According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, small businesses generate two-thirds of net new jobs and make up nearly 48 percent of the U.S. private sector workforce. Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are among the fastest-growing segments of the economy, and InterContinental® Hotels Group (IHG) supports this growth through its IHG® Business Edge program, which was voted Best Small- to Mid-Sized Business Program in Global Traveler’s 2019 GT Tested Reader Survey awards.
Business travel is frequently viewed by employees as a valuable perk, yet SMEs must balance offering travel benefits with controlling costs. IHG Business Edge is a free corporate travel solution that helps travel managers deliver attractive employee benefits while promoting in-policy bookings and reducing overall travel spend. The IHG Business Edge portal gives travel managers visibility into travel spend, access to premium content and volume-based discounts, and integrates with employees’ IHG® Rewards Club accounts. After an employee’s first stay, their Rewards Club account is upgraded to Gold Elite, and employees can also use their corporate ID to receive discounted rates on personal travel.
Looking ahead, IHG Business Edge partners with other travel providers to expand value for members. A notable partnership with American Airlines offers bonus rewards for small businesses that join both American Airlines Business Extra and IHG Business Edge. These collaborations broaden networking opportunities, enable shared insights and help develop improved offerings tailored to SMEs.
Market uncertainty often forces smaller companies to cut discretionary spending first, and face-to-face meetings are frequently among the early reductions. However, when SMEs find the right travel partner, essential business travel can be maintained so companies remain visible to clients and partners when revenues recover.
IHG Business Edge addresses common SME challenges. Smaller companies may struggle to negotiate competitive rates without significant purchasing power. “We recognized this, which is why IHG Business Edge provides a global discount without the need for lengthy negotiations,” said Jonathan Kaplan, vice president of global sales strategy at IHG. That immediate access to discounted rates, together with other features, helps solve many of the practical issues SMEs face when managing travel.
IHG developed Business Edge after speaking with more than 2,000 people at small- and medium-sized businesses to ensure the program reflects real-world needs. The program was “designed for SMEs, by SMEs,” according to Kaplan. Its benefits include loyalty upgrades, flexible booking options, guaranteed room access and tools that simplify policy enforcement and reporting. Within its first 18 months, IHG Business Edge grew to nearly 17,000 corporate accounts.
Research shows a clear link between employee satisfaction with benefits and overall job satisfaction. Implementing a platform like IHG Business Edge supports SMEs in modernizing their travel program, improving employee experience and simplifying operations so companies can act faster and more efficiently.
Learn more at businessedge.ihg.com.