Compliance slip-ups that can cost you (and how to spot them)
Some travelers stick to policy, others—not so much. If you're managing business travel, keeping track of traveler habits is key to controlling costs and staying compliant. That’s where Melon’s Traveler Detail Report comes in. It gives you a clear view of booking trends, compliance gaps, and opportunities to optimize your program.
Digging into the details with Melon
Melon, Corporate Traveler’s all-in-one platform, makes travel management a breeze. With tools like the Traveler Detail Report, you can easily monitor:
- Out-of-policy bookings (someone keeps skipping approvals—sound familiar?)
- High travel costs (business class on an economy budget?)
- Travel frequency vs. spend (is one trip costing more than it should?)
This detailed view helps you cross-check expenses, adjust policies, and keep travel running smoothly.
Where travel goes wrong and busts your budget
Some travel habits can quietly drain your budget. Here are common compliance issues to keep an eye on:
- Booking too late: Last-minute bookings often mean premium prices. One employee’s delay could cost three times the usual rate.
- Skipping cost-effective options: Could a hotel closer to the client have been cheaper? A missed deal adds up over time.
- Ignoring approval processes: Bypassing approvals leads to unexpected expenses and policy headaches.
- Traveling inefficiently: Frequent flyers aren’t always strategic—are trips being combined when possible?
- Spending beyond reason: High costs don’t always equal waste, but context is key. Are premium seats or top-tier hotels really necessary?
Melon’s reporting gives you the full picture so you can curb waste before it becomes a habit.
Travelers who get it right
Some travelers just know how to navigate business travel smoothly. They book smart, stick to policy, and keep costs in check. With the Traveler Detail Report, you can identify these pros and learn from their habits.
Here’s what they’re doing right:
- Using travel credits and deals: The savviest travelers work with their travel manager to maximize credits and unlock exclusive rates.
- Booking preferred suppliers: Sticking with negotiated airline and hotel partners means lower costs and smoother experiences.
- Planning ahead: Strategic travelers book at least 14 days in advance, avoiding last-minute price spikes.
- Following policy: Organized travelers follow booking and expensing guidelines, making approvals and expenses seamless.
- Leveraging loyalty programs: Adding frequent flyer and hotel loyalty numbers ensures smoother bookings and more rewards.
By identifying top-performing travel behaviors, you can encourage these smart habits across your team.
Level up your travel program
So, you’ve identified the trends—now what?
Corporate Traveler’s Customer Success team is here to help. These travel pros will analyze your program, pinpoint cost-saving opportunities, and refine processes to make business travel simpler and smarter. With quarterly reviews, they’ll help you:
- Streamline processes for smoother management.
- Identify savings opportunities without cutting corners.
- Address last-minute booking trends and policy concerns.
- Highlight what’s working and scale it across your team.