5 of the best corporate travel agencies to know about

For many companies, corporate travel isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about arriving on time and refreshed, ready to drive business, build relationships, and close deals. After all, missed connections can mean missed opportunities, impacting revenue and reputation. 

With so much on the line, organizations often turn to a business travel provider or corporate travel software to streamline itineraries and secure discounts on essentials like flights and hotels, helping to make work trips smoother and more manageable for employees.

In this guide, we’ll highlight six of the industry’s best corporate travel agencies and what makes them stand out. We’ll also explain how they differ from travel management companies (TMCs).

Corporate travel agencies vs. TMCs

Choosing the right business travel solution—a corporate travel agency or TMC—generally depends on your company’s size and needs. Here’s a brief overview of how the two types of business travel providers differ:

Corporate travel agencies 

Corporate travel agencies specialize in booking flights, hotels, and car rentals, offering straightforward solutions for smaller businesses with simpler travel requirements. These agencies often use online booking tools (OBTs) that let business travelers arrange itineraries directly from their devices, providing a hands-on, cost-effective option. However, they may lack the advanced tools and strategic oversight necessary for managing more complex travel programs.

TMCs

TMCs offer a comprehensive approach to corporate travel. They go beyond simply booking flights and hotels, acting as strategic partners to develop travel policies, track expenses, and optimize travel budgets. With advanced tools for compliance monitoring, travel data analysis, and risk management, TMCs are better suited for companies with high-volume or international travel needs. Whether resolving flight cancellations or providing 24/7 traveler support, TMCs ensure every aspect of business travel runs smoothly.

5 of the top corporate travel booking companies

Understanding whether a corporate travel agency or a TMC best suits your needs is just the first step. Once you’ve determined the best travel approach for your business, it's time to choose a partner. 

If a corporate travel agency is the way to go, here are five standout options to consider:

1. TravelPerk 

TravelPerk is widely known within the travel industry for offering a variety of features and benefits tailored to business travelers’ specific needs. The platform integrates corporate rules and budget limits to help users book transportation and hotels in compliance with established travel policies. TravelPerk also offers an exceptional cancellation policy, returning up to 80% of booking costs when notified of changes up to two hours ahead of scheduled travel.

2. BCD Travel

BCD Travel is a well-respected global business travel company with a presence in 109 countries. This extensive reach enables the agency to provide tailored services for small and medium-sized enterprises, facilitating seamless international travel. As a traditional agency, BCD offers corporate travel management solutions via agents and three online booking tools geared to size and client requirements. Its solution integrates an application programming interface (API) that customizes the tool’s performance to meet each company’s unique business needs.

3. American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT)

Amex GBT distinguishes itself through its comprehensive corporate travel solutions tailored for large multinational corporations. Beyond managing flights, hotels, and expense reporting, Amex GBT offers advanced data analytics to optimize travel spending and identify cost-saving opportunities. Its rate-monitoring system automatically rebooks tickets when airfares decrease, and its reporting tools track refunds and unused tickets.

What truly sets Amex GBT apart is its industry-leading traveler support and dedication to traveler safety. Its 24/7 customer support is renowned for its speed and reliability, offering proactive communication during disruptions to resolve issues before they escalate.

4. FCM Travel Solutions

FCM Travel Solutions combines user-friendly technology with comprehensive travel management services. Its platform integrates travel and expense policies, streamlining trip planning while ensuring compliance. FCM also manages receipts, invoices, and reimbursements, making it a one-stop shop for efficient business travel.

With its focus on simplifying travel logistics and offering personalized support, FCM Travel is a strong choice for companies needing advanced tools and policy integration.

5. TravelBank

TravelBank excels as an all-in-one travel and expense management solution. Its platform emphasizes budget-friendly options and data-driven analytics, allowing businesses to get the most out of their travel budgets.

Corporate travelers enjoy discounted airfares and advanced expense tracking capabilities, while travel managers benefit from detailed reports that sync with popular accounting platforms like QuickBooks, NetSuite, and Bill.com. TravelBank’s seamless interface and comprehensive tools make it a favorite among small and medium-sized organizations.

An alternative to traditional TCMs and travel agencies

An enterprise-level corporate travel agency or TCM doesn’t always make sense for small or mid-sized companies. That doesn’t mean they’re left to organize business travel on their own. Engine offers a cost-effective and versatile solution to bridge the gap between smaller businesses and traditional travel services. 

Free to join with no contracts or monthly fees, Engine provides access to a centralized platform where users can search, book, and manage accommodations across 750,000 hotels, dozens of airlines, and 40 car rental companies. Members also benefit from loyalty rewards to reduce airfare and accommodation costs, making Engine an all-in-one solution for optimizing corporate travel processes.

The platform simplifies global business travel for companies of all sizes by integrating with direct billing programs, streamlining invoicing, consolidating travel administration, and providing actionable insights into spending patterns, trends, and cost-saving opportunities. Thanks to Engine's flexible booking processes, business travelers can manage and modify itineraries with ease. With Engine, managing business travel is simpler, smarter, and more efficient.

How to optimize your corporate trips

Smart corporate travel planning starts with clear guidelines and thoughtful strategies. Whether your company handles arrangements independently or partners with a TMC or agency, adopting these best practices helps keep costs in check and ensures smooth, successful outcomes.

1. Clarify travel policies

Establish a clear and comprehensive travel policy that outlines booking guidelines, accommodation standards, expense protocols, and security measures. Once finalized, make sure employees are familiar with the policy, emphasizing how compliance helps control costs, ensures traveler safety, and promotes consistency.

2. Promote compliance

Encouraging compliance isn’t enough—explain the financial consequences of travel policy violations and offer incentives for adherence. Conduct regular audits to identify issues, providing constructive feedback and additional training as needed.

3. Leverage technology

Incorporate travel management solutions and mobile apps into the planning process for real-time bookings, updates, and expense tracking. Centralizing arrangements on a single platform simplifies approvals, facilitates expense management, and minimizes administrative burdens.

Digital tools also collect valuable data on booking trends and patterns, enabling administrators to negotiate better rates for group or extended travel.

4. Be strategic

Prioritize early bookings to secure discounted rates on flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel essentials. Advanced planning not only saves money but also ensures more options for accommodations and itineraries.

Make your next business trip easier with Engine

From contracts to corporate reputation, managing business travel effectively is a critical part of your company’s success. You need a solution that simplifies the complexities of booking flights, hotels, and all the finer details of a successful trip.

That’s where Engine comes in. Our platform helps businesses of all sizes streamline travel management while tapping into an extensive global inventory of lodging options. Whether handling individual or group bookings, Engine delivers unmatched flexibility for employees. And if plans go off track, our award-winning customer support team is available to help 24/7.