New savings for Travel Services

The State Contracts Control Board has approved the extension of the Travel Management Contract 1008 with Carlson Wagonlit for a further 12 months until 30th November 2010.

What value has been gained by extending the contract?

NSW Procurement has negotiated lower booking fees with particular emphasis for booking online. In addition to lower fees there is no longer a requirement to have 40% of all bookings online to qualify for the lower fee. This means every booking made online will now qualify for the lower fee (see table below).

What does Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) do for the NSW Government?

CWT manage NSW government travel, where all bookings for air travel, car hire and accommodation can be made.
CWT provides the data that enables:

• NSW Government to leverage its expenditure with air travel and other travel related services.
  
• Agencies to manage compliance to government policy
  
• Workplace safety by allowing NSW Government to understand where its employees are located and when they are travelling, in case of an emergency.

Have savings been made by CWT providing travel management?

Yes. Over $30 million has been saved compared to the previous contract.

Tips on getting the cheapest fare

• Book as early as you can (domestic or international). For each day closer to ticketing, the cost of the ticket increases by an average of 2%.
  
• Avoid flexible fares where certainty of the travel arrangements is known. Statistics show that in 2008 across NSW Government only 7.6% of fares were ever changed, exchanged or refunded.
  
• Use deeply discounted fares, as they offer substantial savings. All deeply discounted domestic tickets are transferable 24-48 hours prior to travel and valid for 12 months.
  
• If flexibility is required, it may, for example, be cheaper to book the lowest fare to a destination and a negotiated flexible fare on the return.
  
• NOTE: NSW Government Policy directs staff to always purchase the lowest logical fare of the day regardless of airline. This may mean travelling on a flight up to an hour earlier or later, if the fare is cheaper. The traveller may not choose the airline on which to travel. Frequent Flyer Points may not be collected by the traveller.
  
• Discounts are also available for early payment using Diners Club facility.
  

Please click here for the latest contract information. Please contact the Client Support Centre on 1800 NSW BUY (1800 679 289) or email nswbuy@services.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions.