By Michael Sheppard

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, using barter to cover travel expenses is a great way to save cash. Through relationships with other trade exchanges, expenses such as car rentals, cruises, time shares, hotels, entertainment and dining can be covered using barter for travel.

One of the benefits of being a member of a trade exchange is that accommodations, entertainment and dining options are not limited to local destinations. Most barter organizations have reciprocal relationships with other exchanges nationally and internationally, presenting the opportunity to book accommodations within those networks.

I have set people up with accommodations in places such as Barbados, Mexico, Hawaii and Brazil. Members have also booked accommodations ranging anywhere from New York City to the Oregon coast and Washington D.C. to a B&B in Montana.

With the right lead time and a little flexibility, booking through a barter exchange is a great way to stretch your dollar. It can provide travel opportunities for business trips, those who might not have the cash flow to afford a lavish vacation or allow for an even more extravagant trip full of shopping and eating out for those who have the cash to spend.

According to a report released by the U.S Travel Association, U.S. companies spent $200 billion on business travel in 2008 and found that companies realize $12.50 in incremental revenue and $3.80 in new profits for every dollar spent on business travel. By using travel barter to partially offset the cash outlay for business trips, companies can realize the same ROI without as much investment. It’s another amazing way barter can be used to improve the bottom line of business.

Michael Sheppard is an Account Manager at BizXchange. Prior to her current position, she was a Trade Broker who focused on domestic and international travel.