Johannesburg – Picture this: It’s peak travel season and you’ve left it until the last minute to book accommodation for that all-important conference. Now, your only options are a presidential suite in Sandton or a faded motel on outskirts of the city – complete with shared bathrooms and no sign of a Nespresso machine. Sound familiar?
As an SME, you’re always walking the tightrope between keeping travel costs low and making sure your team is comfortable and well looked after. And with hotel prices climbing fast – especially on international trips – it’s more important than ever to get smart with your spending.
The good news? Being small has its perks. While the big players are tied up in complicated hotel contracts, SMEs can move quicker, think more creatively, and find clever ways to stretch their travel budget further – without sacrificing on quality.
Hack 1: Master the Art of Dynamic Pricing
Hotel pricing isn’t what it used to be. Fixed rates and guaranteed availability are fading, but that opens the door for dynamic pricing strategies.
“We alert clients when prices spike due to events or seasonality, so they can pivot early and save,” says Carmen Hidalgo, Customer Success Manager at Corporate Traveller. “Real-time hotel pricing helps SMEs grab great rates in off-peak periods.”
A TMC can help to:
- Find cheaper stays by shifting travel to less popular days
- Snag premium stays at discounted prices during low-demand windows
- Auto-monitor booked rates and rebook if prices drop
Pro tip: Avoid high-demand nights like Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Book flexible-rate hotels and build travel patterns around calmer calendar windows.
Hack 2: Go Green and Get Rewarded
Sustainability isn’t just eco-conscious – it can be cost-effective too. Big chains are pushing toward net-zero targets, and many properties now reward low-impact stays with better rates or extra perks.
“Sustainability is now a decision factor,” says Hidalgo. “Eco-hotels usually cut costs with solar power, LED lighting, and water-saving systems – savings that often get passed on to the guest.”
Pro tip: Look for hotels with certifications like LEED or EarthCheck that offer loyalty benefits or discounts for eco-friendly travellers.
Hack 3: Automate Everything – Especially Check-In
Corporate Traveller’s Melon app puts bookings, trip details, policy filters, and expense tracking all in one place – making travel easy to manage and less prone to costly mistakes.
“For tech-savvy travellers, Melon removes the stress and keeps things simple,” says Hidalgo. With real-time updates, access to corporate rates and 24/7 support, travellers can check in faster, stay compliant and stay focused on work, not logistics.
Pro tip: Personalise your team’s travel experience by offering recommendations based on past travel behaviour, preferences and loyalty programmes.
Hack 4: Shift Your Travel Days
Flexibility is a secret weapon. Simply moving a trip by one or two days can unlock much lower hotel rates. “We use booking data to help clients avoid peak travel days,” says Hidalgo. “Shifting a trip can reduce hotel spend by 20–30%.” Instead of Tuesday–Thursday travel (when hotels fill up), try Monday or Friday stays.
Pro tip: Corporate Traveller can help to re-shop your rate post-booking, so you can save even after you’ve locked in a room.
Hack 5: Prioritise Traveller Wellness (Without Premium Costs)
Comfort isn’t just about fancy pillows. Smart SMEs are focusing on traveller wellness – without breaking the bank.
“Wellness doesn’t have to mean luxury,” says Hidalgo. “We help clients find hotels with fitness centres, nutritious dining, or even mental wellness options – all at standard rates.”
Pro tips:
- Pick hotels offering basic wellness perks like gym access or healthy breakfasts
- Negotiate add-ons like yoga mats or complimentary meditation rooms
- Encourage bleisure (business + leisure) extensions that allow travellers to explore and recharge – often at their own expense
Hack 6: Choose Local and Go Boutique
While big chains often follow strict pricing, boutique and independent hotels can offer more flexibility – and often more value.
“Boutique properties often come with better service, unique character, and built-in savings like free shuttles or coworking spaces,” says Hidalgo.
Pro tips:
- Partner with local hotels that offer extras like free breakfast or late check-out
- Explore regional co-ops or lesser-known listings offering business-friendly amenities
- Book places that reflect local culture, keeping ‘bleisure’ travellers extra happy
Hack 7: Bundle Booking and Think Long-Term
If your team travels often to the same places, you can unlock big savings by bundling services and booking in bulk.
Smaller businesses without the volume to secure discounts can also benefit from working with a TMC like Corporate Traveller, whose global reach and buying power unlock rates and perks usually reserved for larger organisations – maximising your travel budget.
- Block book hotel nights quarterly in busy locations
- Bundle hotels with transport, meeting space, or airport transfers
- Ditch one-size-fits-all policies and go for destination-specific booking guides
“We help SMEs bundle flights, hotels, and local travel to unlock volume discounts,” says Hidalgo. “This kind of strategy can save up to 40% on hotel spend over time.”
Pro tip: Book your flight and hotel at the same time, as early as possible. That’s always been the best way to get the best options and prices.
The Bottom Line: Outsmart, Don’t Outspend
SMEs may not have deep pockets, but they can still travel smart. By embracing tech, going green, being strategic with timing and getting creative with bookings, small businesses can stretch their travel budgets without cutting corners.
Next time hotel prices go through the roof, remember these hacks and chat to Corporate Traveller to help you book smarter, not harder.
-ENDS-
MEDIA CONTACT
For more information about Corporate Traveller, or to interview Corporate Traveller South Africa GM Herman Heunes, call Sonnette Fourie on 081 072 2869 or email sonnette@bigambitions.co.za.
About Corporate Traveller
Corporate Traveller is a division of the Flight Centre Travel Group, dedicated to saving businesses across Southern Africa time and money. Corporate Traveller has the benefit of being part of the world’s third-largest travel retailer, leveraging its global negotiating strength. It has access to over 50 of the world’s leading airlines and deals with more than 100 000 hotels around the world to guarantee savings for clients. Corporate Traveller provides clear, consolidated reporting of all its clients’ travel activities, helping them to control travel spend and identify opportunities to save costs.
Issued by:
Big Ambitions
Sonnette Fourie
+27 81 072 2869
