Gateway Travel Management CONTACT US | 09 MAR 2010
 
 

Lowering Travel Cost

Cost-lowering techniques and procedures:

  • Online Booking Technology, Adoption & Support
  • Travel Policy Development & Monitoring
  • Multi-Source Faring Techniques
  • 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 travel consultants are very aggressive with offering more options at the point of sale on a consistent basis. GTM's multi-source faring includes Internet-only fares, consolidators, low-cost carriers (Southwest, Jet Blue, Air Tran, etc.) and alternate routing options. GTM's success in reducing fares is accomplished by an unwavering commitment to an 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 Business Strategy Department has an average of three 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.

Account managers assist your company management by:
  • 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 Online Booking Tools (OBT) to manage the rules and guidelines of individual corporate travel policies. The OBT software can be programmed to specific policy parameters including:

  • Caps on hotel rates
  • Acceptance of lowest airfare
  • Upper limits on airfare
  • Pretrip audits enable companies to control travel expenses before they are incurred

Vendor Negotiations

Your dedicated GTM account managers 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 Business Strategy 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.

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 2008, GTM saved our clients $2,371,214 strictly by using GTM unique savings opportunities, including web bookings, consolidator fares and unbiased faring.

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.

GTM 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.

Sample Reports

Reduced Fees

GTM transaction fees reduces both the fee per transaction and the total number of transactions by charging only for each individual booking record and not for additional services.

©2009 Gateway Travel Management