British Airways has integrated its website with expenses specialist SAP Concur allowing data from business travellers to be captured when they book directly through ba.com.
The airline’s website is now linked with Concur’s TripLink tool which means that data on direct bookings can now be managed alongside other corporate travel bookings, such as those made through travel management companies (TMCs).
Bookings completed through ba.com will be picked up automatically by SAP Concur, as long as the business traveller has chosen to link their BA Executive Club and Concur accounts.
This is part of BA’s strategy of trying to drive more corporate bookings through its website, rather than via third parties such as TMCs and OTAs.
The advantage for corporate travel managers is receiving increased visibility of flight bookings made by their travellers and it also improves their ability to locate their employees in an emergency situation.
Additionally, if a traveller’s employer has a negotiated corporate discount with BA, this discount will be automatically applied to the booking if the passenger has requested access to these rates on the BA website.
Flight details are also consolidated into the Concur Travel mobile app and itinerary organiser TripIt Pro.
Michelle Cullis, BA’s NDC (New Distribution Capability) and customer partnerships manager, says:
“It’s more important than ever for companies to have the technology in place to oversee travel bookings and expenses.
“Through our connectivity with Concur TripLink, we can now offer this to a huge range of companies, no matter how they book.”
SAP Concur already works with other travel suppliers through its TripLink platform, which consolidates both direct and third-party bookings.
Chris Baker, managing director of EMEA North, SAP Concur, adds:
“Bringing British Airways into the Concur TripLink ecosystem means that a vast number of bookings can now be tracked for duty of care requirements.
“Duty of care is not only important for responsible businesses, but a legal requirement for them.”