travelnews: Airline fares and the Concur Booking Tool

[BAO news for travel administrators]

To UO Travelers and Travel Arrangers:

Since the pandemic, airlines have changed the way they sell airline tickets.    Change fees have gone away which used to represent a substantial portion of airline revenue.  Airlines have become more creative in how they market fares and generate income it takes a wise consumer to determine what is being offered and to make the best decision.  The Concur booking tool typically shows three fare "buckets" to choose from:  a.) Basic Economy or Saver fares, b.)  Traditional Coach, nonrefundable fare and c.) New Refundable fares.  Here is a breakdown on what a those really mean:

UO Travel Policy allows for purchase of "the most economical and efficient that fits the business purpose".   A traditional regular coach, non-refundable fare is generally the most economical and efficient for business travel as they allow for flexibility and cost-effectiveness.  These coach, non-refundable fares no longer incurs a change fee and can be used at full face value toward the purchase of a new ticket if for some reason your trip cancels or you need to change your schedule.    The credit is good for up to a year from either the purchase date or travel date, so the recommended "sweet spot" for purchasing domestic travel is 45-60 days prior to travel and for international travel, about 3 months.

The new "refundable" fares are more expensive because the airlines have built in those old change fees, essentially insurance, into the cost of the ticket.  On the outside chance you may need to cancel your trip, you can apply for a refund.  But if you are able to travel, you have paid extra for a benefit that you don't use and the airline is pocketing that extra money on your ticket.

Basic Economy or Saver fares are highly restrictive and are typically not a good choice for business travelers.  They are less expensive but are considered "throw away tickets".  Travelers are not able to make any changes, there are no seat assignments, no frequent flyer benefits like priority boarding or seating, and often you must pay to take a carryon bag.  At the start of the pandemic, our UO airline partners provided for refunds and credits for our cancelled tickets - except for those who purchased Basic Economy fares.

Feel free to contact the UO Travel Office with questions.  Please be sure to share this information with your travelers who use the booking tool to book.  And please be sure to check Concur profile settings to be sure phone numbers are present, your uoregon email address verified, E-Receipts are activated, and your TripIt Pro account is set up (see highlighted section below).

Have a nice Friday,

[cid:image001.png at 01D7D208.4807EFD0]
Laurie Jacoby
Travel Manager
Business Affairs Office
University of Oregon
lajacoby at uoregon.edu<mailto:lajacoby at uoregon.edu>
541-346-3158 *** Travel Office/Concur Help Desk:   Phone:  6-3100 ***  Email:  travel at uoregon.edu<mailto:travel at uoregon.edu>

Concur Users: TripIt Pro is available FREE for all UO employees. Log into concur.uoregon.edu and go to App Center, TripIt and Connect.  Forward all reservations confirmations and itineraries to plans at tripit.com<mailto:plans at tripit.com> to experience stress free business and personal travel.

**  If your travel involves human subjects research, please do not disclose any information that is protected under UO Policy and other Regulations http://rcs.uoregon.edu/content/regulations-and-uo-policy


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