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What are the benefits of business travel (and downsides)?

Congratulations. You just took a job that includes 25% travel (or maybe 50% or even more) . But you’ve never really traveled before and frankly you are a little unsure if this is a good career move or not. In this post I cover benefits of business travel as well as some of the downsides.

Before we get too far let’s define business travel. Here’s how we define it :

Business Travel is when employees travel (fly, drive, train, etc) for some company related activity. Often this involves meeting w/ a customer, visiting a project site, installing something, training, or meeting w/ staff in other locations.

Wikipedia has a more straightforward definition that we like to:

Wikipedia defines business travel as: “ Business travel is travel undertaken for work or business purposes, as opposed to other types of travel , such as for leisure purposes or regularly commuting between one’s home and workplace.” I think this is a fair definition of business travel.

There are no shortage of jobs where frequent travel is a key element . But, when considering a job that has frequent travel it’s important to look at the pros and cons. What are the benefits of business travel? To you? To the company? What are the downsides? In the remaining sections we examine these very questions.

The Benefits of of Business Travel

Let’s start first with some of the benefits of business travel…and there are many:

You will raise your profile inside your firm . Being willing to travel lets management know that you are an all-in kind of employee, willing to go the extra mile. It will start to let them view you as more than just a “doer.”
You will be exposed to higher profile projects . By traveling you will likely get to visit and be involved in higher profile projects. For example, I got my big break by traveling unexpectedly to a customer’s site where an install was going wrong. I was with the CEO, the head of Sales, and the big dog’s from the customer. Great exposure. Especially when I delivered.
You will learn to be flexible . Traveling involves a healthy dose of “crud, that happened.” You got to roll w/ the punches and travel will help keep you flexible which is always a good thing for the business world.
You will meet new people inside your firm . I like this the most. Lots of good network opps on the road and the chance to build your virtual Rolodex.
You will get 1:1 time with important people in your company . I spent 4 hours in a car w/ our national sales director – excellent bonding time. We now trust each other and I have an internal coach when I needed one. When you are on the road you often will be there 1:1 with key members of the firm. I once picked up and dropped off the CEO from the airport. Later he hired for me a very senior role.
You will rack up points and miles that you can use to book personal trips . If you gonna travel you might as well get the points. Use those points to pay for your personal or family vacations.
You can brag to your friends (via Instagram, of course) about your “glamorous travel life .” Hey, it’s not that glamorous, but what do they know. Give ’em the ole duck face photo at the Hampton Inn in Bismarck, ND and throw a sweet filter on it. They will think you are living the good life. #Sarcasm. Or if you are actually at some place sweet those photos will be awesome. #Millenial (not me!)
You get to see a lot of interesting places (bucket list!) . Through business travel I’ve been able to visit almost all 50 states, and check off quite a few bucket list destinations. Sometimes you gotta rush through them given the business constraint, but its still far more economical than you could do on your own.
You will gain a more global (or at least “National”) view of the world / country . If you live on the left coast (like I do), you might have a tendency to get a skewed view of the universe. I’ve spent so much time in all parts of this country that I know that there are equal parts good and bad people everywhere. Travel will bring you into contact with all kinds of folks.

Be sure to read: 147 Business Travel Tips â€“ the ultimate list of road warrior tips & tricks

The Downsides of Business Travel

Yes…it’s not all glitz and glam and unicorns. In fact, often it’s not. Here are some of the downsides of business travel:

Time away from family . This is the biggest drawback. And one I’ve struggled with. I love my family and I love providing for them. I know for a fact that I could not provide the same quality of life that I do today if I didn’t have a job that involved business travel. All the same, it totally sucks being away from your family.
The hassles of business travel . Non-business travelers often think the business travel life is glamorous. And I suppose that parts of it are (like getting a sweet upgrade to first class), but the reality is that it’s a job and it has its own daily grind. You are cramped in airline seats, shuttling from one location to the next, tired, etc.
You will be tired . Different time zones, jet lag and having to the “up” and “on your game” for you client meetings is taxing on the body. You learn to live with, but it’s still difficult.
You will occasionally miss your kids events . This sucks. No two ways about it. I’ve made more events than I’ve missed, but sometimes you will miss a soccer practice or a midweek game. Not fun.
You will travel to places people don’t really want to visit (like Minot, ND) – but I see this as an upside, honestly.
You will be alone a lot . All of those bucket list places are often done alone. I’ve seen cool lighthouses…by myself. I can honestly say while it was cool to see, I wished my wife was with me. It would have made it so much better. At the end of the day, you are alone in your hotel room with your email and your TV.

For more thoughts on the downsides of frequent travel consider these articles:

Travelling for Work: The Dark Side of Work Travel
9 Crazy Myths About Business Travel â€“ Debunked!
What to do on a Business Trip Alone â€“ 7 Ideas to Never Be Lonely on a Work Trip
Travel Tip Tuesday #19: Staying Connected is Important (to your loved ones!)

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Business Travel

There are a lot of pros and cons to business travel. I have been doing it for many years and the impact it has had on my career has been significant. The world is pretty flat these days and many corporate jobs require some level of travel.

If you want to really advance in your career it is better to embrace the benefits of business travel. Find a supportive partner (my wife is amazing and we have a great routine! I could not do this job w/out her) and jump in headfirst. Your career will thank you.

Don’t forget to read my post on 11 Tips to Crush your First Business Trip for ideas on how to get the most out of your first experience and to avoid making those rookie travel mistakes.

By the way, if you are interested in more travel tips and travel advice, you might be like these great articles:

If you liked this content, please do us a favor share it on social media and click the â€œlikeâ€ button below and donâ€™t forget to follow us on social media including Twitter , Instagram , Pinterest and Facebook .

And, of course, if you are interested in more travel tips and travel advice, you might like these great articles:

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Jeremy Ballou is the editor of the CBoardingGroup.com and a long-time writer in both the travel and tech industry. Most days he's in thinking about travel or writing about it.

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Enjoyed this article and it’s great that you have been able to travel on business for a long time.

One downside I’ve noticed is marital splits.

Thanks so much! And yes heavy travel can be rough on the marriage. No doubt about it.

I like the idea that Iâ€™ll be likely to get involved with higher-profile projects with business travel. My boss is offering me this opportunity since he told me that I have the potential to take over his place when he retires, and he wants me to get started as soon as possible with traveling on all parts of the country. If I were to choose, Iâ€™ll look for a company that posts business class travel fares so Iâ€™ll know how much I should put for the travel expenses when I begin my training.

You should definitely take advantage of it!

Corporate Business Travel: Everything You Need to Know

Katie Miller is a consumer financial services expert. She worked for almost two decades as an executive, leading multi-billion dollar mortgage, credit card, and savings portfolios with operations worldwide and a unique focus on the consumer. Her mortgage expertise was honed post-2008 crisis as she implemented the significant changes resulting from Dodd-Frank required regulations.

Corporate business travel involves the movement of individuals representing their organizations for work-related reasons. Whether it’s attending client meetings, industry conferences, or sealing business deals, this practice covers a range of activities essential for professional growth.

In the interconnected global business environment, where face-to-face connections matter, corporate business travel plays a central role in sustaining and expanding enterprises across borders. Businesses face challenges in optimizing this crucial element of their operations. Strategic considerations must be taken into account to use this element of business to its greatest potential.

Key Takeaways

Corporate business travel can unlock new opportunities for business growth, offering the possibility of reaching new markets, connecting with a wider pool of prospects, or developing brand presence and reputation.
Traveling for business has many benefits for individuals as well, providing them the chance to meet fellow employees, grow their career by participating in different opportunities, and network within the industry, not to mention experience new destinations.
Business traveler safety and security are top priorities during corporate travel.
To ensure that travel goes smoothly and stays within budget, companies should implement corporate travel policies and best practices for employees traveling on behalf of the company.

Importance of Corporate Business Travel

There are many business-related reasons to travel. It can encourage team building, promote learning, offer different perspectives, provide connection to a wider network, open up new markets, and drive sales. And whether or not the trip is for a specific purpose (such as a conference or a retreat), the benefits for employees and companies alike can extend beyond the stated intent of the trip, building confidence, cultural competency, relationships, and company reputation.

Many employees consider the opportunity to travel for work a desirable job perk, as it can offer the chance to venture somewhere that they may not ordinarily go, or to have a trip paid for by their company. And although expenses are associated with travel from a corporate perspective, they may be well worth the return on investment in terms of potential leads or sales—plus, many travel expenses are tax- deductible .

Types of Corporate Business Travel

Corporate travel can take many forms, including the chance for employees and executives to attend events, such as meetings, conferences, industry networking sessions, and fairs. Or a trip may take advantage of educational opportunities such as training sessions, seminars, and workshops. Retreats and guided trips can make for valuable team-building time in new contexts that unlock different perspectives and strengthen working relationships.

Businesses may send their employees to a different location to network, sell, teach, learn from, or generally connect with external contacts or internal employees in regional offices, or to act on behalf of the company in some way.

Additionally, from a client perspective, business travel may occur as a form of due diligence , ensuring that your vendors or suppliers are legitimate, legal, and compliant organizations—for example, traveling for regular audits to confirm that what you think is happening at your supplier organizations is actually happening.

Creating a Corporate Travel Policy

From a company perspective, travel can be a challenge to administer and manage . Costs can easily balloon out of control; travel logistics can be time-intensive to arrange; employees traveling on behalf of the company must be granted a great deal of trust; and like any form of travel, business travel can open up risks to safety, security, and health.

No matter the size of the business or the frequency or complexity of travel, a corporate travel policy can be a helpful tool for any company to set expectations for its employees, communicate guidelines and processes, keep expenses within budget, and streamline booking and logistics.

In creating a corporate travel policy, companies might consider the following for both domestic and international travel, as applicable:

Purpose(s) of travel
Which employees are eligible to travel
Booking and expense approval processes
Risks and liabilities of travel and how to manage them
Expectations for employee behavior, including acceptable and secure uses of technology, personal vs. leisure time, communication, and entertainment while traveling
Eligible expenses for employees while traveling, including per diem rates if applicable
Determine if employees will be reimbursed for their expenses or given a corporate credit card to use
Financial tracking, record-keeping, and reimbursement processes
Acceptable booking practices and costs, including preferred agents or vendors
Travel insurance

Of course, policies must also be communicated and enforced to ensure compliance and fairness. Including a travel policy as part of a corporate handbook or reviewing it in an onboarding or training module can be a good way to ensure that all employees receive and understand the information. Making it easily accessible for future reference on a shared drive or company portal will encourage employees to refer to it often.

Business travel managers estimate, on average, that spending on domestic and international corporate travel is at 77% and 74%, respectively, of where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Setting a Corporate Travel Policy

Corporate Business Travel Best Practices

There are many best practices that both employees and companies can keep in mind around corporate business travel to ensure that it is a successful experience. These encompass everything from administration and financing to employee behavior and well-being.

Booking Corporate Travel

Booking travel can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. To improve the booking process, save on costs, and streamline expense reporting, it can be helpful to designate preferred travel agencies, online platforms, vendors, and lodgings for employees and executives to book with. If the size of the company allows, it can also be helpful to hire an employee or team specifically to oversee and administer corporate travel, or designate this duty as part of an employee’s broader job description.

Managing Travel Expenses and Budgeting

There are many financial considerations when it comes to corporate business travel, and expenses and budgets must be carefully managed to keep costs under control. Many travel expenses are tax-deductible and can be written off, representing potentially significant savings for a company. Setting a budget and clear guidelines for employees about what can be an expense and what cannot is a must, as is creating and enforcing policies and procedures around tracking and reporting expenses.

Many corporate credit cards offer travel rewards and cost-saving opportunities for business travel, as do many other vendors and suppliers in the corporate travel industry. Businesses can take advantage of these to reduce inefficiencies and save on costs.

How to Manage Corporate Travel

Ensuring Traveler Safety and Security

As with any trip, business trips are not without safety and security risks, including the potential for political or civil unrest, crime, illness, injury, accidents, emergencies, natural disasters, cybersecurity breaches, or theft.

To protect their employees against unexpected and undesirable circumstances, at a minimum, businesses will want to have a travel insurance plan in place. It’s also helpful for businesses and employees to undertake some form of travel risk assessment to aid them in navigating potential risks, and outline safety and emergency preparedness guidelines within a corporate travel policy.

Employees should also know how to call if something goes sideways, such as hotel booking issues. A travel agent? A supervisor? If there’s a hurricane, you don’t have a car, and your flight is canceled, can you book another last-minute flight to get around the weather to get home? These details should be planned ahead for.

Maximizing Productivity During Business Trips

The overlap of business and leisure, sometimes referred to as “bleisure,” is one of the main draws of corporate business travel. However, there can also be pitfalls associated with this gray area. It can be difficult to stay productive while working remotely, whether due to the many distractions of a new environment (positive and negative), or because the trip entails an increased workload or time spent away from day-to-day job duties.

Employees looking to manage their time efficiently while away should get clarity on the intended purpose and expected outcome of their trip, and their employer’s and teammates’ expectations for their workload and communication frequency. They can also plan ahead to make the most of their travel time and downtime, and anticipate time zone differences to ensure smooth communication and adjustment to jet lag.

It’s important for employees to maintain work-life balance while traveling on behalf of work. Researching food, entertainment, and fitness options and preparing accordingly can pay off in terms of mental and physical wellness, especially for frequent travelers.

Tips for Business Travel Etiquette

Traveling anywhere, whether domestically or internationally, comes with responsibilities and expectations regarding employee behavior. Perception is one of the most important factors to remember when traveling as a representative of your company. You represent your company out in the public, so you need to ensure you’re displaying any key values that your company represents when interacting with vendors, clients, and peers.

This applies to cultural sensitivity as well. Travelers should do research in advance of their trip to ensure that they can be mindful of local customs and professional etiquette and behave with awareness and respect. Even the basics, such as learning appropriate forms of greeting or how to handle money and payment, and committing a few common words or phrases to memory can go a long way toward demonstrating good intentions and building a new relationship across cultures.

Sustainable and Responsible Business Travel

Recognizing that corporate travel can have a negative impact on the environment, many businesses and individuals are reexamining their travel practices and policies to see where they can make improvements. One example is reducing emissions by booking different means of transportation when possible. In general, seeking out vendors or companies that promote sustainable travel practices and responsible tourism, and that support local communities and ecosystems, can be a good first step to reduce environmental impact.

Technology and Tools for Corporate Business Travel

Software and technology tools can be immensely useful across all aspects of corporate business travel. Travel management and booking platforms; apps for tracking expenses, navigation, or converting currency; and translation and communication tools are all things that employees and businesses alike can take advantage of before, during, and after traveling.

When it comes to technology, it’s important to account for cybersecurity risks and only bring what is necessary to reduce the potential impact of damage, loss, or theft.

Managing Business Travel Expenses

What Is an Example of Corporate Business Travel?

There are many work-related reasons to travel, but many businesses will have their employees travel for conferences, events, sales and networking, seminars, meetings, team building, retreats, and to open up new business growth potential.

How Does Corporate Business Travel Work?

Corporate travel is simply travel for business-related purposes, so the nature of the trip will depend on its length and purpose. Companies whose employees travel frequently on behalf of the business should consider creating a corporate travel policy with information and guidelines for their employees.

Who Handles Corporate Business Travel?

Some businesses employ internal teams or individuals to manage corporate travel and business trips. At other times, employees are responsible for making their own arrangements within guidelines laid out by the company. There are also corporate travel agencies that businesses can leverage to streamline and optimize their bookings and costs.

The Bottom Line

Corporate business travel can be an invaluable path to both business growth and individual career development, building strong relationships and teams. No matter what form it takes, it’s prudent for companies to collect, implement, and communicate best practices for business travel to their employees in a company handbook or corporate travel policy. This should incorporate areas such as expense and booking management, safety and security, productivity, sustainability, technology, and employee behavior and etiquette.

Michela Buttignol / Investopedia

Internal Revenue Service. “ Understanding Business Travel Deductions .”

Global Business Travel Association. “ GBTA Business Travel Industry Outlook Poll .”

Harvard Business Review. “ How to Work and Travel at the Same Time .”

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Blog / Business Travel / Benefits of Business Travel for Boosting Productivity and Growth

Business Travel

Benefits of business travel for boosting productivity and growth.

Corporate travel fosters professional relationships, expands market reach, and catalyzes growth. While the advent of digital communication tools has transformed how we connect, and there are undoubtedly benefits to virtual meetings, the value of in-person interactions remains unparalleled. This blog post delves into business travel’s main benefits and valuable opportunities, offering insights into how strategic travel can enhance productivity, stimulate growth, create work-life balance, and foster stronger relationships.

Business travel is not just about the journey but the new opportunities it creates for networking, market expansion, employee development, innovation, strengthening company culture, and professional growth.

6 Benefits of Business Travel for Companies

1. enhanced networking and relationship building.

The essence of business lies in the strength of its relationships. Face-to-face meetings during business trips lay the foundation for more robust, authentic connections. Whether sealing a deal with new clients over a handshake or brainstorming with business partners over coffee, the personal touch enhances trust and understanding. Networking in such settings often leads to personal connection, valuable partnerships, fruitful collaborations, and lasting client relationships. Today, many organizations are spread across different locations. By allowing employees to visit their professional network in each area, business travel boosts retention and helps avoid employee burnout—they experience new cultures while integrating work into their personal lives.

According to a Harvard Business Review survey , 95% of respondents said face-to-face meetings are essential for long-term business relationships, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of in-person interactions in the professional sphere.

2. E xploring new territories

Exploring new territories is one of the many benefits of business travel. It empowers companies to understand local markets firsthand, meet potential clients, establish a global presence, and take on new challenges. Such direct engagement with new people is crucial for tailoring strategies to diverse consumer needs and cultural nuances, often leading to faster market penetration. Companies invest in business development in many ways, and encouraging employees to take on networking opportunities in new destinations or a different city is one of the most efficient paths to expansion.

A Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) report found that every dollar invested in business travel can increase to $12.50 in revenue and $3.80 in profit, highlighting the direct correlation between frequent business travel and business growth.

3. Employee Development and Collaboration

Traveling together can significantly boost team cohesion and collaboration in-person meetings. It offers unique opportunities for departments to break silos, fostering a unified team spirit. The shared experiences and challenges encountered on trips often translate into improved communication and collaboration back in the office.

According to Deloitte’s 2023 corporate travel study , there’s a notable increase in international trips and live event attendance, positioning them as significant drivers for business travel growth in 2023. This trend underscores the importance of in-person interactions for fostering team cohesion, enhancing collaboration, and facilitating professional development.

Many businesses understand this conceptually but argue that business traveling is time-consuming, impacts employees’ time management, and is unnecessary. As we’ll continue to see, a business meeting in a foreign country to meet clients or turn a colleague into a close friend might be more valuable than most companies realize.

4. Innovation and Creativity

Exposure to new environments and cultures is a proven catalyst for creativity. Business travel encourages employees to think outside the box, leading to innovative solutions and new skills and ideas. Companies promoting travel for inspiration have reported increased creative output, attributing breakthroughs to insights from diverse cultural experiences.

Research from the Academy of Management Journal suggests that professionals who travel abroad for a business trip are more likely to solve problems creatively, with a significant finding showing a 20% increase in creative outputs among such individuals.

5. Strengthening Company Culture

Shared travel experiences contribute significantly to a positive and cohesive company culture—one of the top benefits. They offer a unique platform for team-building activities and informal interactions that strengthen bonds and foster a sense of belonging.

The 2024 Global Meetings and Events Forecast by American Express Global Business Travel provides valuable insights. The forecast emphasizes in-person meetings are crucial for fostering creativity, building corporate culture, and driving growth. This aligns with the understanding that shared travel experiences and face-to-face interactions are vital in enhancing team dynamics and promoting company unity.

6. Professional Development and Training

Attending international conferences and workshops is a crucial benefit of business travel, offering unparalleled opportunities for learning and professional growth in new locations. Such events keep employees abreast of industry trends, new technologies, and best practices.

According to the Association for Talent Development (ATD) , employees who attend external training sessions bring back valuable insights, leading to an average 37% increase in productivity.

Cost-Effective Strategies for Travel Management

Strategic planning and the right corporate travel tools are essential for controlling travel costs without sacrificing the trip’s quality or objectives (while keeping the finance team happy).

Below, we delve into detailed strategies that underscore how businesses can optimize their travel management practices, significantly highlighting how business travel management software , specifically AltoVita’s innovative tool, contributes to achieving these goals.

Use Travel Tools to Streamline Your Bookings

The complexity of managing various aspects of business travel necessitates a streamlined approach. AltoVita emerges as a comprehensive solution, offering a platform that simplifies the booking process through automation and customization while adhering to each company’s unique travel policy. This approach facilitates easier corporate travel management and enhances the travel experience for business travelers, ensuring they can focus on their business purposes without the hassle of travel logistics.

Comprehensive Platform : AltoVita provides a one-stop solution for finding corporate housing , managing group bookings , leveraging corporate credit cards, and ensuring comprehensive corporate travel risk management . This holistic approach allows businesses to manage all aspects of travel planning in one place, thereby reducing the time and effort required to organize trips and addressing the finance teams’ needs for efficient management.
Streamlined Booking and Tracking: AltoVita enables businesses to streamline the booking process and efficiently track accommodation costs. The platform’s intuitive design makes booking corporate travel accommodations that meet specific requirements easy, while integrated cost management features enable real-time tracking and control of travel-related spending. This is particularly beneficial for finance teams looking to balance cost efficiency and quality employee travel experiences.
Corporate Credit Cards Integration: AltoVita’s platform supports using corporate credit cards and capturing spend data for reporting. This integration ensures businesses can maintain a clear overview of travel costs and benefit from streamlined cost management.

Utilize Flexible Travel Dates

Flexibility in scheduling travel dates is a powerful strategy for cost reduction. AltoVita supports this approach by offering flexible booking options, allowing companies to:

Save on Costs : Businesses can significantly reduce travel costs by choosing less expensive days for flights and accommodations. AltoVita’s platform provides visibility into pricing trends and availability, enabling companies to select travel dates that offer the best value.
Leverage Off-Peak Discounts : Traveling during off-peak times can unlock additional savings. AltoVita helps identify these opportunities, offering recommendations for travel times that are cost-effective and deliver a better travel experience with fewer crowds.

This flexibility leads to direct cost savings and enhances the overall travel experience for employees, making business trips more enjoyable and less stressful.

Use a Centralized Booking System

Centralizing travel bookings through a platform like AltoVita offers several advantages for managing corporate travel :

Improved Control Over Travel Arrangements : A centralized system ensures that all bookings adhere to company travel policies and budgets. AltoVita’s platform allows businesses to set preferences and restrictions, ensuring compliance and consistency across all travel arrangements.
Better Rates and Savings : With AltoVita, companies can access various accommodation options at competitive rates. The platform’s negotiating power and relationships with providers mean businesses can secure the best possible deals, leading to an average reduction of 15% in travel expenses.
Simplified Process : Centralizing bookings simplifies travel management, making it easier to organize, track, and modify travel plans as needed. AltoVita’s user-friendly interface and customer support ensure a smooth and efficient booking experience for travel managers and travelers alike.

By integrating these cost-effective strategies with AltoVita’s innovative travel management solutions, companies can achieve significant savings while ensuring their employees have access to high-quality travel experiences.

Key Takeaways

Business travel is an indispensable part of today’s corporate world, offering myriad benefits that drive productivity, foster growth, and enhance company culture. Companies can maximize these benefits by embracing strategic travel practices and utilizing platforms like AltoVita for efficient travel management while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Strategic Business Travel Enhances Productivity and Growth : Business travel plays a crucial role in building professional relationships, expanding market reach, and fostering innovation, directly contributing to the productivity and growth of companies.
Personal Interactions Fuel Business Success : Face-to-face meetings and in-person collaborations are invaluable, fostering more robust partnerships, enhancing team cohesion, and leading to a more vibrant company culture.
Innovative Solutions Streamline Travel Management : Travel management tools like AltoVita simplify the booking process and offer cost-effective strategies for managing business travel, from flexible travel dates to centralized booking systems, ensuring companies can focus on their travel objectives without overspending.

For those looking to redefine their travel management strategy and discover how AltoVita can facilitate seamless and efficient business travel accommodations, click here to learn more and book a demo.

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5 Main Benefits of Business Travel

For some employees, business travel may just seem like a chore, while for others, it may seem like an opportunity to explore. Here, it all comes down to perspective, and when business travel is done the right way, the benefits are massively high.

Even though there are many benefits associated with business travel, in this article, we will show you the five main ones associated with business travel.

Let’s dive right in!

5 main benefits of business travel

Here are our five main benefits for business travel:

1. Builds confidence

A huge benefit business travel will give you is the ability to get out of your comfort zone and build confidence while traveling. We all have an issue of staying in our comfort zone, which also impacts our professional and personal lives, but we need to push past our comfort zone and welcome new experiences.

Going to the office every day is just a boring daily routine, and isn’t something that challenges us since you have to repeat the same tasks daily. And guess what? Doing the same things every single day drops our confidence, which will later impact how we feel in our professional and personal lives.

Travel builds your confidence by making you adapt to new environments and gives you new challenges you have to overcome. That is just how our brain works, when it gets exposed to new things, it’ll feel good about it. Closing a deal, building a new business relationship will provide you with the vast confidence boost you are looking for.

2. You get to enjoy new experiences

Especially if you love to see new places or try new foods when you are traveling, business travel is your chance to enjoy the moment. Or maybe you are even someone who loves to visit historical objects, then this is your chance. The most important experience of traveling is to enjoy the experience itself and not think about what can go wrong.

Even when you are traveling for business purposes, we know time might be tight, but of course, you will have some free time to check what is around. Discovering something new is just another experience for you, and when you get used to it, it means you will get better at being flexible to adapt to new environments.

3. Allows you to have face-to-face meetings

If you think about it, even in our personal life, we can’t enhance our friendships, relationships by communicating remotely, it just doesn’t work. Real life interactions are different, allow you to express yourself better and even find out more about the person you are talking to through facial expressions and even the way they communicate with their body.

In short, face-to-face meetings are essential if you want to establish a more successful business relationship and allow it to be longer-lasting. Otherwise, virtual business relationships are limited and don’t have the same feeling you would have in real life.

4. Ability to meet new people

Relationships are essential for humans and the success of their lifelong experiences. It isn’t easy to establish them whenever you are in the office meeting the same people every day. Traveling gives you the opportunity to meet someone new, maybe they might be a new close friend, a future employer, or even a person that may help you with something else.

Life is full of surprises so you can’t really predict what is going to happen the next day and one thing may lead to another. Meeting new people from another country may even make things easier for your personal life, just as much as your business one.

Even if you go on a personal trip to a country you have traveled to with your company, new contacts will help orient you with things you may face trouble with. Now, you understand how helpful it can actually be.

5. Helps avoid employee burnout

Business traveling helps solve this issue, as you are going to new places, it helps you feel that your life is experiencing changes.

Is business travel meaningful at a workplace?

For every business that is included with traveling, it directly does affect how employees feel about their position at the workplace. When you and your team are traveling to different places around the world, it can even affect your team’s relationship and how they think about their job.

Nobody ever said you only have to work together at the office or during work hours, but being together outside the office is vital too! The sky is the limit, so it is essential you break those limits and seek to find fulfillment from every business travel experience you get to have.

Wrapping it up

Well, that’s about it for this article. Hopefully, now you see how beneficial business traveling can actually be for you and your employees. Remember, continuously doing the same things over and over can get exhausting. In short, you don’t want to be that grumpy person who is tired of work and feels like there isn’t anything better to do, so this is your chance to help employees and even yourself avoid burnout.

This article goes into an in-depth review of the significant benefits that come with business traveling. Read through each of the five benefits we stated carefully and see how they relate to you and your business. Are you the same person, and do you feel the same way?

Otherwise, take this opportunity to enjoy the moment with your colleagues and even for your own personal experiences. After all, you and your colleagues will have a lot of stories to tell once you guys are done with corporate traveling!

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

BLOG: 5 Added Benefits of Traveling for Business

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You probably know how business travel benefits companies, but are you aware of all the ways that it benefits the employee traveling? Business travel is about more than meeting new prospects, closing sales deals, growing the top line, giving presentations, and strengthening client relationships. Here are 5 great additional benefits:

1. Experiencing New Places

We know that when you’re traveling for business, much of your time will be spent doing just that – business. However, carving out just a little time during each trip to experience the sights, sounds – and food – a place has to offer can add so much to your trip! Instead of a boring, humdrum business trip, you get the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the place you’re visiting – whether you’re in Dubai, Paris or Atlanta, Georgia.

2. Meeting New People

One of the greatest advantages to traveling for business is the people you get to meet along the way. Besides the added benefit of meeting the people you’re doing business with face to face, you are able to build your network so that it expands across the nation and, possibly, the world. This also gives you a personal connection to each of the places you’ve visited, making every trip a bit more memorable.

3. Breaking Up the Monotony

Traveling for business ensures that you’ll never get stuck in the rut of daily routine. Instead of the normal Get up–Go to work–Come home, you get to go to new places and meet new people. It gives you the chance to get out of the office and stretch your legs a bit. And when you return to your office, it feels a little bit more like coming home.

4. Preparing for Other Travel

Business travel can do a lot to help you plan and execute future travel plans. You’ll know all the ins and outs of successful travel as well as being a whiz at packing. You’re used to getting everything you need into one little carry-on; imagine what you could do with an entire suitcase!

5. Finding New Destinations

And last, but definitely not least, business travel can provide you with ideas for future destinations. Maybe you loved San Francisco and want to spend a week there. Or perhaps someone you met in Berlin who spoke so well of Amsterdam you want to see it for yourself. Traveling for business can open doors to places you would have never experienced before.

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Business Travel 101: What is Business Travel? And Why Use a Travel Management Company?

If you’re wondering why to use a travel management company, discover the many benefits partnering with one can deliver..

When you’re just getting started with business travel, you may encounter the term “travel management company,” or TMC for short. Why use a travel management company? There are many benefits that companies discover when they partner with a TMC.

To help you accelerate your journey into business travel. Here’s a look at the motivations behind business travel as well as the benefits of working with a TMC.

What is Business Travel?

Business travel is when an employee leaves his or her primary office to work elsewhere. This can include short trips, like leaving your home in Los Angeles to visit a prospective client in San Diego. And this can include long trips, like flying from Chicago to London for meetings with your company’s UK office.

Americans make more than 400 million long-distance business trips each year, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics . Those trips account for about 16% of all long-distance travel. What motivates companies to send their employees on these journeys?

There are a number of reasons to travel for business:

Closing Deals: It’s common to close large and important deals in-person.
Exploring New Markets: Companies looking to expand into new markets will visit them to explore the conditions on the ground and to conduct research.
Internal Meetings: In an age of remote work, companies may ask employees to travel for internal meetings or other collaboration events.
Prospecting: Organizations often attend expos to display their products and/or services and to find prospective clients.
Education: Companies may ask employees to travel to conferences where they can learn more about trends and best practices in their functional areas.
Visiting Existing Clients: Account managers and others may regularly visit their largest clients. They can check in on them, to take them out for a meal or drink, and generally to show gratitude for their business.

These are just several examples of reasons why companies may ask employees to travel. There are countless motivations for workers to leave their primary offices for several days at a time.

Who Manages Corporate Travel?

The actual people who manage travel fall into two categories: internal and external.

Internally, a company may use someone in the human resources department to help book trips for Travelers and otherwise manage the travel program. Companies with more intensive travel schedules may have a dedicated Travel Manager or someone who arranges travel for employees.

Companies also work with third parties to manage travel. Organizations can completely outsource their travel to a third party. But it’s more often a hybrid approach where someone internal (like a Travel Manager) works in tandem with a third-party (like a TMC).

Why Use a Travel Management Company?

As you explore business travel for your company, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the many tasks and responsibilities associated with managing travel. That’s why so many organizations choose to work with a TMC.

TMCs work with everything from small businesses with limited travel needs to large enterprises with enormous travel budgets.

These companies choose to work with TMCs because of the many benefits a third-party management company can deliver, including:

Greater efficiency: A TMC can help the business and its Travelers do everything faster and more efficiently. You have a team of travel experts in your corner so that your employees can focus on doing their work.
Lower costs: TMCs often have access to discounts that aren’t available to just anyone. They can also help organizations negotiate favorable contracts with vendors.
Managed risk: Risk management is how companies live up to their duty-of-care responsibility to keep employees healthy and safe while away from the office. Many TMCs offer risk management services that help companies live up to that responsibility.
Comprehensive policies: It’s hard to create a comprehensive travel policy from scratch. TMCs can help your organization develop a travel policy that meets both the company’s needs and the needs of its Travelers.
Technology implementation: The right technologies can help you maximize your investment in business travel. A TMC can help you identify and implement the right technologies for your organization.
Custom reporting: Optimizing travel spend is only possible when you have access to your travel data. TMCs can help you accrue and analyze your travel data so you can optimize your program.
Assistance with trip disruptions: Things happen during business travel. A weather event might close an airport, for example, or mechanical issues may delay a flight. TMCs can step in and help when those disruptions occur.

As noted in the previous section, TMCs often work with a Travel Manager or another point person at their clients’ companies to get the most out of business travel. For example, a TMC may develop a system for custom reporting. Then a Travel Manager will present data to executives when making important travel-related decision. Or a Travel Manager may work with internal parties to create a travel policy. Then a TMC will review the policy and make recommendations on how to improve it.

Looking for the Best TMC?

If you’re looking for a TMC, you’ll find two different payment structures. Some TMCs will charge fees for booking and other activities, which can quickly add up and make your travel program more expensive. Others create inclusive contracts at a fixed cost so that they can serve as a true resource to their clients without worrying about expensive fees.

At JTB Business Travel, we take the latter approach of creating inclusive contracts that allow us to serve as a true resource to our clients. We help the companies maximize their spend on business travel, while also ensuring Travelers enjoy the most productive and comfortable trips possible. Behind everything we do is a common-sense approach to business travel.

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The Pros And Cons Of Managed And Unmanaged Business Travel

Home » B2B » The Pros And Cons Of Managed And Unmanaged Business Travel

Business travel is inevitable if you wish to expand your business across geographical boundaries. It allows your employees to plan face-to-face interactions with prospects or lets you attend trade events. Choosing between managed and unmanaged business travel options is crucial because it will create a robust platform for the corporate travel policy. Optimization of corporate travel is essential as it consumes much of your company’s budget besides salaries. Companies can streamline business travel and improve ROI using advanced travel management software solutions.

What is unmanaged business travel?

Employees control the travel booking process, like contacting travel agents, negotiating rates, and booking in the unmanaged business travel scenario. Companies adopting this type business travel often lack travel policy compliance and cannot control travel expenditures. Companies must rely on employees to save business travel costs in this business travel option.

Benefits of unmanaged business travel

Unmanaged business travel relies on travel agents to recommend suitable travel options.

1. Direct access to travel suppliers

Employees can choose agents for their travel booking requirements in business travel. They can communicate directly with travel suppliers to resolve queries by avoiding third-party involvement.

2. Cost saving

Companies save costs of hiring Travel Management Companies by implementing this type of business travel.

3. Flexibility

Employees need not adhere to fixed itineraries as this type of business travel allows them to change travel plans as per needs.

Drawbacks of unmanaged business travel

Unmanaged business travel enables employees the flexibility to plan their business travel. It has several disadvantages, such as:

1. Lack of data insights

Unmanaged business travel makes it hard for the finance department to gain crucial data insights like tracking travel expenses for particular travel routes, travel costs analysis for employees, and data consolidation.

2. Non-compliance with travel policy guidelines

Companies depend upon total compliance with travel policy for saving costs and streamlining expense reimbursements. It involves the potential for non-compliance in the absence of travel management software.

3. Non-compliance of Duty of Care

Because of the lack of risk management in business travel, companies cannot fulfill their Duty of Care obligations. The absence of emergency communication solutions impacts Duty of Care, as employees may not receive threat alerts in time for proactive action.

What is managed business travel?

Companies outsource all aspects of business travel to a professional travel management company (TMC), including flight ticket booking, accommodation, and local transport in this type of business travel. Employees, travel managers, and other stakeholders can access the travel management platform to make bookings and receive alerts with updates about the various aspects of the journey.

Companies can effectively implement their corporate travel policy as the platform allows seamless integration in business travel. Managed business travel improves employee satisfaction because they enjoy the freedom of booking their travel and accommodation to suit their choice of airlines and hotels without deviating from the travel policy.

Benefits of managed business travel

Switching to a managed business travel can transform corporate travel because of multiple benefits, such as:

1. Access to a unified portal

Business travel empowers employees, travel managers, and finance teams with round-the-clock access to a centralized platform through an app. Employees can book journeys, receive updates, and access emergency services while on the go. The platform enables expense reporting and helps the accounts department track real-time travel spending.

2. Travel policy adoption

This type of business travel enables companies to create and implement travel policies effectively. A corporate travel policy is crucial for controlling travel expenditure and streamlining the travel booking process for better productivity.

3. Professional travel management

Travel managers can leverage the vast domain experience of Travel Management Companies (TMCs) by adopting a managed business travel program. TMCs enable companies access to local and regional LCCs and leading Global Distribution Systems to achieve cost-effective travel bookings.

4. Higher efficiency

This kind of business travel saves time by improving employee efficiency and productivity as the travel management platform takes care of all travel booking activities. It ensures adherence to travel guidelines of the company, mitigating non-compliance to travel policy.

5. Duty of Care

Companies can effectively meet Duty of Care obligations as Travel Management programs like Paxes provide availability of round-the-clock emergency help, and frequent updates about threats.

Drawbacks of managed business travel

The option of managed business travel has a few disadvantages. These are:

1. The reluctance of employees

Resistance to rules is a natural tendency of most employees who may not adhere to the travel guidelines in a business travel environment. A steep learning curve may impact the adoption of an online travel management platform.

2. Cost of managed travel

Managed business travel involves multiple touch points and stake holders. Hence, companies may find this kind of business travel solution to be a costly proposition.

How does unmanaged business travel differ from managed travel?

Managed business travel is a centralized approach whereas unmanaged business travel is a decentralized approach where employees have the freedom to manage the expenses and itineraries. Unmanaged travel doesn’t have any travel policy to follow, however, managed travel programs have to strictly comply with the policy.

Key responsibilities of travelers in unmanaged business travel

In unmanaged business travel, the traveler is responsible for booking and planning the trip, travel policy adherence, expense management, reporting, travel documentation, and communications.

Unmanaged business travel results in bottlenecks, as employees need to wait for approvals or experience delays in expense reimbursements. Allowing employees to plan business travel can derail the travel policy. Using travel management solutions like Paxes helps companies adopt managed business travel with no hassles. The user-friendly software platform allows using an app to enhance employee satisfaction and compliance with corporate travel policy.

Suggested Read: What Are The Different Types Of Corporate Travel

Unmanaged Business Travel FAQs

How does a managed business travel improve employee productivity.

Employees must invest a long time in booking travel in unmanaged business travel. It diverts their focus from business activities during business travel, impacting productivity. Managed business travel brings relief to employees as Travel Management Companies handle all travel booking activities.

When should a company adopt unmanaged business travel?

Unmanaged business travel is helpful if only a couple of employees need to undertake business travel.

What is the role of a Travel Management Company?

A Travel Management Company or a TMC looks after the entire travel management of a company to save travel expenditure and time.

Why is travel management essential?

Travel management streamlines corporate travel by improving compliance with travel policy. It saves travel costs by optimizing travel requirements and improving the business travel output.

How is a Travel Management Company different from a travel agency?

Travel Management Company leverages advanced technology to track travel and implement business travel by adhering to travel policy. The TMC manages the entire business travel process, from itinerary preparation to expense reimbursement. A travel agency looks after travel booking to facilitate business travel.

How can I book flights for unmanaged business travel?

Travelers can book flights through online booking systems or the website of airlines.

How do I find and book accommodation for unmanaged business travel?

There are multiple consumer platforms where the traveler can find a variety of accommodation options. They can choose the most suitable one for themselves.

What are some safety tips for travelers in unmanaged business travel?

The traveler must be aware of all the scams and frauds while booking his travel services, They must make their bookings through a reliable source to avoid any inconvenience during the travel. They must be well-versed with the destination’s travel system and culture to quickly adapt there.

Pratyush is a traveling enthusiast who always looks for innovations in business travel management. He has 5 years of experience writing content on corporate travel management and working closely with expert business travel facilitators.

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THE BIG IDEA

Why travel should be considered an essential human activity

Travel is not rational, but it’s in our genes. Here’s why you should start planning a trip now.

Two women gaze at heavy surf while lying on boulders on the coast.

In 1961, legendary National Geographic photographer Volkmar Wentzel captured two women gazing at the surf off Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. This and all the other images in this story come from the National Geographic image collection.

I’ve been putting my passport to good use lately. I use it as a coaster and to level wobbly table legs. It makes an excellent cat toy.

Welcome to the pandemic of disappointments. Canceled trips, or ones never planned lest they be canceled. Family reunions, study-abroad years, lazy beach vacations. Poof. Gone. Obliterated by a tiny virus, and the long list of countries where United States passports are not welcome.

Only a third of Americans say they have traveled overnight for leisure since March, and only slightly more, 38 percent, say they are likely to do so by the end of the year, according to one report. Only a quarter of us plan on leaving home for Thanksgiving, typically the busiest travel time. The numbers paint a grim picture of our stilled lives.

It is not natural for us to be this sedentary. Travel is in our genes. For most of the time our species has existed, “we’ve lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers moving about in small bands of 150 or fewer people,” writes Christopher Ryan in Civilized to Death . This nomadic life was no accident. It was useful. “Moving to a neighboring band is always an option to avoid brewing conflict or just for a change in social scenery,” says Ryan. Robert Louis Stevenson put it more succinctly: “The great affair is to move.”

What if we can’t move, though? What if we’re unable to hunt or gather? What’s a traveler to do? There are many ways to answer that question. “Despair,” though, is not one of them.

wall-to-wall seaside sunbathers in Ocean City, Maryland

In this aerial view from 1967, wall-to-wall seaside sunbathers relax under umbrellas or on beach towels in Ocean City, Maryland .

During a fall festival, each state shows off its costumes and dances.

A 1967 fall festival in Guadalajara, Mexico , starred traditionally costumed musicians and dancers.

We are an adaptive species. We can tolerate brief periods of forced sedentariness. A dash of self-delusion helps. We’re not grounded, we tell ourselves. We’re merely between trips, like the unemployed salesman in between opportunities. We pass the days thumbing though old travel journals and Instagram feeds. We gaze at souvenirs. All this helps. For a while.

We put on brave faces. “Staycation Nation,” the cover of the current issue of Canadian Traveller magazine declares cheerfully, as if it were a choice, not a consolation.

Today, the U.S. Travel Association, the industry trade organization, is launching a national recovery campaign called “ Let’s Go There .” Backed by a coalition of businesses related to tourism—hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, airlines—the initiative’s goal is to encourage Americans to turn idle wanderlust into actual itineraries.

The travel industry is hurting. So are travelers. “I dwelled so much on my disappointment that it almost physically hurt,” Paris -based journalist Joelle Diderich told me recently, after canceling five trips last spring.

(Related: How hard has the coronavirus hit the travel industry? These charts tell us.)

My friend James Hopkins is a Buddhist living in Kathmandu . You’d think he’d thrive during the lockdown, a sort-of mandatory meditation retreat. For a while he did.

But during a recent Skype call, James looked haggard and dejected. He was growing restless, he confessed, and longed “for the old 10-countries-a-year schedule.” Nothing seemed to help, he told me. “No matter how many candles I lit, or how much incense I burned, and in spite of living in one of the most sacred places in South Asia, I just couldn’t change my habits.”

When we ended our call, I felt relieved, my grumpiness validated. It’s not me; it’s the pandemic. But I also worried. If a Buddhist in Kathmandu is going nuts, what hope do the rest of us stilled souls have?

I think hope lies in the very nature of travel. Travel entails wishful thinking. It demands a leap of faith, and of imagination, to board a plane for some faraway land, hoping, wishing, for a taste of the ineffable. Travel is one of the few activities we engage in not knowing the outcome and reveling in that uncertainty. Nothing is more forgettable than the trip that goes exactly as planned.

Related: Vintage photos of the glamour of travel

Travel is not a rational activity. It makes no sense to squeeze yourself into an alleged seat only to be hurled at frightening speed to a distant place where you don’t speak the language or know the customs. All at great expense. If we stopped to do the cost-benefit analysis, we’d never go anywhere. Yet we do.

That’s one reason why I’m bullish on travel’s future. In fact, I’d argue travel is an essential industry, an essential activity. It’s not essential the way hospitals and grocery stores are essential. Travel is essential the way books and hugs are essential. Food for the soul. Right now, we’re between courses, savoring where we’ve been, anticipating where we’ll go. Maybe it’s Zanzibar and maybe it’s the campground down the road that you’ve always wanted to visit.

(Related: Going camping this fall? Here’s how to get started.)

James Oglethorpe, a seasoned traveler, is happy to sit still for a while, and gaze at “the slow change of light and clouds on the Blue Ridge Mountains” in Virginia, where he lives. “My mind can take me the rest of the way around this world and beyond it.”

It’s not the place that is special but what we bring to it and, crucially, how we interact with it. Travel is not about the destination, or the journey. It is about stumbling across “a new way of looking at things,” as writer Henry Miller observed. We need not travel far to gain a fresh perspective.

No one knew this better than Henry David Thoreau , who lived nearly all of his too-short life in Concord, Massachusetts. There he observed Walden Pond from every conceivable vantage point: from a hilltop, on its shores, underwater. Sometimes he’d even bend over and peer through his legs, marveling at the inverted world. “From the right point of view, every storm and every drop in it is a rainbow,” he wrote.

Thoreau never tired of gazing at his beloved pond, nor have we outgrown the quiet beauty of our frumpy, analog world. If anything, the pandemic has rekindled our affection for it. We’ve seen what an atomized, digital existence looks like, and we (most of us anyway) don’t care for it. The bleachers at Chicago ’s Wrigley Field; the orchestra section at New York City ’s Lincoln Center; the alleyways of Tokyo . We miss these places. We are creatures of place, and always will be.

After the attacks of September 11, many predicted the end of air travel, or at least a dramatic reduction. Yet the airlines rebounded steadily and by 2017 flew a record four billion passengers. Briefly deprived of the miracle of flight, we appreciated it more and today tolerate the inconvenience of body scans and pat-downs for the privilege of transporting our flesh-and-bone selves to far-flung locations, where we break bread with other incarnate beings.

Colorful designs surrounding landscape architect at work in his studio in Rio de Jainero, Brazil

Landscape architects work in their Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , studio in 1955.

A tourist photographs a tall century plant, a member of the agaves.

A tourist photographs a towering century plant in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1956.

In our rush to return to the world, we should be mindful of the impact of mass tourism on the planet. Now is the time to embrace the fundamental values of sustainable tourism and let them guide your future journeys. Go off the beaten path. Linger longer in destinations. Travel in the off-season. Connect with communities and spend your money in ways that support locals. Consider purchasing carbon offsets. And remember that the whole point of getting out there is to embrace the differences that make the world so colorful.

“One of the great benefits of travel is meeting new people and coming into contact with different points of view,” says Pauline Frommer, travel expert and radio host.

So go ahead and plan that trip. It’s good for you, scientists say . Plotting a trip is nearly as enjoyable as actually taking one. Merely thinking about a pleasurable experience is itself pleasurable. Anticipation is its own reward.

I’ve witnessed first-hand the frisson of anticipatory travel. My wife, not usually a fan of travel photography, now spends hours on Instagram, gazing longingly at photos of Alpine lodges and Balinese rice fields. “What’s going on?” I asked one day. “They’re just absolutely captivating,” she replied. “They make me remember that there is a big, beautiful world out there.”

Many of us, myself included, have taken travel for granted. We grew lazy and entitled, and that is never good. Tom Swick, a friend and travel writer, tells me he used to view travel as a given. Now, he says, “I look forward to experiencing it as a gift.”

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Best Hotels for Business Travel, Broken Down by Chain

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Road warriors often have their favorite hotel brand, but in some cities, there are limited choices. In others, there might be so many choices that it is hard to decide. That’s why it can be helpful to know which brands are designed for business travelers, so you can earn points and make smart travel decisions at the same time.

Here, we look at the best hotels for business travel within the Hilton Honors , Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt programs.

Hilton Honors

Despite switching to dynamic pricing and making it more difficult to know how many points are needed to redeem for a stay, Hilton Honors has many of the world’s well-known hospitality brands under its portfolio. Among them are some of the best hotel chains for business travel.

Using hard-earned points for a vacation award redemption means waived resort fees, too. When paired with one of the fastest ways to Diamond elite status (the hotel's top level) via the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card , you have a strong contender for best hotel rewards program for business travelers who want to spend their points on a personal vacation later.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

As the flagship brand for Hilton, the Hilton brand spans the globe in both city and resort destinations. Many of its properties have meeting facilities, as well as executive lounges that are popular with elite members. Gold and Diamond members can enjoy complimentary breakfast if a club lounge isn't available — perhaps another draw for business visitors.

» Learn more: An introduction to elite status with Hilton Honors

Embassy Suites by Hilton

You can't go wrong with a free, made-to-order breakfast, evening happy hour with free wine, beer and cocktails plus snacks, and every accommodation offers a two-room suite. While families will be happy here, this is also a great option for business travelers (especially those traveling on their own dime). You'll have everything you need in one place — even if you're just working remotely in your suite .

Homewood Suites by Hilton

With more than 500 properties open, these all-suite accommodations come with full kitchens and separate living areas. They're intended for extended stays, making them a good fit for business travelers who want to be self-sufficient. Even better, rooms come with complimentary breakfast and an evening social hour several nights a week with free wine, beer and snacks.

» Learn more: Hilton Honors: Advanced reward optimization

Marriott Bonvoy

With so many hotel brands in its portfolio, Marriott seemingly has one for nearly every type of traveler — from luxury-minded to budget-focused, including many built for the corporate traveler. Of course, Marriott Bonvoy’s strength as a hotel loyalty program is another major driver of business, especially with its elite member benefits guarantee and ability to earn bonus points and elite status via Marriott-affiliated credit cards . While there are a lot of Marriott Bonvoy brands that delight those who travel for work, these are the business travel hotel brands with some of the most ideal options.

Marriott Hotels

The company’s flagship brand, Marriott, comes in all shapes and sizes, from conference-oriented properties to resorts. What most have in common are several key features: Club lounges (ideal for elite status travelers or those wishing to pay for an upgrade), a TED Talks partnership that supplies unique content via in-room TVs and the Marriott Bonvoy app , and Greatroom lobby lounges (perfect for relaxing after a day of meetings).

Following a redesign announcement, Sheraton wants to become a destination for groups to gather and business travelers to be productive. In addition to club lounges that will appeal to elite status members, its public areas will feature private, soundproof studio workspaces and “productivity tables,” encouraging guests to enjoy complimentary refreshments as they work or cowork. The lobby lounge will serve craft coffee beverages in the morning and transition to a cocktail menu later in the day.

» Learn more: The best ways to rack up Marriott Bonvoy points

Gaylord Hotels

This is one of Marriott’s smallest brands as it has five properties only, but the hotels are enormous. That’s because these properties are designed for meetings and events. From corporate gatherings to gigantic conventions, business and social interaction is the heart of the Gaylord brand. Cleverly, Gaylord properties incorporate leisure facilities, like entertainment programming and water parks, so that business travelers can bring the family along.

Residence Inn

Longer-stay guests can maximize productivity thanks to larger accommodations at Marriott's Residence Inn, many of which have separate living and sleeping areas, plus kitchenettes. Complimentary breakfast, and many nights of the week, free dinner with wine and beer, are among the perks that business travelers appreciate most when on the road.

You only earn 5 points per $1 spent at Residence Inns (as well as Towneplace Suites). The usual Marriott base rate is 10 points per $1. Factor this into your decision as a trade-off if you choose to stay there for the long-term amenities.

World of Hyatt

As one of the more generous loyalty programs out there, World of Hyatt offers numerous benefits, especially for elite members and for those with the World of Hyatt Credit Card . This has helped propel it in the ranks of best hotel chains for business travel. Benefits like Guest of Honor , that allow elite members to share their status with another traveler, and a reciprocal partnership with American Airlines to earn miles and points , add to the program’s popularity.

Using the points you earned on the clock for a resort award redemption means waived resort fees, too. World of Hyatt keeps life on the road healthy and well-balanced; for instance, the curated mindfulness content from Headspace available in guest rooms and via the World of Hyatt app can help business travelers looking to stay grounded.

Hyatt Regency

These business-focused hotels have full-service facilities like a restaurant, bar and meeting space. Many also have a Regency Club lounge accessible to top elite members or those willing to pay an upgrade for access.

Grand Hyatt

Designed to be large, opulent and focused on meetings and events travel, Grand Hyatt properties around the world cater well to the frequent business traveler. Amenities like a lounge for elite status members and those wishing to pay for the upgrade, a premium fitness center and restaurant mean road warriors are well cared for during a stay.

Hyatt House

These select-service, extended-stay hotels are designed for the price-sensitive traveler who wants more suite amenities than a traditional hotel room. Hyatt House properties come with apartment-style kitchen suites and workout facilities. For those with long stays in one place, it’s usually more economical (and less hassle) to stay in a hotel over signing a short-term lease for an apartment. And it’s always better to earn loyalty points, too.

» Learn more: Amazing suites you can book at Hyatt hotels with points

If you're choosing between business travel hotels

Hotel companies have numerous brands targeting different audiences, from budget-friendly options to luxury properties designed to pamper. The business traveler can find some form of benefits at almost all hotels, but some brands within the major programs are especially notable. The next time you travel for work, look for these hotel brands that deliver a reliable, road warrior-friendly experience.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

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*See Terms and Conditions for more information regarding: Priority Standby And Service Recovery , Priority Medallion Upgrades and Exclusive Discounts

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Topic no. 511, Business travel expenses

Is the Amex Business Platinum worth the annual fee?

"This card has an annual fee of nearly $700" tends to cause many people to drop their jaws. The general reaction — from most people — is that there's simply no way paying a high premium annual fee is worth it.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has an annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees ), yet the card claims to offer more than double that in annual credits and perks.

Does that mean you should add the Amex Business Platinum Card to your wallet? It depends.

Here's a look at what you get from the Amex Business Platinum Card each year so you can decide whether or not this credit card is a good fit for you.

Related: Full review of the American Express Business Platinum Card

Welcome bonus

For a limited time, new applicants can earn an elevated 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. According to TPG's latest valuations , American Express Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents apiece, making this bonus worth $3,000.

Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards for maximum value

Lounge access

Those who hold the Amex Business Platinum (as well as The Platinum Card® from American Express ) have access to a wide range of lounges. They include:

American Express Centurion lounges
Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying on a same-day Delta flight; limited to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025)
Priority Pass Select lounges (but not Priority Pass restaurants )
Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner
Airspace lounges
Plaza Premium lounges
Lufthansa lounges (varying access depending on what airline and cabin you're flying)
Other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges

You can consult the Global Lounge Collection website's search function to find lounges accessible on your next trip.

Related: Guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum

When visiting these lounges, you can enjoy benefits like complimentary snacks, food, drinks (sometimes including free alcohol) and free Wi-Fi. Certain lounges will have better benefits, such as full meals, showers, children's play areas and more.

Hotel elite status

Cardmembers can register for automatic elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy . This benefit provides Gold status in both programs.

Hilton Gold status is a very valuable hotel status that provides benefits like bonus points on paid stays, complimentary bottled water, a fifth night free on award stays, room upgrades (though not to suites) and free continental breakfast or food and beverage credits. You should also receive a welcome gift at check-in, typically a snack or bonus points.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status is very valuable as well and provides benefits like late checkout, room upgrades (though not to suites), bonus points on paid stays, enhanced internet and a welcome gift of bonus points at check-in.

Car rental elite status

Cardmembers can enroll for complimentary elite status with Avis Preferred Plus , Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President's Circle and National Emerald Club Executive . Enrollment in advance is required for these benefits.

Rental car elite status provides benefits like car upgrades, a free second driver and my favorite benefit: skipping the line and going straight to your car at the start of your rental. One of the best benefits of car rental elite status in any program is the ability to status match with other rental car programs , helping you gain status in numerous programs simultaneously.

Related: Here's everything you need to know about rental car elite status

Pay with Points rebate

When paying with points for a flight through Amex Travel , Business Platinum cardmembers can get 35% of their points back. This applies to two types of bookings: flights in any cabin with your preselected preferred airline or flights with any airline if the reservation is for business class or first class.

Cardmembers can enjoy up to one million points refunded through this benefit every year. Achieving this maximum rebate would require spending 2,857,143 points within a calendar year using the Pay with Points feature to book qualifying flights.

Related: Why I love the Amex Business Platinum's Pay With Points perk

Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection

Amex Business Platinum and Amex Platinum cardmembers can book stays with Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) and The Hotel Collection (THC).

FHR stays include benefits like daily breakfast for two, late checkout, complimentary Wi-Fi and room upgrades (if available at check-in). Each stay will also include a unique property amenity worth $100, typically coming in the form of dining credits or spa credits.

THC stays include room upgrades (if available at check-in) and a $100 property credit (with bookings of two consecutive nights or more) to spend on qualifying dining, spa and resort activities.

Related: A comparison of luxury hotel programs from credit card issuers: Amex, Chase and Capital One

Bonus points for airfare and hotels

Business Platinum cardmembers can earn 5 points per dollar on airfare and prepaid hotel bookings made through Amex Travel . This earning rate includes bookings with Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection , as well.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement

Cardmembers can receive statement credits to reimburse their application fees for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85). This benefit is available every four years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.

Related: Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which is better?

These programs allow approved travelers to move through airport security checkpoints faster, using PreCheck lanes at designated airports . Global Entry users have an additional benefit: being able to use designated lanes when entering the U.S. to move through passport control faster.

Annual Clear Plus membership rebate

Clear Plus is not a government security program but also helps approved users speed through security checkpoints at airports and select stadiums using biometrics.

Business Platinum cardmembers can receive reimbursement in statement credits of up to $189 per year for Clear Plus membership fees. No advance enrollment is required for this benefit; pay with your Business Platinum card to automatically receive a statement credit (subject to auto-renewal).

Related: 7 ways to get free or discounted TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Clear

Up to $200 in annual airline credits

Traveling can sometimes come with costly fees that show up in the form of paying for checked bags or upgrading to a better seat on your flight.

Business Platinum cardmembers can choose one of the following airlines as their preferred airline: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines or United Airlines. Choosing a preferred airline in advance is required before using this benefit, which can cover change and cancellation fees, seat selection fees, upgrade fees, checked bag fees and more.

I use this $200 annual credit on United and stock up on Travelbank credit, which essentially takes $200 off the cost of my ticket.

Related: How to use the Amex Platinum $200 airline fee credit

Annual spending credits

Business Platinum cardmembers can take advantage of lots of credits: up to $150 per year with Adobe, up to $120 per year on cellphone plans, up to $360 per year with Indeed and up to $400 per year with Dell .

The Adobe credits apply to prepaid business plans for Creative Cloud for teams or Acrobat Pro DC with e-sign for teams. The wireless services benefit is available as up to $10 per month in statement credits for wireless phone service plans paid for with your Business Platinum card. You can receive up to $90 of statement credits per quarter with Indeed. The Dell benefit provides up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually.

Enrollment is required in advance for some of these benefits. Maximizing these benefits provides $1,030 in statement credits each year. The Adobe, Dell and Indeed credits will end Dec. 31, 2024.

Related: 9 things to do when you get the Amex Business Platinum Card

Other cardmember perks

Cardmembers can take advantage of several other benefits.

The first is that the Amex Business Platinum has no preset spending limit. Whereas traditional cards come with a predetermined limit of how much you can spend on your card, cards like the Business Platinum and Platinum Card from Amex don't have these preset limits.

Instead, how much you can spend on the card changes; your payment history, banking relationship, creditworthiness and other factors determine this. This can be a great feature for businesses that spend a lot on their cards and can then pay it off quickly.

Speaking of paying bills quickly, the Business Platinum card is designed for cardmembers to pay the entire bill in full each month. If you aren't able to pay the full amount, you may be able to carry a balance on some purchases by enrolling in the Pay Over Time feature.

Not all purchases will be eligible for Pay Over Time, and not paying your entire balance in full each month will likely result in paying interest . You also may be able to earn bonus points through offers to enroll in Pay Over Time — and you can earn those bonus points for enrolling even if you never carry a balance.

Paying your monthly cellphone bill with your Business Platinum card will also provide cellphone protection to cover your phone against loss or damage. There is a maximum of $800 liability per claim, and each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. There's also a limit of two claims per eligible account in a 12-month period.

Covered phones are restricted to cellphone lines listed on a mobile phone plan paid with the eligible card during the most recent billing period.* Combining this benefit with the monthly wireless credits covered above is a great way to invoke insurance benefits plus a discount on your monthly cellphone bill.

* Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: Your complete guide to shopping protections on American Express cards

Another benefit available to cardmembers is preferred access , which can mean tickets to exclusive events, going to the front of the line for ticket sales on other events and even getting access to hard-to-find dining reservations with Resy .

When making purchases, cardmembers will earn American Express Membership Rewards points , which TPG values at 2 cents per point. Cardmembers will earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel .

Additionally, cardmembers earn 1.5 points per dollar on purchases of $5,000 or more or purchases in the following categories within the U.S.: construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software and cloud system providers and shipping providers.

Earning 1.5 points per dollar is limited to $2 million of purchases, then 1 point per dollar. All other purchases also earn 1 point per dollar.

Bottom line

There are numerous benefits included with the Amex Business Platinum card. Some are annual credits and others offer statement credits monthly or quarterly. Other benefits don't have a tangible price tag, and how you value those benefits will vary from one person to another.

Suppose you can use benefits like lounge access, statement credits and other travel perks. In that case, you'll easily be able to offset or overcome the Business Platinum card's annual fee each year — making it "worth it" in your situation. However, for those who struggle to use the card's credits or have many of its benefits through other credits in their wallets, it may be difficult to justify paying the $695 annual fee.

Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, please click here .

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

American Express Amex Centurion Lounge LGA

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Top 5 best travel agencies for flights in 2024

The best travel agency for business travel, 1. travelperk.

Extensive inventory of corporate flights due to integrations like Amadeus, Expedia and more.
Mobile app allows employees to book flights, access paperless tickets, check-in and more to keep the travel experience seamless.
24/7 corporate travel assistance offers best-in-class support before, during and after your travels.
Flexible booking options with FlexiPerk provides stress-free travel experiences.
Additional services like priority boarding or seat selection available during booking.
Add your frequent flier numbers to your profile and continue earning points for your business travel.
Integrated travel policy & approval flows , centralised invoicing and real-time expense reports make managing expenses and approvals a snap.
Manage all corporate travel—from air travel to car rentals to lodging and more—all in one place.

Start saving money on business travel for your company today!

The best travel agencies for leisure travel, 2. cheapflights.

Cheapflights Top 5 Best Travel Agencies For Flights 1024x492

Allows you to easily compare different travel agencies for the flight you want
Easy online booking options through whatever travel provider you choose
Searches both large and small flight consolidators to find the best itineraries and prices

3. FlightCentre

Flightcentre Top 5 Best Travel Agencies For Flights 1024x513

High-touch booking experience that allows you to chat live with an experienced travel agent, in-person or over the phone
Flights can be combined with holiday packages to make travel planning easier
Specialise in creating itineraries carefully designed to meet your unique needs
Their travel agents will do all the work for you—no online bookings are offered, just chat with a travel agent and they’ll find what you need.

4. CheapOAir

Cheapoair Top 5 Best Travel Agencies For Flights 1024x509

Large number of flight options allows you to find the cheapest deals available
Flight and hotel packages make it easy to book together and save
Numerous search filters make it easy to search and sort by date, prices, nearby airports, preferred airlines, schedule and more
Easy online checkout process makes it simple to book

5. Liberty Travel

Liberty Travel Top 5 Best Travel Agencies For Flights 1024x498

Full-service travel agency—instead of booking flights online, work with a travel agent to book your trip
Pre-created holiday packages let you browse possible vacations and costs with all flights, transfers, hotels and more included
Less stress in the travel planning process with a dedicated agent helping plan your trip
Get flight deals when you book as part of a vacation or cruise package
Dedicated travel experts provide you with service and peace of mind throughout every phase of your trip

Is it cheaper to fly with a travel agent?

What are the benefits of booking a flight with a travel agent.

discounted airfare on one-way, roundtrip and multi-city flight options
travel experts to provide peace of mind and help with travel plans
on-call customer service in case of rebooking needs or other travel contingencies
customisable travel itineraries to meet your unique needs

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
Never miss another update. Stay in touch with us on social for the latest product releases, upcoming events, and articles fresh off the press.

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Best overall
Best for expensive trips
Best for exotic trips
Best for annual plans

How we reviewed travel insurance for seniors

Best travel insurance for seniors of may 2024.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Reaching your golden years doesn't mean your adventures have to end. In fact, in this stage of life, you'll hopefully have more time and resources to travel. But as a senior citizen, you'll want to ensure you have travel insurance that covers any health-related issues arise while you travel.

Our top picks for the best senior travel insurance

Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
Best for expensive trips: John Hancock Travel Insurance
Best for exotic trips: World Nomads Travel Insurance

Best for annual plans: Travel Guard

How we rate the best senior travel insurance companies »

Compare travel insurance for seniors

Your health gets more unpredictable as you age, which makes travel insurance more important for seniors. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive. The best travel insurance for seniors won't have too steep of a price hike compared to rates for younger travelers. It will have high coverage limits for emergency medical coverage, trip cancellations, and and emergency medical evacuation. It's also important that your travel insurance offers pre-existing condition waivers , ideally at no extra cost to the traveler.

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance coverage for seniors in 2024.

Best overall: Allianz

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
Single and multi-trip plans available
Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Allianz Travel Insurance is one of the most widely recognized names in travel insurance, and it stands out as one of the top travel insurance providers for seniors. It offers a wide range of policies covering medical treatments overseas and emergency medical transport.

Allianz also provides options for varying trip lengths. Its annual multi-trip policies , for example, cover any trip you make during your policy period, even if they aren't yet planned, making it an excellent option for seniors who vacation multiple times per year.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for expensive trips: John Hancock

John Hancock John Hancock Travel Insurance

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 3 travel insurance plans
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason rider available
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable travel insurance premiums
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews of claims process are mixed
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers may not get specialty coverage for sports equipment and other high value items
Trip cancellation for 100% of the trip cost
Trip interruption insurance for up to 150% of the trip cost
Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000 per person
Medical evacuation coverage of up to $1,000,000

John Hancock Travel Insurance plans for seniors offer some of the best coverage available. It provides generous maximum benefit amounts while still offering affordable prices.

Each plan includes coverages like trip cancellation, emergency accident, and emergency medical, with the option to add benefits like CFAR (cancel for any reason) . Plus, getting a free online quote is a quick and straightforward process.

Read our John Hancock Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic trips: World Nomads

World Nomads World Nomads Travel Insurance

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
2 plans: Standard and Explorer
Trip protection for up to $10,000
Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

World Nomads Travel Insurance is a great choice for active senior citizens under 70 who want comprehensive travel insurance. The key difference between World Nomads and many other providers is that it covers 200+ adventurous activities like scuba diving, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and even bungee jumping. In addition, World Nomads' trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage includes COVID-19-related issues. Many other insurers are excluding that type of coverage now.

For adventurous senior citizens over the age of 70 years, World Nomads suggests working with its partner, TripAssure .

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans)
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard offers comprehensive insurance plans for shorter and longer trips. One of its more unique offerings is its Travel Guard Annual Plan.

This annual travel insurance comes with standard coverage benefits (trip delay, baggage loss, etc.) and substantial coverage amounts, which is important for seniors who travel multiple times per year. Travel Guard also offers a preexisting medical condition waiver, meaning those with certain medical issues can still gain coverage.

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review here.

Understanding travel insurance for seniors

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand what travel insurance is and why it's particularly important for senior travelers. The best travel insurance offers financial protection against unexpected events affecting your trip, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Types of coverage

Medical Coverage: Ensures your medical expenses are covered in case of illness or injury.
Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage: Provides reimbursement if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen events.
Baggage Coverage: Covers loss, damage, or theft of personal items during your trip.

Benefits of travel insurance for seniors

Peace of Mind: Knowing you're covered in case of emergencies can make your travel stress-free.
Financial Protection: Shields you from potentially overwhelming medical costs and trip cancellations fees.
Assistance Services: Many plans offer 24/7 assistance services, providing help whenever and wherever you need it.

Making the most of your plan

After choosing a plan, it's crucial to understand your policy fully and know what services are available to you in case of an emergency.

Understanding your policy

Read the fine print and understand the claims process to avoid surprises.

Emergency assistance services

Familiarize yourself with the emergency assistance services offered by your plan and keep all necessary contact information handy.

How to pick senior travel insurance

It's wise to compare several different travel insurance policies for the best coverage and pricing, as premiums vary widely between insurers and depend on factors like your age and travel destination.

That said, some of the more essential coverages to look for if you're a senior citizen include:

Travel medical coverage - This coverage will pay for your medical bills outside the US.
Medical evacuation coverage - If you're injured or become sick while traveling, this coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if your condition necessitates it.
Preexisting conditions - Coverage for known health conditions. You'll need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time period from when you book your trip to qualify for a preexisting condition waiver .
Cancel for any reason (CFAR) - The name says it all! It'll cost extra and you'll need to purchase insurance early, but it's the most comprehensive trip cancellation coverage you can get. Note that CFAR insurance usually only covers up to 75% of your trip fees.
Trip cancellation insurance - This coverage provides reimbursement for your prepaid and nonrefundable costs if you cannot make your trip due to an unforeseen event.
Baggage delay insurance - This coverage will reimburse you for essentials like toiletries and clothes if your bags are delayed.
Lost luggage insurance - This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount if your bags get lost en route.

Of these, the most critical to note are whether or not your policy covers preexisting conditions and the limits for travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation.

Some insurance companies offer a waiver that will cover preexisting conditions. You'll have to follow the requirements for adding a waiver to your policy, like insuring the entire cost of your trip. Or purchase the policy within a specific time after making your first trip deposit payments.

You'll also want to find a policy with high maximum limits for travel medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage. These types of expenses can be substantial, so you want to have appropriate coverage.

When comparing senior travel insurance options, we looked at the following factors to evaluate each travel insurance provider:

Coverage limits: We looked at each travel insurance company's coverage amounts for benefits like medical emergencies and trip cancellation.
Flexibility: We looked at how customizable a policy is, so you can choose what your travel insurance policy covers .
Coverage for preexisting conditions: Preexisting conditions are one of the more critical factors for travel insurance for senior citizens, so we looked at travel insurance companies that offer the best coverage for preexisting conditions.
Price: We compared travel insurance providers offering reasonable basic and comprehensive coverage rates.
Benefits geared towards seniors: We compared travel insurance companies that offer solid coverage for senior citizens, like medical evacuation, COVID-19 coverage, and trip cancellation.

You can read more about our insurance rating methodology here.

Seniors should look for travel insurance policies that offer comprehensive medical coverage, including for preexisting conditions and emergency medical evacuation. They should also consider policies with higher coverage limits to ensure adequate protection. Additionally, seniors should seek travel insurance plans that provide 24/7 assistance services, as well as coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and baggage protection.

The cost of senior travel insurance coverage can vary depending on your age, overall health, state of residence, travel destination, and length of your trip. However, assuming all other factors are the same, you'll pay more for travel insurance at 70 than at 30.

All travel insurance companies, except World Nomads, included in this guide offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as long as you buy your policy within the qualifying period from when you placed your trip deposit.

Allianz is the best travel insurance for seniors due to its wide array of medical coverages and emergency medical transport. Allianz also offers multi-trip insurance policies , which could make sense for seniors who travel frequently.

In some instances, travel insurance companies will have age eligibility restrictions, often only insuring people 80 years old and younger.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

Main content

Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred: Which Ultimate Rewards-earning card is better for you?

Credit cards earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most valuable on the market, thanks to their broad bonus categories and flexible redemption options. Three Chase credit cards earn fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points on their own: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card .

The Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve are personal credit cards, with the Reserve being the premium option . It offers additional bonus categories, perks like lounge access and up to $300 in annual travel credits . The Ink Business Preferred, on the other hand, is a small-business credit card and the only Chase business card that earns fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.

Today, let's compare the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Preferred to see which card might better fit your wallet and most common purchases.

Chase Sapphire Reserve and vs. Ink Business Preferred comparison

Both cards have much to offer, and which is better for you depends on your business spending habits. Before deciding, consider the factors below.

Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred welcome bonus

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is currently offering 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making this offer worth a valuable $1,538.

The Ink Business Preferred , meanwhile, is currently offering an impressive 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 in the first three months from account opening. According to TPG's valuation , this bonus is worth $2,050. This spending requirement is twice that of the Sapphire Reserve, but many small businesses have enough expenses to easily meet it.

As always, be mindful of each card's eligibility restrictions before applying. Both are Chase cards, so they're subject to the 5/24 rule . Additionally, you won't be eligible for the Sapphire Reserve's bonus if you already have a Sapphire card or have received a new cardmember bonus for any Sapphire card in the past 48 months.

Winner: Ink Business Preferred. Even with its higher spending requirement, the bonus is worth $400 more than that on the Reserve.

Related: The best time to apply for these popular travel cards according to offer history

Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred benefits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a premium $550 annual fee but comes with a stellar set of premium benefits:

Up to $300 in annual travel credits
Priority Pass and Sapphire Lounge by The Club airport lounge access
Reimbursement for your application fee to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus — available once every four years
Complimentary 2-year Lyft Pink All Access membership (activate by Dec. 31)
Complimentary minimum of one-year DashPass membership (through Dec. 31) and $5 in DoorDash credits each month
Complimentary one-year Instacart+ membership and up to $15 in Instacart statement credits each month (through July 31)
Extensive travel protections , including rental car, lost or delayed baggage, emergency evacuation and trip delay/cancellation insurance
Extended warranty, purchase and return protection

The most valuable benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve are the $300 travel credit, airport lounge access and impressive travel protections. If you travel regularly for business, these perks will likely tip the scales in favor of the Sapphire Reserve.

The Ink Business Preferred has a much lower $95 annual fee but comes with a more limited set of benefits:

Employee cards at no additional cost
Cellphone protection
Travel protections, including lost or delayed baggage protection and trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Extended warranty and purchase protection

While the Ink Business Preferred's list of benefits is shorter than that of the Sapphire Reserve, you'll still get valuable protections that include cellphone protection for you and every authorized user on the account, which you can add for no additional cost. If you don't travel enough to benefit from the travel perks on the Sapphire Reserve, you may find that these benefits are sufficient for your needs.

Winner: Sapphire Reserve. The travel benefits and statement credits far outshine the benefits of the Ink Business Preferred.

Related: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the annual fee?

Earning points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve , you'll earn 10 points per dollar on hotel and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel, dining purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025) and Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025 with a max earn of 50,000 total points).

You'll also earn 5 points per dollar on flights purchased through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on eligible travel (excluding the $300 travel credit) and dining purchases worldwide, as well as 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

The Ink Business Preferred , meanwhile, earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 of combined purchases each cardmember year on travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services and advertising with social media and search engines. It earns 1 point per dollar on these purchases past the $150,000 threshold and on all other purchases.

Winner: Tie. The better earning structure will depend entirely on your spending habits. If you spend a significant amount on travel and dining, the Sapphire Reserve is your winner. Conversely, the Ink Business Preferred has a better earning structure if you spend most of your budget on purchases in its bonus categories.

Related: What purchases qualify for 3 points per dollar with the Ink Business Preferred?

Redeeming points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Preferred earn transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and your most valuable redemption option is to transfer your points from either card to one of Chase's 14 hotel and airline partners .

You also have the option to redeem your points by booking travel through the Chase travel portal, where you'll get a value of 1.25 cents per point with the Ink Business Preferred or 1.5 cents per point with the Sapphire Reserve. You can also use Chase's Pay Yourself Back option and redeem your points for a statement credit for eligible purchases at the same rate.

Additionally, you can redeem your points with either card for gift cards or a statement credit at a rate of one cent per point. This is your least valuable redemption option but nice to have if you need flexibility.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its higher redemption value through the Chase travel portal and Pay Yourself Back gives it the edge.

Related: How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value

Transferring points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Preferred allow you to transfer your points to any of Chase's 14 airline and hotel partners. You can get outsized value from partners like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club , Iberia Plus , United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt .

TPG director of content Summer Hull loves transferring her Chase Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt and using them to book Hyatt resorts and high-end city hotels. Personally, I love stretching my points by transferring them to Southwest Rapid Rewards and booking cheap flights during Southwest's seasonal sales.

Whether you primarily travel domestically or abroad, you'll find valuable redemption opportunities with Chase's transfer partners.

Winner: Tie. Both cards allow you to transfer your points to Chase's travel partners.

Related: The complete guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners

Should I get the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred?

If your business involves a lot of travel and dining, you'll want to go with the Chase Sapphire Reserve for its travel credit and benefits as well as its bonus earning on travel and dining purchases. If you don't travel much, however, and spend more of your money on business expenses, the Ink Business Preferred is the better option.

Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Ink Business Preferred

Bottom line

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred are excellent cards. Which is a better fit for you comes down to whether you are looking for a premium travel card to help you elevate your travel experiences or a versatile business credit card that will reward you in categories where many businesses spend money regularly. Either way, you can't go wrong earning super-valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards on your business spending.

For more information, please see our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred .

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Ink Business Preferred: Credit card
1.25 cents per point in the travel portal: Other benefits Up to $300 in annual travel credits. Priority Pass and Sapphire Lounge by The Club access. Reimbursement for your application fee to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus — available once every four years. Complimentary two-year Lyft Pink All Access membership (activate by Dec. 31)

What are the benefits of business travel (and downsides)?

The Benefits of of Business Travel

The Downsides of Business Travel

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Business Travel

Travel Tip Tuesday #21: How to Fold your Towels like the Hotel does!

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Corporate Business Travel: Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways

Importance of Corporate Business Travel

Types of Corporate Business Travel

Creating a Corporate Travel Policy

Setting a Corporate Travel Policy

Corporate Business Travel Best Practices

Booking Corporate Travel

Managing Travel Expenses and Budgeting

How to Manage Corporate Travel

Ensuring Traveler Safety and Security

Maximizing Productivity During Business Trips

Tips for Business Travel Etiquette

Sustainable and Responsible Business Travel

Technology and Tools for Corporate Business Travel

Managing Business Travel Expenses

What Is an Example of Corporate Business Travel?

How Does Corporate Business Travel Work?

Who Handles Corporate Business Travel?

The Bottom Line

Blog / Business Travel / Benefits of Business Travel for Boosting Productivity and Growth

Business Travel

6 Benefits of Business Travel for Companies

2. E xploring new territories

3. Employee Development and Collaboration

4. Innovation and Creativity

5. Strengthening Company Culture

6. Professional Development and Training

Cost-Effective Strategies for Travel Management

Use Travel Tools to Streamline Your Bookings

Utilize Flexible Travel Dates

Use a Centralized Booking System

Key Takeaways

Measuring the Impact of the Serviced Apartments Sector in the UK

5 Steps To Incorporate Extended Stay Accommodation Into A Business Travel Programme

Watch Now: Enhancing the Relocation Experience Webinar

9 Ways to Make Business Travel More Sustainable in 2024

8 Business Travel Trends to Elevate Corporate Travel Panning

5 Main Benefits of Business Travel

5 main benefits of business travel

1. Builds confidence

2. You get to enjoy new experiences

3. Allows you to have face-to-face meetings

4. Ability to meet new people

5. Helps avoid employee burnout

Is business travel meaningful at a workplace?

Wrapping it up

Recent Posts

BLOG: 5 Added Benefits of Traveling for Business

Table of contents

1. Experiencing New Places

2. Meeting New People

3. Breaking Up the Monotony

4. Preparing for Other Travel

5. Finding New Destinations

Business Travel 101: What is Business Travel? And Why Use a Travel Management Company?

What is Business Travel?

There are a number of reasons to travel for business:

Who Manages Corporate Travel?

Why Use a Travel Management Company?

These companies choose to work with TMCs because of the many benefits a third-party management company can deliver, including:

Looking for the Best TMC?

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