Tips for business travel on a budget

The right business travel credit card can help you earn rewards points, cashback and other travel-related perks.

When possible, plan and book your flights, hotels and transportation ahead of time. Airlines and hotels tend to increase their rates as the date approaches, so it's important to book well in advance. You can also encourage your employees to book their flights and hotels earlier by formalizing a due date in your company's travel policy.

Plus, there are often early booking deals and discounts available that can help you get the best travel prices. Make sure you take time to compare offers and find the best deals for your business.

Flexibility is key to saving money on business travel. Prices for flights and hotels often fluctuate based on demand, so it's important to use fare comparison tools and set alerts for price drops to find the best prices and travel dates.

Also, during off-peak days or periods, hotels sometimes offer discounted rates to fill up empty rooms. Taking advantage of these discounts and promotions can help you keep travel costs lower.

Earn points on every trip when you join hotel and airline loyalty programs. You can often redeem your points for free hotel stays, flights and upgrades like free Wi-Fi, room upgrades and more. Plus, you can earn even more points when you have a credit card tied to a specific airline or brand.

For example, with a CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Business Card, you can get lots of extra perks.

• Enjoy a free first checked bag for you, your authorized users and up to 8 companions every time you fly with Air Canada.^{ⓘ, ⓘ}
• Earn up to 4 complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge™ One-Time Guest Passes per year.^{ⓘ, ⓘ}
• Get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points.^ⓘ

Booking a large company outing or a repeat stay? You can often negotiate special rates with hotels or car rental companies. Many businesses are willing to offer corporate discounts for regular or bulk bookings.

Many hotels also offer loyalty programs, which can give you access to:

• Exclusive rates
• Rewards like free breakfast, discounts on meals, complimentary water and more
• Early check-in and late check-out
• Partnership programs with airlines
• Room upgrades

Make sure to do your research on what benefits hotels might offer for regular guests.

Use travel management apps to find the best deals, manage itineraries and track expenses. Apps like TripIt Opens a new window., Skyscanner Opens a new window. and Hopper Opens a new window. can help streamline your business travel planning and budgeting.