Business travellers are looking for guidance in smart buying as they are paying more for airfares and hotels, according to First Quarter 2012 results for the American Express Business Travel Monitor.

Paying higher than average prices puts pressure on travellers to stay within budget.  In light of this, companies are being encouraged to proactively support employees in making cost effective travel arrangements.

In the current economical environment, companies optimizing travel budgets should be encouraging compliance with corporate travel policies.

With the responsibility of travel arrangements laying in the hands of the traveller in most cases, support and guidance in educated buying decisions can lead to smarter decisions with corporate dollars.

Employees travelling generally want to do right by their company, but need to be told how they can help clearly and simply.

A number of simple steps to drive savings for a company include:

Book in advance – Fourteen day advance purchase can offer better priced airfare and more flexibility, which for the traveller means more choices of when to fly and where to sit.

Go preferred – Booking travel with preferred suppliers helps to deliver against corporate volume goals but also helps to ensure companies are maximizing negotiated savings and travellers on negotiated benefits such as premier status upgrades.

Get the perks – Ancillary fee policy details provide guidance for travellers on what is pre-negotiated, permitted, or not approved helping them understand what their benefits are.