{"id":13470,"date":"2023-02-02T15:52:59","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T15:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itilite.com\/?p=13470"},"modified":"2024-03-05T07:46:21","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T07:46:21","slug":"all-about-tmc-pricing-models","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.itilite.com\/blog\/all-about-tmc-pricing-models\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose among various TMC Pricing Models?"},"content":{"rendered":"
After almost reaching a standstill during Covid-19, business travel is gradually returning to normalcy. An extensive research report by Morgan Stanley states that 34% of global companies anticipate a complete recovery of their travel levels in 2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As more and more companies are gearing up to green-light business travel, they are turning towards travel management companies (TMCs) to optimize their travel process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your organization is also looking for the right corporate travel management<\/a> company, you must consider various factors before investing. The TMC pricing structure is one of them. Evaluating pricing models before investing in a travel management company is essential to ensure you don\u2019t overspend on travel management.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the current market, numerous travel management company cost structures are available. The variety ranges from a subscription-based model requiring regular commitment to a per-trip fee model, where you only pay when you travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to this diversity, it is hard to decide which TMC is suitable for your company using an apples-to-apples comparison of how much it charges for each booking. You must evaluate each TMC pricing structure’s pros and cons individually to pick the right option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We are here to help you with that. Let\u2019s learn more about the various TMC pricing structures and how to choose among them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the most commonly prevalent TMC pricing models:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Per-service charge model, the TMC levies a fixed fee for all online bookings and separate charges for all offline transactions. Hence, aside from a basic booking fee, you have to pay extra every time you need on-call assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, the booking fee you might have to pay could be $7 if you use TMC\u2019s online platform. However, if your travelers need to reschedule their flight or change their hotel, you might have to pay an extra $20 each time they call the TMC\u2019s support team. So, even though the TMC is charging just $7 for booking, the additional support charges can drive up your travel costs in the blink of an eye. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A TMC deploying the Per-service charge model is suitable for your company if you have a low travel volume. This is because less number of trips can be managed online easily, and the basic online booking fee is generally nominal. Moreover, even if a few unanticipated offline requests come up, they won\u2019t carve a massive hole in your pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, if your company\u2019s travel volume is large, this model is unsuitable because the frequency of offline booking and additional support requirements increases. Hence, it will drive up the total trip cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pros <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A hybrid pricing model combines an annual fee and an additional fee per transaction. This might seem similar to the Per-service charge model; however, there is a key difference. Unlike a basic booking fee in the Per-service charge model, the hybrid model requires you to pay a regular flat fee just to avail of the TMC\u2019s services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most TMCs with a hybrid pricing model charge an annual fee depending on the size of the customer company. Some might also charge an additional onboarding fee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from that, the TMC gives you a rate card for each service, whether online or offline. So, you will be charged separately for flight and hotel booking, cancelation, and rescheduling. The TMC will also levy some fees for providing support and charge extra for non-office hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Per-trip fee model is one of the newly emerging TMC pricing structures. A travel management company that charges according to this model will charge you only for the trips you book and quote the entire trip\u2019s spending in a single, clean amount. There are no subscription or onboarding fees. You won\u2019t have to pay any extra charges whether you book from TMC\u2019s online travel software<\/a> or with the help of an agent. Moreover, there are no additional hidden charges for rescheduling, cancellations, and travel support<\/a>, during and after office hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Investing in a TMC with a Per-trip fee model can benefit companies with high or low travel volume. This is because the cost of each trip is calculated separately, and there is no fixed retainer fee or hidden charges. So, you only pay when you travel and only for the services you use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pros<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cons<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a commission-based TMC pricing model, the travel management company charges a pre-determined percentage of the total trip cost as its fees. The commission percentage can be different based on the client company\u2019s size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if for a single trip, the total cost of the flight is $150, the hotel cost is $200, and the miscellaneous charges, including car rental and other concierge services, add up to $150, the total trip cost becomes $500. If the commission rate of the TMC is 10%, the fees will be $50. A commission-based model benefits you if your road warrior employees don\u2019t travel regularly. This is because the fee is charged only when the TMC makes travel arrangements. Hence, you don\u2019t need to worry about a fixed amount being deducted from your pocket even when your travel volume is zero. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A negotiation-based TMC pricing structure is built on the interpersonal relationship of a travel management company with its client. In this model, the TMC and the client collectively determine various price ranges(lower than the market rate) according to the client\u2019s travel-related requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The TMC then negotiates the set prices with flight and hotel suppliers on behalf of the client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This pricing model can be suitable for your organization if the employees partake in business travel regularly and in huge volume. The TMC can leverage your volume to negotiate with the suppliers and offer you more competitive prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pros<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cons<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you know about various travel management company cost structures, and their advantages and disadvantages, you have come one step closer to finding the most suitable TMC that can help optimize your business travel management<\/a> process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the information provided above, we can pinpoint that an ideal TMC pricing structure should have the following characteristics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides keeping these characteristics in mind, you must evaluate each pricing structure to calculate the \u201creal cost\u201d you will pay for each booking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The TMCs deploying the Per-service charge or Hybrid model may charge less for travel bookings. From a surface level, their pricing may seem highly lucrative; however, on deeper inspection, you will discover numerous hidden charges for additional services. These charges add up to increase the actual price you pay for each trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, a corporate travel management<\/a> company that follows the Per-trip pricing model quotes a single price for the entire trip. The amount is inclusive of booking, cancellations or modifications, and support. There are no hidden charges. Hence, you know what you will actually pay for each business trip right off the bat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use this template to calculate the real cost per trip in your organization as well. To get a free copy, click on the button below.<\/p>\n\n\nMost Prevalent TMC Pricing Models<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Per-service Charge Model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2. Hybrid Model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Per-trip Fee Model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Some other TMC Pricing Models<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Commission-based Model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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5. Negotiation-based Model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How to Choose the Most Suitable TMC Pricing Structure for Your Company? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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