TruTrip vs direct booking: Navigating your business travel choices

Hugh Batley
Hugh Batley
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business travel choices

Last Updated on: March 7, 2024 at 2:19 pm

With the rising costs of business travel, the pressure to manage expenses while ensuring value has never been higher. TruTrip is a dedicated ally in this landscape offering a best-rate guarantee that doesn’t compromise on quality or convenience.

As we navigate a period of high price volatility, the importance of smart travel spend management aligns directly with the evolving needs of corporations. 

Whether in streamlining booking processes or leveraging technological advancements, the choice between TruTrip and direct booking is more than just about price tags. 

At TruTrip, we achieve savings through four key strategies: securing great fares, maintaining low and transparent fees, assisting companies in developing cost-saving travel policies, and helping clients understand when to use alternatives such as video calls. These strategies are at the heart of how we not only offer competitive pricing but also contribute to a more efficient and environmentally friendly travel process.

In this article, we will delve deeper into how TruTrip secures lower fares, highlight the benefits of choosing us over direct booking, and outline our future strategies to continue delivering the best rates, ensuring a seamless, sustainable, and cost-effective travel management solution.

What is the difference between TruTrip and direct booking?

Looking at real Baskets

To better understand the value offered by TruTrip in comparison to direct bookings, we delve into the concept of “real baskets” – which means analyzing actual trips taken by our clients in the combinations they truly occurred.

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In the examples we’ve studied, overall expenditures by companies are roughly equivalent, whether they book through TruTrip or directly. However, it’s crucial to note that while the total spend might mirror one another, individual transactions often vary, sometimes significantly, when compared to direct bookings.

Despite the average cost being comparable across the board, the likelihood of securing the same fare each time remains minimal. More often than not, travellers will find themselves securing a fare that’s either lower or higher than the standard rate. Based on the date there is a 50% chance a user will book the same or better than the airline/hotel direct, and just under ¾ of all our bookings would result in a minor variance (<2%) or better. 

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Ultimately, though the individual fares may fluctuate, we observe a balancing effect over time. 

The net result is that while you may save on some bookings and spend a bit more on others, the total cost evens out, reinforcing the efficiency and competitive pricing of utilizing TruTrip for your corporate travel needs.

Knowing where we need to do more work

The huge value for us as a business in benchmarking is knowing where we need to do more work.  Right now we know when looking across travel worldwide we do very well in most of Asia and the Americas. However, in EMEA and China on select airlines, the variation becomes more pronounced

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What makes TruTrip’s rates cheaper?

When you’re managing corporate travel, every dollar saved matters. TruTrip stands out as the first choice for businesses looking to stretch their travel budget further. But what makes TruTrip more economical than other travel management solutions? Let’s break it down.

Leveraging technology

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TruTrip leverages technology through an automation-first approach, which significantly differentiates it from traditional travel platforms. With automated processes for booking and managing travel logistics, TruTrip significantly reduces operational costs, enabling the provision of lower fares without sacrificing service quality. 

This streamlined approach ensures efficiency and adaptability, allowing TruTrip to consistently fulfil its promise of delivering the lowest cost-efficient travel options. The savings from reduced manual intervention and system maintenance are directly passed on to customers, making travel more affordable and accessible. 

Global partnerships without the markup

Our global partnerships are the secret sauce behind our low costs. With heavy hitters like Agoda, Booking.com, Bedsonline, and a network of flight partners across over five markets, we secure quality inventory at exceptional prices. 

Unlike some platforms that add a markup to the rates they receive, we don’t. The competitive price we negotiate is the exact price you’ll see on TruTrip—transparent and fair.

Strategic points of sale

Ever wonder why flight fares and hotel rates fluctuate depending on where you book them? That’s the Points of Sale effect. 

TruTrip, through our extensive partner network, utilizes six different points of sale—and counting—to access the most affordable fares and rates, passing on the savings directly to you.

Maximizing NDC airline integrations

Airlines often reserve their best pricing for specific channels, and one such channel is the New Distribution Capability (NDC). At TruTrip, we’re ahead of the curve, continuously expanding our NDC integrations. 

This includes multiple carriers in Southeast Asia, ensuring that we’re able to offer some of the most competitive airfares available.

Charging you the real cost every time

We believe in clarity and honesty in pricing. While others may rely on averages and estimates that often skew in the seller’s favour, we do things differently. 

At TruTrip, you’ll only see the real extra charges that apply to your booking. This means no surprises on your bill—just the exact cost every time. In contrast, travel platforms like Skyscanner are subject to the prices set by travel agents or airlines. They display what they’re given without any control over those figures. 

While they provide a valuable service, they simply can’t offer the tailored cost-saving strategies we do at TruTrip.

So, when it comes to expense management for business travel, choosing TruTrip isn’t just a smart move—it’s a strategic one.

How we will deliver even better rates 

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Moving forward, our focus is on elevating our services and positioning TruTrip as the one-stop shop for business travel needs. We aim to underscore the ease and efficiency provided by managing travel arrangements with TruTrip:

  • Enhancing direct airline connections: We are deepening our relationships with airlines to secure more direct access to fares.
  • Forming strategic retail partnerships: We’re tapping into global networks to ensure the best possible prices.
  • Establishing clear agreements with airlines: Our goal is to negotiate more equitable fare terms.
  • Integrating membership programs: We’re adding loyalty rewards to our service offerings.
  • Implementing real-time benchmarking: By collaborating with tech partners, we plan to offer insights into current airline prices, halting purchases on fares that deviate by more than 5%.

TruTrip is setting industry benchmarks not only by conducting thorough market analyses but also by sharing these findings with our customers. Our dedication to transparency underlines our commitment to offering fair prices and ensuring

How we benchmark data

For Flights

  • Scope: We analyzed 50 routes involving 31 airlines and 273 flights, focusing on a mix of carrier types, class types, and flight schedules.
  • Selection Criteria: Priority was given to direct flights booked 23 days in advance, selecting the lowest available fare for each time slot and class from the airline’s website.

For Hotels:

  • Scope: We reviewed bookings in 20 cities, covering both global chains and independent hotels, with lead times of 3 and 30 days, resulting in 160 booking options.
  • Selection Criteria: We focused on city/business hotels with rates between SGD 150-SGD250 per night for a 2-night stay, always choosing the lowest available rate from the hotel’s website.

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Make travelling easier with TruTrip

In delving deep into the discussion of TruTrip vs. direct booking, it becomes evident that the former is not just another travel platform but a strategic partner vested in optimizing your corporate travel. 

Whether it’s about cost savings, operational efficiencies, or a seamless user experience, TruTrip stands ready to transform how you manage business travel.  With us, you’re not just saving money; you’re investing in a partnership that understands the value of every cent in your business travel budget.

Don’t just take our word for it; put TruTrip to the test. We encourage you to book a demo or sign up for a free trial today and join the multitude of businesses that have already elevated their travel management with TruTrip. Your journey to smarter travel choices starts here.