Where artificial intelligence will take the process of booking or altering a business trip is anybody’s guess. Travel management companies have embraced AI for text-based communications between travelers and travel counselors. Chatbots have had their ups and downs. Autonomous agents are fascinating and, some say, spell doom for online booking tools and put TMCs on…
As antitrust authorities in the United Kingdom weigh industry input on concessions designed to garner approval of the proposed Amex GBT acquisition of CWT, the review raises questions about who can sufficiently serve large corporates and whether that’s been changing. GBT and CWT argued that up-and-comers like Navan and TMCs using Spotnana, plus traditional rivals…
Why do travel management professionals care whether travelers book hotel stays at the same time as flights? There are pragmatic and financial reasons, and several methods to close the loop. Hotel attachment occurs when a lodging booking happens with an air booking, either through an agent or a designated booking tool. The higher the ratio,…
Marriott International is pushing corporate rates for 2025 that lack last-room availability guarantees that, at least in key destinations, some buyers consider essential. Already, LRA rates are not always honored across the industry and don’t always provide sufficient savings compared with other negotiated rates, prompting some to wonder whether they’re worth the effort. Acknowledging a…
Nobody likes the annual corporate hotel RFP process. Buyers want longer-term deals, but the industry’s sourcing infrastructure doesn’t effectively support them. What about negotiating evergreen deals that tie rates to market indexes? Elevance Health travel services consultant Dan Stagnitta is exploring it. During a June 6 BTN webinar sponsored by Cvent, Stagnitta described as “silliness”…
Some Citi commercial card clients are looking for other ways to pay for travel after the bank told them it would shut down programs in China this year. Program end dates occurred in February and March, according to customer sources. “We will continue to invest in our local currency commercial cards services but have made…
As American Airlines all but dismantles corporate sales, airline industry pundits scrutinized AA’s latest arguments about going small and emphasizing competitiveness via network and loyalty. The strategy illustrates diversification among big airlines that adds to these challenging times for corporate travel buyers. Chief commercial officer Vasu Raja on March 4 told Wall Street analysts that…
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