GeekOverGears.com | All Things Automotive

4 factors to look for in a travel management company

For companies to stay successful perennially, corporate travel is a potent tool. Corporate travel forms an important part of every company’s employee experience activities. Businesses need to collaborate with travel management companies (TMC) who handle the process of coming up with destinations, streamlining the travel process, and suggesting ideas for improving employee travel experience and saving on travel spending. Here are some factors to consider when searching for a travel management partner:

The products or services not provided by the TMC
Travel management companies need to have a well-defined range of products and services to offer their client partners. Businesses need to verify whether these services and features cover the complete set of solutions they need. This can be done by checking out all the services the management company does not provide. Usually, some of the gap areas include corporate deal coverage of auxiliary travel requirements like car rental, train tickets, and travel insurance policies. Additionally, the absence (or availability) of value-added services such as data security, travel risk management, and analytics are also certain factors to check and consider before finalizing a travel management company to become a partner of any business.

Compliance with travel guidelines
Compliance with certain set travel guidelines is more critical than many businesses believe. In fact, travel guideline compliance is a major challenge companies face when executing corporate travel arrangements. A lack of proper guidelines can drive the travel budget and wreck an organization’s balance sheets and bottom lines. Therefore, one thing to consider for businesses is whether a travel management partner is willing to let a dedicated account manager work closely with them to keep travel expenses reined in no matter what the circumstance or destination is.

Clear data reporting
The dedicated account manager is responsible for compliance with more than travel guidelines. In fact, travel management companies must have a clear and utterly transparent relationship with their clients. Every cost, every term and condition, and every peculiar policy must be disclosed, and information must constantly be relayed regarding any developments surrounding a corporate travel booking or schedule. Businesses will need to check with other companies or users of a travel management company to know how clear their reporting is and how efficiently they deliver their promised services.

Easy travel arrangements
Travel management companies are responsible for making travel arrangements simple for a company’s employees and executives. That is a major requirement while selecting a management company and sticking with it through thick and thin. Travel management companies should not leave companies and their employees struggling to navigate the paperwork connected to a corporate travel plan. Companies must consider things like how easy or difficult it is to use the travel management company’s online booking platform custom-made for their client’s travel operations. A simple process benefits employees more and makes their experience with their employer more rewarding over the long term.

Popular Reads

4 Small Pickup Trucks to Choose From

Small pickup trucks were once primarily used for hauling farming or construction equipment. Today, these vehicles also offer massive cargo space, extravagant passenger features, and rugged capabilities. And if you’re looking for such a vehicle, the number of options and price ranges can overwhelm you. To help filter your requirements is the first step to take. To shortlist your choices, here are our top four pickup trucks that truly give you bang for the buck. 2013 Toyota Tacoma The 2013 Toyota Tacoma is still a very popular truck for the regular pickup driver. It comes in different trim variants and is loaded with a variety of features. Moreover, it gives you an impressive cargo capacity for its size, making it one of the best pickup trucks. Depending on your needs you can either choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that gives 159 hp or go for a higher 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 236 hp. It’s available in both five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic transmission. You can even opt for a four-wheel-drive in case you offroad a lot. 2016 Chevrolet Colorado The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is a comfortable ride with spacious and exquisite interiors. It is a compact truck that can be easily driven in the city while offering the capabilities of a full-size truck.

5 affordable crossover SUVs you can buy without thinking twice

Crossover SUVs offer tons of versatility in functionality at practically very affordable prices. Suitable for cargo as well as passenger transportation, crossover SUVs provide the best of both worlds. In addition to being a perfect combination of a passenger car’s fuel economy and a small truck’s cargo capacity, crossover SUVs prices are more pocket-friendly. Crossover SUVs bring in the sturdiness of a pickup truck, spacious cargo hold of hatchbacks, and passenger comfort of a minivan or a wagon. No wonder crossover SUVs have quickly become popular. If you are planning to buy one, here are some popular ones at affordable crossover SUVs prices. Hyundai Kona: With prices starting from $20,100, the Hyundai Kona has one of the most affordable crossover SUVs prices. At a budget price, this crossover SUV is replete with outstanding and significantly good features. These include a stylishly quality cabin with a user-friendly infotainment system, good crash test ratings, and agile handling. At such an affordable price tag, this crossover SUV is a catch. Kia Sportage: The Kia Sportage can easily accommodate five passengers within its spacious cabin. With a price starting from $23,990, the Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV that gives decent performance powered by an efficient four-cylinder engine.

What to consider before buying a Chevy Silverado 1500

Chevrolet has been a household name in the automobile industry for over a hundred years now. The auto giant earned a reputation for manufacturing some of the best pickup trucks in recent years and the Silverado series is one stellar example. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is by far the strongest and technologically advanced pickup designed to get the job done, period! A bigger engine, better transmission, and stellar off-road capabilities rank the 1500 trims in a class of its own. Here are some of the key highlights of the pickup truck. Trims The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a true commercial workhorse that offers eight trim variants and three custom special editions. The heavier V8 engine trims can haul heavy loads for long distances, while the lighter Turbo trims offer the best fuel economy in its class. Towing and trailering also play an important role when it comes to choosing a trim variant. Engine and transmission The bigger the engine block, the more powerful is the pickup. You get multiple options for engines, including your standard V6 or V8 and the more fuel-efficient Duramax® Turbo-Diesel. The Silverado 1500 comes with a 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, or a 6.2L V8, all great engine blocks for the heavy trims.