Steer Clear of Ancillary Fees When Booking Executive Travel

In previous years the pricing models employed by companies offering business travel services was relatively transparent and easy to follow. Since the advent of comparison tables and websites, ancillary fees have crept in across a range of functions and services. This simple rule for business travel managers is to steer clear of these fees; however, doing that is easier said than done. This post gives you a few pointers to keep these fees down where possible.

Booking flights
The Ancillary fees for flights are relatively well known; check-in, seat selection, priority boarding, baggage, snacks, drinks and services. Airlines have truly un-packed all they offer these days and they’ll try and make you pay for it. The best way to find out what is the score is by looking at the small print to see if this is all included in the cost of the ticket. Baggage fees are an aspect that will probably affect all passengers but you may be able to negotiate a discount if you go direct to the provider. Another way of keeping these fees down is by encouraging traveler to just take carry-on luggage.

Booking accommodation
Hotels are attempting the same sorts of ploys as airlines to maximize profit. As with flying, look to see what is not included in the room fee. The two big sources of costs are parking and Wi-Fi.  Wi-Fi in particular, can be misleading; you may read that internet access is complimentary but the speed and coverage can leave something to be desired. Similarly the hotel may offer complimentary Wi-Fi just in the public area. As before, you need to check the details thoroughly and can potentially save by speaking to someone in person.

Ground Transportation
If you’re considering using a chauffeured car service, the general advice is the same as for other aspects of business travel. Find a reputable firm and check the details about what will potentially cost more. It is also worthwhile speaking to a representative to ensure you fully understand their pricing model. Some firms may charge for baggage fees or taxes, and gratuity is always an area that needs inquiry.

Hopefully this short post will allow you to get better, more cost effective business travel services for your hard working employees. As a provider of corporate and luxury ground transportation, Philadelphia Limousine is proud to offer the highest level of customer service for any corporate traveler or event in the Greater Philadelphia Area. From the moment that we answer your call all the way through reaching your final destination, Philadelphia Limo Service is luxury travel done right.
Call our team today to see just how much we can offer.

The Seven Deadly Sins of Air Travel

Airfares have been falling for some time now but overall spending on air travel has been slightly increasing – how can this be? The answer lies in the transaction fees. The deadly sins of the airline travel industry. In this post, and in our continuing one next time, we take a two part light-hearted look at how airlines use these human emotions to turn a profit and – naturally – we have a few tips to shun them and hopefully save you some cash.

Lust

Lust in airline fees is the need to choose the most desirable seat. These days so many airlines charge you for the ‘privilege’ of choosing a window or aisle seat that it no longer comes as a surprise. This is plain wrong. It works on the human desire to have the desirable but cunningly – like all hidden airline fees – hides it at the time of your purchase and then snares you later when you have no choice. Don’t lust after extra leg room, choose an airline that does not charge you to choose.

Gluttony

Always wanting more than they deserve in airline industry terms is charging extra for fuel as part of frequent flyer award seats. Fuel surcharges are a nasty and gluttonous way that some airlines treat their most loyal customers. Not satisfied with having you for a year as a frequent flyer (this is not cheap) they then want you to pay more to access the privileges membership brings. You probably don’t realize the full extent of fuel surcharging when you sign up for a loyalty program – our advice is simple: do you homework and avoid the gluttonous.

Greed

Preferred boarding and Express Seats represent greed in the airline industry. They have made the boarding process so unpleasant that they can charge you to avoid it. This is pure, unbridled greed on their part. It also plays on your greed, something that you may not think of as necessary in normal life; airlines encourage you to want it so much, you’re willing to pay more than $20 for it. Resist the temptation – either put up with having to get on the plane with the normal passengers, or book a higher class ticket from the outset.

Sloth

Overbearing laziness in the context of booking air travel is making you pay to book online or collect your tickets at the airport. This relies on you not knowing or not having the time to find out the exact booking policy for each carrier. This is truly sloth-like: The internet is supposed to reduce the cost of things by automating processes. Take the time to find out if you are going to get stung by hidden fees in advance and avoid the pain.

Deadly but Human

That’s it for part one, next time look forward to wrath, envy and pride. Despite what we have said, the airline industry is not evil – just human. They are trying to increase the bottom line and are using human sins as a route to hidden charges. Forewarned is forearmed: hopefully you will now know when booking air travel if your human fallacies are being targeted. 

Philadelphia Limousine will not hide our costs or charge you later for your deadly sins. We have been serving customers with ground transportation and limousine service in the Greater Philadelphia Area for over fifteen years and are proud of the reputation that we have built as an honest organization – with valued and loyal customers. From the moment that we answer your call all the way through reaching your final destination, Philadelphia Limo Service is luxury travel done right.