Small and medium-sized businesses are feeling every bump in the road right now – and corporate travel costs continue to be one of the most unpredictable pressures on the balance sheet.
But according to CT Connections, a few smart adjustments can deliver significant savings without hindering growth.
Speaking at last month’s FACTS travel summit, Craig Southee, CT Connections’ Regional General Manager for QLD & WA, outlined five practical changes SMEs can implement immediately to strengthen their travel budgets.
1. Tap into instant 7–9% savings with NDC fares
Southee said many businesses are still unaware of the immediate savings available through New Distribution Capability (NDC) airfares, which typically reduce costs by 7–9 per cent. With CT Connections among the early adopters of NDC, these fares are now widely accessible for organisations looking for lower prices without compromising service.
2. Skip peak corporate days for up to 18% off fares
Flying on Mondays and Fridays remains one of the fastest ways to inflate travel spend. CT Connections data across Australian capitals shows businesses can save 10–18 per cent on average ticket prices simply by travelling outside peak corporate days. Some routes saw savings close to 20 per cent.
3. Rethink the travel calendar – and boost wellbeing in the process
Two policy shifts can significantly reduce annual travel costs:
Introduce an Easter at-home policy – avoiding one of the priciest travel periods of the year.
Implement a well-being-focused travel embargo during high-cost months, which Southee said can cut annual travel budgets by up to 25 per cent while also supporting staff work-life balance.
4. Favour day trips to cut accommodation costs
Reducing overnight stays can have a major impact. Southee cited an example of 600 trips where increasing day travel from 20 per cent to 40 per cent delivered an 8.4 per cent saving – reducing spend from $498,000 to $456,000, a tidy $42,000 improvement.
5. Set realistic hotel rate caps – and automate the rest
City-by-city rate caps help keep accommodation costs predictable without limiting choice. Southee said travellers often book earlier to stay under the cap, which in turn lowers airfare costs. For businesses spending $150,000 or more annually on flights, airline supplier deals can also unlock discounts, name changes, and fee-absorbing credit card payments.
Southee said the key is focusing on smart adjustments, not rigid cutbacks.
“These are small adjustments, but together they help build a more resilient, predictable and cost-effective travel program.
“Great travel management isn’t about cutting back – it’s about travelling smarter. When your team is supported and your travel dollars work harder, everyone wins.”
