AmTrav Blog

Dis-aggregation is not the Problem

It has been a good year for managed travel customers who use AmTrav. Compared to their peers, they ...

How Travel Managers Can Prepare for Changing TMC Economics (part 2 of 3)

Following AmTrav’s radically honest TMC Secrets webinar (watch it here), yesterday we shared how...

How TMCs Make Money Today and How that Could Change (Part 1 of 3)

Have you ever wondered how your travel management company (TMC) makes money and pays their bills?

Does Travel Policy Work? (ANSWER: Yes)

One occasional request we get when we demo AmTrav’s a2b booking platform to prospective customers...

American Airlines Removes More Fares in August

AmTrav has tracked American Airlines’ fare changes since American removed many of their lowest...

Focus on DFW: American Airlines Removes Even More Fares

AmTrav has tracked American Airlines’ fare changes since American removed many of their lowest...

2023 Mid-Year Travel Cost Update: Cooling Down At Last

It’s been an interesting (and increasingly expensive!) couple of years watching travel costs, as...

4 BIG Takeaways from GBTA 2023: NDC, Trip Changes & Savings, Oh My!

Amid Growing Pains, A Reminder Why We’re Still All-In on NDC

Alexander...

Jeff Urban Joins AmTrav as New Director of Sales

AmTrav, the one-connected platform for business travel, today announced the addition of Jeff Urban...

How Cornerstone is Prepared for NDC

With decades spent working in corporate travel, the Cornerstone Information Systems team and CEO...

Insider Tips on How to Find the Best Corporate Lodging Rates

What Is ‘Corporate Lodging’?

Corporate lodging refers to accommodations used by business travelers...

How to Improve Corporate Travel Policy Compliance

How to Create a Sustainable Travel Policy for Your Company

Why Do Airlines Overbook Flights and How to Avoid Getting Bumped

In the travel industry, overbooking is standard practice, but why do airlines overbook flights? The...

NDC Bundling: Yea or Nea?

Something we hear more and more from airlines, from customers and from prospects: “NDC bundling.”...

Maximize Your Summer Travel Productivity with Amtrav 2023

As we eagerly look forward to the summer, we're reminded that this season brings with it unique...

Why the future of work is in corporate travel

The COVID-19 pandemic has indelibly marked our lives, and the ripples are felt distinctly in the...

Webinar Recording: Not Another NDC Webinar

AmTrav takes buyers' pressing NDC questions and shares our unique NDC experience on "Not Another...

What Will NDC Cost You?

We know what NDC-ready means, we know the benefits of NDC, and we know that not being NDC-ready...

What Does NDC-Ready Mean?

Because American Airlines removed 40% of their lowest fares from many corporate booking providers,...

American NDC Fares Analysis (Week 5): Webinar Next Week!

I know, I know. You've come to rely on the AmTrav Blog for one-of-a-kind insight into American...

American NDC Fares Analysis (Week 4): Digging into Economy Fares

Last week we examined American Airlines fare differences by fare brand between AmTrav's NDC...

American NDC Fares Analysis (Week 3): Premium Customers Pay More

When American's modern retailing strategy was announced in December, one common response from...

How to Choose the Right Corporate Travel Management Solution

Navigating the world of corporate travel can be complex and time-consuming, but having the right...

American NDC Fares Analysis (Week 2): Not All Routes Are Created Equal

It's been two weeks since American Airlines restricted the sale of their lowest fares to NDC...

How to Control Business Travel Expenses At Your Company

As the business landscape evolves and globalization increases, corporate travel has become an...

What Is Bleisure and How Does It Affect Your Travel Policy?

What Is “Bleisure”?

You might've heard of the term "bleisure" lately, which is a clever combination...

Top 5 Corporate Travel Policy Best Practices

Developing an effective corporate travel policy is essential for companies aiming to optimize their...

Webinar highlights: Hotel Payments present and future

One of the most significant challenges in managing hotel payments for business travel is the...

NDC In-Depth: the tech, the changes, the benefits

The travel industry has seen significant shifts in recent years, with an increasing demand for...

AmTrav's Enhanced Platform to Help Business Travelers Navigate American Airlines' New Flight Booking Changes

AmTrav, the one connected platform for business travel, today announced upgrades to its corporate...

3 Ways a Travel Management Solution Can Support Your In-House Travel Manager

In-house travel managers face the challenge of juggling multiple responsibilities to ensure their...

One Year of Meetings & Guest Travel Made Easy with AmTrav Gather 🎉

Have you heard the news – it’s AmTrav Gather’s first birthday!Hooray! In Gather’s first year 120...

Supporting Business Travelers: How to Turn Your Travel Program Into an Employee Retention Tool

Corporate travel programs are becoming more streamlined and user-friendly as employers recognize...

A 3-Part Guide to Business Travel Expenses: How to Show ROI

As a travel manager, you’re responsible for planning business trips that are both efficient and...

Webinar Highlights: Maximizing Travel Program Savings in 2023

Little Things that Drive Your Productivity

First off – this is a silly blog post, don’t read it if you’re not up for a silly blog post written...

Three Things we Learned from Soundings+AmTrav 2023 Meetings Outlook

Three Things we Learned from Soundings+AmTrav 2023 Meetings Outlook Webinar

Webinar Highlights 2023: NDC comes to america

In our webinar, NDC Comes to America, held January 31st, 2023, T2RL CEO and former Vice President...

AmTrav Manage pages updates

We’re continually updating AmTrav’s one connected platform, including implementing your...

Finding the Most Reliable Flights this Winter

The leaves have fallen off the trees, Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes have come and gone, it’s...

What’s the best way to plan group air?

The COVID pandemic is finally passing and you can gather face-to-face with your friends and...

Setting your 2023 Travel Budget

This week AmTrav met with dozens of travel administrators on our 2023 Travel Forecast webinar,...

Meeting Hotels Made Easy

Are you tired of wrangling room blocks? Last-minute checkin date changes, begging the hotel to...

Summer 2022 Travel: How bad was it?

Going by the headlines, summer 2022 travel was truly, uniquely awful.

AmTrav and Marriott make virtual payments work better for customers

Virtual cards provided by CSI and Conferma allow corporate customers to securely centralize payment...

Finding the Most Reliable Flights this Fall

It’s fall: the weather is a little cooler, kids are back in school, pumpkin spice lattes are back...

Happy Hotel RFP Season

It’s still warm outside and the leaves haven’t started turning, but the kids are headed back to...

Corporate Meetings Return to 2019 Levels

There's a lot of good news for people who like meeting peers face-to-face, who enjoy an...

Finding the Most Reliable Flights this Summer

Summer travel always means dodging thunderstorms, but in summer 2022 you’re dodging airline, hotel...

Three Things we Learned at the BTN Tech Talk Chicago

AmTrav was proud to sponsor the BTN’s Travel Tech Talk in Chicago this week, it was great event...

How Can You Use AmTrav Gather?

AmTrav clients have used AmTrav Gather to quickly, easily plan travel for thousands of travelers,...

How to Expand Your Role as a Travel Manager

Want to expand your role as a travel manager – take on more responsibilities, do cool new work, and...

AmTrav Gather Makes Meetings Travel Planning Easy

AmTrav exists to bring people together face-to-face and make business work better — because it's...

Coming Next Week: AmTrav Makes Planning Meetings Travel Easy

As the COVID pandemic slowly recedes we’ve seen a return to meetings and events — and we couldn’t...

Three things we Learned at the BTN “Sourcing a Booking Tool” workshop

Why do buyers choose their booking tools?

Maximize Your Travel Program Savings in 2022

What are the biggest opportunities to save your travel program money in 2022?

The Latest Unused Tickets News

Quick: what’s the easiest way to save your travel program money in 2022?Answer: use your unused...

Three things we learned at the BTN Travel Program & Policy Workshop

AmTrav was proud to sponsor the Business Travel News “Structuring a Managed Travel Program &...

What to Expect from AmTrav in 2022

We’re about two months into 2022 which means it’s the perfect time to tell you what we’re doing...

When Should I Book My Business Trip to Europe?

If you’re planning a business trip to Europe this summer, this one’s for you.

Announcing Gather: The Guest Travel Planning Solution That Makes BOTH Arrangers and Guests Happy

AmTrav, the one connected platform for business travel, announces Gather, the travel planning...

Coming Next Week: AmTrav Makes Guest Travel Easy

For too long guest travel has been a pain to plan – even with AmTrav – but enough is enough!Next...

Here's What Inflight Service You Can Expect From Major Airlines Right Now

If you’re getting back in the travel groove for the first time since the pandemic started, you...

The UK is Ending COVID Testing For Fully Vaccinated Travelers

In a little bit of good news for business travelers, England and Scotland will no longer require...

What Happened to Alitalia?

In October of 2021, the Italian airline Alitalia quietly ceased to exist, leaving many travelers...

What is Turo and Is It a Good Alternative to Traditional Rental Cars?

With COVID sticking around and the supply chain mess still in full swing, traveling right now has...

Here’s What’s Happening With 5G and Airlines

Update - 1/19/21

5G is officially live. Despite airline lobby group Airlines for America's letter...

While Travelers Continue to Face Hundreds of Airline Cancellations, AmTrav Can Help

As the new year begins, so does business travel. Well, at least it’s supposed to. If you were...

Happy Holidays From AmTrav

As another rollercoaster year comes to a close, we are grateful for partners like you. So much so,...

New COVID Travel Restrictions: Here’s What You Need to Know

Update 12/13:

After closing their borders on November 25 due to Omicron variant concerns, Israel is...

Clients Recover $500K in United Airlines Unused Ticket Value

Redeeming unused ticket credits with one click in AmTrav is a great way to save money on business...

American Introduces Major Updates to AAdvantage Loyalty Program

American Airlines just revamped their AAdvantage loyalty program, simplifying the way travelers can...

Uber is Rolling Out New Airport Services: Here’s What You Need to Know

It’s no secret that ridesharing has had a bumpy year. Travelers have seen long wait times,...

U.S. Set to Open Land and International Borders to Fully Vaccinated Travelers on Nov. 8

The return of international travel to the United States officially has a start date. On November...

UK Loosens Entry Requirements for Fully Vaccinated Travelers

The UK has loosened up their entry requirements for fully vaccinated travelers. As of October 4th,...

Coming Soon: TSA to Accept Digital Driver’s Licenses

Business travelers with an iPhone (or Apple Watch) will soon be able to experience a more...

The U.S. to Relax Travel Restrictions for Vaccinated Foreign Travelers

In a bit of great news for business travel, the U.S. is poised to ease up on pandemic travel...

Ready to Help in Teams and Slack

“So you can communicate with us from wherever you want.”

Is Uber Failing Customers? Why More Business Travelers are Pivoting Back to Rental Cars

For years, Uber posed a serious challenge to rental car companies. The convenience and comparative...

EU Recommends Restrictions for US Travelers: Here’s What You Need to Know

The summer of ever-changing travel restrictions continues. Two months after opening up for...

What to Do If Your Flight Changes or Gets Cancelled

If air travel seems a bit more complicated to you these days, you’re not alone: the current travel...

Mask Mandate Extended Through January 2022

It’s a good thing most of us are used to packing our masks before hitting the road. The TSA...

Delta Makes Standby Free for Same-Day Trip Changes

Last week Delta made it easier for all travelers to adjust their itineraries on the fly. You might...

England Reopens Borders to Fully Vaccinated Visitors From U.S., Europe

Starting on August 2, travelers from both the U.S. and EU who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19...

We All Need a Little Support

I recently read the Autobiography of Jane Russell, a Golden Age era actress perhaps best known as...

Canada Will Welcome Back Fully Vaccinated Americans in August

Current as of 9/17/21

Canada is officially welcoming back American travelers. Starting on August...

Passport Services Are Delayed: What You Need to Know

As the world continues to open back up, international travel is beginning to make a comeback. But...

Hilton Hotels Makes Daily Housekeeping Optional

Hilton is no longer offering daily housekeeping services. Starting last week, Hilton made their...

The Ultimate Guide to Southwest Airlines Fares for Business Travel

As a business traveler you need flexibility and reliability when flying. Nearly 20% of business...

All About UATP

This page is under construction 👷👷👷! Check back soon for more soon.

All About United Airlines Propel

United Airlines' Propel program is a corporate discount program that offers set discounts on United...

All About United Airlines PassPlus

United PassPlus is a prepaid discount program that gives small and midsize corporate or individual...

All About United Airlines PerksPlus

United PerksPlus is a corporate rewards program that earns companies PerksPlus credits that can pay...

All About American Airlines Business Extra

American Airlines Business Extra is a corporate rewards program that earns companies Business Extra...

How Do I Sign Up for SWABIZ?

Enrolling your company in SWABIZ is free, quick and easy. Follow these steps below to sign up for...

All About Southwest Airlines SWABIZ

This page is under construction 👷👷👷! Check back soon for more soon.

All About Delta Airlines SkyBonus

This page is under construction 👷👷👷! Check back soon for more soon.

Hotel Rates Are Rising, How Can Your Company Save Money?

My my, how things change in a few short months in the corporate travel industry.

How We Use Your Feedback to Improve AmTrav

Have you ever responded to an AmTrav post-trip survey and wondered what happens with your feedback?

AmTrav and Emburse Make Expenses Easy

Happy Birthday Southwest Airlines!

Happy 50th birthday, Southwest Airlines!

AmTrav Makes it Easy to Make CO2-Smart Choices and Track Your Impact

This week AmTrav launched two new tools that help you track your company’s carbon dioxide emissions...

Things You Should Know Before Booking Your Next Hotel Stay

At the risk of boring you to death, I am going to talk a little about what happens “under the hood”...

As Travel Demand Increases, So Do TSA Security Lines

Travel is on the upswing, and as many travelers get back on the road they find themselves running...

State Department Lowers Advisory Level for Dozens of International Destinations

This week the U.S. State Department lowered the advisory level for several countries. Advisories...

Seven EU Countries Begin Using Digital COVID Certificates

After weeks of discussions and considerations, seven countries in the European Union have...

Vaccine Cards, Vaccine Passports and Proof of Vaccination: What’s the Difference?

This week the CDC announced that over 50% of the US population is now vaccinated against COVID-19,...

Planning a Business Trip? You'll Still Need to Pack Your Mask

Updated on 5/20/21

Last week the CDC announced an exciting new guideline: fully vaccinated people...

CDC Now Allowing At-Home COVID Tests for International Travel

Returning home from international travel just got a little bit easier. On Friday, the CDC updated...

Major Airlines Are Reopening Airport Lounges: Here’s What You Need to Know

As summer quickly approaches and vaccine distribution continues, major airlines are beginning to...

European Union Countries Will Welcome Vaccinated Americans This Summer

Now that fully vaccinated business travelers can travel freely in the U.S. without quarantines or...

REAL ID Deadline Pushed Back to 2023

The REAL ID deadline has been pushed back once again. Last month we dove into the REAL ID Act and...

Saving Money with Unused Tickets and Name Changes

Unless you're new to the AmTrav blog (in which case, welcome!) you know that we love unused tickets...

Two Steps to Prepare for Your Hotel Stay During the Pandemic

You’re preparing to get back on the road for business -- what should you expect?

Heads Up: Be Prepared For Uber and Lyft Shortages Right Now

Today Business Travel News reported on a driver shortage causing a shortage of Uber and Lyft ride...

Looking Ahead to Summer Business Travel with American Airlines’ President

American Airlines’ President Robert Isom sat down with business travel publication The Company Dime...

Vaccine Passports: Know Your Options

As COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opens up across the country, discussions about vaccine passports...

Fully Vaccinated Business Travelers May Now Travel Without Tests or Quarantines

In some good news for companies who are ready to begin traveling again, the CDC said late last week...

Where You Can Travel If You're Vaccinated

With the vaccine rollout well underway, countries are starting to make announcements about waiving...

What We Learned From Nearly One Billion Airfares (And How It Can Help Your Business Travel Budget)

AmTrav recently studied a large number of airfares ‒ over 917 million of them ‒ to understand how...

Are You REAL ID-Compliant? Here’s What You Need to Know

We’ve talked about this before here on the AmTrav Blog (if you’re new here, welcome!), so you may...

United Airlines Relaunches Service at JFK Airport

After a long five year hiatus, United Airlines is officially coming back to New York’s JFK Airport....

What Are Work-From-Hotel Programs? Here’s What You Need to Know

Thanks to a steady rise in vaccinations (and spring breakers everywhere), the TSA saw its busiest...

Are State Travel Requirements About to Disappear?

After a long and cold December, January and February, the AmTrav COVID Resource Center state travel...

There’s an Answer for That: Introducing the AmTrav Knowledge Base

We’ve all been there: trying to remember how something works and feeling frustrated because we...

What You Need to Know About the Potential Rental Car Shortage

With the vaccine rollout well underway, there’s hope that travel will start to pick up this summer....

One Stop Shop: New American Airlines Fares Available to AmTrav Customers

As our CEO Jeff explained in December, his goal for AmTrav’s booking tool is to “show you all the...

Hyatt & Marriott Now Offer Complimentary Covid Tests at Select Resorts

Hyatt and Marriott now offer complimentary on-site COVID-19 tests at select properties for any...

What It's Like to Get a COVID Test at IAD

Dulles International Airport (IAD) has partnered with XpresCheck to offer on-site COVID-19 testing....

What It's Like to Get a COVID Test at DCA

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has partnered with XpresCheck to offer on site...

Vaccinated? Two States Are Waiving Their Travel Restrictions for You

Last month we wrote about Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Green's suggestion that travelers fully...

The Boeing 737 MAX is Back

After an almost two year grounding following two fatal crashes a couple of years ago, the Boeing...

Do I Need a Negative COVID Test to Fly in the United States?

Update Feb.15: The U.S. CDC and Biden Administration stated that they do not plan to require...

What to Do If You Test Positive for COVID While Traveling Internationally

It’s now a federal mandate that international travelers must test negative for COVID-19 72-hours...

What It's Like to Get a COVID Test at San Diego Airport

San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the latest airport to offer in-airport Covid-19 testing on...

The Latest on Digital Health Passports for Business Travel

Current as of 3/4/21

A few weeks ago we explored the idea of digital vaccine - or health -...

The Easiest Way to See the Value of Your Business Travel

Last week AmTrav introduced a new Trip Success Report to help you evaluate the success of your...

Can Vaccinated Travelers Skip Hawaii's Quarantine and Testing Requirements?

Normally the esteemed AmTrav blog doesn’t cover the Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, but when the...

Did President Biden Really Implement a 14 Day Quarantine for Returning International Travelers?

Last week President Biden issued an Executive Order that, at a glance, seems to complicate the...

U.S. to Require Negative COVID-19 Test for Travelers on Incoming International Flights

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday that beginning on January...

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at LAX

Current as of January 13, 2021

A Struggle To Put 2020 Accomplishments In Context

It wasn’t a typical New Year’s Eve, but 2020 is finally behind us. In a few days we’ll get back to...

Why I'm So Excited About AmTrav's New Flight Shopping Tool

In the summer of 2019, back when conferences were still a thing, I was invited to speak at an...

New Year, Faster Flight Selection with AmTrav (VIDEO)

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at ORD

Chicago’s O’Hare Airport (ORD) is the latest airport to offer in-airport Covid-19 testing on site....

Seasons Greetings From AmTrav

In the spirit of making business travel personal and keeping  it fun, here's AmTrav's very own...

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at DEN

Current as of December 18, 2020.

AmTrav 2020 Product Recap (VIDEO)

2020 didn't go as planned, but just like you, we adjusted. We continued building AmTrav's one...

COVID Vaccine Passports for Business Travel

Last week in our 2021 business travel predictions we mentioned that we expect to see COVID testing...

It’s Now Easier to Track Former Employees’ Unused Tickets

Last month in our post outlining three steps to save money with former employees’ unused tickets,...

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at MCO

Current as of December 10, 2020.

COVID Cases, Vaccines and Travel: What We Expect Business Travel to Look Like in 2021

You've probably seen the news: COVID cases are continuing to climb in the U.S., triple summer case...

“How much do you charge for that?”

Responding to the Company Dime story about AmTrav’s partnership with Journera to provide real-time...

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at PHX

Current as of November 23, 2020.

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at CHS

Current as of November, 22 2020.

Track Your Travelers in Real Time With AmTrav and Journera

If you use the AmTrav Traveler Locator Report regularly, you know it gives you an accurate view of...

Three Steps to Save Money With Former Employees’ Unused Tickets

The only thing trickier than unused tickets are unused tickets that were issued to former...

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at BOS

Current as of March 4, 2021.

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at SEA

Current as of November 6, 2020.

It's About You

We're really excited to share with you the two new case studies we published this week telling the...

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at LGA

Current as of October 29, 2020

Business Travel Is Down but Highly Productive According to AmTrav Traveler Data

Business travel is down in 2020 for reasons we all know well. Many businesses aren’t traveling at...

Hawaii Launches Pre-Testing Program For Travelers

Hawaii has started to open its borders, and if you travel there on business we have some advice to...

What You Need to Know About Airlines’ Preflight Covid-19 Testing

One of the biggest hurdles in getting back to business is the mandatory 14-day quarantines that...

Celebrating One Year of the Best Southwest Shopping & Booking Technology

Our friends at Southwest Airlines reminded us that it’s officially been one year since we upgraded...

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at EWR

Current as of October 14, 2020

Getting the hotel room and rate you need with AmTrav

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at Bradley International Airport

Current as of October 14, 2020

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at Oakland Airport

Current as of March 4, 2021

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at JFK

Current as of October 14, 2020

What It's Like to Get a Rapid Covid Test at TPA

Current as of October 14, 2020

What to Expect at Your Hotel: Three Questions to Ask Before You Arrive

Many aspects of travel have changed with COVID, including the hotel experience. While hotels strive...

Why We Decided to Build Our Own Chat Platform

Like the proverbial tree that falls in the woods with no one around to hear it, what if we made a...

Room Blocks Are for Weddings, Not Business

Hotel room blocks work really well for weddings. Room blocks offer a lot of flexibility, giving...

With Change Fees Gone, Can We Fix the Rest of What's Wrong With Airline Pricing?

This Op-Ed first appeared September 9, 2020 on Phocuswire.

Introducing AmTrav’s New Post-Trip Surveys

To Quarantine or Not to Quarantine? Navigating State COVID Travel Restrictions

If you or your coworkers are traveling during the COVID pandemic, you need to remember to bring...

Tired of Unused Tickets? No? Me Neither!

A colleague shared some data with me today. It inspired me to share a story with you.

AmTrav’s Craig Fichtelberg On Business Travel's Model Moving Forward

This Op-Ed first appeared August 18, 2020 on The Beat.

Saying Goodbye to (Most) Airline Change Fees

This week a number of major airlines, including American, Delta, United, and Alaska Airlines,...

The Little Marketing Initiative That Could: Reflecting on Six Months of Communications in 2020

Coming into 2020 we thought it was a good time to put an emphasis on communicating regularly with...

"Ask Me Anything" Part 3: Here's What You Missed

Delta Airlines, Hilton Hotels, and Hertz joined us yesterday for Part 3 of our Ask Me Anything...

YOU'RE INVITED: PART 3,  KEEPING YOUR TRAVELERS SAFE "ASK ME ANYTHING"

Like many travel managers out there, you might be feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of...

"Ask Me Anything" Part 2: Here’s What You Missed

Southwest Airlines and Wyndham Hotels joined us this past Tuesday for Part 2 of our Ask Me Anything...

Your Guide to Getting Back to Travel

While your team begins to travel again and you’re faced with the task of creating a travel policy...

What to Do If an Employee Gets COVID-19 On the Road

As part of your duty of care to employees, you should have an action plan that outlines the...

AmTrav’s Keeping Your Travelers Safe “Ask Me Anything” Series

As a travel manager, you are likely facing tough questions, rapid change, and concerns about...

You're Invited: Part 2,  Keeping Your Travelers Safe "Ask Me Anything"

Like many travel managers out there, you might be feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of...

Safe on the Road - Why Social Distancing is Way More Than Half the Battle

There are a lot of lists out there about how to stay safe during COVID times and, specifically, how...

"Ask Me Anything" Part 1: Here’s What You Missed

American Airlines, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and Omni Hotels and Resorts joined us last Thursday for...

Hotels vs. Private Home Rentals - Which is Better During COVID?

There is a debate among those crafting COVID-era travel policies about what type of accommodation...

How Amtrav Can Help, Even When You Book on Other Sites

When your company books travel through an AmTrav channel (e.g. a2b, chat, calling one of our travel...

Are Car Rentals Safer than Rideshares Right Now?

For a while now, the trend among business travelers has been more rideshare and less car rentals,...

Your First Trip in the COVID-Era? Here's What's Different

If it’s been a while since you’ve traveled, the next time you get back on the road you’ll likely...

Fast, Confident Travel Preparation: The AmTrav COVID Resource Center

Today we are launching a new COVID Resources Center webpage displaying current travel restrictions...

You're Invited: Keeping Your Travelers Safe, "Ask Me Anything"

Like many travel managers out there, you might be feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of...

What Are "COVID Clean" Hotels and How Can You Find Them?

As you or your team members begin to travel again, our team wants to help make sure you’re booking...

With no change fees, is Basic Economy now worth it?

Ever since they were introduced, Basic Economy air fares have been an anathema to business...

Earn Double Miles With American Airlines This Summer

As we head into summer and companies begin to feel more comfortable traveling, American Airlines...

New & Improved: Printer-Friendly Trip Confirmations

In late February we released a new trip confirmation email format. We lamented that our previous...

From Our CEO: Sad Times, Green Shoots, and Trying Not to Waste a Crisis

Although it seems like a lifetime ago, last weekend I watched the SpaceX ship blast off and...

Traveler Safety Enhancements at AmTrav

We know how hard it is to keep up with the constantly-changing risks and restrictions facing your...

AmTrav Travelers on COVID-Era Travel: “Pack Your Patience"

It’s hard to know what to expect when traveling right now in the COVID era. In order to find out...

WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MYSELF SAFE WHEN FLYING?

As we settle into the “new normal,” we’re all taking small, cautious steps to get back to our...

What to Pack for Travel During COVID

With stores and restaurants keeping odd hours, and a lot more to worry about from a safety...

PERSONAL SERVICE FOR PERSONAL TRAVEL

This is a story from our colleague Elliott McNamee, who recently used AmTrav to book his personal...

Major Airlines Now Requiring Masks For Passengers

With many Americans eager to get back to “normal” as soon as it is safe to do so, the airlines are...

TO INHIBIT OR ENABLE TRAVELERS? THAT IS THE QUESTION.

I wrote this article a few months back for a trade magazine called The Beat, but I realized I never...

Drowning in Unused Airline Tickets? We Can Help

Among the thousands of challenges that we’re all facing right now is the staggering amount of...

THIS IS NO TIME FOR TRAVEL: A NOTE FROM OUR CEO

Today all of us are grappling with uncertainty and confusion and our hearts bleed for those who...

Measuring What Matters With NDC

“New Distribution Capability” (NDC) is an airline initiative to modernize the way airline tickets...

YOUR ITINERARIES - MORE INFO, MORE EASILY

5 WAYS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR FLY TIME

Whether you’re a seasoned road warrior or an occasional business traveler, you know the nagging...

FLYING NEXT TO FIDO: HOW BUSINESS TRAVELERS COPE

Business travelers are experienced frequent flyers and can typically handle any travel curveball...

WHAT EVERY BUSINESS TRAVELER SHOULD DO AFTER BOOKING A FLIGHT

Flying by the seat of your pants is no way to approach business travel. If you want to avoid...

5 ESSENTIAL DO'S AND DON'TS OF YOUR FIRST INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRIP

You’re about to be the face of your company inan entirely different country. No pressure, right?...

5 Spooky Destinations Not to Miss During Your Fall Business Travel

We all know that business travel can sometimes feel like a chore. But one of the perks of corporate...

The REAL ID Act and What It Means For You

As business travelers, we know you travel a lot. And if you travel a lot, you’ve definitely seen...

How Business Travelers Can Handle The Busiest Travel Seasons

Let’s face it — business trips don’t always align with slow travel seasons. While every business...

15-Inch MacBook Pro Laptop Ban: What You Need to Know Before You Fly

When traveling for business, chances are you have a laptop or tablet in tow. For business travelers...

Traveling During Hurricane Season? Here’s What You Need to Know

The 2019 hurricane season is in full swing. Storms are already wreaking havoc with Hurricane Dorian...

How to Maximize Productivity During Summer Business Travel

Ahh, summertime. It really can be a double-edged sword. For business travelers used to living in...

Balancing Business Travel and Family During Summer

When summertime hits, balancing business travel and family can become a bit more complicated. After...

It’s “Watch What Happens Live” not “Watch What Happens DELAYED…”

Yesterday started out business as usual on a Chicago summertime Tuesday. The skies were blue, birds...

AMTRAV'S Q3 UPDATE

Hello,There was a time when business travel was something every traveler would dread. There were...

How to Prevent Security Hacks on the Road

As the travel industry grows, so does the risk for security threats. There have been hundreds of...

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SURVIVING LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS

If you’re anything like me, enduring a flightlonger than four hours is near impossible. As...

Did You Know: Downloadable Reports

Keeping track of reports for all of your travelers can get messy. Our reporting dashboard helps...

Did You Know: 24/7 Text Message Support

Picture this: after a long day of client meetings,you’re sitting on the runway on flight number one...

Policy Change is Long Overdue for In-Flight Sexual Harassment

In recent years the viral #metoo hashtag has stolen the spotlight and garnered international...

Did You Know: Arrival Manifest Report

Managing travel is no easy task. Juggling multiple itineraries, credit cards, travel policies and...

How to Communicate Travel Policy Change in the Age of Generational Diversity

The travel industry is changing at a rapid pace. Each day it feels like there are new developments...

Boeing Completes Software Updates for the 737 Max

Over two months after the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max jet due to its involvement in two fatal...

Problem Solved: Managing Unused Airline Tickets

We all know far too well how unpredictable travel can be. You’ve probably been there before: stuck...

Did You Know: View Bag & Fare Info

The year is 2019 and travelers are officially inundated with options. Whether it’s business travel...

Airline Change Fees: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

A final report from the Obama administration’s National Economic Council (NEC) documented the steep...

Amtrav Bolsters Its Management Team by Adding Industry Veteran Ana Dawson as Vice President of Client Services

We are proud to announce today that Ana Dawson has joined the AmTrav team as Vice President of...

ON BABIES, BATHWATER, and TMCs

This Op-Ed first appeared April 8, 2019 on The Company Dime.

In his recent post, “On The...

AmTrav's Q1 Update

Hello,

Did You Know: 24/7 Live Chat Support

Did you know that AmTrav has 24/7 live chat support? Our in-house live chat service gives our...

Do Travel Management Companies Make Your Life Easier? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Full-Service Account Management

Guest post with contributions by our own Heather McKibben – Account Manager

Did You Know: Instant Fare Comparisons

Did you know that on a2b you can instantly view fare differences? With one click of a button, you...

AMTRAV'S Q4 UPDATE

Hello,

Your Checklist: Making Your International Trip a Success

Your company just invested $16,000 in your full, unrestricted first-class fare to China. In...

Did You Know: Seat Pitch

We all know that feeling when we’re on an airplane. That “I’m too cramped, my knees are hitting the...

Duty of Care and Travel Risk Management: 9 Tips for Best Practices

Guest post with contributions by our own Janet Conlon – Account Manager

Did You Know: Traveler Locator Map

You know the old saying “expect the unexpected?” Well in our experience, when it comes to travel,...

As Airlines Pay More At The Pump, Travelers Must Pop for Luggage

Updated on 9/25/18:

How Much Implementation Support Do You Need From Your TMC?

Here at AmTrav, we have customer accounts with thousands of employees, and accounts with a handful...

Are We Fiddling With NDC as Rome Burns?

“New Distribution Capability” (NDC) is an airline initiative to modernize the way airline tickets...

We’ve Moved!

We are excited to share that our Chicago office has officially moved! We have relocated to the West...

Tired of the Same Old Travel Management Options? [WEBINAR]

Frustrated by your current travel management solution? Tired of an outdated solution with sub par...

Let’s Talk Talc: New TSA Rules on Packing Powder

We get it. A little talc on the toes goes a long way towards comfort when your FitBit says you’re...

The Best Way To Pay For Travel

Guest post by our own Kyle Harrison – Account Manager

Understanding Travel Documents: What are eTAs, Who Needs Them, and for Which Countries?

In November of 2016, Canada began enforcing a new program that has caught many travelers off guard,...

All Work and No Play? Let’s Talk About Bleisure

Guest post by our own Laura Pilla – Account Manager

8 Tips For Going Green While Traveling

Grappling with the logistics of green travel? Traveling green has never been easier, thanks to the...

Booking Hotels for Non-Employees? Here’s What You Need to Know

Guest post with contributions by our own Liz Gnat – Account Manager

Making a Travel Budget for Your New Business

When you’re just starting out in business, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it as...

Domestic Duty-Free Shopping: A New Trend?

In Terminal D of the Dallas-Forth Worth Airport, you may overhear travelers gleefully echoing that...

Wheels up? You’ve Got This Down. Tips for Millennials New to Corporate Travel

For those new to business travel, the glamour wears thin quickly. Flights get delayed or canceled,...

How Airport Lounges Profoundly Impact Productivity

If you’ve ever sat by the gate awaiting your flight, wishing your portable charger hadn’t run out...

Rental Car Insurance: To Buy or Not to Buy? What You Need to Know

It is nearly impossible these days to purchase anything without some form of extended warranty or...

Traveling Overseas on Business? Expert Tips on Beating Jet Lag

Business travel is a reality for many professionals. Unlike vacation, though, overseas work trips...

The Business Travel Glass Ceiling: How Female Travelers Are Impacting Air, Hotel and Car Companies

Of the 488 million business trips taken yearly, women business travelers comprise 46% of them. How...

Millennials: Their Place in the Business Travel Landscape

It’s important as an employer to understand the needs of employees. Naturally, the unique demands...

In the Digital Age, Why Face-to-Face Meetings Still Matter

On March 10, 1876, the world began an irreversible shrinking process. On that day, Alexander Graham...

The ABC’s of IDP’s (International Driving Permits)

When traveling internationally, there is only so much time to cram in all that you want to see and...

The “Smart” Luggage Ban: How to Plan For It

Smart luggage is officially dumb. At this writing, in a rare act of solidarity, all of the major...

Your Complete Breakdown of TMC Pricing

The decision of whether or not to use a travel management company (TMC) for corporate travel is one...

The Business Traveler’s New Year’s Resolutions: 2018 Edition

In 2018, our wish for you is that your business travel life becomes less frenetic and more kinetic....

Secrets To Selecting the Best Seats

Sometimes, choosing your seat for business travel can feel like a shot in the dark. Fortunately, if...

The “But We Have a Contract” Dilemma

Guest post by our own Jim Wasson – Director, Business Development

Vegan Business Travelers: Your Guide to Eating In Flight

If there was ever a good time to be vegan, it’s now. Food options–even in New Orleans over...

Dealing with Serious Hurricane Situations While Running a Nationwide Sales Business

How Homeland Security’s REAL ID Act Affects Your Business Travel

Update (12/28/17):

Trick or Treat? 5 Common Travel Deals Too Spooky to Be True

They say you should never look a gift horse in the mouth, but if the gift horse is offering you a...

The Future of Hotel Security

With the events in Las Vegas, the big (and big is an understatement) question is “what now” with...

How to Handle a Travel Crisis: What You Need to Know

There’s little doubt that business travel can be fraught with minor frustrations and occasional...

The 5 Haunted Hotel Destinations You’ll Want to Seek Out This Halloween

Although most of us would shudder at the thought of encountering a real, live ghostly apparition,...

The Pros and Cons of Checking Bags for Business Travel

Let’s face it. You didn’t get to where you are in your career because you shy away from the tough...

Winning the Battle to Lose the War? When Saving on Business Travel Backfires

Oftentimes, when the leader of a company sets out to increase the bottom line, one of the first...

A Look Into the Changing Business Travel Landscape

There was once a time when business travel meant you booked a flight, arranged a cab (or limo) and...

What Smart Companies Are Doing About Emergency Travel Policies

In June, NOAA.gov proclaimed this 2017 hurricane season would incur 11 to 17 named storms, which is...

What Matters to Business Travelers? New AmTrav Survey Has Your Answers

A new survey by AmTrav has taken the pulse of today’s travel managers and business travelers,...

AmTrav a2b Platform Wins Gold Magellan Award for 2017

First-of-its-kind corporate booking tool honored as exemplary Online Travel Service/Overall Booking...

Regional vs. Global Travel Management Companies: Which is Better?

Our world is shrinking. Technology advancements continue improving the relative ease with which...

How to Perfect Your Hotel Experience

Frequent business travelers know that hotel experiences can vary widely from the pitch perfect to...

Corporate Travel Risk Management – Keeping up with Constant Change

The new “normal” is expecting the unexpected. Random terror attacks, civil unrest, natural and...

10 Travel Evolutions in 20 Years

While we can all wax poetic over greeting someone right at the gate as they disembarked the plane,...

The AmTrav 2017 List: Top 15 Business Travel Apps

The clever apps your fellow road warriors are chatting up make business travel easier than ever...

Travel Anxiety in the Age of Global Terrorism

The news out of Manchester and London over the last few weeks has refocused the media spotlight on...

Biometrics – The New Frontier in Airline Security

What do JetBlue, Delta, and Air France’s KLM have in common? Besides the obvious, these are all...

The Electricity Challenge: Matching Outlets to Countries

In a perfect world, there’d be one universal electrical outlet and no need for a blog to navigate...

Airlines and Airports Making Big Summer Changes: How Will They Affect Your Travel Plans?

Just in time for the summer travel season, many of the major airlines and airports are making some...

Staying Connected with Family During Business Travel is Possible – and Fun

Like it or not, business travel is a reality for many modern-day professionals. The problem is it...

Service Animals on Flights: Ferreting out the Truth

If you’re a frequent traveler, you have, undoubtedly, noticed a marked increase in the number of...

Traveling Abroad? Make Sure the Travel “Bug” Is the Only One You Return With

International travel is an exotic crash course in human relations. There is simply no substitute...

The New AmTrav is Here

Here at AmTrav, our goal is to make business travel easier. We believe in keeping a close eye on...

Four Things To Know About Information Security Before Selecting a TMC

Travel — both domestic and overseas — goes hand in hand with modern-day business life. However,...

The Pros and Cons of a Heavily Managed Travel Program

The goals spelled out in the 2017 plan may have seemed lofty, but as the second quarter draws to a...

Three and Six Month Passport Validity Rules: What You Need to Know

We all know that a valid passport is a requirement of international travel. In fact, post 9-11,...

10 Must-Pack Items for Your Next Business Trip

A last-minute business trip can result in a flurry of “pack-tivity” as you scramble to remember...

United Takes a New Approach to Lure Travelers Back to the “Friendly Skies”

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz emerged from the rubble that resulted from an intense social media...

Is It Time to Consider a Corporate Travel Management Company?

As a company grows, so does its corporate reach. Doing business within ever-increasing geographic...

Refundable v. Non-Refundable Tickets: When Do They Make Sense?

As the top salesperson in your firm, you’ve finally received a call back from a big prospect in...

Overbooked Flights: What Are Your Rights, Anyhow?

A recent viral video has been raising many questions about travelers’ rights on overbooked flights....

Eco-Travelers: What You Need to Know About Staying at Green Key Hotels

If you’re an eco-business traveler concerned about your impact on the environment, Green Key...

Managed vs. Unmanaged Travel

Business travel is a pricey cost of doing business, so it’s important to enter into financial...

LAX: The Mess You’ll Want to Miss

When it comes to travel for either business or leisure, you know that even the slightest wrinkle...

Potential Elimination of U.S. Visa Waiver to Europe: What are the Implications?

On March 2^nd of this year, the European Parliament voted to pass a non-binding motion that would...

U.S. Limits Electronic Devices on Carriers from Several Middle East Countries

Early this morning, the US Department of Homeland Security put out a memo hitting Middle Eastern...

Gluten-Free Business Travel: A Guide to Survival

According to a 2015 Gallup poll, one in five Americans is currently eating gluten-free. And whether...

How To Create the Best Travel Policies for Your Company

Creating a successful travel and expense policy for your company is important since it’s likely...

Business Travel Insurance: Who Needs It? You Might

Travel insurance: otherwise known as the little box at the bottom of a booking page that you...

Airport Yoga Trend: What You Need to Know

In 2012, San Francisco International Airport kicked off a popular new trend: airport yoga rooms....

Business Travel Management Reporting: Best Practices You Need to Know Now

If you’ve recently been placed in charge of your company’s travel management, you know...

5 Advantages of Using An Agency To Book Your Air Travel

It may be tempting to book your company’s travel on your own – without the services of a business...

Flight Attendant Confidential: What They Wish You Knew About Flying First Class

There’s First Class, and then there’s FIRST CLASS. There’s a huge disparity between First Class on...

Is Your Current Travel Policy Really Working?

Simply put, you need to have solid data in order to properly manage and evaluate the success — or...

What You Don't Know - But Should - About Unused Airline Tickets

When you book a business flight — whether individually or through a business travel agency — the...

Implementing a New Travel Solution? Avoid These 5 Major Mistakes

You’re tasked with the responsibility of overseeing company travel, knowing there may come a time...

Do I Need to Hire a Consultant to Help Select a Travel Management Company?

Hiring a travel management company (TMC) is an important decision because who you choose can have a...

Why TSA Precheck Is a Must-Have For Business Travelers

You know who wants to wait in long lines at the airport? Nobody. That’s why AmTrav recommends all...

In-Flight Wi-Fi: What You Need to Know

Someday, we will all be having a good laugh about how we tried to do business while enduring these...

5 Expert Tips To Improve Travel Policy Compliance

Travel is a large part of a company’s allocated budgetary expense. Therefore, making sure your...

5 Airports to Avoid During the Holidays

‘Tis the season for holiday-related travel delays, folks. For many travelers across the country,...

TOP 5 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY WITH A TRAVEL MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Like it or not, business travel is a cost of doing business — and a substantial one at that....

Winter is Coming: What the Colder Weather Could Mean for Your Travel Plans

Depending on what region of the country you live in, you might take a glance up at your window...

IS YOUR TRAVEL MANAGEMENT COMPANY THE RIGHT ONE?

Many smart businesses work with a professional travel management company to save time, money, and...

Debunking 5 Myths About Holiday Travel

You might think the holiday travel myths had gone the way of the Samsung Galaxy 7 (banned on all...

What You Should Be Asking About Your TMC’s Reporting Capabilities

Among a company’s greatest expenditures, travel and related expenses top the list. So, with little...

Five Questions You Should Be Asking About Account Management Support

A great business travel agency provides intuitive, easy-to-use products and services that are...

Top 5 Things You Should Ask About a TMC’s Call Center Support

When it comes to choosing the right business travel agency, not all are created equal. A business...

Making the Most of Your Downtime: What’s a Business Traveler To Do?

So, you’re going on a business trip. You know as well as we do that business travel absolutely does...

Top 5 Questions You Should Ask a Business Travel Agency About Their Online Booking Tools

With the majority of business travel booked over the Internet, a business travel agency’s online...

Does Your Company Need a Business Travel Agency?

If you’re reading this, you’ve most likely already answered that question with “Yes.” Or at least,...

What You Need To Know Before Signing a Contract With a TMC

You know you need a travel management company, but what do you need to know next? Here are five...

What to Consider When Selecting the Best Business Travel Agency for Your Needs

Finding the right business travel agency can be a difficult decision. There are a lot of details to...

Your Company May Need a Business Travel Agency… And Here’s Why

Everyone needs a helping hand when it comes to business travel. Without the right attention to...