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Choosing the right corporate travel agency can improve booking processes, lower costs, and enhance traveler experiences across your organization.

This guide compares corporate travel agencies, including American Express Global Business Travel, BCD Travel, and Corporate Traveler, by services, specialization, and use cases to help you identify the best fit based on your company size, travel volume, and operational needs.

Corporate travel agency comparison

Different corporate travel agencies excel in different areas depending on their service model and focus. 

Some providers are better suited to small and mid-sized businesses. Others are designed for enterprises with complex, global travel programs. Certain agencies also stand out for their industry-specific expertise, such as in the life sciences, energy, or media and entertainment sectors.

Agency nameBest forKey strengthsTechnologySupport levelPricing model
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT)Enterprises and multinational corporationsGlobal reach and integrated travel and spend managementAmex GBT Neo, Neo1 spend platform24/7 global traveler support, comprehensive duty of careFlat fees, transaction fees, subscription models, or custom terms
BCD TravelMid to large enterprisesGlobal footprint with local market expertise, compliance, and reportingTripSource and a multi-platform software suiteAgent-led support with self-service toolsTransaction fees, subscription-based membership fees, and management fees
Corporate TravelerSmall to medium businessesPersonalized service, SME focus, competitive pricingMelon booking platform24/7 support, dedicated travel managersFlat fee model, per-transaction fee, or a subscription plan
CWT (Carlson Wagonlit Travel)Established enterprises and industry-specific programsDeep industry expertise, long-standing relationships, specialized services for specific sectors, and a proven track record with Fortune 500 companiesWeb and mobile booking tools24/7 multi-channel support, including phone, mobile/web chat, and app-based assistanceTransaction fee model or a newer, all-inclusive subscription fee model
TravelPerk (recently rebranded as Perk)Small to medium businessesModern platform, strong reviews, flexible cancellation policies, and transparent pricingAll-in-one SaaS platform24/7 support with 1-minute response targetsHybrid subscription-based SaaS model with tiered plans

How to choose the right corporate travel agency

Selecting the right corporate travel agency means examining your travel requirements and how well each provider can support them.

What to look for

  • Coverage and reach. Check whether the agency supports your key destinations and offers global or regional coverage.
  • Booking technology. Evaluate the usability and reliability of booking platforms, mobile apps, and traveler-facing tools.
  • Policy compliance. Confirm the agency enforces travel policies automatically.
  • Corporate rate negotiations. Review access to discounted airline, hotel, and car rental rates.
  • Expense management. Look for integrations with expense management systems and reporting tools.
  • Customer support. Ensure 24/7 traveler and account management assistance.
  • Specialized services. Assess support for group travel, meetings, and events, as well as visa needs.
  • Pricing model. Understand how fees are structured (e.g., transaction costs, subscriptions, and add-ons)

Selection process

The five steps below should help you consistently evaluate top travel management companies.

  1. Assess needs. Define your company size, travel volume, primary destinations, and budget constraints.
  2. Request proposals. Reach out to 3–5 agencies and request proposals that outline their services, technology, and pricing.
  3. Evaluate technology. Test booking platforms and mobile tools to assess usability, policy enforcement, and reporting features.
  4. Check references. Speak with clients of similar size to understand service quality and reliability.
  5. Review contracts. Examine fees, contract terms, and cancellation policies.
  6. Run a pilot. Start with a small group of travelers to validate performance before rolling it out on a company-wide scale.

American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT)

Overview

American Express Global Business Travel is one of the largest travel agencies, headquartered in New York, with around 18,000 employees across more than 140 countries. The company is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker GBTG and has minority ownership by American Express. In 2025, American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) acquired Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT).

Best for

Companies with over 500 employees, $5 million annual travel spend, and complex multi-region programs.

Key features

  • End-to-end platform covering business travel, expenses, and meetings management.
  • Neo1 spend management platform with virtual card integration.
  • Amex GBT Neo booking software with AI features.
  • Global network of travel professionals operating in over 140 countries.
  • Access to negotiated rates through American Express partnerships.
  • 24/7 traveler support and duty of care services.

Strengths

Amex GBT offers a broad global presence and a consolidated platform that combines travel booking, expense management, and meetings management. The company has an established client base of multinational organizations with complex travel programs.

BCD Travel

Overview

BCD Travel is a Dutch-headquartered travel management company with over 30 years of experience. The company operates in 109 countries, delivering services through travel consultants and online booking tools.

Best for

Mid-to-large enterprises (often with over 10,000 employees) with complex, high-volume travel programs, strict policy controls, and industry-specific requirements, that seek an established global presence and require a mix of high-touch service and self-service technology.

Key features

  • TripSource platform for booking, itinerary management, and traveler tracking.
  • A software suite comprising three separate platforms that support different aspects of travel management.
  • Strong focus on travel policy compliance and cost control.
  • Travel agent consultation and self-booking options.
  • Global operations with local market expertise across 109 countries.

Strengths

BCD Travel has a well-established presence globally with local expertise. Its service model provides companies with agent support and self-service tools, as well as structured compliance and reporting capabilities.

Corporate Traveler (Flight Centre Travel Group)

Overview

Corporate Traveler is the corporate travel division of Flight Centre Travel Group, headquartered in Australia. The company focuses primarily on serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with operations across multiple markets.

Best for

Small to medium businesses and startups with annual travel spend between $100,00 and $2 million that are moving away from self-managed travel booking and seek personalized 24/7 support, dedicated account management, a unified booking platform, and competitive pricing without the complexity of an enterprise-level travel management program.

Key features

  • Melon booking platform for streamlined reservations.
  • Dedicated travel managers who provide ongoing guidance.
  • 24/7 traveler support, including risk alerts and real-time communication.
  • Tools for travel policy enforcement and real-time reporting.
  • Reported savings of up to 18% per work trip for SME clients.
  • Integration with expense management and HR systems.

Strengths

Corporate Traveler’s service model is designed to meet the needs of SMEs, with a focus on personalized service and dedicated account managers (offering an industry-leading response time of ten seconds), as well as competitive pricing for budget-conscious businesses.

CWT (Carlson Wagonlit Travel)

Overview

CWT is one of the longest-standing corporate travel agencies, with over 150 years of operating history. The company has a presence in 140 locations and was acquired by American Express Global Business Travel on September 2, 2025.

Best for

Mid-market to large enterprises and government organizations with complex, multinational travel programs. Best suited to organizations that require global program consolidation, strict policy compliance, detailed reporting, and industry-specific expertise supported by a blend of agent-led service and self-service technology.

Key features

  • Web and mobile booking apps have exceeded 2.5 million downloads.
  • Specialized services for industries such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, media and entertainment, and energy and resources.
  • Global network of experienced travel consultants.
  • Agent-based service model supported by online booking tools.
  • Strong focus on corporate travel policy compliance.

Strengths

CWT has extensive experience and maintains established relationships with enterprise clients. The company offers specialized services tailored to specific sectors (e.g., pharmaceuticals) and has served Fortune 500 companies.

TravelPerk

Overview

TravelPerk (recently rebranded as Perk) is a modern corporate travel platform founded in 2015 and headquartered in London and Boston. The company focuses on the small and mid-sized business segment, reporting a G2 rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 1,548 reviews (as of December 2025).

Best for

Companies with 10–250 employees, tech-forward teams, and a preference for self-service tools.

Key features

  • User-friendly booking platform.
  • Access to negotiated rates and automatic flight rebooking without additional charges.
  • Cashback of up to 2.5% on bookings.
  • Free customizable travel reports, with advanced reporting available on premium plans.
  • FlexiPerk option that allows refunds of up to 80% on canceled trips, provided they are canceled at least two hours before departure.
  • 24/7 customer support with a one-minute response time target.
  • Integration with budget providers to support cost management.

Strengths

TravelPerk provides a user-friendly platform that requires very little onboarding and training. With strong ratings on G2, it also offers flexible cancellation options and clear pricing. This makes it a great choice for tech-savvy teams who prefer to manage things independently.

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Frequently asked questions about corporate travel agencies

What’s the difference between a TMC and a regular travel agency?

A Travel Management Company (TMC) focuses on overseeing business travel programs. This includes enforcing travel policies, securing negotiated corporate rates, and providing consolidated billing along with detailed reports. In contrast, a typical travel agency usually manages individual leisure travel bookings and lacks the integrated policy controls or centralized expense management that a TMC offers.

Can corporate travel agencies help with international travel?

Corporate travel agencies are equipped to support international travel through global reach, local market expertise, and centralized support. Visa assistance and 24/7 traveler support are also commonly included. Still, reliable mobile connectivity is key on international trips, which is why some organizations complement their travel programs with eSIM solutions such as Holafly.

How long does it take to set up with a corporate travel agency?

Getting started with a corporate travel agency usually takes anywhere from four to twelve weeks. This timeframe can vary based on the size of the company, the complexity of travel needs, and integration requirements. The process normally involves establishing a travel policy, integrating systems with finance and expense tools, and providing training for internal stakeholders, travel bookers, and employees.

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Tom O'Leary

Tom O'Leary

SEO Content Specialist

I am a Liverpool-based SEO content specialist with years of experience crafting content that connects. I combine my love for clear communication with a passion for travel and languages (currently diving into Japanese!). At Holafly, I'm here to help you understand everything about staying connected abroad, turning technical jargon into straightforward advice you can actually use.

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