Business travel for less

If you travel for business regularly, you’ve surely noticed that the cost of travel is skyrocketing these days. With fuel costs soaring, travel providers — and airlines in particular — are raising prices left and right.

Fortunately, there are still some ways smart shoppers can cut their business travel costs. Here are some insider tips that will help you save money on the road.

Don’t be wedded to one airline. Perhaps you’re a member of one airline’s frequent flyer club, so you always book on that airline without even thinking about it. Although building up miles does give you some great benefits, always using the same airline can mean you end up overpaying for fares. And, with airlines cutting back on their flight schedules, you may not be able to find the flight you need at the time you want if you’re limiting yourself to one carrier. To give yourself maximum flexibility, sign up for the frequent flyer club of every airline you think you might possibly fly. Joining is free and lets you accrue miles that you can use for free upgrades or flights later on.

Search out the best deals. Now that you’re free to fly any airline and still enjoy frequent flyer benefits, search online to find the best fare. On some travel sites, like Expedia.com, Orbitz.com or Travelocity.com, you can book your travel plans right at the site. Other sites, like Kayak.com, find you the best prices and tell you where to go to book your flight.

Use your frequent flyer miles. Airlines vary, but generally, once you’ve flown 25,000 miles in one year you move up to the first tier of premium status. You reach the next level at 50,000 miles and the top level at 100,000. Make the most of your miles to get free upgrades and free flights. You can also get other perks such as avoiding the checked-baggage charges that most air carriers impose.

Stay on top of changing airline policies to stay on top of costs. These days, air carriers are constantly changing their prices and deals. You may need to book flights 21 days ahead, or stay over Saturday night, if you want to get the lowest rates.

Consider smaller airports. Flights are often less expensive at regional airports. The disadvantage is that you probably won’t be able to fly to your destination nonstop. If the airport you’re using is farther from your city or your destination city than the one you normally use, be sure to factor in the cost of getting to the airport. Saving $150 on a flight may not be worth it if you have to shell out $80 in airport shuttle fares and spend more time getting to the airport in the first place.

Consider connecting flights. Flying nonstop is ideal for busy business travelers, of course, but if you have time, connecting flights generally cost less. However, airlines now recommend you leave 1 hour and 45 minutes between connections to avoid missing a flight.

When you book your flight matters: To get the cheapest fares, book your flight on a Wednesday—and never book on a weekend, travel experts advise.

Check with the experts. Peter Greenberg, the travel editor on the Today Show, has an excellent travel website; visit www.petergreenberg.com.

Remember, time is money. It takes time to unearth the best deals—time that, as a busy businessperson, you may not have. A good travel agent who specializes in business travel can often end up saving you money in the long run.