Booking corporate travel through online consumer travel websites is more expensive than a travel management company’s (TMC) online booking tool, new research has revealed.
The study by the Online Travel Benchmarking Group (OTBG) compared business travel rates of three popular online consumer sites with search results from American Express’ own online booking system.
In terms of savings, American Express (Amex) came out on top, according to Bob Harrell, CEO of Harrell Associates, principal for the OTBG and author of the study.
“Our research dispels the myth that the online agencies are lower-cost alternatives for business travel booked online,” he said.
“American Express Business Travel holds the leading position in the competition for savings.”
The research, commissioned by Amex, showed that for total trip rates (airfare, hotel stay and car rental combined) the TMC came out 15% cheaper.
For hotel rates, Amex Business Travel was 8% cheaper overall, and for air bookings the travel TMC had 13% lower fares.
Amanda Kotenko, VP, head of UK client management, American Express Business Travel, said many business travellers, particularly in small and mid-sized companies, mistakenly assume online consumer sites are cheaper.
“Consumer travel websites can offer attractive deals for the leisure traveller,” she said, “but this study confirms that a travel management company offers greater overall savings for businesses.”