Travelodge seeks to grab bigger share of UK business travel
Sunday, 23 Feb, 2009
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Budget chain Travelodge has created a Business Account Card offering corporate travellers credit for the first time.
With eight weeks credit available, the company aims to assist companies with their cash flow in the current economic climate, as well as claiming to provide prices lower than rivals.
The chain is aiming to double its number of corporate clients this year by capitalising on the need for businesses to cut their travel expenses.
Corporate customers will be able to use the card to book rooms via the internet, on the phone, through business travel agents and in hotels, as well as be able to use it in Travelodge’s bar/cafés.
An online statement will contain day by day analysis of each cardholders’ account, enabling close scrutiny of what travel expenses are at any given time.
A statement will be issued electronically every month, with a further 30 days for payment.
For every pound spent, bookers will earn Argos Reward points with a quarterly statement being issued showing the value they have accrued.
The launch of the Business Account Card comes a month after the launch of a price check campaign which compares Travelodge room rates to all of its competitors in every major hotel market in the UK.
Given that the average executive spends 43 nights a year in hotels, the savings that can be made by switching from a mid-market hotel are substantial, the company claims.
UK managing director Guy Parsons said: “An easy way for any business to cut costs is to stop paying a small fortune to stay at over priced mid-market hotels and instead switch to the budget sector.
“We have been inundated by requests from firms looking to start booking with us and the Travelodge Business Account Card is our way of making it easier for companies to do so.”
He added: “The rip-off room rates offered by our mid-market competitors in the major business markets of the UK show the savings that can be made by switching to budget hotels.
“By staying with Travelodge you will not get a 10ft swimming pool or a basement gym with three pieces of equipment, but you will make substantial savings.
“With all hotel rooms looking the same when the lights are turned out, the launch of the Business Account Card gives businesses no reason not to turn to the budget sector for their accommodation needs.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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