How business travelers book trips online 1. Traveler enters trip requirements, such as travel dates, times and preferred suppliers, on computer. The system shows airlines, hotels and car-rental companies that give discounts to traveler's company and displays lowest prices. Traveler makes selections. System issues warning if traveler has violated company travel policies.
Traveler completes reservations.
To boost usage, Cisco has been conducting satisfaction surveys of its users and sharing cost-saving figures with employees. Travel manager Jim Lee is working with GetThere to improve some functions. Some travelers find that changing reservations and booking international trips is more difficult to do online than by calling a travel agent. Adjustments to traveler profiles, such as preference for non-smoking hotel rooms, sometimes do not get incorporated into online booking tools. Business Traveler David Ross says he often does not use his company's online booking tool because calling an airline, hotel or rental car company's reservation line for loyal customers is easier and more efficient.