BCD Travel’s recent survey of 1,035 business travelers worldwide provides insight into the preferences and experiences of those who travel for work. The survey highlights satisfaction levels with hotel policies and identifies areas where improvements can be made. Conducted in August 2025, the research delves into accommodation choices, booking behaviors, and the challenges faced by business travelers.
Accommodation Preferences
The survey reveals that most business travelers prefer midscale (3-star) or upscale (4-star) hotels. The primary factors influencing hotel selection include location, employer policy, and cost. Specifically, 77% of travelers prioritize location, 56% consider employer policy, and 53% look at cost. For longer stays, some travelers opt for apartments due to the convenience of additional space and amenities like kitchens and laundry facilities.
Booking and Payment Trends
A significant majority of business travelers, over three-quarters, utilize their company’s online booking tool (OBT) to search for accommodations. When it comes to booking, 84% continue to use the OBT, while others book directly through hotel websites or apps, and a smaller percentage contact hotels by phone. Corporate credit cards are the predominant payment method, with virtual cards being rarely used. Three-quarters of travelers report that their employers set hotel rate limits, although a notable 18% are unaware of any such limits.
Traveler Behavior and Preferences
Personal preferences play a crucial role in hotel selection. A substantial 77% of travelers prefer chain hotels for their consistent service standards, and 73% choose to stay at the same hotel when visiting a destination repeatedly. Wi-Fi and breakfast are the most utilized hotel services, followed by amenities like on-site restaurants, parking, fitness centers, and flexible check-in/check-out options. Loyalty programs are also significant, with 99% of North American travelers participating in at least one program. Two-thirds of travelers often select hotels that align with their loyalty programs, and three-quarters are allowed to retain loyalty points earned during business stays.
Challenges and Concerns
While 70% of travelers express satisfaction with their company’s hotel policy and preferred suppliers, there are areas for improvement. Common complaints include slow Wi-Fi, lack of breakfast inclusion in rates, outdated rooms, and uncomfortable beds. During the booking process, insufficient rate limits set by employers pose a challenge for some travelers. Safety is also a concern, with 30% of travelers feeling unsafe in their hotel locations and 70% taking extra precautions like double-locking doors.
Sustainability Considerations
Sustainability is an area where business travelers and companies can improve. Half of the surveyed travelers rarely or never consider environmental factors when booking hotels. Only 20% actively seek eco-friendly features such as eco-certification, reduced single-use plastics, and water-saving measures. According to April Bridgeman, senior vice president of Hotel Solutions, embedding sustainability into the annual hotel sourcing process and communicating these expectations to travelers can enhance sustainable practices in business travel.
The BCD Travel survey underscores the need for ongoing adjustments in hotel programs to better meet the needs of business travelers. While satisfaction is generally high, addressing challenges related to safety, sustainability, and booking processes can further enhance the travel experience. By incorporating traveler insights and dynamic strategies, companies can create more effective and sustainable travel programs.
Click here to download the full survey report.
