Lowering Travel Cost
Cost-lowering techniques and procedures:
- Travel Policy Development & Monitoring
- Multi-Source Faring Techniques
- Negotiation of Exclusive Fares & Rates
- Extensive Quality Control
Average Ticket Price comparison
GTM's fare-reduction techniques result in quantifiable savings. Within the first year of a company engaging GTM, it typically experiences a 8.5-11% reduction in its average ticket price. A recent fare comparison confirms the success of GTM's System.
At GTM, we will couple multiple electronic information systems with our staff resources to drive down the average ticket price for your company. GTM's success in reducing fares is accomplished by an unwavering commitment to the FITT®System and a commitment to unbiased presentation of all airfare options. This combination of methodology and technology is available only from GTM.
Because online and traditional travel agencies are driven by single source - high volume ticketing operations - fare-reduction practices are not part of their standard operations.
Active Account Management
The most important tool our Account Managers utilize in supporting GTM clients is their experience. GTM's Account Management Department has an average of two decades of experience in the travel management business. Our Account Managers have worked extensively with our clients to design programs that best meet their travelers' needs, with an emphasis on service and cost savings. They also have the experience of managing hundreds of clients, utilizing know-how and data to benchmark best practices for a particular client. In addition, Account Managers work closely with our IT Department in developing reports to review and utilize to help negotiate supplier contracts and manage travelers' behavioral patterns. They also have access to other resources, such as Topaz International and Runzheimer Reports, for benchmarking purposes.
GTM Account Managers interact with your management on an ongoing basis, coordinating cost-saving measures and monitoring traveler satisfaction. Account Managers are assigned to specific clients and become familiar with their goals and policies. Due to low turnover, you can expect continuity of service from your Account Manager.
- Developing and enhancing your travel policy to control costs
- Negotiating air, car and hotel arrangements on your behalf
- Reviewing and interpreting management reports
- Alerting you to industry changes or trends that will impact your travelers
- Promptly addressing your concerns or issues
- Coordinating orientation and conducting seminars
- Analyzing and responding to traveler satisfaction surveys
Travel Policy Compliance
Our IT Department programs client-customized OBTs to manage the rules and guidelines of individual corporate travel policies. The GetThere software can be programmed to specific policy parameters including:
- Caps on hotel rates
- Acceptance of lowest airfare
- Upper limits on airfare
Vendor Negotiations
Your dedicated GTM Account Manager will assist in negotiating special rates for your company. All negotiated rates are uploaded into our GDS, and all profiles will be updated as well. Your dedicated travel consultants will be able to view these rates with every reservation. Client-customized OBTs include all GTM rates as well as client-specific rates.
Training & On-site Orientation
Members of our Account Management team will conduct orientation seminars where needed or desired to help your travelers and travel planners make the transition to our services. We also offer free online booking seminars to all clients. GTM will be pleased to personally meet with your travel planners and travelers to address their individual questions and concerns. Account Management services and training seminars are offered free of charge.
More Options
GTM's travel consultants are very aggressive with offering more options at the point of sale on a consistent basis. GTM has proven that such factors as Internet-only fares, consolidator tickets, low-cost carriers (Southwest, Jet Blue, Air Tran, etc.), alternate routing options, and "creative tickets" help provide more options that save our clients money.
Proven Results
Corporate travel cost reductions are achieved on a client-by-client basis by first completing an analysis of the three "Ts" that comprise a company's travel costs:
- Ticket Price
- Transaction Fees
- Time Spent Planning Travel
By building customized programs based on the "3 Ts" - GTM Account Managers have launched successful cost-reduction programs for hundreds of corporations.
Track your savings: Reporting
GTM tracks real savings for our clients. These are savings that you will not find on a single website. They are found by using a combination of consolidators, internet fares and creative savings opportunities. In 2005, GTM saved our clients $2,371,214 strictly by using GTM unique savings opportunities, including web bookings, consolidator fares and creative ticketing.
Companies are also trying to uncover the amount of money that is being left on the table by their travelers. Most travelers focus on preference and convenience, while the company's priority is to save money and then, if possible, accommodate the preference and convenience issues of the traveler. We give you a balance. GTM addresses those issues based on your travel policy, by coding every transaction as to why a potential savings was declined. We list these in a lost savings report for you.
The GTM FITT® System integrates accounting, reservation and ticketing systems to capture all itinerary data elements at the time of ticketing. Over 150 standard report options are available, and customized reports can be programmed by our IT Department.
GTM produces reports on a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Reports for special meetings or management purposes are produced promptly when requested. Reports are delivered online, by e-mail or in printed form. The online feature permits clients to format reports to conform to their particular needs. Standard options include PDF and Excel formats. For privacy, you access your company reports online using a password.
Recognizing that our clients have different management styles and information needs, GTM will provide a customized management report packages to best serve your company's unique requirements. Reports are produced as part of GTM's Bundled Pricing, at no additional charge to the client.
- Executive Summary
- Top Travelers
- Booking Method Report
- MCO Report/reduced fares and credits
- Air Usage/Volume by Carrier
- Lost Savings
- Hotel Usage
- Car Usage
- Unused Ticket Report
- Wholesaler Report
Reduced Fees / Bundled Fees
GTM reduces transaction costs by 10 - 20% by charging a reasonable fee and only charging for the issuing of airline tickets, not on every service "contact". The total number of transactions for a company will decrease significantly because GTM bundles pricing.
Your company will not be charged a separate fee for:
- Recovering and applying unused airline credits to new tickets
- Changing reservations to accommodate
travelers" revised plans - Hotel-only reservations
- Car rental-only reservations
- 24-hour emergency calls
- Customized management reporting
- Account Management services
- Educational seminars
- Internet search
- Vendor negotiations
- New client implementation
- Voids or refunds of airline tickets
- International Rate Desk
- Online viewing of Management Reports
- No monthly minimum service fee
Take the surprise out of transaction charges by adopting a program for your company with low everyday fees and Bundled Pricing for travel planning services.