In corporate travel management, the lowest logical fare refers to the cheapest airfare available that still meets a company’s business travel policy and practical travel needs. It balances lowest possible cost with logical considerations such as schedule convenience, allowable routing, and reasonable trip duration, rather than simply selecting the absolute cheapest ticket.
For corporate travel professionals, the lowest logical fare is a guiding principle in fare selection. While the goal is to minimize airfare spend, the fare chosen must also be practical for the traveler and compliant with the company’s corporate travel policy. For example, the absolute lowest fare might involve multiple layovers or extreme departure times, but the lowest logical fare would be the most economical option that avoids unreasonable delays, excessive travel times, or routes that conflict with the traveler’s business schedule.
Key considerations include:
- Flight departure and arrival times aligned with business needs
- Acceptable number of layovers and routing efficiency
- Policy rules on booking classes and advance purchase
- Balancing traveler productivity and cost savings
By adhering to the lowest logical fare principle, corporate travel programs control costs while maintaining efficiency and traveler satisfaction.