What’s the deal on corporate travel discounts?

Business travel isn’t cheap. And if it isn't managed effectively, it could feel like a monetary black hole.

Don’t worry – your corporate travel program doesn’t need to be a bottomless pit for your company’s budget.

Learn more about how you can benefit from corporate travel discounts and, in turn, save your company time, money, and so much more.

What are corporate travel rates?

Corporate travel rates are special deals that travel service providers offer to companies for their business travel. These rates are designed to cater to the travel needs of individual businesses, giving them access to more economical options or additional perks that might not be available to a leisure traveller.

Why? Essentially, travel service providers want to give businesses like yours better rates so they can gain your loyalty and secure a high volume of business.

Here are two types of business travel rates:

Fixed Rates – These are predetermined prices as set by the travel service providers. Fixed rates remain constant over a specified period.
Negotiated Rates – If the fixed rate doesn’t suit your company, you can engage in direct negotiations with travel service providers. This would secure custom rates and get your organisation the best possible deals and terms for your unique travel needs and volume.

Not sure how? No problem – you can even let a travel management company (TMC) handle the negotiations for you! A TMC like Corporate Traveller can leverage our buying to find more value and benefits for your business and your travellers.

So…do businesses get discounts on flights?

Absolutely! But business travel discounts aren’t limited to air travel alone. You can also score great deals on corporate hotel rates, corporate car rentals, and rideshare corporate accounts.

Why you absolutely need them:

Corporate travel cost savings – Corporate rates can save your company quite a bit of money and help pad your travel spend wallet. And when it comes to your business, every dollar counts.
Convenience – Bookings are a challenge to manage even just for one traveller. Corporate travel discount programmes let you ditch the headaches of organising and planning trips by offering tools that make booking easy.
Control – Predictability in travel expenses is a thing of beauty. With these rates, unexpected spend becomes a thing of the past. They shine a spotlight on out-of-policy bookings, giving you visibility into your spending and helping you stick to your budget.
Employee perks – It’s not just about the company; it’s about the people behind it. Even when employees travel for business, they can still earn loyalty points towards their personal memberships. And you know what happy employees mean? Higher retention rates, morale that soars, and a workforce that outperforms.

Sounds pretty good, right? Now let’s look at how it all works:

Airlines

How much is a corporate flight discount?

Most airlines offer a range of corporate flight packages that include different levels of service and discounts (like “bronze,” “silver,” or “gold” packages). Typically, the higher you are on the totem pole, the better deals you get on flight booking – and the better perks you receive.

What are the benefits of corporate flight booking?*

Reward flights after certain number of bookings

Upgraded seating
Larger baggage facilities
Easy rescheduling
Faster boarding and exit
Lounge access

Bonus perk: These travel programmes also provide valuable insights into employee travel data, aiding companies in initiating cost-savings measures and refining their expense policies.

Hotels

How much is a corporate hotel discount?

Hotels typically start offering discounts of around 10%. But with thousands of hotels out there, if you do a little window shopping and throw some negotiations into the mix, you can easily track down better deals.

Keep in mind that hotel rates are rarely set in stone. The rate might stay the same all year round, or, it could only be available for select booking periods, such as on business days or during off-peak seasons. But by booking through a TMC, you don’t have to worry about that. 

At Corporate Traveller, we book 10 million room nights a year for our customers globally and have exclusive rates with more than 50,000 properties. That means we have a strong foundation for negotiating special rates for you, at hotels where we know you’ll be taken care of.

What are the benefits of corporate hotel booking?*

Flexible cancellation and rescheduling policies
Loyalty points which can be exchanged for free nights or add-ons
Free meals
Complimentary stay
Late check out times

Car rentals

How much is a corporate car rental discount?

Like airlines, car rental companies often offer a variety of rental car packages that include different levels of service and varied rates. However, these packages and programmes are customised to meet the needs of individual companies and their transport needs. Businesses can also earn discounts by participating in loyalty schemes.

What are the benefits of corporate car rental booking?*

Free rental days
Customised check out processes
Free upgrades
Unlimited mileage
Improved pick-up and drop-off terms
Guaranteed vehicles when you need them

*Benefits may vary by provider and level of corporate package purchased.

How can you benefit from corporate travel discounts?

That’s easy – invest in a full travel management package.

With Corporate Traveller, you can expect greater choice without missing out on business travel savings. Thanks to our long-lasting relationship with suppliers, we can hook you up with ALL the rates.

Our network spans 90+ countries and counting, giving you global deals and local feels.

Ready for the best of travel booking and budgeting?

Meet Savi, the platform that connects you with all our rates, deals, and corporate travel savings. Savi is your one-stop-shop for booking, safety, reporting, policy, and expenses. Get options based on your preferences from millions of travel rates on any device.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between business travel rates and regular fares?

Corporate or business travel rates are discounted or negotiated fares specifically designed for companies. They often include flexible booking terms, loyalty rewards, and added perks like early check-in or last-minute changes — benefits that aren’t typically available with regular consumer rates.
How can a travel management company help save on business travel costs?

A travel management company helps you save through negotiated corporate rates, automated policy compliance, and reporting tools that highlight cost-saving opportunities. They can also manage last-minute bookings, cancellations, and travel emergencies without inflated costs or time delays.
Do airlines and hotels offer last-minute corporate travel deals?

Yes. Airlines and hotels often release unsold inventory as discounted last-minute corporate rates. A TMC can help secure these deals quickly through direct supplier relationships and booking tools that show real-time availability and pricing.
What are the benefits of booking through a TMC versus booking direct?

Booking through a TMC offers access to global negotiated rates, consolidated invoicing, traveller support, and built-in policy compliance. Unlike direct booking, TMCs provide visibility over total spend and traveller safety while unlocking exclusive corporate discounts.
What’s the best way to start accessing corporate travel discounts?

The easiest way is to partner with a TMC that already has negotiated agreements with suppliers. They’ll assess your company’s travel needs, connect you to preferred rates, and integrate savings into your booking tools for instant access.