What to Ask Before Choosing a Corporate Travel App

Imagine this: A key client meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning in a different city. You’re at the airport, your flight is delayed, and you’ve just realized the hotel booking didn’t go through. 

In the past, this scenario might have spiraled into a stressful scramble — making phone calls to travel agents and searching for alternative flights (not to mention manually submitting expense reports upon return). But today, business travelers have access to a tool that changes everything: a corporate travel app that empowers individuals to easily manage their travel wherever they find themselves.

In today’s business world, where every minute counts, the ability to manage travel efficiently is a necessity. Whether it’s booking a last-minute flight, adjusting an itinerary on the go, or tracking expenses in real time, having an integrated travel and expense solution accessible via both desktop and mobile app can make all the difference.

Modern corporate travel managers understand this need and are increasingly partnering with solutions that offer end-to-end integration. These solutions simplify the travel booking process and empower employees to manage their entire trip — from booking to expense reporting — on a single platform. 

This level of integration offers several advantages: real-time updates, automatic policy compliance, and seamless communication between travelers’ spend and their company’s finance team.

For today’s business travelers, mobile apps are an essential part of staying productive and focused, regardless of where work takes them. Whether in a taxi on the way to the airport or waiting in a departure lounge, a modern corporate travel app keeps you connected, informed, and in control, so no detail is overlooked and no time is wasted.

Given the complexities of modern business travel, choosing the right travel app is a powerful step toward efficiency, compliance, and peace of mind. This checklist will guide you through the critical features and considerations to determine whether your corporate travel app meets your needs and supports your team’s productivity at every step.

What to Look for in a Corporate Travel App

When assessing a corporate travel app, it’s crucial that it meets the basic requirements and includes advanced features that cater to the evolving needs of modern business travelers. Here’s a quick checklist of the essential features your corporate travel app should include:

End-to-End Travel Management

The best corporate travel apps offer comprehensive management tools. These include booking options for flights, hotels, car rentals, and rail travel, all while meeting compliance requirements within the company’s travel policy. This feature simplifies the booking process, reduces the risk of out-of-policy expenses, and helps travelers make informed decisions quickly.

Comprehensive Booking Options

A wide range of booking options within one platform helps travelers find the most convenient and cost-effective solutions without using multiple apps or platforms. This saves time and keeps bookings within policy, therefore, reducing the potential for discrepancies.

Personalized Recommendations & Loyalty Integration

Personalization enhances the user experience. Advanced apps use machine learning to tailor recommendations based on past preferences and loyalty affiliations. This saves time and maximizes the benefits for frequent travelers, allowing them to maximize their loyalty points earnings.

Expense Management Tools

Managing expenses is often one of the most tedious aspects of business travel. A robust corporate travel app should include integrated expense management tools that allow travelers to easily track their spending, submit receipts, and adhere to company policies. Real-time visibility into expenses helps finance teams manage budgets more effectively and avoid end-of-month surprises.

Real-Time Flight Tracking and Notifications

Timely updates are critical during business travel. Push notifications about any disruptions or changes to travel plans help travelers adjust their schedules accordingly, which minimizes stress and downtime.

24/7 Customer Support

Business travel often comes with unexpected challenges. Access to 24/7 customer support is an important step toward swiftly resolving issues from flight cancellations to hotel booking problems. Real-time assistance is crucial for maintaining productivity during travel, making this a non-negotiable feature.

Sustainability Tracking

With the growing focus on sustainability, choosing an app that helps track and manage carbon emissions associated with business travel is essential. This feature supports corporate sustainability goals and prepares your company for potential regulatory requirements.

Essential Questions to Ask

Before committing to a corporate travel app, consider the following questions to determine whether it’s the right fit for your organization:

1. Does the app offer real-time data and insights?

Having access to real-time data is crucial for making informed decisions. The app should provide insights into spending patterns, travel policy compliance, and potential cost-saving opportunities.

2. Is the app user-friendly?

A user-friendly interface can make or break the user experience. Make certain the app is intuitive and easy to navigate so travelers can book and manage their trips without unnecessary complexity.

3. How does the app handle policy compliance?

Policy compliance is a significant concern. Check whether the app automatically enforces your travel policies, which prevents out-of-policy bookings before they occur.

4. What are the app’s integration capabilities?

Integrating with existing systems, such as HR or accounting software, is essential. This creates a seamless data flow and reduces the need for manual data entry, which saves time and reduces errors.

5. Does the app support sustainability initiatives?

With the growing focus on sustainability, choosing an app that helps track and manage carbon emissions associated with business travel is essential. This feature supports corporate sustainability goals and prepares your company for potential regulatory requirements.

Is Your Corporate Travel App the Right Fit?

Selecting the right corporate travel app is more than just ticking off a list of features. It’s about examining whether the app aligns with your company’s needs, effectively supports your travelers, and provides the tools necessary to manage travel efficiently and sustainably.

To make the best choice, involve all relevant stakeholders in the vetting process, including frequent travelers, finance teams, and IT departments. This collaborative approach will help determine whether the app meets the needs of everyone involved and that any potential issues are identified and addressed before implementation. 

Ready to Upgrade Your Travel Management?

If your current corporate travel app is falling short, it might be time for an upgrade. Explore options that offer advanced features, such as Navan’s comprehensive travel management solution, which is designed to simplify business travel while maximizing efficiency and cost savings. 

Book a demo with Navan today.