7 Best B2B Travel Solutions for Corporate Efficiency

Gone are the days of tedious phone calls and manual bookings. Cutting-edge technology and seamless integrations have revolutionized how businesses manage corporate travel. Today’s business-to-business (B2B) travel companies are designed to provide efficiency, cost savings, and superior user experiences to meet the modern needs of corporate clients and their employees.

In this article, we’ll explore the evolution of corporate travel solutions, highlighting how traditional methods have transformed into the sophisticated systems we rely on today. We’ll also delve into the key factors to consider when choosing a B2B travel solution and then present the seven best solutions available today. 

Welcome to the future of corporate travel management — a dynamic, user-friendly ecosystem designed to propel your business forward.

The Evolution of Corporate Travel Solutions

Traditional travel agencies handled bookings through manual systems, which were often slow and prone to errors.

The introduction of online booking platforms, Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), and API integrations revolutionized the landscape by offering more efficient solutions. These advancements have allowed B2B travel agencies to provide a broader range of services and improve the overall travel experience for business clients.

10 Key Factors to Consider in a B2B Travel Solution

In today’s travel business, partnerships with travel suppliers and service providers are essential. Tour operators, B2B travel agents, and travel management companies need a robust booking system that handles flight bookings, hotel reservations, car rentals, train travel, and more.

A well-integrated booking process helps manage cancellations and amendments efficiently to ensure that all travel needs are met seamlessly.

The rise of online travel agencies has brought new opportunities for travel portal development and heightened consumer expectations around functionalities and customer support. These platforms sometimes offer white-label travel management solutions, but all-in-one booking and management platforms are better options for global businesses with complex itineraries. The need for travel services expands beyond simple transactions when teams are spread worldwide, from Indiana to India.

Advanced booking engines and travel technology solutions that cater to businesses’ specific travel needs have transformed the B2B travel ecosystem, making it more dynamic and user-friendly.

When searching for your B2B travel portal, here are some essential factors to consider:

1. Dynamic Travel Policy

A dynamic travel policy adapts spending limits for hotel rooms and other expenses based on current market prices. This flexibility eliminates the need for static price caps while ensuring competitive prices and better cost management.

2. High Traveler Adoption

High adoption rates are essential for gaining visibility into travel activities and ensuring compliance with travel policies. Solutions with user-friendly interfaces and seamless experiences boast adoption rates of over 90%, reflecting their effectiveness.

3. Live Travel Agent Support

In today’s uncertain travel climate, having access to live travel agent support is critical. Reliable, real-time assistance enhances traveler safety and well-being while providing peace of mind and efficient problem resolution.

4. Best-In-Class Global Inventory

A robust B2B travel solution should offer extensive global inventory, including flights, car rentals, hotel bookings, and more. This broad access minimizes travel booking leakage and maximizes traveler satisfaction.

5. Optimized for Safety and Compliance

Modern travel management services offer advanced safety and compliance features that surpass traditional travel agencies. These include real-time risk assessments, automated policy enforcement, and comprehensive reporting tools. Some solutions offer additional services for securing travel insurance or navigating the visa process.

6. Sustainability Features

Sustainability is a growing priority in corporate travel. Leading B2B travel platforms provide tools to monitor carbon footprints, educate travelers on sustainable practices, and support companies in achieving their sustainability goals. Modern solutions will provide travel products outside of simply booking, such as the ability to offset their emissions.

7. Designed for Use

Business travelers expect a consumer-grade experience with mobile-first, chat-enabled, and AI-augmented interfaces. Outdated systems can lead to external bookings and reduced adoption, undermining the travel management strategy.

8. Integrated Expense Management

Automated expense management systems streamline the travel process, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and providing real-time expense tracking. Corporate credit cards and automated approvals further enhance efficiency.

9. Cost Optimization

Advanced travel management solutions offer real-time visibility into travel spending, enabling companies to optimize their budgets and achieve significant cost savings.

10. Increased Efficiency

Efficiency is vital in modern corporate travel management. Advanced booking platforms and technology solutions enable business travelers to be more productive on the road and reduce the hassles associated with travel.

7 Best B2B Travel Solutions

Companies looking for a flexible and comprehensive travel management platform would be wise to consider these top-rated solutions:

1. Navan (formerly TripActions)

Navan, rebranded from TripActions in 2023, is known for its modern, AI-driven approach to travel management. The platform emphasizes user adoption and dynamic travel policies with an integrated expense management platform. Navan is ideal for tech-savvy businesses that prioritize user experience and cost efficiency.

Primary Features:

• High Adoption Rates: User-centric design ensures high engagement from travelers.
• Dynamic Travel Policies: Adjusts policies in real time to optimize costs.
• AI-Driven: AI is used to provide personalized travel recommendations and support.

2. SAP Concur

Founded in 1993 and acquired by SAP in 2014, Concur is a legacy provider that integrates with corporate systems to provide business travel and expense management capabilities. SAP Concur is often adopted by large enterprises seeking unified travel and expense management solutions.

3. Egencia

Egencia, powered by Expedia Group, brings one of the world’s largest online travel agencies to the corporate sector. Since its inception in 2002, Egencia has focused on providing robust travel management services. Egencia serves mid- to large-sized companies looking for a flexible and comprehensive travel management platform.

4. TravelPerk

TravelPerk, founded in 2015, brings a modern approach to travel management by offering a consumer-like experience tailored to business needs. TravelPerk is popular among startups and mid-sized European companies seeking a flexible, easy-to-use travel management solution.

5. Amex GBT

Amex Global Business Travel (GBT) is a corporate travel management solution offering tools to streamline business travel. Focusing on enhancing traveler experiences and optimizing travel spend, Amex GBT leverages advanced technology and a global network to provide services. 

Amex GBT operates in more than 140 countries and integrates AI to offer personalized travel recommendations and real-time updates. Large enterprises seeking a scalable, reliable travel management solution that emphasizes customer service and global support may consider Amex GBT their provider.

6. CWT

CWT (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel) is a B2B travel management company that offers a range of services designed to meet the needs of modern businesses, from booking to expense management. The myCWT Platform allows travelers to book and manage their trips easily. CWT also offers robust duty of care features, including real-time risk assessments and traveler tracking, to ensure employee safety during business trips.

7. BCD Travel

BCD Travel is a global corporate travel management company that offers solutions catering to modern businesses' complex needs. The company’s TripSource platform integrates booking, itinerary management, and expense tracking while prioritizing efficiency and traveler well-being.

Upgrade Your Corporate Travel Program with Navan

Download our free Corporate Travel 101 e-book to understand corporate travel management better and explore how these B2B travel solutions can benefit your business. This comprehensive guide covers travel policies, expense management, sustainability practices, and safety compliance, helping you navigate the complexities of modern corporate travel.

By leveraging the right solutions, businesses can streamline their travel processes, enhance traveler satisfaction, and achieve significant cost savings. Stay informed about the latest trends and technologies in the travel industry to optimize your corporate travel strategy effectively.

Transform your corporate travel today by discovering how Navan can optimize your business travel strategy. Book a demo.