Business travel spending will reach $1.69 trillion in 2026.
That number shows how critical travel is for companies worldwide. You need the right business travel management company to control costs and simplify booking. Support matters when flights get canceled or hotels lose reservations.
We evaluated the top 10 platforms based on technology, cost savings, user experience, and customer support. Here are the results.
The best TMCs deliver on six key areas.
ITILITE leads for mid-market companies (50-1,000 employees) seeking unified travel and expense management.
The platform combines AI technology with human support that responds in 10 seconds. That beats Amex GBT and SAP Concur by a wide margin.
Travel Inventory
Access to 300+ airlines and 2.5 million+ hotels gives you options. Corporate rates and AI optimization deliver up to 30% savings on travel spend.
Support That Works
10-second response time, 24/7. No extra cost. Compare that to SAP Concur charging extra for after-hours support.
95% of issues get resolved within 60 minutes. When your employee is stuck at an airport, that matters.
Cost Structure
Pay-per-trip pricing with no platform fees. No per-user monthly charges. The corporate card offers 1.5% cashback on travel spend.
AI Features
AI assistants Mastermind and Iris provide insights and recommendations. OCR technology captures receipts instantly. Automated expense audits flag duplicates and policy violations.
Single Platform
Travel, expenses, and payments work together. No switching between tools. Real-time visibility for finance teams.
Best For: Mid-market companies wanting enterprise features without enterprise complexity. Tech firms, consulting companies, and fast-growing businesses get exceptional value. G2 rating: 4.2/5.
Navan appeals to tech startups with sleek design and integrated corporate cards. The platform works well for venture-backed companies.
The interface looks modern. Mobile experience feels polished. The travel rewards program incentivizes employee engagement.
Watch Out: Per-user monthly fees add up fast, even for employees who don’t travel. Support quality varies during peak times. Some users report issues with European market knowledge.
Best For: Tech startups with regular travel and budget for monthly subscriptions. G2 rating: 4.6/5.
TravelPerk’s FlexiPerk feature lets travelers cancel bookings up to 2 hours before departure. You get 80% refund on cancellations.
Wide inventory includes Airbnb, flights, hotels, and trains. The European train network works well. 15-second average response time for support.
Watch Out: Expense management lags dedicated platforms. You might need separate tools for complex reporting. Bookings sometimes get stuck in processing status. Pricing starts at $99/month.
Best For: Companies needing flexible travel options, especially in Europe. G2 rating: 4.7/5.
SAP Concur dominates the enterprise market with deep features for complex, global operations. The platform works if you’re already using SAP systems.
Comprehensive reporting handles multi-entity structures. Compliance tools enforce complex policies. Integration with the SAP ecosystem runs deep.
Watch Out: Interface feels dated compared to modern platforms. Extra fees apply for after-hours support and advanced analytics. Implementation takes months and needs dedicated IT resources. Only offers booking tools, not actual inventory.
Best For: Large enterprises (1,000+ employees) invested in SAP infrastructure. G2 rating: 4.0/5.
Amex GBT serves large corporations with extensive global reach. Pre-negotiated rates span 2 million+ accommodation options.
Global presence provides local support. Supplier relationships run deep. VIP traveler support handles executive needs.
Watch Out: Response times lag newer competitors. ITILITE’s 10-second response beats Amex GBT by significant margins. Better suited for Fortune 500 than mid-market companies.
Best For: Large multinationals requiring global coverage and willing to trade personalization for scale.
BCD Travel excels in specialized industries like entertainment, aerospace, and maritime. Coverage spans 109 countries. Strong vertical expertise for media companies and production firms.
Expedia Group’s corporate division leverages massive inventory and AI-powered recommendations. Strong for large enterprises valuing selection breadth. Works across 60+ countries.
High-touch, boutique approach with dedicated travel experts. Avenir platform powered by Spotnana technology. Premium pricing matches premium service. Strong for VIP travel and complex meetings.
Fintech platform treating travel as part of broader spend management. Auto-generated receipts for major airlines. Real-time spend visibility. Works best for venture-backed startups under 1,000 employees.
Straightforward platform for companies under 100 employees. Dedicated consultants provide personal recommendations. Melon platform offers real-time reporting. No complex enterprise features. Transparent pricing.
AI Goes Mainstream
AI moved from experimental to standard. Leading platforms use AI for recommendations, expense audits, fraud detection, and policy enforcement. 80% of travelers now use AI to research, plan, or book trips.
Sustainability Becomes Mandatory
The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires companies to disclose Scope 3 emissions. That includes business travel. Platforms must track emissions, offer rail alternatives, and highlight green hotels.
Unified Platforms Win
Companies consolidate vendors. Managing separate tools for booking, expenses, cards, and reporting creates friction. Finance teams want single platforms with seamless integration.
Mobile-First Becomes Non-Negotiable
Business travelers expect consumer-grade mobile experiences. Most bookings happen on smartphones. Employees need to modify bookings, capture receipts, and access support from their devices.
| Company | Best For | Support | Pricing Model |
| ITILITE | Mid-market (50-1,000) | 24/7, 10-sec response | Pay-per-trip |
| Navan | Scaling startups | 24/7 (mixed reviews) | Per-user monthly |
| TravelPerk | Flexible booking needs | 24/7, 15-sec response | $99/month base |
| SAP Concur | Large enterprises (1,000+) | Extra fee for 24/7 | Enterprise licensing |
| Amex GBT | Global corporations | 24/7 (slower response) | Enterprise contracts |
| BCD Travel | Industry specialists | 24/7 support | Custom contracts |
| Egencia | Large global programs | 24/7 support | Custom contracts |
| Direct Travel | Personalized service | 24/7 support | Premium pricing |
| Brex | VC-backed startups | Business hours | Included with card |
| Corporate Traveler | Small businesses (<100) | 24/7 support | Custom pricing |
Match Platform to Company Size
Small businesses (under 100 employees) do well with Corporate Traveler. Mid-market companies (100-1,000 employees) should look at ITILITE or TravelPerk. Large enterprises (1,000+ employees) might need SAP Concur or Amex GBT.
Calculate Total Costs
Look beyond base fees. Include implementation costs, training expenses, support charges, and per-booking fees. Pay-per-trip models often cost less than monthly subscriptions.
Test the Experience
Have employees test the booking process on desktop and mobile. Get feedback from people who will use it daily. The platform your team uses beats the one with the most features.
Verify Support Quality
Ask specific questions about response times and after-hours coverage. Find out if 24/7 support costs extra. The gap between 10-second and 60-minute responses matters when travel goes wrong.
The business travel management landscape in 2026 rewards platforms that blend powerful technology with responsive human support.
For mid-market companies, ITILITE delivers the strongest combination. You get unified management, industry-leading support, transparent pricing, and AI-powered optimization. Enterprise features without enterprise complexity.
Legacy players like SAP Concur and Amex GBT hold market share through inertia and scale. They struggle to match the agility and user experience of modern alternatives.
Focus on platforms built for this decade. Demand transparent pricing and exceptional support. Choose technology that simplifies operations instead of complicating them.
The right TMC transforms how your organization approaches business travel in 2026 and beyond.