- Business travel is on the rise.
- Business travel management programs, like IHG’s Business Edge, make booking travel easier and more efficient.
- From discount offerings to flexible booking options, businesses are reaping the benefits of travel management programs.
Business travel is growing at a steady but significant pace. According to one report, 77% of people anticipate traveling more in 2024 than in 2023 — and 21% of those planned excursions are business-related. According to the US Travel Association, total business travel spending is expected to reach $280.8 billion by 2026. But all this travel requires lots of planning and logistics on behalf of travel bookers. Businesses are spread awfully thin booking and scheduling travel for their employees, not to mention navigating hurdles like unfavorable weather forecasts or flight cancellations. That’s especially true for small and medium-sized businesses that already operate with fewer people and resources.
It’s time for a new era of business travel — and that’s why IHG Hotels & Resorts prioritizes the people working behind the scenes with IHG Business Edge, helping them book and manage travel and ensuring employees travel seamlessly to and from their destinations.
Designed specifically for small and midsize enterprises, IHG Business Edge is a comprehensive travel program that provides discounts small businesses can count on (plus a host of additional benefits). With more than 6,000 locations around the world, the travel program has something for every small business, regardless of budget or industry. Travel bookers save time and energy on menial tasks, while employees can travel knowing they’re taken care of.
Projected US business travel spending by year
Source: Business Travel News
Below are a few ways a travel management program like IHG Business Edge can help small- and medium-sized businesses manage employee travel more effectively — no matter where they’re going.
1. Free and easy initiation
When it comes to travel programs for businesses, there’s often a barrier to entry. Initiation fees can make joining inaccessible, especially for small businesses already navigating financial challenges.
IHG Business Edge is completely free to join, with no hidden costs or fees, and no minimum annual spend. Enrollment is quick and easy — it only takes two minutes using your company information.
2. Discounts right at your fingertips
In an economic environment where expenses can quickly stack up, small and medium businesses must identify opportunities to save. The IHG Business Edge membership can help: It automatically unlocks guaranteed discounts across more than 6,000 IHG hotel locations globally. Members receive a discount on the best flexible rate for the hotel they book, and employees can access the discount while they travel.
3. Everything you need, all in one place
For small and medium-sized businesses, often with smaller budgets and fewer resources than their larger counterparts, managing employee travel can be expensive and time-consuming. Keeping track of destinations, flights, and lodging — and digging to find budget-friendly options — can take up time and energy that might be better spent on more strategic tasks.
IHG’s one-stop shop portal lets you book and manage employees’ travel, receive premium content, and monitor essential information such as hotel spend, average daily rate, booking nights, and savings data.
4. Benefits and upgrades for loyal travelers
Travelers registered with IHG Business Edge receive an upgrade to One Rewards Silver Elite status after their first stay, meaning they can earn 20% bonus points (which don’t expire), access exclusive promotions, and take advantage of late checkout. The more travelers stay, the more rewards they can choose from, including upgrades and food and beverage rewards.
5. A flexible booking experience
Just like their employees, business travel managers often find themselves on the go, whether traveling to a conference or commuting to the office. That’s why program members can choose from a number of booking methods. They can book employee travel through the portal, on IHG.com, over the phone, or via the IHG app.
6. Access to exclusive partner perks
According to one report, most business travelers say they get more out of rewards programs than they put into them — and that’s certainly a priority for IHG Business Edge. The program’s partners offer exclusive benefits to members, so they can take advantage of deals and discounts while they travel. IHG’s list of trusted, handpicked partners includes Dell Technologies, iStock by Getty Images, and Currencies Direct.
Other partners include business mentoring organization Digital Boost, which offers program customers free mentoring, and network security solutions provider NordLayer, which provides members with a 20% discount on yearly licenses.
7. An award-winning travel program
Once enrolled in IHG Business Edge, businesses can rest assured their employees will be looked after.
IHG Business Edge has won Global Traveler magazine’s GT Tested Reader Survey Award for Best Small-to-Mid-Sized Business program for five years in a row. It also took home the title of Global Traveler’s Best International Hotel Chain, Best Domestic Hotel Chain, and Best Hotel Website.
8. Small business travelers front and center
IHG Business Edge has worked hard to understand the needs of small businesses. The program was developed alongside travel managers and travelers alike to ensure a streamlined joining and booking process, competitive rates, enticing perks, and comprehensive travel metrics.
9. Helpful support when you need it most
Organizing a business trip can be stressful, with travel managers often handling multiple destinations and itineraries at once. IHG Business Edge is here to help, with its dedicated support center, available to answer questions and solve challenges as they arise.
10. Travel for work — and fun
In addition to business travel, employees can use their IHG Business Edge membership for personal vacation. Traveling employees simply need to link their IHG One Rewards number to their company’s IHG Business Edge account. They will accrue points during leisure travel — and their employers will earn program benefits, too.
Ready to unlock a smarter way to manage travel and reduce expenses? Join IHG Business Edge today.
This post was created by Insider Studios with IHG Business Edge.
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