The best business travel management companies in the UK

Managing corporate travel can be a complex task, and the bigger a company’s travel programme, the more difficult it is to track policy compliance and overall spend. Fortunately, numerous tools now make this process more efficient and cost-effective. Here are the five top business travel management companies (TMCs) that can streamline processes, enhance compliance, and improve traveller satisfaction. Plus, learn what you should look for when assessing different providers.

What to consider when choosing a travel management company

When searching for a business travel management company, it’s essential to consider which of the following features would be useful for your company:

• Self-service booking: Travellers book their own business travel, saving time and empowering them to choose travel options that suit their preferences.
• Rebookings and cancellations: Allow travellers to change or cancel bookings themselves to save time and hassle if their travel plans are disrupted.
• Mobile app functionality: Travellers can quickly view, make, and manage mobile bookings. This functionality enables them to track itineraries and respond to last-minute changes with ease, from anywhere.
• 24/7/365 customer support: Travellers often require assistance on trips. Finding a travel management solution that provides assistance 24/7 lets employees get what they need when they need it, which reduces stress and helps keep them safe.
• Travel policies: Travellers and admins benefit from having the company travel policy built into the travel management platform, including at each step of the booking process. This helps employees stay compliant and within budget.
• Integrated expense management: Automated expense management systems streamline the travel process, improve compliance with corporate policies, and provide real-time expense tracking.
• Automated approval processes: Tech-led travel software automates the approval process for in-policy travel bookings and employee expenses. That reduces the amount of time employees spend managing business travel and enables them to spend more time on strategic tasks.
• Sustainability features: Travellers can see the carbon emissions of each journey option to help them make more informed choices. Companies, meanwhile, can track company-wide emissions against targets.
• Cost optimisation: Real-time visibility into travel spend enables companies to optimise their budgets and achieve significant cost savings. Plus, incentive programmes can encourage employees to save company money.

Five popular travel management companies in the UK

1. Navan

Navan is a global end-to-end business travel and expense (T&E) management solution that strongly emphasises user experience and ease of use. The intuitive self-serve booking tool, extensive travel inventory, and automated expense management process benefit both travellers and admins. Travellers can get support around the clock through the mobile app.

T&E offering: All-in-one travel and expense management.

Platform capabilities: Real-time dashboards for travel, expense, and sustainability tracking, sustainable booking options, built-in policy and approval flows, risk management, meetings and events assistance, rewards programme, integrations with financial and accounting systems.

Support: 24/7 customer support.

Industry awards: Navan was ranked No.1  across four categories in G2’s Summer Report 2024: Travel and Expense Management Software; Travel and Expense Software; Travel Management Software; Expense Management Software.

Want to know more about Navan’s travel management solution? Request a demo.

2. SAP Concur

SAP Concur covers business travel planning, online booking, billing, and analysis. The tool provides a range of management options for admins and a customisable platform.

T&E offering: Integrated travel, expense, and invoice management.

Platform capabilities: Dashboards for T&E, sustainability insights, policy enforcement, and integrations with financial and accounting systems.

Support: 24/7 traveller support.

3. Egencia

Egencia’s travel management solution includes travel planning, approval workflows, spend management, and policy management. Egencia became part of Amex GBT in 2021.

T&E offering: Comprehensive booking options and expense integrations (separate corporate card and expense solutions required).

Platform capabilities: Carbon calculator and offset feature, travel policies built into the platform, duty of care assistance.

Support: 24/7 traveller support with a fee per interaction.

4. Amex GBT

Amex GBT (American Express Global Business Travel) provides business travel management services, including travel planning and booking, as well as expense management.

T&E offering: Business T&E management is provided through its travel platform and subsidiary expense solution Neo1.

Platform capabilities: Sustainability guidance during the booking process, automated policy compliance, duty of care assistance, and integrations with financial and accounting systems.

Support: 24/7 live chat option.

5. CWT

CWT, formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel, is a global travel management provider that helps businesses effectively manage their travel programmes. It also provides meeting and event management services.

T&E offering: Travel management platform. It must be paired with an expense tool and a payments tool.

Platform capabilities: The platform includes CO2 dashboards and reporting, duty of care assistance, and meeting and event management.

Support: Chat functionality is available only during business hours. 24/7 support is offered but only for additional fees (2x normal fees after hours).

Enhance your business travel programme

Choosing the right TMC can significantly improve your company’s travel efficiency and employee satisfaction. Each tool mentioned above offers unique features designed to meet different business needs.

To find out why Navan consistently ranks highest in G2 user rankings, book a demo today.