Save Money with Business Travel Road Trip Tips
Get the Most out of Customer Rewards Programs on the Road
Mar 9, 2009
With careful planning, road warriors can save money on travel, find the cheapest hotels and maximize customer reward programs on a road trip.
Planning for a road trip includes renting a car, finding the cheapest hotels and using gas rebate credit cards to get the most out of a customer rewards program during business travel.
Road Trip Tips
- Some upfront planning can make road trips go more smoothly:
- Cars should be serviced before embarking on business travel. A mechanic can do a check-up during a routine oil change the month before the trip. Some items can wait, but new brakes, tires or other major issues should be resolved before leaving.
- AAA can provide maps, TourBooks and emergency towing services on the road if needed. Order maps and TripTik planners from AAA at least a two weeks before the road trip to make sure they arrive on time.
Rent a Car
Business travelers can save money on travel and wear and tear on their personal vehicles by renting a car for a road trip:
- Discount rental car companies provide a number of specials to get business travelers’ business. Frequent car renters can earn monthly or weekly discounts and get perks including valet parking.
- Even better, many discount car rental companies have partnered with airlines to provide more ways for business travelers to earn miles. Rent a car from a company with a customer rewards program and the miles can quickly rack up on the road.
Finding the Cheapest Hotels
Tips for finding the cheapest hotels include signing up for customer rewards programs:
- Find the cheapest hotels on a road trip by visiting an online travel company and searching on price.
- Hotels near airports often offer discounts to business travelers.
- Conversely, some of the cheapest hotels can be found by going a little way outside of a metro area.
- Save money on travel by signing up for the hotel’s customer reward program before leaving on the trip. Many of the programs are interchangeable between sister hotel chains, discount car rental companies and airlines. Credit card customer reward programs are frequently tied into hotel chains and overnight stays can yield extra points.
Gas Rewards Credit Cards
A gas rewards credit card can go a long way towards saving money on travel:
- Gasoline credit cards provide rewards for using the card for everyday purchases. Double points are often available for using a gas rewards credit card to fuel up or to make purchases in the gas station’s store.
- When comparing gas rebate credit cards, it’s important to avoid high interest rates and too many fees. Review the terms of any gasoline credit card before applying online.
More business travel tips include finding airline customer rewards programs and staying organized during business travel.
The copyright of the article Save Money with Business Travel Road Trip Tips in Business Road Travel is owned by Lisa Nichols . Permission to republish Save Money with Business Travel Road Trip Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
