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What are corporate hotel rates in Australia?

Put simply, corporate hotel rates in Australia are discounted or negotiated prices that hotels offer to businesses that book rooms regularly, either domestically or overseas.

These negotiated rates help save on corporate accommodation costs and make it easier to manage corporate travel budgets. Along with lower competitive rates, travellers often enjoy perks like:

  • Complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, or late check-out
  • Room upgrades or flexible cancellation policies
  • Loyalty benefits, point earning and recognition at check-in

In Australia, most corporate hotel rates are GST-inclusive, making expense claims and reporting a lot simpler for finance teams.

What are the types of corporate hotel rates available?

Hotels offer a mix of fixed and flexible options — each designed to suit different travel patterns, booking volumes, and budgets. Knowing how each works can help you pick the right rate for your business and boost your corporate travel savings.

Here are the main types you’ll come across:

  • Last room available (LRA): This rate guarantees your contracted price, even when only a few rooms are left. It’s slightly higher than other rates, but it ensures your travellers have a room during peak seasons or big events.
  • Non-LRA (NLRA): A more flexible rate that hotels can remove during high-demand periods. It’s usually cheaper when things are quieter, making it ideal for predictable or off-peak travel.
  • Dynamic rates: These change with demand but include a discount off the hotel’s Best Available Rate (BAR). They’re great for businesses with less frequent or ad hoc travel.

Many Aussie businesses use a mix of these rate types to secure the best corporate rates at hotels year-round — balancing cost control, flexibility, and traveller satisfaction.

How to score the best corporate hotel rates

Negotiation is key to unlocking the best corporate hotel rates in Australia. It’s about going beyond discounts — it’s about showing hotels the value your business brings. Here’s how to do it right:

Step #1: Start with your travel data

Before approaching hotels, get clear on your travel patterns. How many room nights do you book per year? Where do your travellers stay most often?

If you’re booking 100+ room nights a year at the same property, you’ve got strong bargaining power. Share that data to negotiate better rates, flexible terms, or added perks like free Wi-Fi, breakfast, or upgrades.

Step #2: Create a rock-solid corporate travel policy

A solid corporate travel policy ensures your team books the right hotels at the right rates without budget blowouts.

Your policy should cover:

  • Preferred hotels and the perks they offer
  • Booking processes for corporate flights, hotels, and car hire
  • Guidelines for when to book and who’s responsible

If you need a hand, Corporate Traveller can check out your past travel spend, fine-tune your policy, and build it straight into your travel management tool, making life easier for your frequent business travellers.

Step #3: Pick your hotel partners and lock in a proposal

When you’re ready to negotiate, shortlist preferred hotels based on your travel needs and location priorities. Share details about your booking volume, average stay length, and requirements (like parking or breakfast).

Here’s a pro tip: ask for surcharge dates instead of blackout dates. That way, you can still book during busy periods, just with a small surcharge on the corporate rates, not a full-price hit.

Short on time or leverage? Partner with a travel management company (TMC) like Corporate Traveller. We handle negotiations on your behalf, using our global buying power and supplier relationships to secure unbeatable rates.

What corporate rates can you score with Corporate Traveller?

Thanks to our industry relationships and negotiating power, our corporate rates can help your business unlock a world of business travel savings. Here’s a snapshot of what’s on offer:

  • Customised rates: Specially tailored to your team’s travel patterns and booking volume.
  • Breakfast Plus rates: A Corporate Traveller exclusive. Enjoy up to four freebies like free breakfast, Wi-Fi, room upgrades, early check-ins, and late checkouts.
  • Consortia rates: Flexible discounts across hotel chains, perfect for employees who value options.
  • Promotional rates: Member-only loyalty rates with up to 50% off, plus early access to rooms and flexibility to change options.
  • Conditional rates: Great for last-minute bookings, usually with lower rates but less flexibility.

With millions of room nights booked globally each year, Corporate Traveller’s buying power gives your business access to VIP-level rates and savings that go beyond what’s available online.

Step #4: Get set up and start booking

Once you’re happy with the hotel proposal, the final step is loading those hotel corporate codes into your Global Distribution System (GDS), which feeds straight into your online booking tool. The best corporate code allows you to enjoy discounted rates across multiple hotels and properties within a hotel chain.

At Corporate Traveller, we’ve got you covered with YOUR.CT – your all-in-one tool for booking flights, hotels, and transport. If you need a hotel fast, you can search, compare, and book the best rates in just a few clicks, plus enjoy those extra perks we mentioned earlier.

Your Corporate Traveller dedicated travel consultant will help set up the online booking tool, making sure your preferred hotels are easy to find. And if you’d rather leave the setup to us, we’ve got it covered. With Corporate Traveller, you’ll automatically get access to the unbeatable rates we’ve negotiated.

What is Breakfast Plus and how can it save your business money on corporate accommodation?

Forget about reimbursing meal expenses! With Breakfast Plus, you’ll unlock at least four bonus perks every time you visit one of our partner hotels. Think complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, flexible cancellation policies, and extras like upgrades, early check-ins, or discounts on food and bevvies.

No negotiated rates in place yet? No worries. Book one of our generous Breakfast Plus properties and start enjoying all the extras immediately. It’s what sets Corporate Traveller apart – hassle-free end-to-end business travel solutions.

At Corporate Traveller, we book 10 million room nights a year globally. With that buying power and insider knowledge, you’ll get VIP treatment, unbeatable rates, and a seamless booking experience without lifting a finger.

So, whether you’re after customised rates, exclusive perks, or simply more bang for your buck, Corporate Traveller is the ultimate travel partner to help you save at every turn.

How can you maximise your corporate travel savings?

Here’s a quick recap of how to make every dollar of your corporate travel budget work harder:

  • Use your data: Track spend and booking patterns to negotiate better deals.
  • Lock in a clear travel policy: Keep everyone booking smart and within budget.
  • Pick the right hotel partners: Streamline your travel program for better rates and perks.
  • Use a TMC like Corporate Traveller: Let the experts handle the negotiations and get you unbeatable deals.

 

Why settle for less when you can secure the best corporate rates?

With the right mix of strategy, tech, and partnerships, you can say goodbye to budget blowouts and hello to the best corporate savings rates in Australia.

Still not sure where to start? Your dedicated travel consultant is ready to help you secure those savings — and make every trip feel a little more effortless.