Half of business travellers admit they book to save time, cost and boost comfort and do not check their company’s travel policy, according to new research from global chauffeur service Blacklane.
Unveiled in a breakout session at the BTA Convention in Denver last week, the insights study ‘Cracking the Code to Boost Policy Compliance’ found that while detailed travel policies are commonplace, just 54% of business travellers consult the policy often or always.
When asked to outline the most important factors influencing travel decision-making, 86% highlight direct routes, with 81% ranking cost as important and 79% looking for attractive flexibility and cancellation policies.
Just under two thirds (64%) say access to premium services is an important factor, underlining the need for policies to meet traveller preferences for options such as airport lounges and chauffeur services that allow them to be productive and efficient, alongside budget metrics.
Dr Sascha Meskendahl, Chief Revenue Officer at Blacklane, explains: “Blacklane’s research reveals the strong relationship between limited disruption and business travel policy compliance.
“Travellers justify booking outside the rules to reduce the number of journey legs, save costs and enhance comfort in order to make efficient use of their time. Policy makers need to take on-board traveller demand for options that make a journey faster and more pleasant in order to boost compliance.”
For those deviating from the travel policy, 36% do so because of the cost, and a further 32% are non-compliant due to inconvenient travel times or routes.
When it comes to business travel budgets, 47% of business travellers believe that going outside the policy in fact saves the company money and a further 31% believe their rule breaking makes no financial difference.
Behavioural psychologist, Dr Mel Campbell, who shared insights with GBTA Convention attendees, added: “The travel policy is alive and well, however traveller engagement and buy-in to the policy is lost and missing.
“The ‘Cracking the Code to Boost Policy Compliance’ research from Blacklane reinforces that without recognising the valued preferences of travellers, they will continue to be disengaged. Corporate travel guidelines need a refresh to be fit-for-purpose for today’s travellers, such as adding rewards and unlocking benefits when booking within company policy.”
Blacklane conducted the research in partnership with YouGov, surveying over 1,000 international business travellers across the UK and US who travel internationally for work at least twice a year, across a diverse mix of industries and company sizes.
