Global Company Savings on Business Travel in the Last Year

A SAP Concur survey with Wakefield Research reveals various cost-saving measures implemented by global companies for business travel. This is based on employee experiences over the past 12 months.

The results show employees reported savings in various areas, such as access to business or premium class flights, overnight stays to avoid lengthy day trips, and the use of public transportation.

The following cost-saving measures were implemented by global companies for business travel based on employee experiences in the last 12 months:

• Staying overnight to avoid a long day of travel for a day trip: 30%
• Using business or premium class: 30%
• Traveling for non-client purposes, like conferences: 28%
• Paying more to get a non-stop flight or direct route: 26%
• Working remotely while traveling for pleasure, to avoid taking leave days: 26%
• Paying more to use more sustainable travel options: 26%
• Adding personal travel to a business trip: 25%
• Using options like taxis rather than public transportations: 24%
• None of these: 13%

According to SAP Concur, 60% of business travelers, 59% of managers, and 59% of chief financial officers (CFOs) reported that business travel cost-saving measures have been implemented. For employees, these savings are not perceived as significant policy changes.

However, the survey also found that 84% of employees said they spend more money on company-funded business trips than on leisure travel.

“And when travelscrimping leaves them no option, 85% percent of travelers say they’re prepared to spend their own money to improve the quality of their business trips,” said SAP Concur in its report.

The Concur Business Travelers-Global Survey was conducted from April 30 to May 12, 2025. It involved 3,750 respondents from 29 countries in the Americas, Africa, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia.