Business Travel Accommodation: 3 Surprising Ways to Save
By Q. Mensah
Since the recession many executive travellers in both the private and public sectors have been downgrading to save money. Still, it’s the norm to look for executive suites or corporate apartments, especially for extended trips, but these lodgings are not usually the best option if you’re looking for cheap business travel accommodation. Try these money-saving options for business lodgings that just might surprise you.
Sublet
Subletting an apartment or house in the city you’re travelling to can cut your business travel costs significantly. As with a typical sublet, you’re moving into someone’s apartment for a short period of time, but at a usually much lower than those for corporate or executive apartments. In some cases, you may even get a better deal as the current apartment tenant may be desperate and will offer the apartment at less than market rate.
To find corporate sublets for business travel accommodation, visit sites such as Sublet.com or CHBO, Corporate Housing By Owner. Finding sublets on sites such as Kijiji or Craigslist can be iffy as there are a lot of scams out there.
Share a Home
In many countries homeowners rent out rooms in their houses or apartments. Some of them may find corporate travellers more appealing as renters because they know they’re getting a professional, you’ll likely be out of the home much of the time and they may prefer a short-term arrangement. Look for these rentals on classified sites, rental property sites, or vacation rental sites, of which AirBnB is a highly reputed site for finding room rentals at great prices. Consider this: Instead of looking forward to an accommodation bill for $1,000 or more per month, you could pay as little as $350 for a room.
Go Back to Uni
Universities in many countries such as Canada, USA and the United Kingdom offer business travel accommodation at rates much cheaper than traditional executive business suites. Some of them provide more than just a room, such as Brunel University in London with its conference rooms, Internet access, 24-hour security, laundering services, gym and spa facilities. Keep in mind that you might be able to use this option only during summer for certain universities.
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Traveling on business should be a great experience, so make sure that you don’t overtly go all cheap on the accommodations. You don’t want to stay at a place and wish you would have never left home. Balance comfort and price. Don’t go for the most expensive if you know the excess does no good for you, or go for the cheapest and realize you won’t be able to do your business effectively. Base your judgment on the nature of your business, and your ability to cope with a different environment.