Vacation Rentals on Business Trips? Who Gets the Best Airline Seat?
Skift Take
Key Points
- Mastercard study explores sustainability, vacation rentals, and corporate travel policies.
- Key findings include push for sustainable travel, differing views on vacation rentals, and need for improved T&E policies.
- Companies have varied policies on airplane seating, with distinctions based on role and flight length.
Summary
A Mastercard study examines the perspectives of decision makers and business travelers on sustainability, vacation rentals, and other corporate travel topics. The study reveals varying policies and preferences regarding sustainable travel, the use of vacation rentals, streamlined travel and expense (T&E) procedures, and airplane seating arrangements. Insights highlight the push for more sustainable travel options, the acceptance of vacation rentals despite safety concerns, and the desire for better T&E integration and policies. Additionally, the study explores how companies determine seating arrangements on flights, with notable differences in class allowances based on role and flight length.
A new study from Mastercard highlights how decision makers and travelers perceive sustainability, vacation rentals, and other topics in corporate travel.
Survey feedback came from 265 corporate travel decision makers and 151 business travelers around the world. Other issues in the paper include reformed travel and expenses (T&E) policies and airplane class seating.
As corporate travel continues to evolve in the years since the pandemic, here’s what you need to know:
Push for sustainability in business travel
Previous research has shown that corporate travel has made few strides toward prioritizing sustainability. Some companies are taking steps, though, with rail travel and other initiatives.
Companies and travel decision makers
- 61% urge business travelers to consider sustainable options while booking
- A quarter have a “sustainability tax” they internally charge to employees or departments based on booking options
- 42% encourage or mandate rail travel globally as an alternative to air travel, hoping to limit carbon emissions or reduce cost
- 58% encourage or mandate rail travel in specific countries
Business travelers
- 53% say their company encourages or mandates rail travel globally
- 78% say their company encourages or mandates rail travel regionally
Acceptance of vacation rentals
While sometimes cheaper, some companies avoid vacation rentals due to duty of care, which could include employee safety concerns. This isn’t stopping some companies and employees from exploring this option, though.
Companies and travel decision makers
- 53% permit booking vacation rentals
Business travelers
- 74% of business travelers say their companies allow booking vacation rentals for work trips, indicating some misalignment between traveler and decision maker expectations
Integrated and honed T&E policies and procedures
There is a growing market for tools and products that streamline T&E. Employees are vocal about their needs.
Business travelers
- Over 42% believe their companies’ T&E policies need improvement
- 54% want payment and expense integration
- 66% say easy-to-find policies can help them follow T&E guidance
Who gets the ‘better’ airplane seat
Companies have varying policies about who gets the “good” seat, if anyone.
Companies and travel decision makers
- 27% don’t allow first class for anyone, but 40% allow first class for senior executives
- 15% bar basic economy for anyone
Business travelers
- 42% say their companies allow employees to upgrade with points
- 26% to 36% say their companies have policies based on flight length that could grant someone a better seat
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