This article is part of the American Express UK Employee series, where internal American Express staff have put pen to paper and written about some of our products and services and how they can support UK businesses.
Many people dream of taking holidays to travel around the world. But do people feel the same if that travel is for business?
Waking at the crack of dawn to catch a flight, going through airport security, dealing with delays, not to mention collecting all your receipts… traveling for business can be a nightmare!
Scheduling a conference call or Skype meeting may be a good alternative to a business trip, but meeting partners and clients in person is often necessary and can be hugely beneficial – even if it feels like a hassle.
Companies are increasingly concerned about the well-being of their employees in and out of the office, and this includes improving their experience when traveling for business.
Running strict travel policies focused on cost savings can be short-sighted. According to a survey conducted by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), investing in traveler satisfaction can improve morale, decrease staff turnover, and help attract the best talent in the market1.
Someone in every organisation should take ownership of this important topic. Depending on the company size and the number of employees, it could be a dedicated travel manager, someone in HR, a travel booker or a combined effort across the business with senior management sponsorship.
Many travel policies already allow employees to collect air or hotel rewards points, but there are some additional perks that could improve your programme even further.
Offering lounge access, covering Wi-Fi costs (in-flight or at the hotel) or paying for hotel parking is not only appreciated by employees, but also improves their efficiency.
A simple and easy to use expense management system instead of a paper-based process can also boost productivity. It may come as a surprise, but process efficiency is a key driver of traveller satisfaction2.
Implementing American Express® Business Cards or American Express® Corporate Cards in your business could help avoid out-of-pocket spend and allow employees to collect Membership Rewards® points, which they could use for a relaxing day at the Spa…
Having a mix of policies and programmes that promote staff well-being and improve travel effectiveness will have a positive impact on your business.
In the long run, prioritising traveller experience over cost savings will pay off, keeping your employees happy and productive.
Safe and happy travels!
Written by Luigi Cito
1. “Creating a Frictionless Travel Experience: A global Study on Business Traveller Well-Being,” GBTA, 2017
2. “Traveller Satisfaction Outlook: Are Companies Focused on What Matters?” GBTA, 2019
