Developed by GBT’s Global Business Consulting team, the Air Monitor is GBT’s annual air price forecast, backed up by analysis of the trends that are driving fares. The 2020 edition includes advice on how travel managers and buyers can build ‘nimble’ programs that help them respond effectively to change.

The Air Monitor 2020 is one of a series designed by our consultants and analysts to help you optimize your travel policy and program.

To access the report, fill out the form below and then click on the “Submit” button. You then will be redirected to a new screen where you will be able to download the document.

* Champs obligatoires.

We know how difficult it can be to stick to your diet, exercise, and sleep routines when crisscrossing the country or planet for work. So today, some leaders from American Express Global Business Travel who often travel for work share their top tips for maintaining their health and well-being on the road … and confess about what sabotages their efforts.

For the Mind and Body

To maintain her physical and mental well-being, Michelle Dyer, vice president of Risk and Compliance, Corporate Development, and Responsible Business in EMEA, says she practices yoga every day, even on the road.

“I use the Down Dog app, which has several different types of yoga, and I prefer restorative, full practice, and quick flow. It also allows you to choose a focus area, such as breathing or back strength.”

She says she also loves the meditation app Waking Up. Despite its name, it has some great practices for falling asleep.

When traveling, Dyer maintains a diet high in protein and veggies – and can’t resist the breakfast croissants available at her preferred hotel.

“They are delicious with butter and jam. I don’t even try to resist them!” she admits.

“Instead I try to practice intermittent fasting (six hours on and 18 hours off) and fasting dinner-to-dinner every few days.”

David Levin, chief information security officer, also watches what he eats, limiting his carb intake. “It is really hard, but I always feel better when I get back home,” he says.

One thing that derails his healthy efforts? “Late-night dinner and drinks are hard [to avoid], especially if they bring bread to the table.”

But Levin is committed to burning those extra calories off, taking the stairs when he can and making sure the hotels he stays in have a nice gym so he’s motivated to work out.

“I also use the app Sleep Cycle, which helps me fall asleep and get a good rest so I can feel good when I wake up and want to go work out.”

Preventing a Flight Risk

David Thompson, who flies a lot for his role as chief information technology officer, is vigilant about preventing deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. It can develop during a long-haul flight and can cause a serious issue if it breaks loose.

“I practice techniques in my seat and while in the cabin to prevent occurrence,” Thompson says.

Some preventative exercises include heel and knee lifts, toes raises, and ankle turns. It’s also important to wear loose clothing on long flights, to stand up and move around the cabin, and to avoid keeping your legs crossed.

To help her stay healthy and well rested during long overnight flights, Melissa LaPorta, vice president of global marketing brand and content, always uses disinfecting spray and hand sanitizer to keep germs at bay, wears comfortable clothes, and packs a cooling sleep mask and lavender essential oils.

“As soon as I am able to recline, I put on my mask and focus on my breathing so I get some rest on the flight,” says LaPorta.

Her one guilty pleasure when traveling? While she generally tries not to drink her calories, she admits, “When I’m traveling, I do tend to give into the chai tea lattes and flavored coffee drinks more.”

Tricks for Alleviating Jet Lag

When Patricia Huska, chief people officer, flies to Europe, she makes it a point not to fall asleep on the plane if it’s a day flight. After checking into the hotel, she will get some exercise and fresh air by taking a walk and then going to bed at the normal local time.

“If I’m taking an overnight flight, I eat dinner before getting on the flight and try to go right to sleep and not start on emails or a movie. I find that’s my most effective way of adjusting to the local time zone,” she says.

Evan Konwiser, vice president of marketing and global product, follows a similar strategy when departing on a flight from New York to Europe (though he may watch one show to “settle in”). He then will try to sleep through the in-flight breakfast and eat a protein-rich meal when he lands.

“You can grab something on the ground, but you can’t grab more sleep,” he explains.

Konwiser says eating meals at the appropriate local time is key to resetting his clock and combatting fatigue. He also uses caffeine strategically to adjust, loading up in the morning and cutting himself off around 4 p.m. so he can go to sleep at a reasonable time.

To alleviate jet lag, he also suggests making plans with people who are operating on local time.

“You naturally mimic other people’s energy, so when you hang out with locals in the evening, you get their energy and it keeps you going the extra few hours you need.”

Unlike Levin, Konwiser doesn’t cut out carbs and admits to eating up to three baguettes a day in France.

“I dare you to try and stop me,” he says.

Besides walking, he also admits to doing little exercise on the road. “I hate carrying my sneakers – they add so much bulk to a slim packer – so I rarely exercise,” he explains.

Mark McSpadden, vice president of global product strategy, may have just the solution. When he travels, he brings a pair of Vivobarefoot shoes – which weigh less than a half-pound and take up minimal space.

“They are sturdy enough for my gym and road workouts, superlight, and even ‘fold up’ to pack,” he says. “Regardless of what pair you find, making the investment in a solid-performing and lightweight shoe is one you won’t regret.”

Something that McSpadden maybe does regret? Candy purchases at the airport.

“For me,” he says, “the airport is a labyrinth of well-being choices that I have to navigate carefully. While the number of healthy snacks and restaurants has definitely increased, it is hard for me to pass up a bag of Sour Patch Kids that’s been strategically placed between myself and the gate, especially at the end of a long travel stint.”

In a recent Atlas post, we revisited some events in 2019 affecting business travel. Today let’s look ahead and see what trends may shape the travel experience in 2020 – plus some bonus tips for travel managers (TMs) on how to handle the changes that are coming.

Travelers will rely on their mobile phones for every aspect of their trip.
From using it as a ticket to board the plane to hailing a ride to their hotel and now texting our travel counselors for booking assistance, today’s business traveler is already super dependent on their mobile phone as they navigate from Point A to Point B. But expect this reliance to grow in 2020 as Wi-Fi connectivity improves thanks to 5G networks spreading across the planet. This exponentially faster wireless technology will have a substantial impact on travel, from enabling travelers to have more vivid video calls with those back home to fueling the growth of self-driving cars and smarter transportation systems. Perhaps this year, we will even see fast Wi-Fi service on airplanes!
Driving this mobile-first phenomenon is the rise of the “super app” that allows users to perform multiple, seemingly unrelated tasks within one app. With this robust application, a traveler might check reviews of local restaurants for a business lunch, pay for the meal, and hail a ride back to the office without ever leaving the app.
Also contributing to this trend is the fact that the generations that have grown up with their hands glued to their smartphones are beginning to dominate the workforce – with it being forecasted that millennials will make up half of it this year just as the oldest members of Generation Z begin their careers. To win over these younger customers, travel suppliers are investing in upgrading their digital solutions.
Advice for TMs: Companies need to equip their employees so they can fully enjoy all that their mobiles can do when traveling internationally for work. If your organization is failing in this department, 2020 is the year to work with your procurement and tech teams on an upgrade.
The travel experience will get more personalized.
Thanks to advanced analytics and the growing amount of data being collected at every customer touchpoint, suppliers are able to create experiences and deals tailored to travelers’ needs and preferences. But with the rise of 5G, things are about to get even more personal.
This faster service is helping to advance artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the internet of things. This year, we anticipate a crop of new apps and devices – with some even connecting and communicating with each other – to spring up that are not viable under a 4G network.
With such technology, travelers can have a richer 360-degree experience of their destination – including a high-quality simulated tour of the hotel they’re eyeing – without having to take a flight. Lighting, temperature, and decor in hotel rooms will automatically adjust to guests’ preferences and moods. Augmented reality apps will send push notifications giving travelers customized dining and shopping options in the vicinity.
With AI algorithms and big data revealing more about travelers’ tastes and habits, we will see more suppliers this year using that information to package personalized offerings and try to sell them additional products.
Advice for TMs: With all the add-ons that might result from suppliers’ increasingly personalized offerings, it’s critical to have a travel and expense policy that provides travelers with clear guidelines on what ancillaries are and aren’t covered by the company.
We will see even more biometric technology being used.
Facial and fingerprint recognition technology has been popping up at airports around the world, speeding up lines at security checkpoints and boarding gates. In 2020, these machines will become permanent fixtures at more airports with the Department of Homeland Security saying facial recognition will be used on 97% of departing passengers by 2023.
Despite some critics voicing privacy concerns, many travelers are comfortable with the idea. According to a new survey conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council, 81% of Americans who travel internationally are willing to share their biometric data to speed up their journeys.
Biometrics also will spread to more hotels with some already making use of the technology. Singapore just launched a pilot program where guests at some hotels can use facial recognition to check into their rooms. Adding an extra layer of security, some hotels are also  allowing room access through fingerprint scanners.
Advice for TMs: Most business travelers have been letting airports scan their faces and fingerprints for some time, but we still recommend working with your information security team to educate employees about how they can protect their data and identities.
Sustainable travel will become more than a headline.
In 2019, greener travel and the concept of flygskam (which translates as “flight shame”) took off thanks to the climate change movement sparked by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. In 2020, we likely will see its counterpart, tagskryt (or “train-bragging”) grow as more travelers make a commitment to reduce their carbon footprint. As a result, expect to see European rail companies reinvest in their systems.
Increasingly, business travelers (and companies) will make greener choices, such as choosing airlines known for their fuel-efficient planes and flying nonstop, even if it’s a higher ticket price. Some may even elect to fly economy, since a business class seat comes with the price of a higher carbon footprint. And some airlines may do away with that cabin altogether after Wizz Air’s call for an industry-wide ban, while British Airways recently announced its commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Hotels also are working to make their operations greener with more efficient energy and lighting systems as well as water-conservation programs. And you can say goodbye to those tiny toiletry bottles at major hotel chains as Marriott, IHG, and Hyatt promise to do away with them by 2021.
Advice for TMs: Make your travelers feel less guilty for all the flights they take by introducing an eco-friendlier program. Need help getting started? Contact our Global Business Consulting team, who can help craft and implement greener travel policies. And be sure to check out our white paper on this topic.

Mesmerizing and sprawling, Delhi serves up a cornucopia of history, culture, commerce, cuisines and experiences – built up layer upon layer over millennia – along with a vibrancy that’s like no other capital city. American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) offers a useful guide for business travelers heading to this unforgettable territory.

Arriving in Delhi
The Indira Gandhi International Airport is India’s busiest, with international flights operating from Terminal 3 (T3). It is important to organize a visa before traveling, with tourist and business e-visas easily obtained online. Print the visa ahead of departure and get it stamped by the immigration department on arrival.

Traveling to the city
You can get to the center of Delhi, which is approximately 10 miles away from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, with relative ease. Taxis can be found at T3. Ola and Uber app-based taxis also operate here and Carzonrent in the arrivals hall organizes chauffeur-driven and self-driven cars. The journey time is generally in the region of 45 minutes. Shuttle buses can be crowded and confusing, but the Delhi Metro, with its Airport Express Line from T3, is simple to use and can take less than 20 minutes.

Getting around
Delhi may not always be the most walkable city; its sheer size, the roads without lanes and a relaxed adherence to traffic rules mean that driving is best left to experienced locals. The extensive metro offers a quick and cheap way to travel, and the first coach on every train is « women only. » Buses can be tricky for visitors and it may be best to avoid both buses and the metro from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. – the city is much too busy for only one « rush hour. » Black and yellow radio taxis are efficient and can be hailed on the street; there are also women-only taxi services, such as ForShe.com. Cycle rickshaws mostly offer experience
over convenience, but the yellow and green autorickshaws can be a great way to cover short distances. However, do check the fare first and make sure the meter is set at zero.

Where to stay

Taj Palace
The famous Taj Palace, spread out over six acres of lush gardens in the heart of the city, provides a convenient base for both business and leisure stays. The attentive Taj service, a large outdoor pool and first-rate dining facilities make any stay a pleasure. Don’t miss the historic pieces of Indian art throughout the hotel.

Leela Chanakyapuri
One of the grandest hotels in the capital, the Leela Palace is well worth a visit. Many pieces in the property, ranging from textiles to the silverware, have been custom-made by local skilled artisans.

Andaz Delhi (Hyatt)
After a long flight, a quick hop from the airport to your hotel can be an ideal start to your trip. Unlike other hotels that are situated closer to the city center, Andaz Delhi has more space to spread out and therefore can afford to offer spacious, light and airy bedrooms. The courtyard, with its pool, provides a pleasant escape from the busy city too.

Hilton DoubleTree Gurgaon

This property is conveniently located on Golf Course Road, so it is great for getting to Gurugram’s business district and nearby Cyber City. An array of quality restaurants are located close by as well as shopping and recreation options. Additional amenities include a spa and 24-hour gym.

Where to eat

Bukhara Restaurant located at the ITC Maurya Hotel recreates the authentic charm of the traditional clay oven with its tandoor dishes and robust flavors.

Indian Accent is known for inventive local food with an international accent.

Town Hall has colonial interiors and a varied menu but remains popular for its sushi.

• Leela Palace’s Jamawar is probably one of the best places to try butter chicken, a dish that has its roots in Delhi.

Chor Bizarre serves Kashmiri dishes amid charmingly eclectic décor.

• For a light lunch or casual dinner, Zizo offers Lebanese dishes as well as contemporary Indian delights.

Where to meet colleagues or friends

• Reclaimed furniture and a relaxed atmosphere give each of the seven Social bars in Delhi a modern « urban hangout » vibe.

• Wood-paneled walls, 540 wines and 172 whiskies make The Library Bar in the Leela Palace Hotel a memorable venue for catching up with friends and colleagues.

• Enjoying creative cocktails at Pass Code Only (PCO) needs a bit of planning. Guests will need a (regularly changed) passcode for this speakeasy.

• With rattan chairs and gazebos, the Kylin Sky Bar is a stylish terrace bar with great music.

• The colorful Ek Bar makes cocktails which are inspired by India’s regions. D17, First Floor, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024

What to do 

Have some free time before your return flight? Here are six great ways to spend it:

• Marvel at Humayun’s Tomb – the inspiration for the Taj Mahal – and the Mughal Gardens.

• Visit Asia’s largest spice bazaar in Khari Baoli Road and see the colorful 18th-century Jain merchant houses nearby.

• Explore Indira Gandhi’s former house, which is now a memorial museum.

• Shop for traditional handicrafts at Central Cottage Industries Emporium.

• Take a walking tour of Sanjay Colony, an authentic Delhi community with a rich culture. The organizers of the tour reinvest 80 percent of profits in the community.

• Visit one of the most prominent landmarks in the city, India Gate – a 42-meter war memorial reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

*Please drink responsibly. The minimum drinking age in Delhi is 25 years. Don’t drink and drive.

According to a report released by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and AIG in October 2018, 83% of women have had concerns about their safety while on a business trip in the previous year, yet a different survey conducted by GBTA and WWStay reveals that only 18 percent of travel buyers say their companies have policies that specifically address female travelers.

As Melissa Beauchamp, vice president of business development at American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), recently explained to Business Traveller, it can be a delicate issue for businesses. Women are not the only minority group organizations serve, yet female travelers do need to be alerted to the unique challenges they may encounter during their work journeys.

“To uphold duty of care requirements, businesses need to provide training resources and support for minority groups — whether that’s women [or] LGBTQ employees — especially if they’re traveling to high-risk destinations,” Beauchamp told Business Traveller. But instead of singling out one group, she suggests that companies focus on providing education and training for everyone across the board that includes information on the specific issues minority groups face.

With that in mind, here are some safety guidelines that are aimed toward female travelers but also apply to all traveling employees.

Pre-trip prep

To prepare employees for the realities they may face in a foreign environment, many companies provide them with country-specific briefings on the destinations they are visiting. Such profiles may include information on the local laws, appropriate attire, meeting protocols as well as gender-specific etiquette pointers.

Travelers also may wish to do their own research on the safety concerns most pertinent to them. Many governments issue destination-specific advisories for citizens on their websites. For instance, the U.S. Department of State site has travel guidelines on every country as well as a page dedicated to female safety.

Approval systems

To have greater oversight of the places their employees are heading to, organizations may opt to set up a pre-trip approval system with a tool like Expert Auditor™ (EA) from American Express GBT. With EA, supervisors who receive a travel request to a place that is deemed risky either can halt the booking entirely or communicate with the traveler some stipulations before giving the trip the green light. For example, a traveler going to a high-risk destination may be required to book only with suppliers that have been vetted by the security team or receive additional safety training.

A checkup on suppliers

According to the GBTA and AIG report, some of the biggest safety concerns female business travelers have are in relation to the location and type of accommodation they’re staying in.

When developing a hotel program, procurement and travel managers should consider properties near the meeting location and ones with enhanced security measures, such as doors with double locks, 24-hour surveillance and elevators that require key entry to guest floors.

Companies with an established program may review their preferred hotels to make sure they are located in safe neighborhoods.

As revealed by the GBTA/AIG study, female travelers also have some concerns regarding the transportation options available to them once they land in their destination.

As a way to address these worries, we have launched Ground Transportation, a multichannel platform offering black cars, taxis and shuttles as well as ridesharing services. All of our drivers have been fully vetted and have undergone rigorous screening processes. What’s more, travelers have access to all booking and vehicle information beforehand and passengers can monitor their rides in real time.

Tools and support at their disposal

When travelers encounter disruptions on the road, they can depend on us for support.

Our Expert Care™ crisis management platform provides organizations the ability to identify and pinpoint travelers’ locations in real time, instantly send alerts and communicate via text, email or mobile notifications. Travelers also can communicate directly with their company and choose to share their geolocation coordinates during an emergency.

Travelers who have downloaded the Amex GBT Mobile app can enable alerts and duty of care disruption notices to be sent to them and connect with an American Express GBT travel counselor 24/7 using the Messenger or click-to-call functionalities.

Because the app features integrations that include an expandable map, travelers can view directions directly within the app to figure out where they are and how to get where they’re going. It’s like Waze or Google Maps but includes key details of their trip.

Safety lessons

All traveling employees should undergo security training so they are equipped to deal with a crisis if one arises. A risk management provider, such as our partner WorldAware, can provide in-person training as well as online courses.

In general, travelers should be extra cautious when out in public. They should be alert to their surroundings, take well-trafficked pedestrian streets and avoid isolated areas at night. If a traveler finds themself in a situation that doesn’t feel right, they should not ignore their instincts and they should immediately seek refuge.

We also recommend that travelers carry a mobile phone, charged and operable at all times, and have emergency numbers stored in their device.

To further empower women on their business trips, we’ve put together two female-focused safety articles that travel managers may wish to post or pass along. To access, click here and here.

 

Want to know more about your traveling employees’ hotel booking patterns and preferences? Well, you are not alone.

American Express Global Business Travel recently teamed up with the market research firm GfK to conduct an online survey of 500 corporate travelers in the United States to get a better understanding of travelers’ hotel booking behaviors in order to help companies with their compliance efforts.

Some key questions we touched on include:

  • Why employees book hotels that are out of policy (Hint: One is connected to a common misconception we discuss in this Atlas article.)
  • What companies can do to steer noncompliant travelers back on track
  • What kind of amenities and incentives will drive travelers toward policy compliance

To learn more and view the results of our poll, fill out the form below and click on “Submit.” You will be redirected to a new screen, where you can access an infographic with our findings.

We also recommend checking out this accompanying piece highlighting ways to communicate with employees to help boost hotel compliance.

* Champs obligatoires.

You do not need a study to tell you that effective communication is key to boosting hotel attachment — you need one demonstrating what communication strategies actually work with travelers.

So American Express Global Business Travel teamed up with market research firm GfK to get those answers from 500 corporate travelers in the United States. We produced a summary of our findings, which touches upon:

  • What your messaging should focus on (i.e., the benefits to them, not you)
  • Surprise, surprise! Travelers do want more correspondence from the travel management company
  • Three quick tips to improve communication with traveling employees

To learn more, fill out the form below and click on “Submit.” You then will be redirected to a new screen, where you can download an infographic with the findings.

And if you are interested in finding out more about travelers’ hotel booking behaviors and other ways you can boost compliance, click here.

* Champs obligatoires.

Hardly a week goes by these days without some kind of headline in the media about cybersecurity and data breaches, with some of the biggest names in the travel industry falling victim to cybercriminals hacking into their systems and stealing
sensitive client data.

Apart from the obvious disruption, the consequences can be severe. Both British Airways and Marriott International were given huge fines (£183 million and £99 million respectively) by the Information Commissioner’s Office, the UK’s data
security regulator, for their respective data breaches. The fines were the first to be levied by the regulator as part of the European Union’s new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has tightened the rules on the use and protection of
consumers’ data.

As cybercriminals become ever more sophisticated in the way they try to penetrate organizations’ networks and websites, business travelers now find themselves on the front line in the battle to keep data safe. Ironically, as business travel itself unerringly moves towards becoming more ‘seamless’ and convenient, with constantly available Wi-Fi on tap to allow working on the move, the potential risks of cyber breaches become exponentially higher. The challenge is made all the greater by today’s ubiquitous ‘connected’ devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and a plethora of other options.

Fortunately, there are simple steps that organizations and their travelers can take to substantially reduce the risks of potential cyber breaches while they are traveling. Here are some of the main risk areas for business travelers and what they can do to mitigate them:

Beware of public Wi-Fi

Most travelers naturally want to be online as much as possible during work trips, but using unsecured and unencrypted Wi-Fi networks carries a serious security risk – particularly in public areas such as cafes, lounges, airports and even hotels or meeting venues. One way to reduce this risk is by using a virtual private network (VPN), which creates a secure password-protected connection to public open Wi-Fi networks.

Change device settings 

Travelers should make sure their devices are locked by using a passcode or fingerprint ID and should also consider changing their passcodes and passwords regularly for all their devices when traveling. Other good practices include not allowing any devices to automatically connect to new Wi-Fi networks and disabling Bluetooth as much as possible.

Keep systems up-to-date

Employers should make sure that any company devices are updated with the latest operating systems and anti-virus software updates. It’s worth noting that some high-profile incidents have only affected organizations whose systems did not have the latest upgrades. All updates should be carried out before leaving the office; it’s not advisable to download any software onto devices when traveling.

Take data precautions

Security specialists urge business travelers to only store data that they will actually need during the immediate trip on their devices so that, if the worst should happen, as little as possible will be compromised. Some IT departments will also loan ‘clean’ laptops and/or smartphones for employees to take with them to further reduce the risk of having data stolen.

Avoid shared devices 

Logging into any accounts on a shared computer should be avoided (unless it is absolutely essential) because doing so makes it much easier for criminals to steal information. If these public devices have to be used, then two-step authentication should be used when logging in.

Be vigilant

Cybersecurity incidents can often arise from what happens in the real world. For example, if a traveler leaves their printed airline ticket or trip itinerary on the aircraft or in a hotel room, that could give a fraudster access to valuable data, including the traveler’s Passenger Name Record. Travelers should also be aware when having conversations in hotel lobbies that a criminal could be listening in, either in-person or through eavesdropping equipment. Leaving any devices in a hotel room also carries an obvious security risk, so keep them with you or use the safe.

Educate travelers

Preparation is essential, so IT and security departments should be keeping travelers updated on the latest tactics that are being used by cybercriminals. One particularly effective technique is phishing, where a fraudster pretends to be a legitimate contact or colleague as a way of breaching security and getting the traveler to helpfully provide a ‘lost’ password or download some malicious software. Phishing is becoming more sophisticated, with criminals often using SMS messages while a traveler is abroad, so any suspicious and/or unsolicited texts should be deleted immediately – particularly if they contain any links (a sure warning sign).

Post-trip check-up

It’s also good practice to make sure all mobile devices taken on a trip are clear of any malicious software when returning to the office. IT departments can and should quickly determine if devices have a clean bill of health or if they have been compromised by malware and take appropriate action. This can lead to surprises, as travelers often have no idea when or how their devices have been infected.

While cybercrime makes the headlines and becoming a victim is a scary thought, most of these steps are simple, cost-free common-sense measures for organizations and their business travelers to deploy. It’s mostly a case of making sure you follow a few practical steps to reduce exposure to potential breaches while traveling and raising awareness of the latest techniques that cybercriminals may try. Knowledge, as they say, is empowering.

Unemployment levels around the world continue to break records. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the United States has dropped to 3.6% in May 2019, the lowest it has been in nearly 50 years. Japan and Germany have seen even lower figures — 2.4% and 3.4%, respectively — as per stats published by the World Economic Forum.

We also are seeing a high staff turnover. Research by Work Institute indicates that approximately one in four employees left their jobs in the United States in 2018 with American employers paying $600 billion in turnover costs that year. The same report found that 75% of that turnover could have been prevented by employers.

To address the high labor demand this competitive environment breeds, many companies are investing more resources to employee recruitment and satisfaction, but some may not realize how much the corporate travel program factors into all this.

According to a study we published in 2017 entitled “The Hidden Expenses of a Cost-focused Travel Program,” of the 750 business travelers surveyed, 84 percent said they would be interested in a job from a different firm that requires similar travel levels if it offers a very attractive travel policy, and 83 percent said the new firm’s travel policy would be at least equally important to, if not more important than, the new pay and responsibilities. Our research also found that travelers in cost-focused programs reported twice as much traveler friction as their colleagues in traveler-focused programs.

As illustrated by the Work Institute study, two of the top reasons that U.S. employees left their company in 2018 were related to work-life balance and well-being — two components that can be directly tied to an employee’s business travel experience. After all, too many non-direct flights and nights away from home without time off can quickly wear on a person’s psyche and personal life, not to mention, erode their overall work productivity and performance.

It may take someone within the corporate travel department to help company leaders understand how the travel program itself can be utilized as a tool to retain and attract top talent. Those who wish to persuade senior management about the necessity of shifting toward a more traveler-focused program may begin to build their case by conducting research on attrition rates and the costs of filling a job.

According to research by the Center for American Progress, replacing a skilled employee costs on average 21 percent of the employee’s annual salary. However, the company’s own talent management department should be able to compile data that gives a more accurate breakdown of what it costs the firm to replace and train new employees, including frequent travelers, who often are among an organization’s top-performing employees.

Using a benchmarking tool to see how other companies’ travel programs stack up against their own also can be an effective way to convey to decision makers about the importance of making the program more traveler-friendly, especially if those other firms are talent competitors.

American Express Global Business Travel offers through our benchmarking platform, Peer Travel Insights, a traveler well-being dashboard that can give a glimpse into aspects of the program that may be negatively impacting travelers’ health and satisfaction, such as the number of nights employees are away and the amount of red-eye flights they are taking. The tool also provides an overall traveler well-being score so companies can see how their program, component by component, compares to their peers.

Going straight to the source by surveying the company’s frequent travelers can be another effective way to understand how the company’s program is perceived. The talent acquisition director also can share if job candidates are inquiring about the benefits of the corporate travel program during interviews and, if so, what they are most eager to hear about.

Once all the data has been gathered and analyzed, it should become more apparent how much of an overhaul the program may need and which areas require attention. The next step is to prioritize and align goals among the key stakeholders who touch travel and come up with a plan to make the program more appealing to current and potential employees. For what to consider when devising this plan, please continue reading here.

Taking a cab in some cities can cost you an arm and a leg, while in others, fares can be surprisingly good value and provide the best option for getting around.

In this guide American Express Global Business Travel has put together, we take a look at tariffs charged by taxis, across the globe, for getting from the airport to the city center, with train fares for comparison where relevant.

Prices can vary dramatically. In Cairo, fares – at 34 piastres (2¢) per mile – are so low that you could travel 60 miles for what it would cost you to enter the Egyptian Museum. That’s also enough to travel from Cairo International Airport to the museum and back again, according to the SilverDoor Apartments Taxi Price Index. In London, meanwhile, the £8.44 (US$10.75) per mile cab ride from the Tower of London to the Victoria Palace Theatre to see « Hamilton » would set you back the same as the ticket price itself.

Click here to see the full region-by-region breakdown plus get other ground transportation tips.