We are trying to make a SOP for booking travel details for employees without corporate credit cards, but we have not found a way that is easy and efficient. Ideas?
What is the best way to book travel for employees without corporate credit cards?
Answers
Issue per diem checks and let the employees do it themselves. It's ironic how frugal they become when the possibility of having
1
There is a downside to this.......
Knowing that they will get tax free dollars, the employee can be too frugal. The possibility of your employee going to a meeting hungry (because he is saving the per diem) or arriving at a conference/meeting disheveled because he chose the 8 hour flight with 2 layovers instead of the direct 4 because it is cheaper goes way up. Staying in a rat infested motel instead of a minimum 3 star one (that is if he hasnt slept in his rental car).....well, you get my point.
Either way, in terms of immediate financial cost, the company isn't affected (the per diem amount stays constant) but image, reputation and maybe expected results for the trip are affected.
My boss actually shot that idea down yesterday. Do you have any other insights that you could offer?
Here is an idea.....Get a credit account from a travel agency or a firm that services travel needs of companies. Pay monthly or semi-monthly. Will it be more expensive? You said easy and efficient. No mention of inexpensive. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
It's very difficult especially car rentals because they require the driver to present their own credit card. I have gotten creative and used American Express rewards points to get car rental vouchers that the person could use. In my opinion, the the simplest method is to issue a corporate card and have them sign that any personal use or non approved travel related expenses can we payroll deducted. Otherwise what Emerson says.
Filed Under:
FP&A