Should Your Company Be Using a Corporate Travel Agency?

These days it seems as-if a new corporate travel agency is popping up every week. There are now so many options out there that it's becoming hard to keep up with all of it. Since we are in such a unique position and have great insight into the industry, we figured we would put the major companies here for you to analyze. Take a look at our top choices and see if one (or more) of them is the right fit for your company.

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.

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:

Top 6 Corporate Travel Agencies - Our List

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#1 - Engine.com

Workforce Lodging - Group Booking - Flights & Transportation - Rewards Program

Engine.com is a business travel platform purpose-built to streamline lodging for teams, field workers, and traveling professionals. Unlike traditional travel management companies that focus heavily on flights or concierge services, Engine’s core strength is in workforce lodging, especially for companies booking hotel rooms for job sites, traveling crews, client projects, or extended stays.

The platform is entirely free to join, with no contracts, fees, or onboarding delays. Users simply sign up with a work email to gain access to Engine’s network of over 750,000 hotel properties worldwide, often at rates discounted up to 60% off retail. These are pre-negotiated corporate rates that wouldn’t be accessible via traditional consumer travel websites.

What makes Engine particularly stand out is how deeply it integrates with finance and operations needs. Every booking can be tracked by department, job code, or individual, making reconciliation easier for accounting teams. Admins can issue virtual cards, set travel policy rules, and manage centralized billing all from one dashboard. The system is designed to eliminate tedious manual work like credit card authorization forms, paper invoices, and expense back-and-forths.

In 2024, Engine expanded its offering beyond hotel lodging to include flight booking, rental car reservations, and group travel coordination. This makes it a viable all-in-one tool for many teams, especially those managing travel for events, trainings, installations, or multi-city job sites. Engine also supports Direct Bill programs and incidentals coverage, making it especially attractive for companies who want to minimize employee out-of-pocket spend.

The platform’s rewards system, called Engine Rewards, adds an extra layer of value by allowing users to stack rewards on top of points from major hotel loyalty programs. Users can redeem their Engine points for future travel or free nights.

With 24/7 U.S.-based support, a clean, intuitive interface, and a pricing model designed for efficiency rather than upsell, Engine has become a go-to solution for thousands of companies that need a no-nonsense, high-performance booking platform that emphasizes savings, visibility, and control.

Strengths

• Access to 750,000+ hotels with deep B2B rates
• Full virtual card support and centralized billing
• Booking by department, job code, or event
• Rewards program stacks with Marriott, Hilton, and IHG
• Newly added flights and car rentals
• Direct Bill, incidentals, and policy enforcement tools
• No setup fees, contracts, or platform fees
• Dedicated trip managers for group blocks
• Earn rewards and hotel points at the same time
• U.S.-based support available 24/7

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#2 - TravelPerk

Fast & Flexible Booking - Remote-first Teams - Growing Fast

TravelPerk is a fast-growing travel management platform known for its user-friendly design, full-service booking capabilities, and flexible features aimed at small to mid-sized companies. It combines flights, hotels, trains, and rental car bookings in a single interface while offering add-ons like travel policy enforcement, carbon tracking, and automated approvals.

The platform appeals particularly to startups and growing companies due to its quick onboarding and modern integrations with tools like Slack, BambooHR, and Expensify. TravelPerk also offers a feature called FlexiPerk, which allows travelers to cancel most bookings for a partial refund—adding an extra layer of flexibility during uncertain times.

Strengths

• Unified booking for all major travel categories
• Easy-to-use interface and fast deployment
• Integrated expense and travel policy controls
• Marketplace of third-party services (insurance, lounge access, etc.)
• Strong carbon tracking and sustainability tools

Weaknesses

• Hotel bookings often don’t earn loyalty points
• Support quality can vary by plan and region
• May not offer deep reporting for large enterprises
• Not optimized for high-volume or global enterprise accounts

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#3 - BCD Travel

Enterprise-level Risk Management - Data-driven Policy Enforcement

BCD Travel is a long-established travel management company with a presence in over 100 countries. Designed primarily for enterprise-level clients, BCD offers a wide range of features including duty-of-care systems, advanced spend analytics, and configurable policy enforcement tools. It’s well-suited for companies with complex travel structures, compliance needs, and global coverage.

The platform also includes custom payment processing options, sustainability tracking, and benchmarking tools to evaluate and refine travel policies. However, its legacy infrastructure can sometimes feel rigid or less modern compared to newer, software-driven solutions.

Strengths

• Trusted global TMC with a broad client base
• Strong safety and traveler risk management tools
• Advanced analytics and spend tracking
• Sustainable travel features and reporting
• Customizable workflows for complex organizations

Weaknesses

• User interface feels outdated compared to newer platforms
• Implementation timelines can be lengthy
• Mixed customer service reviews from end users
• Not ideal for small or fast-moving teams

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#4 - American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT)

Premium Global Service - Loyalty Perks - Enterprise Integrations - Global Brand

Amex GBT is one of the largest corporate travel agencies in the world, supporting businesses of all sizes with flight, hotel, car, and meeting services across 140+ countries. Known for premium service and elite travel perks, Amex GBT offers clients access to upgrades, loyalty benefits, and white-glove support.

The platform is especially strong for large corporations with complex global travel policies. It integrates with major HR, finance, and ERP systems and provides in-depth reporting and risk management features. While its scale is a major advantage, it also comes with the challenges of complexity and higher costs.

Strengths

• Comprehensive global coverage and supplier relationships
• Access to premium perks and exclusive rates
• Powerful integration with enterprise software
• Excellent for managing complex, multinational travel
• Strong reputation and trust among corporate clients

Weaknesses

• Expensive compared to newer platforms
• Less agile and slower to implement
• User interface and tools can feel complex
• Not ideal for smaller or mid-size businesses
• Poor Website UI

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#5 - FCM Travel Solutions

Personalized Consulting - Global Coverage

FCM Travel Solutions is a global TMC owned by Flight Centre Travel Group. It blends high-touch service with modern travel technology and supports businesses in over 100 countries. FCM’s platform allows for real-time bookings, traveler tracking, and policy compliance, while its consultants provide a personalized, consultative approach to optimizing travel programs.

The company is known for its global scale, but it’s also praised for adapting well to local market needs. Clients benefit from negotiated air and hotel rates, sustainability programs, and benchmarking services. While it doesn’t move as quickly as software-first platforms, FCM maintains a strong position for businesses needing a blend of service and tech.

Strengths

• Global support with strong local expertise
• Personalized consulting and travel program review
• Competitive pricing through large supplier network
• Real-time travel tracking and approvals
• Flexible solutions for both mid-size and large businesses

Weaknesses

• Not as fast or self-service oriented as modern SaaS tools
• Mixed support quality depending on the region
• Onboarding and training can be time-intensive
• Less appeal to startups or low-volume travelers

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#6 - TravelBank

Affordable Travel - Expense Management for Startups & Small Teams

TravelBank is a modern travel and expense management tool that’s designed with startups and SMBs in mind. It combines booking, budgeting, virtual cards, and reimbursements in one easy-to-use platform. Its standout feature is its employee incentive model: travelers are rewarded for choosing lower-cost travel options, helping companies cut costs without heavy-handed restrictions.

The platform is mobile-friendly and quick to adopt, making it ideal for distributed or remote-first teams. It’s also a popular choice for finance departments seeking better expense tracking. However, it lacks some of the deep customization and global capabilities of larger TMCs.

Strengths

• Affordable, all-in-one travel and expense platform
• Incentive-based savings encourages smart travel choices
• Clean, modern interface with quick learning curve
• Built for remote teams and small-to-mid businesses
• Integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks and NetSuite

Weaknesses

• Limited features for complex or global programs
• Basic analytics compared to larger providers
• Less negotiation power for deep hotel or airfare discounts
• Not built for enterprise-level travel policies

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions Relating to Corporate Travel Agencies

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Question: What is a corporate travel agency?
Answer:
A corporate travel agency is a company or platform that helps businesses book and manage travel for their employees. These agencies usually provide access to discounted rates on flights, hotels, and rental cars, and offer tools for enforcing travel policies, tracking spending, and supporting travelers on the road.

Question: Why would a company use a corporate travel agency?
Answer:
Companies use corporate travel agencies to save time, reduce costs, and improve oversight. Instead of employees booking travel on consumer websites, a centralized system ensures policy compliance, simplifies approvals, and provides better visibility into travel expenses. Agencies can also offer 24/7 support, negotiated rates, and consolidated billing.

Question: What is a corporate travel manager? What do they do?
Answer:
A corporate travel manager oversees a company’s travel program. Their job typically includes selecting travel providers, enforcing travel policies, managing vendor relationships, tracking budgets, and ensuring travelers are supported while on the road. They also analyze travel spend and look for opportunities to save money or improve efficiency.

Question: Why are virtual business credit cards better for corporate travel?
Answer:
Virtual business credit cards offer more control and security than traditional cards. They can be issued for individual bookings, set with spending limits, and linked to specific job codes or departments. This helps prevent fraud, simplifies reconciliation, and eliminates the need for employees to use personal cards or submit reimbursement forms.

Question: Why do companies need a corporate travel policy?
Answer:
A corporate travel policy sets clear guidelines for how employees should book, pay for, and report travel. It ensures consistency, controls costs, improves safety, and prevents last-minute bookings or unauthorized upgrades. A well-written policy also helps the company stay compliant with tax and accounting regulations.

Question: What do corporate travel agents do?
Answer:
Corporate travel agents help employees and travel managers book flights, hotels, and other services according to company policies. They assist with itinerary changes, cancellations, and rebookings, and often provide support during travel disruptions. Some agents also specialize in group travel or VIP services.

Question: What does a corporate travel consultant do?
Answer:
Corporate travel consultants advise companies on how to structure and optimize their travel programs. They may assist with vendor selection, policy creation, contract negotiation, benchmarking, and performance analysis. Their goal is to help businesses reduce costs, improve traveler satisfaction, and streamline travel operations.

Question: What is corporate incentive travel?
Answer:
Corporate incentive travel refers to trips that companies provide as a reward for top-performing employees, sales teams, or business partners. These trips are often all-expense-paid and may include luxury accommodations, group activities, and exclusive experiences. Incentive travel is used to boost morale, motivate teams, and strengthen relationships.

Question: Are travel expenses tax deductible for corporations?
Answer:
Yes, most business travel expenses are tax deductible for corporations, including airfare, hotels, transportation, and meals. However, the travel must be directly related to business activities, and companies must maintain proper documentation. Entertainment and personal expenses are generally not deductible. It’s always best to consult with a tax professional.