JOHANNESBURG – A business class upgrade because economy was supposedly full. A booking made directly with an airline instead of through the corporate platform. A five-star hotel justified by its proximity to a conference venue. As business travel picks up, more employees are bypassing company travel policies in favour of their own preferences – a practice known in the industry as “going rogue.”
This shift towards unofficial booking practices is giving organisations more than just a financial headache.
“What we’re seeing isn’t simple rebellion,” says Mummy Mafojane, Productive Operations Leader at FCM Travel. “When staff routinely work around travel policies, it usually means those policies aren’t keeping pace with how business travel actually works today.”
For companies already juggling currency fluctuations and complex cross-border operations, this shift is proving costly. Here’s what’s really going on:
1. Nobody understands the rules
It turns out most staff are genuinely confused about what they can and can’t do. Freenow’s recent research revealed a telling statistic: only 29% of employees actually understand their company’s travel policy.
“Many companies are still running with policies written years ago,” says Mafojane. “The business world has changed dramatically, but these guidelines often haven’t kept up.”
2. Flexibility is non-negotiable
The days of rigid travel schedules are fading fast. Nearly half of all employees now rank flexible arrangements as their top priority, according to Freenow’s research. When policies don’t bend, people simply find alternatives.
This often means lost negotiating power with suppliers and reduced visibility of employee movements – a serious concern for organisations managing duty of care obligations.
3. Expense processes are stuck in the past
In a world of instant payments, outdated expense systems are pushing people to book elsewhere. The research shows 61% of employees want simpler reimbursement processes.
“Complex reimbursement processes don’t just frustrate employees – they create real business inefficiencies,” Mafojane explains. “Modern travel programmes need equally modern payment solutions.”
4. Work and leisure lines are blurring
The rise of combined business and leisure travel isn’t just a trend – it’s reshaping how people view business trips. Freenow’s research shows 72% of employees want to combine business and leisure travel, but many companies haven’t figured out how to handle this shift.
“Fighting this trend isn’t the answer,” says Mafojane. “Forward-thinking companies are creating clear frameworks that benefit both the business and their people.”
5. Policy engagement needs work
Traditional travel policies rarely inspire enthusiasm. Yet there’s potential for change – 46% of employees said they’d be more interested if companies made it more engaging. Some organisations are seeing success with reward programmes and team-based initiatives.
Why it matters
When staff bypass travel policies, the implications extend far beyond immediate costs. Companies lose their negotiating power. Finance teams spend valuable hours reconciling unauthorised bookings. Most critically, duty of care becomes significantly harder to manage.
Progressive companies are adapting their travel policies for today’s business reality, says Mafojane. They’re replacing rigid rules with smart guidelines. They’re implementing technology that makes booking simple. And they’re acknowledging that business travel has fundamentally changed.
“The organisations getting this right aren’t just writing rules – they’re building travel programmes that work for their people,” Mafojane concludes. “When you achieve that balance, compliance follows naturally.”
**ends**
For more information about FCM Travel, or to interview FCM Travel General Manager South Africa, Bonnie Smith, call Lori Cohen on 079 641 4965 or email lori@bigambitions.co.za.
About FCM Travel:
FCM Travel, the flagship corporate travel brand at Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), is the business travel partner of choice for large national, multinational and global corporations. We are an award-winning global corporate travel management company ranking as one of the top five by size around the world. We operate a global network which spans more than 100 countries, employing over 6000 people.
FCM are transforming the business of travel through our empowered and accountable people who deliver 24/7 service and are available either online or offline. Leveraging FCM’s negotiating strength and supplier relationships in conjunction with our tailored business travel programs, our expertise delivers more for our clients where it matters most to them.
Visit us at www.fcmtravel.co.za
Issued by: Big Ambitions
Contact: Lori Cohen
Tel: +27 79 641 4965
Email: Lori@bigambitions.co.za
