Policy

Policies are a hallmark of managed travel programs. They can address booking channels, supplier selection, allowable purchases, risk management processes and many other areas. Some are guidelines that encourage travelers. Others are requirements that employees must follow.

Notebook: Two Buyers Say Policies Fail In The Face Of Distribution Fragmentation

Regardless of the allure, direct bookings with suppliers are out of bounds for most employee groups at two companies represented on a March 6 webinar hosted by Cerebri AI. Both firms mandate that bookings go through their designated travel management companies via counselors or the SAP Concur Travel booking tool. According to their travel managers,…

Dispatch 9

Reaction: Responding to Scott Gillespie’s Op Ed on how today’s corporate travel market demands “long-sighted travel policies” prioritizing value and sustainability over traditional cost-cutting, readers generally agreed with the need for change. Microsoft’s Eric Bailey echoed the goal of reducing emissions and minimizing low-value trips but suggested different methods. He recommended carbon taxes and budget…

Dispatch 7

On the boards of a set of 14 business travel suppliers tracked by The Company Dime, female representation doubled between 2012 and 2023 to 30 percent. One of them has a woman serving as chair, the same number in that role among the group as in 2017 and 2012. The number of female CEOs in…

United Move Prompts Some Buyers To Again Find Direct Channel Insufficient

Surprised to find last week that United Airlines made their negotiated rates available to travelers via its website and mobile app, some corporate travel buyers took a closer look at functionality the airline built to support their needs. While United has done more than some other carriers to legitimize supplier-direct channels for managed travel, “better…

Spotnana Gets Walmart Nod As Partner CWT Trades Equity For Reduced Debt

Retail giant Walmart began a pilot with Spotnana to make use of airline NDC distribution. “We have decided that we are going to roll out through Spotnana starting with some of our U.S. travelers,” said Theresa Gehler, global travel procurement director for the $611 billion retailer, during a Thursday Spotnana-sponsored webinar hosted by The BTN…

End of content

End of content