A rewards program can make all the difference for corporate travellers who spend a lot of time on the road for sales pitches, conferences and other work obligations. Whether you’re travelling by car in-province, flying across Canada or heading further abroad, joining a rewards program could give you access to a range of perks that might improve your travel experience and help you get more in return for every dollar you spend.
Let’s consider a few common rewards programs and how they can benefit frequent corporate travellers.
Business travel credit cards
Whether you’re taking a day trip to meet a client or spending a week setting up a new office, a business travel credit card offers several types of rewards. Business travel credit cards typically help you earn points for every dollar you spend on eligible travel expenses, including flights, gas, and electric vehicle charging. These points can be put toward future travel, redeemed for hotel stays, or used to pay down your monthly credit card balance. Plus, many card providers offer discounts with travel partners such as hotels or car rental agencies—so you can get a better deal while still earning rewards.
Some travel credit cards also come with perks like travel insurance, which is handy in case of a cancelled flight, bonus points if you book with a partner hotel and airport lounge access.
Welcome bonuses are another perk of many business travel credit cards. For example, the CIBC AventuraⓇ Visa Card for Business awards 20,000 points for your first purchase and an additional 50,000 points if you spend C$40,000 or more during your first year. If you use your new business travel credit card for all your business’s day-to-day spending—such as client meals, office supplies and software subscriptions—it may not be too difficult to qualify for that extra bonus before the year is out.
Employers can also benefit from employees using a designated credit card for all corporate travel—it’s much easier to track spending, keep an eye on points and decide how to redeem rewards when this information is all in one place.
Airline frequent flyer programs
Using a preferred airline for all corporate travel and being a member of an airline’s frequent flyer program also has a number of benefits. The more money you spend on flights, the higher your membership status will be, improving your chance of scoring a free seat upgrade or other perks. You’ll also earn miles that can be redeemed for future travel, and frequent travellers may even be able to score reduced rates on airfare.
As a member of Air Canada’s loyalty program Aeroplan, for example, you can potentially get a free checked bag, business lounge access and use points to book flights on partner airlines, depending on your annual spending and status.
Oftentimes, airlines will partner with hotels and car rental companies in order to offer program members even more loyalty benefits. Keeping an eye out for these rewards could help corporate travellers save money along the way.
Hotel loyalty programs
Most major hotel chains have loyalty programs that offer a range of incentives, including early check-in, late check-out, free breakfast, room upgrades, discounted rates and free nights once you earn a certain number of points. If you often arrive early at your hotel, flexible check-in times could make for a more restful and productive trip. Likewise, loyalty programs could give you access to free wi-fi and the hotel business center for catching up on emails or taking client meetings.
Car rental loyalty programs
Much like airlines and hotels, many car rental companies have loyalty programs where members can earn status and perks like free vehicle upgrades. If you frequently rent cars for work or you prefer driving to flying, it could be worthwhile for your employer to look into a loyalty program before you rent your next car to secure members-only rates and rewards.
Rewards programs can make a difference
Rewards programs can make travel more enjoyable and manageable for the frequent corporate traveller—and they can also make a difference to your bottom line. Whether you use a business travel credit card or join an airline, hotel or car rental loyalty program, taking advantage of the benefits and upgrades that are available to you as a program member could help your company’s travel dollar go further and make for a more comfortable business trip.
