Business travel made easier online (& off)
- Staff writers
- 13 June 2008
Photo credit: Qantas
Organising business travel in Australia has long been a challenge for SMEs who want to overcome the tyranny of distance in our wide land mass. Cost is sometimes an issue, though more importantly, we struggle sorting the logistics when we need to fly for important face-to-face meetings. Thanks to a broadening range of services from the airlines, crossing the nation to do business is easier than ever.
Unlike leisure travellers, business owners demand greater control over travel plans -- some days when the pressure is on with a client, or a new opportunity emerges, we simply don't have the time to mess around. We can't delay a few days for a cheaper price and we certainly can't afford the time it takes to create and then manage multiple traveller profiles.
Our largest airline, QANTAS
, is leading
the way with several solutions aimed squarely at the time-sensitive business traveller:
Qantas Business Direct is for businesses that need a fast, simple web booking solution -- without booking fees. The built-in Travel tracker reports add up flight and Australian/New Zealand hotel expenses every month; something which should keep
your book keeper happy.
Qantas Business Plus is the
next level up, aimed at business travellers with more complex booking management requirements, including flights on multiple airlines, accommodation at multiple locations and car hire. It allows you to create and securely store detailed profiles for
all travellers in your company and access quarterly expense and activity reports. The ability to check flight availability with multiple airliness is one of its obvious attractions for time-pressed business travellers who need to get to the right
place, at the right time with no hassles.
Qantas Business Travel (QBT) is a customised travel management service for companies with frequent, complex (and, indeed, frequently complex) travel requirements across multiple airlines.
QBT isn't just for big business -- it provides a personalised service for businesses of all sizes, with full service account management, detailed reporting and individual consulting to meet the needs of your travel policy requirements for domestic
and international travel. Features include:
* Organisation and individual profiles to streamline booking processes.
* Detailed management information reporting.
* Third-party supplier rate negotiations and procurement.
* Flight, accommodation and car hire bookings.
* Strategic account management.
If you prefer a personal solution, involving sitting down face-to-face with a consultant, head to a Qantas
Travel Centre instead.
