All businesses both small and large need a free travel management program to reduce travel and expense costs by integrating their travel policy into the program. Free travel management software is not all the same. While some are all-in-one solutions, others may only help you manage travel expense processes. We’ve compiled a list of the best free travel management program solutions for booking business travel.
What Is a Travel Management Program?
A travel management program provides a free platform for users to plan, purchase, and record travel expenses. Companies use this software to simplify purchasing decisions, centralize records of employee travel expenses, and manage corporate travel budgets.
What Is the Difference Between Travel Agencies and Travel Management Companies?
A travel management company uses new technology to assist businesses in meeting their program objectives and tracking progress. While a single travel agency primarily assists clients in booking business travel.
Travel Management Agencies
A travel agency is a private retailer or public service that offers travel and tourism-related services to the general public on behalf of lodging or travel suppliers, offering various types of travel packages for each destination.
A travel agency’s main function is to act as an agent, selling travel products and services on behalf of a supplier. They are also called Travel Advisors. And also travel agencies and tour operators take on responsibilities such as marketing and publicity, booking of tickets, itinerary preparation, designing of tour packages, processing of travel documents, travel insurance, travel research, conducting tours, etc.
Travel Management Companies
A travel management company is essentially a corporate travel agent or agency. As technology advances, we’re seeing more personalized TMC solutions that offer far more than just the ability to book travel. Free travel management programs require TMCs who are more technologically savvy than ever before.
The Following Are Some of the Best Travel Management Companies:
- SAP Concur,
- American Express Global Business Travel,
- Egencia (part of Expedia Group),
- BCD Group, Carlson Wagonlit Travel,
- FCM Travel Solutions,
- TripActions
- Travelperk
What is a Travel Program?
The Free Travel Management Agency program helps companies manage a wide range of travel products and services, including flights, lodging, and activities, to offer packages, quotes, and itineraries, launch marketing initiatives, process payments, and track the organization’s financial health.
Which Free Travel Management Program Is Best Used by Travel Agents?
Here are the Top best Free Travel Management program in 2022
- TripActions
- Expensify
- SAP Concur
- TravelPerk
- Emburse Certify
- ExpenseTravel
- BankRampEtta,
How Do You Manage Travel?
Business travel is one of the most complex expenses for any company. Each trip has its own set of goals and objectives, and each participant has their own set of priorities. The business traveler desires an itinerary that does not result in unnecessary sleep loss, a comfortable room with WiFi, and possibly an extra day to explore a new city and turn a business trip into personal travel. The office manager requires an effective travel policy as well as a travel management program or solution that does not detract from other tasks. To book flights, they shouldn’t have to open hundreds of tabs or contact a slew of travel consultants or agents.
Finally, the finance manager requires real-time access to all travel expenditures in order to make budget decisions and maximize cost savings. Additional considerations may be necessary depending on how your company travels. When making changes to your business travel management program, begin by thoroughly listing all of these factors. However, not knowing the current state of travel isn’t good.
The finance team can’t make immediate budgetary decisions and is always playing catch-up, trying to cut costs after the fact. Any travel agent will send you monthly reports, but without the immediate ability to log in and review spending, the finance team is always in the dark. Having immediate insight into travel can not only help the finance team track spending, but it can also help with reimbursement procedures and can help them generate accurate and actionable expense reports that they can then use to lay the foundation for their future travel budget.
The 5 Basics of Travel Functions of a Travel Management Agency
Most agencies’ roles have been diversified into a series of services that can be divided into six major categories:
#1. Travel Management
This is the core function that business travel agencies have always performed. This category of services would include the management and preservation of transportation tickets, searches for lodging, car rentals, and so on.
Despite the fact that this task has been performed for the longest time, new technologies have significantly altered how it is done, with factors like price comparisons or methods for finding deals and discounts coming into play.
#2. Passenger Assistance
On a trip, there could be a variety of unanticipated issues that need to be resolved, such as returning home due to an illness, accident, or emergency, losing luggage or paperwork, etc.
#3. Consulting
Numerous elements of consulting services are more or less directly related to travel, including advice on travel policies, cost optimization, information of interest to the traveler (such as customs of the destination country, suggestions for behavior, etc.), and information of interest to the traveler.
#4. Marketing and Internal Communication
A travel management agency can be very helpful in creating travel policies for businesses (rules regarding expenses, management of per diems, etc.) and in communicating with the staff in an effective manner because of its experience. Â
#5. Technology
The proper and ongoing use of technology is essential for a variety of tasks, including managing to bill or locate travelers in dangerous situations, as well as requesting and comparing travel services (tickets, lodging, etc.).
#6. Leisure Services
Some travel management companies give employees and their family members at the companies they work for direct discounts or free better terms on travel and leisure activities or program.
What Are the Necessary Documents for Travel?
While you begin planning your trip, your first step must be to check the validity of your passport and gather all the documents required for international travel. Before you begin organizing your documents, be sure to check the documents needed to enter your destination country because different countries have different requirements.
For instance, it is a requirement to have travel insurance, which includes medical insurance, if you are visiting the Schengen area. Therefore, it is wise to do your research and have your travel documents ready to go in order to prevent last-minute problems. Regardless of your destination country, we have listed a few travel documents you will need for your international trip below.
#1. Passport and Travel Visa
It’s crucial to have a passport when visiting another nation. If you don’t already have one, it’s a good idea to apply for one now so that it can be processed and prepared in time. Additionally, if you already have a passport, make sure to check the expiration date; it shouldn’t be for another six months or until you return. It is preferable to carry a copy of your passport.
Another important requirement during international travel is a visa. It is a stamp on your passport that provides permission to enter another country. However, a few countries provide visas on arrival, and for others, you need to apply for the same in advance. Therefore, while planning your trip, check the visa conditions, and if you cannot obtain an on-arrival visa, it is prudent to apply for a tourist visa in advance, as the process might take some time. Besides, in some cases, the visa might get rejected too.
#2. Copies of All Identification Documents
When traveling or checking into your hotel to attend events, etc., you might need your identification documents. Therefore, it is best to bring both a copy and your original identification documents.
#3. Air Tickets and Proof of Accommodation Bookings
Although they may seem obvious, some people end up forgetting to carry these documents. And these are the important papers that, if you don’t have them, might prevent you from continuing your journey. Also, it is advisable to have a soft copy of these documents.
#4. Travel Itinerary Details
It takes a lot of time and effort to plan your itinerary, and you typically book your accommodations, tickets to events, adventure activities, etc. in accordance with it. Therefore, it is crucial to have your itinerary close at hand if you want to have an organized trip and see as much of your destination country as possible. So, again, don’t forget to have a soft copy of the same!
#5. Tickets for Events While Travelling
During your trip, there may be thrilling events or adventurous activities taking place in your destination country or state for which you have made reservations in advance. If you don’t want to miss out on that event, keep the relevant information handy.
#6. COVID-19 Travel Documents
If you are traveling during COVID-19, you may need to bring a few extra documents with you, such as a COVID-19 report, a vaccination certificate, and so on. This requirement may differ between countries and carriers. Therefore, you should enquire and check the documents required in a couple of days.
#7. Foreign Currency
Carrying a sizeable amount of local currency from your destination country is among the essential items to pack. You might be able to save time and conversion fees by doing it this way.
#8. Travel Insurance Plan Details
When visiting foreign countries, it is advisable to carry travel insurance because it may be challenging to deal with unforeseen circumstances. Your journey might even come to an abrupt halt as a result of these difficulties. Therefore, it is best for you to buy a travel insurance policy well in advance.
Who Can Travel Without a Passport and Visa in the World?
King Charles iii is the only person who is able to travel throughout the world without a passport or visa.
What Is a Note Verbale for a Visa?
A note verbale is a diplomatic message sent by one government to another through their respective diplomatic missions. Like many other diplomatic expressions, note verbale is a French term that literally translates to “verbal note,” as it was intended to be spoken to the recipient.
What Are the Three Types of Travel Documents?
The most basic forms of travel documents are
- passports,
- passport cards,
- arrival/departure records.
After Biometrics, How Long Does It Take To Receive Travel Documents?
Within one to three months of your biometrics appointment, you should receive your actual reentry permit. 2 to 5 months on average for the entire processing process.
Related Post:
- Travel Management Company: A Complete Guide
- Corporate Travel Management Companies: Complete Guide
- Travel and Expense Management Software: Best Software
FAQs on Free Travel Management Program
Does USA accept travel documents
As part of the entry process, you must show valid travel documents when you arrive in the United States. The documents required, as well as whether your passport must be valid for six months after your travel dates, are determined by the country from which you are traveling and your citizenship or status.
Does UAE accept refugee documents?
The answer is NO. If you do not have the proper documentation to enter the UAE, you will be denied entry, and obtaining a sponsor will not allow you to enter the country.
how many countries can you travel with refugee documents
The United States government’s refugee travel document is recognized by more than 145 countries. These countries are signatories to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.