel Policy or you need it updated, our team can help. Visa and Entry Requirements For Corporate Travellers The final thing you’ll want to consider when choosing a corporate travel destination is the Visa and Entry requirements of your chosen country. No two countries are the same with their requirements, and some are certainly more stringent than others – Your staff or attendees may be required to pay large amounts for a Visa, list an extensive travel history, fill out detailed health records or other paperwork to get into the country. Depending on the country, you or your staff may also be required to get certain vaccinations or be restricted to how long they can stay for. Some of the hardest countries in the world to visit currently are Russia, Cuba, Iran, Turkmenistan and Chad, so we would typically recommend avoiding these countries as your corporate travel destination. Popular countries such as Dubai, Singapore, the USA or the UK are all fairly straightforward countries to enter for most travellers, and will provide the best solution for a corporate travel destination where travellers won’t run into a swathe of issues. Here at Pulse Travel we have over 20 years’ experience in the travel industry, supporting both Businesses an individual travellers in their travel needs. If you’re looking to plan a Corporate Event and want support arranging staff travel and accommodation, get in touch with our Travel Team today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

In the world of modern commerce, corporate travel plays a critical role in the growth and development of many organisations. From connecting with international partners to exploring new market opportunities, travel is a strategic tool. But to leverage it effectively, a straightforward and robust corporate travel policy is key. This guide explores the importance, components, and best practices for creating and maintaining effective corporate travel policies. The Indispensable Role of Corporate Travel Policies Think of corporate travel policies as the roadmap for your company's business-related travel. They offer a systematic approach, presenting employees with well-defined instructions for all aspects of their travel. There are several compelling reasons to have a comprehensive corporate travel policy: Cost Management: These policies provide a structured method for controlling and reducing travel-related expenditures. Employee Safety: Corporate travel policies safeguard employees during their travel, fulfilling your company's duty of care.  Increased Efficiency: By removing uncertainties, a clear policy can enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. The Anatomy of Corporate Travel Policies Creating an effective corporate travel policy involves several key considerations: Policy Creation and Approval: Develop procedures for drafting, approving, and revising the policy. Booking Guidelines: Create clear instructions for booking travel and accommodation. For example; preferred airlines and hotel chains. You may prefer your staff to fly Jetstar and stay at Accor properties only. Expense Reimbursement: Outline which expenses are covered and the process for reimbursement. For example; whether meals, mini bar, rideshare and public transport are personal expenses or charged to the business. Employee Safety and Well-being: Establish protocols for employee health, safety, and emergency support during travel. For example; travel insurance, emergency and safety protocols. These might include pre-travel check-ups, vaccinations required and whether or not the business or individual is to pay for travel insurance. Risk Management: Develop procedures for identifying and mitigating travel-related risks. For example; conduct travel risk assessments to destinations to identify potential hazards and security risks. This can also include providing employees with access to a dedicated emergency assistance hotline that operates 24/7. Additionally, organisations could provide education on the procedures to be followed in the event of a natural disaster, political unrest or other crisis situations. Customising Your Corporate Travel Policies A corporate travel policy should reflect the unique needs of your organisation. Consider factors like company size, industry, frequency of travel, and company culture. For instance, a remote start-up will have different requirements than a multinational corporation. By customising your corporate travel policy, you ensure it aligns with your organisation's objectives and caters to your employees' needs. Communicating and Implementing Corporate Travel Policies The success of your corporate travel policy depends on effective communication and enforcement: Communication: Use straightforward language and formats for easy understanding. Education: Regular training sessions can help familiarise employees with the policy and promote adherence. Enforcement: Establish mechanisms to monitor compliance and consequences for violations. Managing Corporate Travel Policies: Best Practices The effective management of corporate travel policies is an ongoing endeavour. Here are some best practices: Review and Update: Regularly review and update your policy to reflect changing business  needs and travel trends. Use Technology: Use travel management software to automate processes and track compliance. Your Pulse Travel corporate agent can help with this. Work with Experts: Collaborating with a travel management company can simplify policy implementation and management. The Power of Effective Corporate Travel Policies An effective corporate travel policy is not just a document—it's a strategic tool for growth. Striking a balance between comprehensiveness and flexibility is key. Successful communication and enforcement of these policies can enhance employee satisfaction and drive business success. With these insights, your corporate travel policy can become an integral part of your company's growth strategy and a cornerstone for employee well-being. For assistance in setting up an effective corporate travel policy, our Brisbane travel agents are on standby to help you now.

  Corporate travel has long been viewed as a necessary but often tedious part of doing business. Recent trends suggest business travel management is evolving beyond its traditional role, with a growing emphasis on personalisation and individualisation. By leveraging the latest technologies and strategies, travel agencies can now provide personalised corporate travel experiences tailored to the needs and preferences of each traveller. Personalised corporate travel has the potential to transform the way companies approach business travel. Here are some of the exciting prospects of personalised corporate travel: Improved employee satisfaction and retention Personalised corporate travel helps companies improve employee satisfaction and retention by providing travel experiences that are tailored to each traveller's needs. Companies can build a stronger relationship with their staff by showing they care about their employees' well-being and comfort. Setting up a travel incentive program for your staff is a great way to incentivise employees to strive to meet their KPIs. As a reward, you can organise group travel or individual leisure holidays based on your team’s requirements. Increased productivity Personalised corporate travel can help employees be more productive by reducing travel-related stress and fatigue. Our corporate travel agents are experts in knowing how to get your staff members from A to B fast and efficiently. And knowing everything is taken care of from accommodation to car hire means they are more likely to feel comfortable and relaxed, which can help them perform better in meetings and other business activities. Enhanced cost savings Personalised corporate travel can help companies save money by allowing them to optimise their travel policies and processes. By tailoring travel experiences to each employee's needs, companies can reduce unnecessary expenses and avoid wasted resources. For example; in your company’s travel policy you can dictate what airlines and classes your employees are allowed to book, to avoid anyone talking it upon themselves to book first class or penthouse suites. Improved travel management Personalised corporate travel can help companies improve their travel management processes by providing better data and insights. By collecting and analysing data on each traveller's preferences and needs, companies can make more informed decisions about travel policies, supplier relationships, and other factors that impact travel management. If you're considering implementing personalised corporate travel for your company, here are some practical tips to keep in mind: Develop a clear travel policy Before implementing personalised corporate travel, it's important to develop a clear travel policy that outlines the goals and objectives of your travel program. This policy should include guidelines on budget, booking procedures, whether insurance is the responsibility of the individual, right down to meal allowances and if the mini bar is covered by the company. Invest in the right technology To effectively implement personalised corporate travel, you need to invest in the right technology. This may include tools for travel booking, expense tracking, and data analysis. Pulse Travel uses a user-friendly system that allows you to book online yourself if you wish, otherwise you can talk to one of our corporate travel agents.  Communicate with your employees Effective communication is key to the success of any personalised corporate travel program. Make sure to engage with your employees early and often, and provide them with clear information about the program's goals, policies, and procedures. Encourage employee feedback To ensure that your personalised corporate travel program is successful, it's important to encourage employee feedback. Solicit feedback from employees on their travel experiences, and use this feedback to improve your program over time. A Personalised Approach at Pulse Travel We implemented a personalised corporate travel program for PCYC Queensland back in 2017 and continue to enjoy a strong relationship with them. The key objectives PCYC Queensland were looking for included ways to reduce their air travel expenditure and implement a booking policy to streamline the process. We strongly recommended PCYC join Virgin Australia’s Accelerate Business Program which delivers rebates for their loyalty. In addition to this, we negotiated a Qantas Business Savings Account on their behalf which secured airfare discounts on domestic and international routes. At the time of this case study, PCYC received a $1.75k rebate from Virgin Australia and saved $17.8K through the use of Serko online. We made sure to communicate with our client throughout the implementation process, soliciting feedback and making adjustments based on their input. As a result, our personalised corporate travel program has been a resounding success, improving employee satisfaction, productivity, and cost savings. “The team at Pulse Travel have consistently provided outstanding customer service to our employees across Queensland. Nothing is too much trouble for them, love working together,” said Megan Bishop, a representative of PCYC Queensland. Personalised corporate travel is an exciting new trend that has the potential to transform the way companies approach business travel. At Pulse Travel, we are here to help you set up a travel plan or travel incentives for your company. 

In today's competitive business world, saving money on corporate travel is imperative for companies looking to reduce travel expenses without sacrificing productivity. Managing a corporate travel budget effectively can be challenging. With the right budget-friendly strategies from Pulse Travel and a focus on cost-saving measures, you can make the most of our readily available travel resources. In this blog, we'll discuss some of the best practices for business travel management. You’ll learn how to utilise budget-friendly strategies while still providing a comfortable and efficient travel experience for your employees. Plan Ahead and Book Early Identifying travel needs and booking flights and accommodation in advance is one of the most effective ways to save on your corporate travel budget. By planning ahead, you can avoid last-minute price hikes and take advantage of the best deals and discounts available. Your Pulse Travel corporate consultant can find you the best available rates on flights, hotels, and rental cars, not normally available to the general public. Implement a Corporate Travel Policy The implementation of a Corporate Travel Policy with Pulse Travel will help streamline the planning process. Establishing clear guidelines for booking travel is essential for managing your company’s travel expenses. It can help manage employees’ expectations as to which hotels they can book, or the type of vehicle they’re allowed to hire. You can set limits on premium economy seating airfare, and select preferred hotel chains or rental car companies that offer competitive rates. It can also dictate who’s responsible for travel insurance and the protocols when it comes to extending trips for sightseeing or bleisure trips. Encourage employees to make cost-conscious decisions when booking travel and to prioritise budget-friendly options. Consider Alternative Accommodation Traditional motels and hotels aren't the only option when it comes to lodging for business travel. Home-sharing services such as Stayz, AirBnB and extended-stay properties can offer more affordable options for longer stays. Additionally, booking accommodation outside of the Central Business District can result in significant savings without sacrificing convenience or comfort. For instance, when visiting Las Vegas for business purposes, you can secure luxury accommodation without breaking the bank by opting for accommodation located away from The Strip. Use Travel Rewards Programs Take advantage of travel rewards programs offered by airlines, hotels, and credit card companies. By signing up for these programs and using them consistently, you can earn points that can be redeemed for future travel. This can go a long way in helping to reduce costs and stretch your corporate travel budget further. Monitor Expenses and Adjust Strategies Keeping track of travel expenses is essential for effective business travel management. Analyse your spending patterns and adjust your travel policy and strategies as needed to improve cost savings. Encourage employees to report any cost-saving measures they come across during their travels, and consider implementing those suggestions into your company's travel policy. Utilise Technology for Virtual Meetings Consider whether in-person meetings are necessary or if technology can facilitate virtual meetings through video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. For example; where conferences are involved, only send the crucial team members. The others can tune in via the web. This can save on travel expenses while maintaining effective communication and collaboration. This will enable them to combine trips and minimise the number of separate journey Consolidate Trips Encouraging employees to consolidate multiple meetings or appointments into a single trip can lead to significant cost savings and increased efficiency for your organisation. By reducing the number of individual journeys, your company can save on travel expenses such as airfare, accommodations, and transportation. This approach also minimises the environmental impact of frequent travel and can lead to more productive use of employees' time. Implement a Pre-Approval Process Create a pre-approval process for all travel expenses, ensuring that every trip is justified and within budget. This helps to prevent unnecessary travel and keeps costs in check. Opt for Public Transportation Encourage the use of public transportation, such as buses, trains, or subways, when possible. This can often be a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to renting cars or using taxis. Leverage Negotiating Power Pulse Travel can use your company's size and travel volume to negotiate better rates with airlines, hotels, and car rental companies.  Offer Incentives for Cost-Saving Measures Create a rewards program that incentivises employees to save on travel expenses. For example, you can offer a percentage of the savings as a bonus or provide other non-monetary rewards, such as additional vacation days or flexible work hours. Regularly Review and Update Your Travel Policy Continually assess the effectiveness of your corporate travel policy and make updates as needed to reflect changes in the industry, technology, and your company's needs. This ensures that your travel policy remains relevant and effective in managing costs. Educate Employees on Travel Policies and Best Practices Make sure that employees are aware of the company's travel policies and cost-saving strategies. Offer training sessions or informational materials to help them understand the importance of adhering to the guidelines and making budget-conscious decisions. Track and Analyse Travel Data Collect and analyse data on your company's travel patterns, expenses, and policy compliance. This information can help you identify areas for improvement, optimise travel schedules, and uncover additional cost-saving opportunities. With access to Pulse Travel exclusive corporate travel platform, it makes it simpler to track and analyse your company’s travel patterns. By categorising airfares, lodging, transportation, meals and other miscellaneous costs, you can easily identify the most significant areas of spending and where potential savings can be made. Some useful metrics to track will include average trip costs, average length of stay, most frequent destinations and the average spend per traveller. With careful planning and a focus on budget-friendly strategies, managing your corporate travel budget doesn't have to be a daunting task. By following these tips, you can reduce expenses while still ensuring a comfortable and productive travel experience for your employees. Don't let the costs of business travel hold your company back; implement these cost-saving measures today and watch your bottom line improve.

In today's busy world, personalisation has become a powerful aspect of many industries, especially business travel management. Personalisation in corporate travel refers to being able to tailor travel to meet individual travellers' needs and preferences within the parameters specified. With customised travel services, our corporate travel consultants can create unique travel packages for their clients. This will improve traveller satisfaction, increase productivity, and lead to greater cost savings. In this article, we will explore the benefits of personalisation in corporate travel and how to implement it effectively. The Advantages of Customised Travel Services Business travel management is a complex process involving booking flights, accommodation, ground transportation, and managing travel expenses. To ensure all travellers have a seamless travel experience, experienced Pulse Travel consultants offer customisable travel packages. By understanding the individual preferences of each business's employees, such as their preferred airlines, hotels, seating arrangements and which rewards program they belong to. By offering unique travel packages, our corporate travel consultants are able to build long-term relationships with businesses they partner with. Benefits of Personalisation in Corporate Travel Improved Traveller Satisfaction Personalisation in corporate travel results in businesses experiencing a higher level of satisfaction when booking an overseas conference or extra time sightseeing after work is done. Having a comprehensive database of previous travel details and preferences for travel speeds up the booking process and helps employees feel appreciated. Happy travellers who have confidence in the pre-planned business travel arrangements are more likely to perform well on business trips which can increase productivity and contribute to your company's success. Greater Cost Savings Personalisation in corporate travel can also lead to significant cost savings. When our Pulse travel consultants tailor travel packages based on employee preferences, they can avoid unnecessary expenses. For example, a large corporation who constantly prefers a particular airline or hotel chain, gives a corporate travel consultant the ability to negotiate better rates. Long term, this can result in saving quite a bit of money. Improved Travel Program Optimisation When booking travel on a regular basis, your dedicated Pulse Travel consultant will gain =an in-depth understanding of the businesses travel patterns, and be able to identify areas where they can save your company money. For example, if you have a large sales contingent on your team who travel nationwide for work and their preference is to stay at Accor branded hotels, your corporate travel agent may be able to lock in a permanen  lower rate. Collecting data is essential for personalisation Collecting data on business travellers' preferences is essential for personalisation in corporate travel. You may be asked to fill in surveys, feedback forms, and provide your booking history when engaging a new corporate travel agent. Ways to personalise your travel One of our travel agents will work through this process with you so we can establish the following: Preferred airlines and hotels - For example; Qantas, Jetstar, Scoot/ Hilton, Accor, Mantra. Preferred seating arrangements - whether or not employees are allowed to travel business class. In-flight entertainment preferences - the business will also need to decide whether or not the cost is covered when movies and food are available at additional costs. Dietary restrictions - vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free. Loyalty program memberships - Velocity, Qantas, Airpoints with Air New Zealand. Implementing Personalisation in Corporate Travel At Pulse Travel, you’ll get access to a personalised reporting dashboard providing detailed insights. You’ll also have full transparency of your travel spend. We’ll start out by making a comprehensive travel policy which will incorporate items as to what the business will cover for travel For example;Only management can fly business class on Qantas, any other employee travelling for work must fly economy. Individuals are able to pay for upgrades from their own pocket. Breakfast and dinner during conferences, but additional food purchased will be at the cost of the employee. The great thing about working with Pulse Travel is that we provide a human element when you’ve got questions or need support. You're not just handed logins to a dashboard and left to your own devices to mull through it. Challenges of Personalisation in Corporate Travel Balancing Personalisation with Cost Savings One of the biggest challenges of personalisation in corporate travel is balancing it with cost savings. While personalisation can lead to greater cost savings in the long run,  there is a fine line between organising a business trip at cost and not being so budget-focused that your employee ends up on budget airlines and staying at backpackers hostels. Corporate travel consultants need to find a balance between offering personalised services and managing costs effectively. Ensuring Compliance with Corporate Travel Policies Corporate travel policies are put in place to ensure that business travellers follow certain guidelines and regulations such as; employees are responsible for travel insurance costs, or whether or not meals are paid for by the company. No matter what the rules around travel are, there will always be those individuals who aspire to beat the system. While our travel agents will do our best to personalise each business trip based on individuals needs, you may need to reign in those staff members with the “Do you know who I am?” mentality. Our travel consultants will ensure that all customised travel packages are compliant with the company's travel policies, but ensure your employees are aware of the regulations around corporate travel. The crucial role of Corporate Travel In conclusion, personalisation plays a crucial role in corporate travel, and its benefits cannot be overstated. By tailoring travel experiences to meet the unique needs and preferences of corporate travellers, companies can improve employee satisfaction, increase productivity, and ultimately, achieve their business goals. With the help of advanced technology and innovative travel solutions, corporate travel agencies like Pulse Corporate Travel can provide customised travel experiences, cost-saving strategies, and personalised reporting dashboards, ensuring that corporate travel is streamlined, efficient, and enjoyable for all. Overall, personalisation is key to achieving success in corporate travel, and companies that embrace this approach are likely to see significant benefits in the long run.

Any seasoned business traveller could tell you that a business trip's success depends on how you plan it. Whether you’re a first-time traveller or a seasoned businessperson, business trips can be a whirlwind. You have flights to catch, business functions to attend, relationships to build and plenty of work to do while on the road. They can be busy, to say the least. As domestic and international business trips start to pick up once more, it’s time to start reconsidering how you connect with the international business world. Business trips are essential for fostering new connections, closing business deals and helping you to understand the wider business world. The experienced team at Pulse Travel is ready and able to assist with all of your corporate travel needs when you’re ready to return to the air, but in the meantime, check out our five tips for how to plan your next business trip!   Prepare Your Business Trip In Advance In the wise words of Benjamin Franklin, “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”. In the travel industry, he’s exactly right! Whether you’re heading for an overnight trip or a month-long corporate whirlwind, preparing in advance is vital. Depending on where you’re going, your destination country might have certain visa and vaccination requirements that you’ll need to meet, so it’s best to make those arrangements well in advance. A few things you will need to consider when planning your trip are: How long will you be away for? What documentation will you need for your meetings? Are there any specific vaccinations that you will require, and how long will it take to arrange the appointment? Does your destination country require a visa? If so, how long will it take to get one? Some visas can take over six weeks to arrive, so it’s important to get on top of the essential paperwork as soon as you find out that you’re travelling. The last thing you want to do is be stuck without a visa in the airport! The team at Pulse Travel is knowledgeable on the business travel requirements for each country, and can advise you on everything you’ll need for your next trip.   Create A Detailed Itinerary Now that you’ve arranged for a visa, it’s time to sit down and create a detailed itinerary. Your itinerary is essentially your business trip blueprint. It should cover where you need to go, what time you need to show up, which flights you need to catch and any other important events you’ll need to be aware of. You’ll want to keep it close! Once your itinerary is confirmed, the experienced team of Pulse Travel corporate travel agents will work with you to book flights, accommodation and car transfers that suit your schedule and leave you stress-free and reinvigorated after your trip.   Follow Your Corporate Travel Policy If your business has engaged in corporate travel before, chances are they have a corporate travel policy. Before booking and planning any business trip, it’s important to familiarise yourself with it. A corporate travel policy is essentially your corporate travel bible, including everything from your preferred suppliers, to what you can and can’t claim for reimbursements. If your company has never engaged in business travel before, it’s a good idea to get one written by our team to ensure consistency across the board. When booking your trip, make sure you follow the set guidelines. Pulse Travel will be able to find you good deals on flights, accommodation and car hire with your preferred suppliers, and advise you on the best accommodation with conference facilities, should you require them. Booking outside of your corporate travel policy and going against your suppliers may cause problems, so it’s best to stick to it when travelling.   Research Your Destination Travelling to a different country leaves you open to a wealth of new experiences. You may experience new languages, new cultures and different traditions, so it’s important to research your destination before you go so you don’t get caught out. Depending on your destination country, you may be faced with a range of different customs and traditions that you’ll need to be familiar with before you disembark. May different countries have different customs around greetings and mealtimes,  as well as rules and regulations around attire that you’ll want to follow while there. When travelling for business, it’s important to show respect for the customs and traditions of those you’re meeting, so ensure you do your research.   Avoid Packing At The Last Minute Your visa has arrived, your itinerary is full, your flights and accommodation have all been booked, and you’re up to speed with the important customs of your destination. Now it’s time to pack! Packing at the last minute is a trap that plenty of businesspeople (and holidaymakers) fall into, but it’s important to avoid it as much as possible. While you’ll always have some last-second packing to do, we recommend ensuring all of your important documents are packed a few days in advance. Create a list for yourself on your phone and tick things off as you add them in your bag, then add the essential clothing and toiletries at the last moment (and tick them off too). Many countries still use physical cash, so before you get to your destination, ensure you withdraw and exchange any cash you may need. If you’re travelling to America, the Middle East or some parts of Europe, tipping is expected and required, so ensure you have cash with you while you travel.   Whether you’re just getting into business trips or you’re a seasoned traveller, the corporate team at Pulse Travel would love to support you on your journey. Our team has over twenty years of experience in the corporate industry, and would love to speak to you about how they can assist with all of your travel needs.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Corporate Travel policies—they’re the bread and butter of the corporate travel world, and yet, so many businesses either don’t have one, or don’t know how to use their corporate travel policy effectively!   As corporate travel slowly resumes around Australia, it is becoming more important than ever to ensure your business travel policy is up to scratch. Your business travel policy can save you not only a tonne of time but also a tonne of money, so if yours isn’t up to scratch (or if you don’t even have one yet), keep reading our guide below!   What is A Corporate Travel Policy? A corporate travel policy is, essentially, a set of guidelines for business travel. A bit like a business travel bible! Created to ensure that all business travel undertaken by members of the company follows a strict set of instructions, your travel policy is likely to be the new vital tool in your business toolbelt once corporate travel is underway again. Corporate travel policies are as unique as snowflakes. While there’s no end to the number of things a strong travel policy can include, your policy may include which airline to use, what hotels to book and who you prefer to use for car hire. This allows you to not only ensure the safety of your employees, but also to save money and obtain exclusive travel discounts with various suppliers. Who doesn’t love a good discount!   Who Needs A Corporate Travel Policy? If you’re travelling for business purposes, you need a travel policy. Regardless of whether you have a large number of employees travelling regularly or you book just a few essential flights, you should have a travel policy in place if you’re booking business travel of any kind. Not only will your travel policy ensure that all of your employees are on the same page when it comes to booking travel, but it may also save you money and protect your business in the long run.   How To Write A Corporate Travel Policy: Now that you’ve decided a travel policy is essential for your business (don’t we love the word essential?), it’s time to get one written. While you can write a travel policy yourself, it’s much less painful to employ Pulse Corporate Travel to do it for you. Creating a corporate travel policy is part of the Corporate Travel Services on offer at Pulse Travel, and not only will they ensure that your wishes are written down clearly and concisely, but they will be able to provide you with advice on other considerations and ensure your policy is watertight. If you’re ready to write your policy with Pulse Travel but not sure where to start, here are a few things to think about before you get going! Create a word doc and make a note of your ideas as you go, so you don’t miss anything.   What Should Be Included? If you have never written a travel policy before, or even if you need to refresh your policy for 2022, there are a range of things you’ll need to think about. While a travel policy will vary from business to business, there are a few essential things that you must include:   1. Your Preferred Travel Agency Working with one corporate travel agency when booking business travel is important to ensure consistency. When writing a travel policy for the first time, a corporate travel agency such as Pulse Travel will be able to walk you through the process, providing you with a template and suggestions for what to include. Once the policy is written, the team at Pulse Travel will be able to implement it and help you to make further adjustments in the future as needed.   2. Any Preferred Suppliers If your business has any agreements with airlines, hotels or car hire companies, this is where you include it! Including your preferred suppliers may not only impact your itinerary, but it can also save you money. Establishing agreements with suppliers can help you to secure certain discounts for your travel, but keep in mind that once you establish those relationships, you need to stick with them. Like the song ‘Stand By Me’ by Ben E. King, you need to stand by them!   3. Travel Insurance Details Travel insurance is absolutely essential for both leisure and corporate travel. As such, it’s important to ensure all of the specifications of your travel insurance are included in the policy. While your regular health insurance may cover you in certain instances on domestic trips, it’s vital that you ensure effective travel insurance before heading overseas, as not all countries will afford the same level of healthcare. If you find you or your employees will be travelling internationally frequently, ensure that your corporate travel policy takes this into consideration before you jet off overseas.   4. Which Expenses Are Reimbursable Let’s be real, everyone wants free stuff. Unless you want your staff attempting to claim every purchase they make, when you’re planning or updating your travel policy for 2021 and 2022, you’ll want to consider which expenses will be reimbursed! Considering which expenses are and aren’t reimbursable is important for two reasons. Firstly, it ensures that your travellers know they won’t be left out-of-pocket for certain expenses, and secondly it prevents your employees from over-claiming expenses which may not have been necessary during the trip. Unfortunately, this may mean you can’t write that fancy 5-course meal off as a business expense! Things such as certain meals, transportation and laundry may need to be included, but the team at Pulse Travel are able to assist you in customising your accepted expenses to suit your needs.   5. Which Airfare and Hotel Room Type to Book As much as we would all love to fly first class and stay in a penthouse when travelling, it’s generally not realistic. To ensure that you don’t accidentally book the most expensive room in the house, or the most expensive airfare on the market, it’s important to include this information in your travel policy!   As travel will be different for every business, it’s good to keep in mind the comfort of your employees as well as your back pocket. While it’s perfectly acceptable to enforce the cheapest flight and cheapest hotel room for shorter stays, you may wish to consider better options when undergoing long-haul flights or staying in one place for a longer period of time. Depending on your individual circumstances, the team at Pulse Travel will be able to advise the best course of action.   Where To From Here? Once you have considered all of the above, and decided on the most appropriate responses for your business, it’s time to consult with the experts at Pulse Travel! Their team of experienced corporate travel agents will sit down and discuss your travel needs with you, fill out a template and then keep it on file for when you’re ready to start traveling again! With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, the agents at Pulse Travel will be able to customise any business travel to suit your needs, so if you’re wanting advice on how to perfect your travel policy, get in contact today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]