Case Study:
Optimising Business Travel
for a Large UK Retailer
Client overview
Our client, a major FMCG retailer, with in excess of 500 sites across the UK and Ireland, had some significant challenges with their travel programme when they moved to us 18 months ago.
Challenges
1. Exceeding Budget
Costs spiralling airfare and hotel costs as well as a culture of last-minute bookings which has significantly increased travel expenditure.
4. Missing Insight
Off-programme bookings preferred travel management company hindered cost-saving initiatives, and helped drive the wrong behaviours.
2. Poor User Experience
Multiple friction points in the booking process led to missed savings opportunities and inefficiencies.
5. Poor Online Adoption
An increased number of bookings were made via high touch team as opposed to using the online booking platform.
3. Out of Policy
Travellers either claimed to be unaware of the policy or did not always comply with it, adding greater cost.
6. Streamlining Payments:
Multiple accounts which were settled by different FOP (Forms of Payment).
Solution
Our client worked closely with us to deploy our knowledge and expertise in addressing these specific challenges. Key initiatives included:
1. Centralised Booking Platform
A new booking platform was rolled out and a central internal travel desk was created to process and monitor travel requests, enforcing travel policy and compliance whilst increasing online adoption.
3. Travel Analytics
Meon Travel Management introduced bespoke real-time dashboards reporting valuable insight into travel spend, enabling better financial planning and sustainability monitoring.
5. Frictionless Payment
A variety of forms of payment were deployed within different divisions of the business. We consolidated these into one provider with virtual single use cards.
2. Pre-Approved Travel Policies
Pre-approval to travel was made mandatory via Line Managers and Directors with internal controls challenging the need for travel. A three-day minimum advance booking notice period was implemented to drive savings, with compliance to travel policy ensuring bookings remained within budgetary limits.
4. Preferred Vendor Agreements
We took a fresh look at the hotel programme and launched a new, more relevant hotel programme. In doing so we were able to secure LRA, and some of the programme specific requirements for their travellers.
We’re in the help business
Meon repatriation travel management offers expert global booking services tailored for the emergency medical assistance industry. Our team handles:
Commercial flight arrangements
Accommodation bookings
Medical clearances and support
Equipment and logistics coordination
Stretcher transport and emergency medevac.
Core scope of services
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Meon Travel Repatriation service provides a qualified specialist worldwide booking service to the Emergency Medical Assistance industry. We arrange swift and efficient medical repatriation from anywhere to anywhere in the world, day and night.
With a zero tolerance for failure, our clients demand something very special so we recruit only the most experienced travel professionals at the peak of their talents and challenge them to deliver the best work of their lives.
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Meon has access to direct discounted fares with over 470 airlines worldwide across all cabins. Our specially negotiated Medical Repatriation fares can save up to 70% on a standard published ticket. To ensure you are getting the best fares we optimise low cost carriers, travel consolidators, web providers and aggregators from all four corners.
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Our service includes flights, accommodation and assistance needs including medical clearance, engineering and equipment co-ordination, stretcher and emergency Medevac.
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Wherever and whenever you need our help our 24/7 service will assist you. No gaps or handovers just high quality consistent service levels from people who care.
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Being truly borderless, Meon also has independent access to a worldwide network of hotels. We enjoy preferred and best of day rates at more than 400,000 hotels and apartments worldwide.
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Meon benefits from a broad-reach of unique treasured relationships across the world including suppliers and clients in every Assistance related discipline. We are happy to freely share our friendships.
Exceptional Service Levels
Phones answered within 4 rings, day and night by a fully trained Meon team member – seamless quality consistent service with no outsourcing.
Repatriation missions are monitored and measured by the minute 24/7. Our inhouse systems, complimentary processes and live dynamic sector specific 24/7 shift rota patterns mirror those of our clients seamlessly.
Industry leading average turnaround times under 1 hour reported on live dynamic systems. Delivery is monitored from the moment a request is received to completion of quality checked Options or Confirmation.
Invoice raised within 24 hours of booking. Administrative queries addressed within 24 hours.
Acknowledgment and action of airline queries/complaints within 60 minutes of receipt – full query/complaint resolution within 4 weeks.
Why choose Meon Repats?
Meon provides a uniquely qualified and dedicated specialist worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance Travel Management Service.
Meon provides a uniquely qualified and dedicated specialist worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance Travel Management Service.
We employ an exceptionally talented workforce optimising creative problem solving, sector-specific skills and effective use of the most sophisticated travel technologies.
We significantly differ from Corporate TMC and Business Agents by acting as a borderless buyer for commercial Repatriations from anywhere to anywhere in the world, specifically tailored to Assistance.
Our prime focus is the prerequisite of demonstrably high service levels, provable cost benefits and specialist attention to patient care.
Let’s talk:
We’re in the help business repatriating people 24-hours a day 365 days a year. Whilst the world sleeps, our emergency assistance team go to work.
hello@meontravel.com
+44 (0)116 264 5270