As much as 92% of Indian business travellers believe that earning personal loyalty points or rewards is a good reason to book outside of company policy, a survey has found.
With airlines and hotels offering several personal incentives to earn loyalty of customers, personal rewards seem to provide sufficient justification for a section of employees to ignore standard company policies, says the survey commissioned by American Express Global Business Travel (GBT).
“While a large majority of business travellers from India acknowledge the value of travelling for work, and are aware their company has a travel policy, many are reluctant to comply with company travel policies citing issues, including wanting business lounge access (93%), using preferred airlines not within current policy (88%) and desire to stay in a safer location (94%),” the survey found.
Desiring accommodation closer to a meeting or business event venue (96%), staying in a more convenient location (96%), and having accommodation in a better quality hotel (96%) were the top reasons Indian business travellers provided as a justification for booking outside the company travel policy.
“Companies need to regularly review their travel policies and ensure they are fit for purpose,” Ashish Kishore, managing director, India, GBT, American Express said while commenting on the findings.
“There are many reasons why Indian business travellers consider it appropriate to book business travel outside of company policy, and while some are practical, some would be considered insufficient by most companies,” Mr. Kishore said.
He said most employers would happily accept safety reasons or practical business reasons such as staying closer to the venue of event or business as justification for booking outside policy.
“However, 96% of Indian business travellers believe wishing to stay in a better quality hotel is a good reason for booking outside policy, and it is unlikely that excuse would pass scrutiny,” Mr. Kishore added.
“Businesses can set themselves up for success by ensuring their travel policies cover the most suitable airlines and hotels. Offering a wide variety of appropriate options will help encourage employees to book within policy while also enjoying luxury of choice. Automated travel approval technology can also make it easier for travellers to make the right decisions,” he said.
As per the findings 92% of Indian business travellers also considered saving their company money to be a good reason for booking outside of policy, however such practices do not always result in true savings.
