Online Business Travel Booking with Munro’s: A Guide to Duty of Care

When you’re booking business travel, having the flexibility to see your options and make a booking quickly is invaluable. But when you’re arranging travel for someone else, there’s more to consider than simply finding an option that works.

Duty of care should be part of every business travel booking decision.

When you're booking travel for personnel, it's worth thinking beyond the booking itself. How long they're travelling, when they arrive and what they need to do next can all make a difference, particularly when they're travelling offshore.

Look beyond the price and flight time

When you're comparing options in the online booking tool, it's easy to focus on the fare and flight time. But the option that looks best on screen isn't always the best option for the traveller.

A cheaper fare might look like the obvious choice, but it's worth considering what you're getting for that saving. A longer journey or additional connection can make a big difference, particularly when the traveller needs to be ready for work when they arrive.

The key is to consider the journey from departure to arrival, not just the time spent in the air.

Is there enough time between connections?

When comparing flights, it's worth looking closely at connection times.

A very short connection leaves little room for delays, while a very long connection can leave a traveller spending hours in an airport unnecessarily.

It’s about finding a balance between a connection that gives the traveller enough time and one that doesn't add unnecessary hours to the journey.

What happens when they arrive?

Arrival time matters, particularly when a traveller is heading offshore for a crew change the following day.

Getting them there the day before gives them time to reach their accommodation and, importantly, get some rest before they're up and ready to travel again.

This is an important part of duty of care: when choosing a travel option, consider whether the itinerary allows the traveller enough time to rest and be ready for what comes next.

When a booking needs a little more consideration

Online booking gives you the flexibility to manage business travel quickly, but some journeys need a closer look.

Multiple connections, international travel, fixed mobilisation dates or several travellers can all make an itinerary more complex. Taking a moment to compare the options and think about the traveller can help you make the right choice.

And if you need a second opinion, our team is always there to help.

A simple checklist for booking business travel

Before confirming a booking, take a moment to consider:

✓ Total journey time

How long will the traveller actually be travelling?

✓ Departure time

Is it practical for the traveller and their journey to the airport?

✓ Layovers and connections

Are they sensible and appropriate for the overall itinerary?

✓ Arrival time

What does the traveller need to do once they arrive?

✓ Mobilisation requirements

Do they need to be ready for work, a transfer, vessel departure or offshore mobilisation?

✓ Flexibility

What happens if the first part of the journey is delayed?

✓ The traveller

Would you be comfortable taking this journey yourself before having to start work?

Good travel management is about more than getting someone there

Online business travel booking has given businesses more choice and control over how they arrange travel. That's a real benefit.

But choice works best when it's paired with good judgement.

For bookers, duty of care doesn't need to mean adding unnecessary complexity to every booking. Sometimes it simply means taking an extra moment to look beyond the fare and consider the person, the journey and what happens when they arrive.

At Munro's, our online booking tool gives clients the flexibility and control to manage their travel, backed by an experienced team who understand that the right itinerary is about more than getting someone from A to B.