Non-billable travel

Trips whose costs are borne by the company and not re-billed to a client. This includes internal travel such as attending company meetings, training or events that isn't tied to a specific client engagement. Distinguishing non-billable from billable travel helps finance teams see the true internal cost of the travel programme.

Non-billable travel usually includes internal meetings, management visits, training, recruitment, company events, sales trips before a contract is signed and travel for internal projects. In project-based businesses, the ratio of billable to non-billable travel is an important indicator, since non-billable trips directly reduce margins. In other companies, almost all travel is non-billable, and the focus is on controlling it as an operating cost.

Because non-billable travel is paid for entirely by the company, it is often the focus of cost-saving efforts. Companies review whether trips are necessary, whether meetings could be held online, and whether policy rules are appropriate for internal travel. Clear categorisation also helps assess the return on travel investment — for example, comparing sales travel with the revenue it generates, or internal travel with the value of face-to-face collaboration.

Tumodo makes it easy to see where non-billable travel money goes. Real-time analytics show spend by trip, team, cost centre and department, and travel policies and approval workflows help ensure that internal trips follow the agreed rules. Direct supplier pricing, corporate rates and loyalty programmes reduce the cost of each trip, helping companies save up to 35% of their travel budget.