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Flying High

Savvy business travellers can get special deals and budget prices without compromising on service and comfort. Veteran business traveller David Tonkin reveals how.

 

SME owners often don't have the luxury of a generous corporate travel account to pay for flights and accommodation. However, there are many ways to ensure you are always getting a good deal on travel, accommodation and rewards points programs.

Sign up to airline e-newsletters

While you may not like the idea of more ‘junk' cluttering your inbox, airline e-newsletters are the most immediate way to find out if an airline is having a sale or promotion. In addition, if an airline is about to launch new international flights or routes, it will often have very low special fares for the launch period.

Log into your email as soon as you wake up each morning as launch or sale fares are often introduced overnight. I bought three tickets to Bali for $14 each way plus taxes and five tickets to Honolulu for $22 each way plus taxes for family and friends.

Virgin Blue's happy hour

Virgin Blue holds an online "happy hour" everyday from 1pm- 2pm EST. I set an alarm on my mobile phone and computer everyday at 1pm so that if I'm near an internet connection I can see what special deals they are offering that day. You may not always be interested in what they have on offer but sometimes their promotions coincide with your upcoming travel plans.

Use "last minute" websites

Use websites such as wotif.com and lastminute.com.au to get the best hotel deals in Australia and overseas. Try hotels.com and Expedia.com for international hotels. While these websites often offer good deals, it's always worthwhile to do some comparison shopping with the actual hotel's website as some of these "multi-hotel" sites charge a booking fee. Just Google the hotel name to find its website and check it out – you might save a few dollars each time. Depending on how long you are staying, the savings can all add up. Do the same kind of comparison shopping for flights.

Seat allocation tips

If you would like to fly with an empty seat next to you, here's a tip. Many airlines – including Virgin Blue and Jetstar – offer a self-check-in service where you can select your seat via the internet or at the self-check-in kiosk at the airport. Even if a seat is already allocated to you, there is always the option to view other seats that haven't been allocated yet. Always pick a seat on the aisle when only the window seat is taken in that row. Very few single travellers want that vacant middle seat, so unless the plane is very full, you will probably end up with an empty seat next to you. It works for me almost every time.

If you're cutting it fine to make your next meeting and you only have hand luggage, select a seat closest to the front or back on Virgin Blue and Jetstar flights as they normally open both back and front doors. Avoid the middle of the plane if possible.

Travelling to Asia

If you travel to Asia frequently, register your email address with Tiger Airways, Jetstar Asia and Valuair as they often have very cheap deals out of Darwin into Singapore and all parts of Asia. If you don't live in Darwin, just find a cheap Virgin Blue or Jetstar fare to Darwin for the first leg of your journey. You may be surprised how cheap it can be. Business travel doesn't have to be an expensive exercise. You can trim a lot of cost if you are smart about how you book.

Make the most of frequent flyer points

NAB offers the only credit cards that enable you to earn Velocity Points which can be redeemed for any available seat, any flight, any time with Virgin Blue or any of the other Velocity International Airline Partners. To find out more about our range of Velocity NAB Credit Cards call 13 24 64 or visit www.nab.com.au/velocity

David Tonkin co-founded the first Flight Centre in Sydney, was CEO of travel.com.au and is now a director of travelwithkidz.com.au

* The Velocity Program is operated by Velocity Rewards PTY LTD as trustee of the Loyalty trust.