Corporate flights: how to book and save on business travel

Corporate flights aren’t getting any cheaper. It's partly because the costs for airlines are increasing and resources are tight: higher fuel prices, increased labour costs and shortage of planes and parts. And on top of that there's generally more people flying which bumps up prices!

Here's some tips to make sure you're boosting savings for business travel flights.

1. What is a corporate flight and how does it differ from regular flights?

A corporate flight is booked under a business travel program using negotiated rates, corporate loyalty perks, or travel management tools. Unlike standard flights, they often include benefits like flexible cancellations, priority boarding, and the ability to track travel spend across your company.

Before you book, assess your company’s travel needs. Look at how often your team travels, the top domestic and international destinations, and preferred airlines. Are your employees jet-setting internationally or mostly on domestic flights?

Then create a clear travel policy. Think of it as your corporate flight manual. It sets rules for booking, preferred suppliers, expense limits, and reimbursements. Without it, employees may make costly personal choices rather than cost-effective ones. A policy standardises bookings, maximises negotiated rates with airlines and hotels, and helps unlock savings for your business.

Why is this important? Without a travel policy, you’re flying blind. Employees might book based on personal preferences rather than cost-effectiveness, leading to inconsistent and higher travel expenses. A solid policy standardises bookings, keeps travel spend in check, and leverages negotiated rates with airlines, hotels, and car rental companies, unlocking significant savings for your business.

Ready for the next step? Buckle up, because we’re just getting started!

2. How can my company save money on corporate flights?

The simplest way to save? Plan and book early. Booking flights in advance usually gets you lower fares and better options. Keep travel dates and times flexible too — flying off-peak can make a huge difference.

Corporate booking platforms, like YOUR.CT, help you compare fares, track expenses, and access exclusive airline deals and corporate credits. Using a travel management company (TMC) amplifies these savings. With negotiated rates and loyalty program access, TMCs ensure every dollar stretches further.

3. What perks come with corporate flight bookings?

Enroll your company in corporate loyalty programmes and watch the savings stack up. Frequent flyer programmes aren’t just for vacationers—your business travellers can rack up miles, too. These programs offer perks like priority boarding, free upgrades, and access to exclusive deals.

And here’s where it gets even better: when you partner with a corporate travel agent, you gain access to exclusive and negotiated rates that aren’t available to the general public. With the volume of business travel that a business travel company can handle, they have the leverage to secure unbeatable deals, ensuring you make every dollar count on those business trips.

4. How do TMCs help with corporate flight bookings?

TMCs make corporate travel simple by streamlining bookings, negotiating exclusive rates (thanks to their larger buying power), ensuring policy compliance, tracking expenses, and offering 24/7 support. TMCs can consolidate trips, optimise itineraries, and provide insights to cut overall travel costs.

For companies with complex or remote travel needs, that expertise can be a game-changer. Take Hydro Tasmania, for example. Their teams often fly to Micronesia where routes are long, stopovers are tricky, and connections are limited. With Corporate Traveller’s experts managing their bookings, every itinerary is planned for efficiency — saving time, reducing costs, and cutting the stress of multi-leg journeys.

5. Are there technology tools to make corporate flight bookings easier?

Who says you gotta travel the regular way? Seriously, who made the rules? Don’t sleep on budget airlines for short-haul flights—they can save a bundle without sacrificing too much comfort. For nearby destinations, why not consider rail or road transport? It’s often cheaper and can be more convenient than flying.

And here's a pro tip: consolidate your trips. Combine multiple meetings or client visits into one trip to save on travel expenses. Shifting schedules and planning ahead can help you make the most out of every journey. This way, you save money and time, while still getting the face-to-face interactions that are essential for business.

6. Maximise travel flexibility for business trips

Budget airlines are great for short domestic trips, while road or rail options can sometimes be cheaper and more convenient than flying. Combining multiple meetings into a single trip also reduces costs and travel time. Efficient scheduling keeps employees productive and travel spend down.

Intelligent, efficient business travel doesn’t have to cost a fortune. A bit of creativity goes a long way.

7. Book accommodation smartly

Corporate hotel rates can save you big bucks. Booking through platforms like YOUR.CT gives access to exclusive rates negotiated by your TMC, plus loyalty perks like room upgrades or free nights. Combining hotel loyalty programs with corporate travel tools maximises savings while keeping your team comfortable, ensuring you consistently score the best value.

Make sure to keep an eye on exclusive deals through your TMC too. When you book your flights and accommodation together, you can unlock bonus loyalty points and special offers from hotel partners. Plus, bundling everything in advance means less last-minute stress — and no surprise price jumps when hotels start to fill up.

8. Manage travel expenses

Tracking business travel expenses doesn’t have to be a headache. With YOUR.CT, employees can upload receipts from their phones, monitor spending, and automatically sync expenses — giving you an overview of your travel costs and saving your finance team hours of manual work.

Plus, customisable reporting tools let you analyse data, spot trends, and catch policy leaks, ensuring your travel budget stays in check.

9. Encourage employee compliance with travel policies

Clear, accessible travel policies reduce costs and smooth trips. Communicate rules effectively, offer incentives for cost-saving behaviours, and review policies regularly to keep up with changing business and travel needs. You can even add a bit of motivation by offering incentives, like gift cards or bonuses, for employees who achieve cost savings. When employees follow guidelines, your business travel program runs more efficiently and economically.

10. Working with a TMC: The ultimate saving hack

If you want to transform your corporate travel, working with a corporate travel management company (TMC) like Corporate Traveller is the ultimate power move. Why? Because beyond handling bookings, a TMC also streamlines the entire process, finds the best deals, manages complex itineraries, and offers 24/7 support for any travel hiccups.

We've helped over 700 Kiwi businesses transform their business travel programs from an inefficient cost centre into a well-oiled business function that supports their wider company goals.

Winning outcomes

In less than a year, Corporate Traveller has helped Hydro Tasmania create a travel program that is efficient, reliable, and cost-effective. The dedicated hotel program analysis alone has unlocked thousands in potential savings, while quarterly reporting and advanced booking strategies continue to deliver ongoing cost reductions. More importantly, Hydro Tasmania now has the reassurance of fast service levels, clear points of contact, and a travel partner who truly understands their unique challenges.

The results? Smooth travels and serious savings.

Working with a TMC and using corporate travel tools delivers:

Strategic insight: Strategic insight: Regular reports show where your money goes and how to optimise spend.
Dedicated support: A travel consultant who knows your business handles complexities and ensures smooth trips.
Big savings: Expert management unlocks exclusive rates, reduces policy breaches, and makes travel simpler.

Corporate flights don’t have to break the budget. With a clear policy, smart planning, technology, and a trusted TMC, your team can travel efficiently, comfortably, and cost-effectively.

Here's a win to ponder:

Everyone I've dealt with at Corporate Traveller treats us like part of their organisation ... They're invested in what we're doing as much as we are. I feel listened to and understood, and I really appreciate having an expert in every area that I need.

Ingrid Ralph, Travel Lead, Hydro Tasmania

Fasten your seatbelts: let’s recap

We’ve covered the key ways to save on corporate flights — understanding your business travel needs, booking smart, using the right tech, and teaming up with a travel management company. The goal? To make business travel smoother, smarter, and more cost-effective.

Now it’s your turn to put these strategies into action and watch the savings take off.

Fancy saving more? Check this out!

Don’t guess it — calculate it. Use our Savings Calculator to see just how much time and money your business could save with Corporate Traveller on board. From lower fares to smarter booking workflows, every minute (and dollar) adds up fast.

Frequently asked questions

What is a corporate flight and how does it differ from regular flights?

A corporate flight is booked under a business travel program, often using negotiated rates, corporate loyalty programs, or travel management platforms. Unlike standard flights, corporate flights offer discounts, perks like flexible cancellations, priority boarding, and tools that help companies track travel spend.
How can my company save money on corporate flights?

Companies can save by booking early, leveraging corporate loyalty programs, negotiating rates with airlines, consolidating travel itineraries, and using a travel management company (TMC) to access exclusive deals. Technology platforms like corporate travel booking software can also provide real-time price comparisons and cost-saving alerts.
What perks come with corporate flight bookings?

Corporate flight perks may include upgraded seating, additional baggage allowance, priority boarding, lounge access, flexible cancellation policies, and the ability to earn loyalty points for employees. These benefits improve comfort while maintaining cost-efficiency for the company.
How do travel management companies (TMCs) help with corporate flight bookings?

TMCs streamline the booking process, provide access to exclusive rates and negotiated discounts, ensure policy compliance, track travel expenses, and offer 24/7 support. They can also consolidate trips, optimise itineraries, and provide insights to reduce overall travel costs.
Are there technology tools to make corporate flight bookings easier?

Yes. Corporate travel platforms and apps centralise flight bookings, offer recommended spend guidelines, provide alerts for out-of-policy bookings, and give analytics on travel patterns. Platforms like Melon also integrate hotel, car rental, and expense management to simplify end-to-end travel.