The Best Business Travel Management Companies

A good travel management company can provide you with a travel program that is tailored to your needs, as well as travel arrangers to help you with all of your travel arrangements. They can also provide you with helpful tips and advice for business travelers. If you’re looking for the best travel management services for your business, then look no further than the following 10 companies.

What are Business Travel Management Companies and What do They Offer Business Travelers?

BTMCs, provide services to their corporate clients to help manage their business travel. This can include providing software that tracks the expenses and itineraries of traveling employees, booking flights and hotels, arranging car rentals and other transportation, and providing customer service support during the travelers’ trip.

This is particularly beneficial for companies with numerous employees who frequently travel for work, as it aids in monitoring all expenses and logistics related to business travel. Furthermore, business travel management companies often have the ability to negotiate reduced rates for their clients on a variety of travel services.

• READ MORE: Travel Risk Management Tips

Benefits of Using a Corporate Travel Management Company

There are many benefits to using a corporate management company for travel, including these four:

• Expense management. BTMCs can help businesses keep track of their spending on business travel and provide software to help manage and automate the expense reporting process.
• Business traveler support. Corporate travel management companies can provide customer support to travelers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This can be helpful in the event of an emergency or last-minute changes to travel plans.
• Comprehensive travel management solution. Business travel management companies (BTMCs) offer businesses a full travel management solution that encompasses booking flights and hotels, organizing transportation, and delivering customer support.
• Lower travel costs. BTMCs often have access to discounts on flights, hotels, and other travel services that they can pass on to their clients.

How to Grow Your Corporate Travel Program

A company can enhance its business travel program in several ways, including partnering with business travel management companies. These travel arrangers can streamline travel processes for employees, making it more convenient and efficient, ultimately saving the company both time and money.

You can also inform employees about the advantages of utilizing a travel management company within the travel program. Additionally, you can motivate employees to make their travel bookings in advance.

General Criteria for Choosing the Best Business Travel Management Company- Our Methodology

Selecting the right business travel management company is crucial for streamlining your corporate travel needs. To assist you in this important decision, here are some general criteria to consider, along with a scale indicating their relative importance:

1. Expertise and Industry Experience (9/10):

• Extensive experience in corporate travel management.
• In-depth knowledge of the travel industry and its trends.
• Proven track record of successfully handling business travel for clients.

2. Cost Efficiency (9/10):

• Competitive pricing and cost-effective solutions.
• Ability to negotiate discounts with airlines, hotels, and other service providers.
• Transparent pricing structures with no hidden fees.

3. Traveler Support and Assistance (9/10):

• 24/7 availability for traveler support.
• Access to a dedicated travel advisor or consultant.
• Quick response time to resolve travel-related issues.

4. Technology and Booking Tools (7/10):

• User-friendly online booking platforms.
• Integration with expense management systems.
• Mobile apps for easy on-the-go bookings and itinerary access.

5. Customization and Flexibility (7/10):

• Tailored travel solutions to meet your specific business needs.
• Ability to accommodate last-minute changes or adjustments.
• Flexible policies that align with your company’s travel policy.

6. Traveler Well-being and Safety (9/10):

• Implementation of traveler safety measures and risk management.
• Access to real-time updates and alerts during travel.
• Compliance with health and safety regulations, especially during emergencies.

7. Reporting and Analytics (7/10):

• Access to detailed reporting on travel expenses and patterns.
• Analytics tools to help identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Insights into traveler behavior and preferences for future improvements.

8. Global Reach and Network (7/10):

• A wide network of partners and suppliers worldwide.
• Capabilities to manage international travel seamlessly.
• Knowledge of regional travel nuances and requirements.

9. Client References and Testimonials (7/10): 

• Positive feedback and references from current clients.
• Case studies showcasing successful travel management experiences.
• Reputation and credibility within the industry.

10. Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility (5/10):

• Commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly travel practices.
• Options for carbon offset programs or eco-conscious travel choices.
• Alignment with your company’s sustainability goals.

The Best Travel Management Companies for Business Travel

As businesses increasingly shift to a global marketplace, the need for efficient and cost-effective travel management has become more important than ever.

In this new era of globalization, organizations are looking for travel managers who can help them navigate the higher prices and complex logistics of doing business internationally. Here are the best travel management companies for businesses of all sizes:

TravelBank

TravelBank offers a comprehensive corporate travel management solution with extensive industry experience that includes expense reports, money management, and booking. With TravelBank, businesses can save time and money while ensuring that their employees have a safe and seamless travel experience.

AMEX GBT

If you’re looking for an efficient and reliable way to handle your business travel, AMEX GBT is a great option with a fantastic reputation. Their risk alerts and direct communication during disruptions make them a dependable choice, while their pre-negotiated rates can save you money.

Additionally, their customer support boasts an impressive response time of just 15 seconds, ensuring you receive assistance whenever you need it. If you find yourself needing to cancel your trip at the last minute, FlexiPerk can help you recover up to 80% of your funds.

SAP Concur

SAP Concur is a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to manage their travel spending. It offers a wide range of features, including booking tools, expense reporting, and invoicing. This makes it an ideal solution for companies that want to streamline their travel process and reduce their expenses.

• READ MORE: David Alexander of SAP Concur: Automating Expense and Travel Management Sheds Light on Company Spending Issues

CWT

CWT is a well-established company with a history spanning 150 years, operating in 150 countries worldwide. This extensive presence has helped it build an excellent reputation and gain a wealth of industry experience. CWT provides a user-friendly business-to-business platform designed for employees. Their myCWT app is available on both PC and mobile devices, enabling travelers to book flights and make reservations at over 800,000 properties at special rates.

Egencia

Egencia is a travel management software that can help businesses keep track of their travelers and their travel data. This can help ensure traveler safety and a smooth travel program. Egencia also offers reports and analytics so that businesses can see how their travelers are performing and where they can make improvements.

BCD Travel

BCD Travel offers comprehensive travel management solutions for businesses of all sizes. With offices in 109 countries, BCD Travel is well-positioned to help businesses manage their travel needs worldwide.

Their software suite includes three separate platforms that can be customized to meet the unique needs of your business. Additionally, BCD Travel offers access to APIs to integrate with their platforms, making it easy to get the exact solution you need.

TravelPerk

With the world’s largest inventory of travel options and partners with the biggest names in the business, TravelPerk can cater to your every need. Forget about hours wasted researching flights, hotels, and car rentals – let TravelPerk do all the hard work for you.

FCM Travel Solution

If you’re seeking excellent deals on business travel, FCM Travel Solution is an ideal choice. With access to more than 650,000 hotel properties and partnerships with major airlines, FCM can provide you with specially negotiated airfares and hotel rates.

Plus, their FCM Connect suite of tools includes a powerful online booking tool and an expense management platform, making trip planning and tracking expenses a breeze.

TripActions

TripActions offers reliable partner connections and a straightforward booking process that will get you on your way swiftly and effortlessly. Additionally, if you require assistance at any point, TripActions’ customer support team is always ready to help.

• READ MORE: business travel tips

Factors to consider when choosing a corporate travel management company

When choosing the best corporate travel management solutions for a small business, there are a few key factors to consider.

One of the most important considerations is the travel managers themselves – what experience do they have and what is their knowledge of the travel industry advancements that can save money for your company?

Additionally, it’s crucial to consider the company’s dedication to traveler wellbeing. Do they provide features such as loyalty rewards programs and around-the-clock support? Lastly, it’s important to evaluate the company’s capacity to help you save money.

Can they provide discounts on flights, accommodations, and vehicle rentals? By taking all of these factors into account, you can ensure that you are selecting the most effective travel management solutions for your business.

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This article, "The Best Business Travel Management Companies" was first published on Small Business Trends