As the year draws to a close, many companies are reviewing their business travel — what worked, what didn’t, and where the money went. For some, that review stops at budgets and policy updates. But for others, it’s a chance to dig deeper.
Travel analytics has become one of the most powerful tools for spotting inefficiencies and improving value. It reveals patterns that would otherwise stay hidden, helping organisations make smarter, more confident decisions about how they manage travel.
Where the hidden savings really are
At first glance, travel costs look straightforward; flights, hotels, transfers, and a few extras. But beneath those categories are dozens of small choices that quietly affect the total spend.
Take flight bookings. Travellers often stick to familiar routes or airlines without realising how much prices vary week to week. Analytics shows when those habits are costing more than expected, highlighting cheaper or more efficient alternatives is essential for a business travel partner..
Timing is another big factor. If reports show most bookings happening just days before departure, that usually signals late planning, and higher fares. Once you can see that pattern, it’s easier to build in earlier approval timelines or set reminders to book ahead.
These aren’t dramatic policy changes, but small adjustments like these can have a big impact across the year.
Turning travel data into smarter decisions
Good analytics turns booking data into clear, usable information. It helps you understand why you’re spending what you are and where there’s room to improve.
ACE Travel’s reporting tools support this process by breaking down spend by department, traveller, route, and time of booking. That level of detail helps businesses pinpoint what’s driving costs.
For instance, you might notice a department choosing premium economy for short-haul flights, or a pattern of unused tickets that could have been refunded or reused. Sometimes it’s as simple as travellers booking non-preferred hotels even when cheaper negotiated rates are available. Once you can see those details clearly, improving them becomes straightforward.
Finding better value through fare access
One of the biggest advantages of working with a specialist travel management company is access to negotiated fares. These rates aren’t always visible on public booking platforms and can make a real difference across frequent routes.
Through the ATG network, ACE Travel can offer marine, seaman, and corporate fares that unlock extra flexibility and savings. Analytics helps identify where those rates will have the most impact; for example, routes that are used frequently or by multiple departments. Armed with that data, you can approach supplier negotiations with a clear case for better terms.
Using data to guide policy updates
This time of year often brings policy reviews, and analytics plays a key role in making those reviews meaningful. Reports can show where travellers tend to book outside of policy, which might indicate that the current rules are too rigid or outdated.
Rather than guessing what needs changing, analytics points directly to the areas that need attention. Whether it’s simplifying approval steps, adjusting budget thresholds, or updating preferred suppliers, decisions are based on evidence, not assumptions.
When policy changes are guided by real behaviour, compliance naturally improves, and so does traveller satisfaction.
Building foresight into travel planning
Over time, your data begins to tell a story. You can start to predict when certain costs rise, when routes fill up, or when travellers tend to book last minute. Those insights make planning for the future much easier.
If you know that a particular quarter always brings a surge in short-notice travel, for example, you can prepare by securing flexible fares in advance. Or if hotel rates in a key city spike around specific events, you can adjust schedules early to avoid unnecessary cost.
This kind of foresight helps businesses stay in control, not by spending less, but by spending smarter.
Why this matters now
As travel budgets tighten, the world becomes more uncertain and new year planning begins, the focus shouldn’t only be on cost-cutting. It’s about understanding the story behind the spend and using that knowledge to make travel work harder for the business.
Analytics brings clarity to that process. It helps identify waste, strengthen negotiations, and highlight where small changes can make a measurable difference.
Trust in analytics to make better decisions
Every organisation wants better value from business travel, but it’s easy to overlook where those savings really come from. With accurate, accessible analytics, the answers are already in your data, you just need to bring them to light.
ACE Travel’s analytics tools help turn those insights into action, giving you a clearer view of your travel performance as you plan for the year ahead.
Do you want to have a chat about your year’s travel figures? Schedule a free consultation with our team or find out more about our reporting tools.