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November, 2009
Tips for Tough Economic Times
God continues to provide, even in difficult times. Rarely a week goes by that I don't hear about God's provision for His people to do His work abroad. Thankfully, God is using Ministry Travel to provide cost effective savings to our clients throughout the world.
In times like this, many people feel that they need to cut back with their international work. It gets harder and harder to raise the money for every trip, year after year. I want to assure you that Ministry Travel is committed to helping you squeeze every bit of value out of your dollar. Here's some tips that might help you get your airfare for less.
Don't wait to give us names until you have recruited your whole team.
I often recommend to group leaders and coordinators to give us an "A" list, a "B" list, and a "C" list of team members. The "A" list would be the names of the people who are firmly committed. The "B" list is the people who are really interested in going on the trip and are praying about their involvement. The "C" list of people are those that have shown some interest, but they don't seem very committed at this point. Depending on your destination, of course, by dividing up your team into these categories, it helps us select the best pricing for those most likely to travel. We can often hold the seats for your team without deposit or payment until approximately 45 days prior to departure.
Back up your deadlines to encourage the fundraising process earlier.
If recruiting for a team, put your deadlines for sign-up and $100 non-refundable deposit as early as realistically possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to find lower-cost airfare. Be sure to collect deposit monies so your church/organization doesn't have to front the money, especially when dealing with college students. I have seen many churches lose deposits because they never collected an individual deposit from the team members. Be careful to be sure your team has some 'skin in the game!'
If you find a lower quote, let us know!
If we provide a quote that is higher than another agency, please let us know. If it's a quote that we can't come near, we will tell you right away. However, many times we can use a different contract to match or beat the fare you have. In most cases, our missionary fares can be held until 45 days prior to departure, but sometimes there are lower fares available if you can pay right away. All you need to do is forward us the other quote, and we'll promise to respond quickly and let you know if we can help you lower your airfare costs. By doing so, this also helps us know how our contracts are comparing to other fares in the market. We can then sometimes use this data to re-negotiate lower fares for you. Letting us know when you have a lower fare is usually a win-win situation for you!
Families are struggling. The economy is struggling. Our nation is struggling. BUT, our God is not struggling. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and He knows and will meet our every need. Remember Philippians 4:19. It is my prayer that Ministry Travel will continue to help you accomplish your mission overseas. That's why we exist -- we are more than just a ticket! Let us know how we can help you!
Sincerely
Beth Banfill
President
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Sincerely,
Ministry Travel
Client Services
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