Corporate Traveler Releases Seven-Step Blueprint to Help Businesses Manage Rising Airfare Costs Without Reducing Trips

New York, NY (October 01, 2026) – Corporate Traveler, a leading business travel company serving small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs), today announced the release of a new seven-step blueprint designed to help businesses lower airfare costs without reducing the frequency of business trips.The guide outlines practical, proven strategies that, when implemented together, can deliver airfare savings of up to 25% across a managed travel program.

As businesses continue to navigate rising travel costs, airfare remains one of the largest – and most controllable – costs on almost every business trip. According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the average global airfare price is expected to reach approximately $708 this year. For a typical managed North American business trip costing around $1,425, airfare alone accounts for nearly 46% of that total.

“We want to encourage smarter spending, because businesses don't necessarily need to travel less to spend less on business travel,” said John Van den Heuvel, President, Corporate Traveler USA. “The biggest opportunities often come from the way travel is managed and supported – whether through access to negotiated rates, improved booking behaviors or greater visibility into travel spend. Budget-conscious finance leaders can use this new resource to deliver meaningful savings across their organizations.”

Through a detailed analysis of flight bookings made across its U.S. client base, Corporate Traveler identified advance booking as one of the simplest ways for businesses to reduce airfare spending. Nearly one-quarter of business travelers book their flights later than recommended, potentially limiting access to lower fares. 

While results vary by route and demand, the analysis indicated that booking earlier can often generate savings of around 10% annually. One Corporate Traveler client in the refrigerants industry, in particular, reduced average domestic booking lead time from 15 to 30 days and achieved approximately 10% airfare savings from that change alone. No new tools. No renegotiated contracts. Just booking earlier.

Seven Strategies to Help Businesses Manage Airfare Costs

1. Book earlier. Late booking is one of the most predictable drivers of overspend. Airfares often increase as departure approaches. Establishing clear advance-booking expectations—such as two to three weeks for domestic travel and four to six weeks for international trips—can help employees access more competitive fares.
2. Establish a clear travel policy. A concise travel policy can have an immediate impact, helping employees make consistent, cost-conscious booking decisions. Guidelines covering advance-booking expectations, preferred airlines, cabin eligibility, and approval requirements can reduce unnecessary spending while preserving traveler flexibility.
3. Match the fare to the trip. The lowest advertised fare is not always the lowest overall cost. Basic Economy tickets may carry restrictions or additional charges for baggage, seat selection and changes. Businesses should consider the total cost of a ticket and select the level of flexibility appropriate for each trip.
4. Explore negotiated corporate fares. Corporate fares and airline agreements may provide access to competitive pricing, flexibility or other benefits. A travel management company can help businesses access opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to secure independently.
5. Adopt a booking tool and spend analytics. Unlike a browser tab, an online booking tool enforces policy at the point of booking and surfaces the lowest in-policy fares. Analytics can identify booking patterns and reveal exactly where a program may be missing potential savings.
6. Manage ancillary and change fees. Baggage, seat selection, priority boarding, and last-minute changes can add about 20-40% to the cost of a trip. Comparing the full cost of available options—not just the initial ticket price—can help businesses avoid unexpected expenses.
7. Partner strategically. A reliable TMC negotiates rates, enforces policy, monitors fare changes after purchase, and automatically rebooks when prices drop – capturing savings that would otherwise be missed. In 2025, Corporate Traveler’s U.S. clients saved more than $21 million, reclaimed over 37,000 hours, and generated $1.51 for every $1 spent on management fees. 

“Managing business travel effectively isn’t just about finding the lowest fare,” Van den Heuvel added. “Whether it's booking earlier or managing an unexpected cancellation, a well-run program helps companies stay in control and have the support they need when disruptions occur.”

For more information on Corporate Traveler’s new guide, please visit here.

About Corporate Traveler

Corporate Traveler is the flagship SME corporate travel division of Flight Centre Travel Group, operating in six global markets. Established in 1993 as Flight Centre Travel Group’s first corporate brand, the award-winning business travel management and solutions provider offers its personalized service, expert tailored advice, dedicated travel consultants, and advanced booking technology to over 16,000 business customers globally. Offering an all-in-one innovative booking platform with the support of a personal travel consultant, Corporate Traveler makes travel simpler, faster, and easier for businesses. With a wide range of solutions available, Corporate Traveler can cater for simple requirements through to the most complex SME business travel management needs. For more information or to book a business consultation, visit corporatetraveler.us