Introduction
Corporate travel has seen massive transformation post-pandemic, fueled by digital tools, cost pressures, and a growing preference for flexibility. One debate continues to dominate CXO discussions: Should companies rely on centralized travel booking platforms, or let employees self-book using online tools?
What’s Driving the Shift?
According to a recent survey by Deloitte, 64% of business travelers now expect more autonomy in booking travel. However, organizations continue to face issues such as policy compliance, cost control, and reimbursement bottlenecks when employees go the self-booking route.
Comparison Table: Corporate Booking vs. Self-Booking
Criteria |
Centralized Booking (AYP) |
Self-Booking by Employees |
Cost Savings |
Up to 22% via negotiated rates |
Higher due to fragmented pricing |
Policy Compliance |
Enforced through tech |
Often bypassed |
GST Reconciliation |
Integrated |
Manual and error-prone |
Time Efficiency |
Streamlined approval workflows |
Delayed by manual reviews |
Duty of Care |
Location tracking, 24/7 support |
Limited visibility |
Real-World Challenges with Self-Booking
- Policy Violations: Employees often prioritize convenience over compliance.
- Data Silos: Inconsistent vendor bookings complicate analytics and cost forecasting.
- Approval Delays: Lack of integrated approval workflows results in manual back-and-forth.
How AtYourPrice Solves These Problems
- Smart Automation: Auto-apply policies while giving users flexible options within budget.
- Pre-Integrated Vendors: Flights, hotels, cabs, visas – all in one place.
- Real-Time Reporting: Finance teams get instant access to dashboards and cost summaries.
- GST-Compliant Invoicing: Streamlines tax claims without friction.
- 24/7 Support: Live agents + AI chat to assist travelers.
Case Study: Tally Streamlines Travel with AYP
Tally Solutions adopted AYP after experiencing data chaos from decentralized bookings. In just 3 months:
- 86% increase in policy-compliant bookings
- ₹9.2 lakh saved on airfare alone
- 60% reduction in reimbursement processing time
Conclusion
While self-booking tools seem convenient for employees, they introduce hidden inefficiencies and risks for businesses. Platforms like AtYourPrice strike the perfect balance – empowering employees while ensuring policy adherence, cost savings, and automation.
Curious how your company could benefit from a smarter booking platform?
Book a Free Demo with AtYourPrice
