- Use Travel Expense Management to Save Money - Miroslav Sáricka
Corporate travel expenses can begin to add up months before the actual travel dates. By planning ahead and keeping track of charges, business travelers can manage their travel expenses easily and efficiently.
Budget Hotels, Flights Keeps Corporate Expenses Within Reason
While many corporate travelers enjoy staying in posh hotels and flying first class, many budget hotels offer sufficient accommodations and keep travelers within their company's means. When traveling to a destination, consider booking a room in an off-site hotel or a budget-friendly site to keep corporate travel expenses lower.
Many airlines have increased charges for first class seats; to cut down on travel expenses, consider flying in coach class – especially for short flights.
Collect Business Travel Receipts for Expense Reporting
From the first corporate credit card swipe, business travelers should save their corporate travel receipts. Print out hard copies of the receipts or save all electronic receipts in a special folder named for the trip, including travel dates and the destination. When entering expenses into an expense management software program, having all receipts in one place will save time and headaches.
If a receipt is not available, such as for tips or cab fares, jot down the time, date, and amount spent. Alternately, those business travelers with smart phones of personal electronic devices can enter the expense into their hand held device to access when completing an expense reports.
Enter Travel Expenses into Expense Management Software
Begin entering receipts as they become available, rather than waiting until after returning from the trip. By staying ahead of the game, corporate travelers can avoid time wasted on trying to locate a lost receipt or remember certain expenses.
What's more, by staying abreast of receipts, business travelers can more easily stay within a certain budget for a business travel trip.
File Business Expense Reports Early for Quicker Travel Expense Reimbursement
Business travelers should complete and file travel expense reports upon returning or as soon as possible thereafter to receive reimbursements sooner. Check with the company's corporate travel policy for information on travel expense report deadlines and requirements.
Corporate travelers can track and control business travel expenses by staying organized, saving receipts and entering information into expense reports while traveling or upon their return.
Related articles:
How to Save Money When Traveling By Air: Save money on flights and hotels by buying in advance, using alternate airports, reserving less expensive hotel rooms, and eating in local restaurants.
Tips for Choosing a Business Class Hotel: Many major hotel chains cater to corporate travelers; consider location, amenities such as wireless Internet and business centers when deciding on a business travel hotel.
Teresa Shaw - Teresa J, Shaw is a professional journalist with more than 12 years of experience. She travels for both business and pleasure several ...
