Words by Carlie Tucker

It's hard to imagine how technology could get anymore intertwined with daily life. With the Internet quite literally in the palm of our hands at every second of the day, we've come to expect everything at the touch of a button. This includes travel.

There's no doubt that booking travel online is often seen as the go-to, with many travellers viewing it as a cheaper and more convenient option. You may be surprised, though, that this may not always be the case. Especially when it comes to business travel. When you're looking at a schedule with frequent travel and multiple employees jetting off to domestic and/or international destinations, it pays to have a dedicated Travel Manager, and here's why:

One Point of Contact:

When it comes to booking online, the process usually starts with a search across multiple websites to try to find the best deal. Depending on what you're looking for, this could mean a considerable amount of time spent scanning schedules and prices. What if you could pass that job off to someone else – a single person that could search flights and hotels to find exactly what you need?

When you work with FCBT, your account is handled by a single dedicated Travel Manager. It's one point of contact that understands your business travel needs from back to front. With a simple phone call or email, your Travel Manager can book your flights, hotel and/or rental car on budget, in the right location and in-line with your preferred travel style. More than a time saver, it's the peace of mind knowing that your bookings are taken care of.

Expertise:

Booking through a travel site can certainly offer a list of flights or hotels in any given destination, but it doesn't offer the expertise that comes with booking through a Travel Manager. Perhaps your needs would be better met by flying through a different airport, or a hotel in a particular part of the city will be more convenient when it comes to transportation.

FCBT Travel Managers recognise the importance of these details and are ready to provide travel solutions that will help to ensure your convenience when you're on the road. Especially helpful when you're travelling to an unfamiliar destination, you can use your Travel Manager as an information source that can recommend the easiest options for your needs.  

Greater Range and Exclusive Deals:

Imagine having the power of every booking travel site at your disposal. Now throw in a few exclusive deals that are only available to you. This is what it's like working with an FCBT Travel Manager.

With access to a huge range of flights, hotels and packages, FCBT Travel Managers can provide you with more options to meet your needs than you may find online. It could mean saving some layover time by skipping a stop on a better flying route, or a hotel deal not available through online booking sites. FCBT also has access to exclusive offers that you won't find anywhere else. This includes programs such as SmartSTAY that provide FCBT clients with access to exclusive extras such as free WiFi, early check-ins and room upgrades. 

All The Extras:

FCBT is a complete business travel solution aimed at providing an easier and more efficient way to not only book your travel but reconcile and track it. This is something that online booking sites simply can't do.

Utilising a Travel Manager means 24/7 support no matter where you are in the world. It also means the ability to do everything from holding seats to getting a great deal on leisure travel. Behind the scenes, it means the ability to report on your annual travel spend. With monthly statements and management information reporting, it's easy to see where your budget goes and identify trends that could potentially save you money. 

There are also no contracts required to work with FCBT, so it's easy to test the waters to find out just how much your company can benefit from a dedicated Travel Manager.  For more information or to make an appointment to discuss your company travel requirements, call us today on 1300 797 826.