Hotline To Online Booking

feBusiness Traveller provides a lowdown on the advantages of the internet for travel bookings

When the internet slowly started infringing on most aspects of our life, it was but inevitable that business travel would not be left far behind. However, it is only lately that online bookings have slowly started taking over the functions of your neighbourhood travel agent.

Business versions of travel websites like Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity have become the one-stop shop for the traveller who is 'solo' or, in other words, whose bookings are not handled by travel agencies. These would mostly be executives from small and midsize companies, who load their online travel preferences and payment profiles before a trip.

The American Express International Business Traveller Survey, which polled 100 business travellers each from eight countries: Australia, Mainland China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, the UK and the US, released their findings this October. One of the topics touched upon was online bookings. In the survey, 37 per cent, the largest proportion, said that, at least occasionally, they book travel directly via a website - either that of a travel agency, airline or independent booking site. On a country-by-country basis, a surprisingly high number of travellers said they book online, with 49 per cent of the British, 48 per cent of Germans and 42 per cent of Americans noting they use booking tools at least some of the time

The main attraction of online booking was convenience. About 59 per cent cited this reason. Savings benefit was another enticement. Over 27 per cent cited cheaper fares as a benefit.

The common conception among business travellers in western countries is therefore that, if using a travel agent, they are paying a premium for the same service as they would get online.

Online booking clearly has the advantage when it comes to information and control. At a travel site, information is available like which flights or hotel rooms are available. Real-time trade-offs can be done. There is also the advantage of not being limited by the office hours of the travel agent - you can arrange a trip at any hour of the day or night.

The websites even encompass hotel loyalty and frequent flyer programmes.

Also, buying travel online keeps getting better the more you do it. You can, say, store all your personal information (frequent flyer numbers, seating and meal preferences, hotel choices, credit card numbers) with a travel site, so that booking another ticket is streamlined, quick and easy.

Savings are now offered on flights, rooms and car hire costs if they are booked online because it reduces the travel agent's time.

Also bulk corporate bookings gives travel companies greater bargaining power when negotiating with airlines and hotels.

Online travel sites also provide links to maps and weather, so you can find where you are going once you land. For small-business owners who travel to the same places over and over again, Expedia lets you repeat a trip. You simply update the itinerary (flights, hotel, rental car) for the trip. It makes booking frequent repeat travel pretty hassle-free.

And finally, online booking has become 'portable' since you can now access travel websites from PalmPilots, Pocket PCs or even Web-enabled cell phones.