Every travel manager has heard it: “I found it cheaper on Expedia.” “This hotel was less on Booking.com.” “The airfare was lower on Spirit's website.” At first glance, these claims may seem like solid cost-saving wins. But the truth is, in corporate travel, cheaper is not always better nor is it the only factor to consider.
Let’s unpack the reality behind these “deals” and why booking through your managed travel program with Atlas Travel isn’t just about convenience; it’s about value, safety and long-term savings.
The Problem with Basic Economy & Low-Cost Carriers
When a traveler says they found a cheaper airfare, it’s often a Basic Economy ticket with the lowest fare class and the highest risk. These tickets may save you a few dollars upfront, but they come with serious trade-offs: no seat selection, no flexibility, no carry-on or checked bag and you’re the first to get bumped if a flight is oversold.
Airlines like Frontier, Breeze and Spirit operate entirely on Basic Economy-like models. And like a basic economy ticket, their fares are stripped down to the bare minimum as well, often leaving travelers to pay out of pocket for essentials like seat assignments, carry-ons or even speaking to a live representative.
That’s why Basic Economy fares and ultra-low-cost carriers are rarely a good fit for business travel. In fact, many of our clients proactively block them from being booked altogether knowing that the lack of flexibility and support can quickly become a logistical nightmare.
The Fine Print of Online Booking Sites
While it’s true that third-party sites may occasionally show lower rates, those prices can be misleading. Firstly, these rates are typically non-refundable fares, meaning no loyalty points and no flexibility to cancel or change plans. Secondly, they often have hidden fees. Because once taxes, fees and surcharges are added, the total price can jump from the initial quote.
That said, booking through Atlas Travel doesn’t mean sacrificing competitive options. Thanks to our content aggregator capabilities through Sabre, clients can access a broad range of rates, including inventory commonly found on booking sites, right within our approved booking tools. With Atlas Travel, you can rest assured that we'll give you more choices, accurately and transparently.
There’s also a safety and service factor to consider. When travel is booked through third-party sites, often there is little to no support if something goes wrong. So if a traveler misses a check-in or is affected by an emergency (like a natural disaster) their company may have no way of knowing where they are or how to support them. That’s not just a service gap, but a Duty of Care risk.
By contrast, bookings made through Atlas Travel are backed by a team of dedicated agents and managers available whenever needed and who know your company’s policies and traveler preferences. If issues arise, you’ll get real help from someone who knows you and your program, rather than being stuck on hold with an unknown call center.
Lost Savings, Lost Leverage
When bookings happen outside of your managed travel program, your company also loses visibility and that directly impacts your ability to manage spend and negotiate supplier discounts. Every trip counts toward your travel volume. The more spend you centralize through Atlas Travel, the more leverage you gain.
To help close these visibility gaps, Atlas Travel offers PRIME Capture, a solution designed to track travel booked outside of approved channels. PRIME Capture can surface out-of-channel activity, giving your team access to data on hidden spend and helping you recoup missed insights and opportunities. While not every client uses it today, this flexible option can add a layer of control and reporting over your travel program.
In the end, what seems like a cheaper option at first often costs more in the long run in flexibility, support, traveler safety and lost opportunities to drive savings through a managed program. At Atlas Travel, we don’t just book trips. We protect travelers, optimize spend and provide value beyond the ticket price.
Want to learn more about the benefits of partnering with Atlas Travel? Reach out to our team to explore how a managed travel program can support your goals and deliver long-term value.
