|
Client who insists on booking your travel
Any ideas on how to deal with a client who insists on booking your travel and using their preferred car rental agencies (Budget), airlines (American) and hotels (Holiday Inn Express) even when yours (Hertz, Delta and Four Points by Sheraton) are cheaper? I don't think the client realizes I know the points game because it's obvious what they're doing.
How have you handled this? I don't want to lose the project but when my preferences are cheaper it's absurd to fly his preferences. |
You have answered your own question. If this is a big deal to you, tell them that it is a a big deal and you either book your own travel (presumably within a budget) or they find someone else. But, if as you say, you don't want to lose the client, you suck it up.
Don't forget that for clients this is often not about points, but about efficiency and negotiated rates. You may think that you can do it cheaper, but if they are using a corporate TA and negotiated rates with preferred vendors, the billing may all go into the accounting software without the need for finance people and the rates they pay may be far below what you can get. But, that is really irrelevant as only you can make the decision as to what is important. I would never allow a client to handle my travel. But, it is not out of the ordinary for a client to require you to use its corporate TA and its preferred vendors. |
My client who tried this (only for airline reservations) wasn't very organized, so my technique probably won't work for you. I used their in-house TA for two or three trips, if I remember right. They messed up my reservation on the last one so I unilaterally dropped them. I explained why and didn't get any push-back.
|
The client might cluelessly think that they're doing you a favor to arrange your travel. Have you tried offering to do it since it's faster and more convenient for you to just do it yourself or perhaps even saying that (if true) you have an eager assistant who enjoys doing the travel arrangements for you and is extremely good at it? Certainly it should be obvious that from your end, it's easier if all travel is arranged in the same way, on the same calendar, etc., if only to avoid potential conflicts and other mistakes. It may be too late, but control of your own travel (and whatever guidelines, or just include it in the total price) should be part of your contract with the client. |
Originally Posted by Often1
(Post 30770105)
Don't forget that for clients this is often not about points, but about efficiency and negotiated rates. You may think that you can do it cheaper, but if they are using a corporate TA and negotiated rates with preferred vendors, the billing may all go into the accounting software without the need for finance people and the rates they pay may be far below what you can get.
|
Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
(Post 30770421)
The client might cluelessly think that they're doing you a favor to arrange your travel. Have you tried offering to do it since it's faster and more convenient for you to just do it yourself or perhaps even saying that (if true) you have an eager assistant who enjoys doing the travel arrangements for you and is extremely good at it? Certainly it should be obvious that from your end, it's easier if all travel is arranged in the same way, on the same calendar, etc., if only to avoid potential conflicts and other mistakes. It may be too late, but control of your own travel (and whatever guidelines, or just include it in the total price) should be part of your contract with the client. Here's what I just emailed: [redacted], I appreciate your willingness to book my travel arrangements, but in one case this has added considerable time to my travel because instead of taking a nonstop flight on Delta I'm connecting with American. Moreover, the rental car you've reserved is neither the most economical booking nor the most logical, as it's $100 more extensive and a smaller car. As I've agreed to help you on this project on a pro bono basis I would appreciate the consideration of making my own travel arrangements. I didn't insist on this because you indicated you had special rates, but everything I've seen so far is actually more expensive. Hopefully, we can continue working together. |
I would have written a shorter and "softer" email. Good luck.
|
They are paying for your services so I think they have the right to book your travel. You can always reject the client. But do it too many times and word will get around that you are difficult to work with. |
I’d also correct your letter, and fix the “extensive” error in the first paragraph. |
Originally Posted by FlyingUnderTheRadar
(Post 30771905)
I would have written a shorter and "softer" email. Good luck.
|
Originally Posted by readywhenyouare
(Post 30771920)
They are paying for your services so I think they have the right to book your travel. You can always reject the client. But do it too many times and word will get around that you are difficult to work with. |
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
(Post 30771927)
You understand what Pro Bono is, right? |
Originally Posted by readywhenyouare
(Post 30771933)
That wasn't in the OP and that's what I was responding to. It doesn't really matter though. I wouldn't want to work with someone who has a chip on their shoulder regardless of the expense. |
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
(Post 30771943)
The post was made at 1:39pm today. Your post was made at 8:37pm. Seems you should read the thread fully before responding to avoid looking foolish. |
Originally Posted by readywhenyouare
(Post 30771951)
If that's what you think then so be it. But I don't feel foolish. I do volunteer work weekly. I don't treat those people any differently. If you can't be nice and respectful then just don't bother. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 7:00 pm. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.