Although more small business travelers than ever are booking travel online, they may not be aware of the many other conveniences offered…
Although more small business travelers than ever are booking travel online, they may not be aware of the many other conveniences offered by travel sites, reported the American Small Business Travelers Alliance (ASBTA). ASBTA is a national, non-profit alliance that provides valuable services and functions focused specifically on the travel needs and interests of small business owners.
It`s widely accepted among the small business community that booking directly on a travel provider`s web site can save time and money on business travel, but that may be where most small business travelers` expectations end, said Chuck Sharp, ASBTA President. In reality, the best travel web sites also offer a number of other convenience features and services and provide an excellent customer service experience at the traveler`s immediate beck and call.
For instance, in addition to offering a low fare guarantee when reservations are booked on American Airlines` web site, AA.com enables customers to purchase upgrades and Admirals Club day passes, book AAdvantage awards, check flight information, and check-in for a flight – all 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers can also enroll in the AAdvantage program and join Admirals Club using the web site. In addition, American Airlines works in conjunction with its travel partners to allow customers to book car rentals, hotel stays and other services directly from AA.com and earn AAdvantage points by doing so.
Like American, some of the best hotel chains and car rental companies provide expanded services beyond booking on their web sites. Hyatt.com, for example, offers customers the guaranteed lowest rate available online, plus full control over reservation changes and cancellations and the ability to redeem gift certificates and reward points. Especially useful to small business travelers is the ability to plan and book meetings directly on the Hyatt web site. On a smaller, but equally useful, scale, Hertz`s web site offers instant access to customized driving directions, local weather conditions and current exchange rates.
Not all travel web sites have added these convenient features and services, but the ones that have raised the bar significantly on the level of customer service offered in the online travel market. The best part is, this is only the beginning and we should expect to see many more advances in the near future, said Sharp. For the moment, however, our objective is to make small business owners and travelers aware of what they might be missing out on right now and help them make their travel experiences less expensive and more productive.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
