10 best travel agency for small business

Explore the 10 best travel agency designed for small businesses. Discover key features, pricing options, and the best overall choice to streamline your travel management while keeping costs in check. Make informed decisions with our comprehensive guide tailored to modern business travel needs.

Explore the 10 best travel agency for small business

Here’s an expanded version of the best travel agencies and platforms for small businesses, providing more detailed descriptions and additional considerations to aid your decision-making:

1. Navan (formerly TripActions)

Key Features:

• AI-Powered Booking: Navan intelligently suggests cost-effective travel options based on historical data and preferences. It learns from usage patterns to recommend optimized itineraries.
• Real-Time Expense Tracking: The platform provides a comprehensive view of travel expenditures and tools to manage budgets effectively. You can easily track spending against company policies.
• Support: Around-the-clock support ensures that travelers can get assistance whenever they need it, whether it's for bookings, changes, or emergencies.

Best For: Startups and small businesses prioritizing simplicity and cost control without sacrificing quality. The platform is particularly appealing for those looking to streamline travel processes.

Pricing: Free core platform; additional features available through premium plans based on company needs.

2. TravelPerk

Key Features:

• FlexiPerk: This innovative feature allows canceled bookings to be refunded up to 80% if canceled within two hours of flight time, offering significant flexibility that traditional travel agencies often lack.
• Sustainability Dashboard: TravelPerk focuses on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), offering tools to measure and manage the carbon footprint of business travel, making it easier for businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices.
• Integrations: The platform seamlessly integrates with popular tools such as Slack for instant communication, QuickBooks for accounting, and Expensify for expense management.

Best For: Companies with hybrid teams that require flexibility and a focus on sustainability, allowing them to manage travel costs while making eco-conscious choices.

Pricing: Free trial; paid plans start at $99/month, with options for customization based on business size.

3. SAP Concur (Small Business Edition)

Key Features:

• End-to-End Management: Concur provides a comprehensive solution that encompasses travel booking, expense management, and invoice processing under one umbrella, reducing administrative burdens.
• Real-Time Alerts: Travelers receive timely alerts about potential risks associated with their trips, such as severe weather conditions or political instability, ensuring safety and compliance with company policies.
• Custom Reporting: With customizable reporting tools, you can analyze travel spending patterns and make data-driven decisions to enhance policy compliance.

Best For: Small businesses that need a comprehensive travel agency and expense management tool that integrates well with existing accounting software.

Pricing: Starts at $8/user/month with various features depending on the selected plan.

4. Egencia (Expedia Group)

Key Features:

• Global Inventory Access: Leverage Expedia’s extensive network to access exclusive corporate rates on hotels, flights, car rentals, and more, which can be quite beneficial for frequent travelers.
• Centralized Billing: Egencia offers convenient billing solutions that help businesses manage payments and expenses across multiple travelers and trips.
• Mobile App: A robust mobile app enhances the travel experience by providing real-time updates, travel itineraries, and adjustment capabilities on the go.

Best For: Small teams that want enterprise-level tools, controls, and insights without the added complexity often found in larger corporate systems.

Pricing: The pricing model is transaction-based, with no required subscription fees, which can benefit businesses that travel irregularly.

5. Pana

Key Features:

• Concierge-Service Edge: Pana combines automated booking with personal concierge support, bridging the gap between technology and human service to offer a unique travel planning experience.
• Automated Expense Tracking: The platform simplifies expense reporting by automatically creating reports based on travel bookings, which can help reduce administrative workload.
• Custom Travel Policies: Customize travel policies to align with company-specific guidelines, including preferred airlines and hotel features.

Best For: Small businesses that crave a personalized touch in their travel management processes and want the added assurance of human support when needed.

Pricing: Starts at $15/traveler/month, adaptable depending on the size and complexity of the business's travel needs.

6. American Express Global Business Travel (SME Solutions)

Key Features:

• Emergency Assistance: Offers round-the-clock support and immediate solutions for any travel-related emergencies, making it a reliable option for businesses focused on traveler safety.
• Access to Negotiated Rates: Small businesses can benefit from the extensive negotiated rates with popular airlines and hotels, which can lead to significant savings on business travel.
• Analytics Tools: Detailed reporting tools provide insights into traveler behavior and spending trends, supporting better financial planning and policy adjustments.

Best For: Small businesses with frequent international travel needs, especially those seeking robust support structures and exclusive rates.

Pricing: No fixed pricing; quotes and contracts tailored to the specific travel needs and volume of the business.

7. Airbnb for Work

Key Features:

• Long-Term Stays: Ideal for businesses looking to book long-term accommodations, team offsites, or corporate housing in a more homely environment, which can increase comfort and productivity.
• Centralized Billing and Policy Filters: Streamlined billing options enable easy expense management, while policy filters help businesses enforce rental budgets.
• Refund Opportunities: Many listings on Airbnb allow free cancellation, giving businesses the flexibility they might require for changing plans.

Best For: Remote or distributed teams in need of extended stays, looking to combine comfort with business travel requirements in a cost-effective manner.

Pricing: The platform is free to use with service fees applied to each booking.

8. Emburse (formerly Rocketrip)

Key Features:

• Incentivization Model: Embraces a unique approach by rewarding employees who save money on travel, turning budgeting into an engaging activity.
• Budget Visibility: Businesses gain better visibility into travel spending, enabling them to maintain control while allowing employees the freedom to choose their travel preferences.
• Behavioral Analytics: Provides insights into travel habits, helping businesses understand spending patterns and make informed strategic decisions.

Best For: Businesses that are keen on reducing overall travel costs while encouraging employee independence and decision-making.

Pricing: Custom pricing models based on the volume of travel and company needs.

9. Certify Travel (Emburse)

Key Features:

• Integrated Travel and Expense Management: Combines travel booking with expense reporting, simplifying processes for users and finance teams alike.
• Mobile App Utility: Enables users to book travel on-the-go and manage approvals, fostering greater flexibility for busy travelers.
• Customizable Approval Workflows: Implement company-specific approval processes for travel purchases, which enhances policy compliance.

Best For: Small businesses that prioritize integrated solutions for managing travel and expenses efficiently.

Pricing: Starts at $12/user/month, with additions for features depending on the comprehensive needs of the business.

10. Hopper for Business

Key Features:

• Price Prediction Technology: Harnesses AI to predict the optimal times for booking flights and hotels, helping businesses save time and money.
• Price-Freezing Options: Allows users to "freeze" prices on flights or hotels, providing an opportunity to secure low rates before making a final decision.
• User-Friendly Interface: Designed to be intuitive and straightforward, making it easy for users to navigate and find what they need quickly.

Best For: Small teams or businesses focused on budget-conscious, last-minute travel agency arrangements that want to leverage technology to minimize costs.

Pricing: Free to use; applicable service fees based on bookings.

Side-by-Side Comparison

The following 10 best travel agency for small business comparison below are;

Agency/Platform	Key Strength	Best For	Pricing	Unique Perk
Navan	AI cost savings + free core tools	Startups, cost-conscious	Freemium	Carbon emission tracking
TravelPerk	Flexible cancellations	Hybrid/remote teams	$99+/month	FlexiPerk (80% refund guarantee)
SAP Concur	Expense integration	Finance teams	$8+/user/month	Risk alerts + ERP compatibility
Egencia	Corporate negotiated rates	Small teams wanting deals	Transaction fees	Expedia inventory access
Pana	Human + AI concierge	Personalized service	$15+/traveler/month	24/7 traveler support
Amex GBT	Global 24/7 support	International travelers	Custom	Emergency evacuation services
Airbnb for Work	Extended stays	Remote teams	Service fees	Team trip coordination tools
Emburse	Cost-saving incentives	Budget-focused teams	Custom	Gamified employee rewards
Certify Travel	Travel + expense integration	Accounting teams	$12+/user/month	QuickBooks/Xero sync
Hopper for Business	AI price predictions	Last-minute planners	Free + service fees	Price-freeze options

Best Overall: Navan (formerly TripActions)

Why It’s #1:

Navan excels in providing a cost-effective and user-friendly experience with a rich feature set that meets the needs of small businesses. The combination of AI-driven recommendations, real-time expense tracking, and extensive support makes it the top choice for companies looking to simplify their travel management while keeping costs in check.

Its ability to grow with the business and incorporate custom policies distinguishes it from other travel agency platforms, making it an essential tool for any small business.

Key Considerations

1. Budget: Start with platforms that offer freemium models (like Navan or Hopper) and test them against your travel frequency before committing to subscriptions.
2. Travel Frequency:
   • Occasional trips: Look into Airbnb for Work or Hopper for flexibility and convenience.
   • Regular Travel Needs: Navan or TravelPerk are designed to integrate seamlessly into business operations.
3. Compliance and Control: If strict compliance is critical, consider SAP Concur or Egencia, which offer robust policy enforcement and reporting features.
4. Sustainability: If your business places importance on eco-friendliness, tools like TravelPerk or Navan provide capabilities for monitoring and reducing your carbon footprint.

Final Tip: Always negotiate corporate rates directly with airlines and hotels where feasible. Consider starting with simpler platforms like Amex GBT or Egencia to build relationships with vendors that cater specifically to business needs.

Run trials with multiple platforms (TravelPerk, Navan) to measure user-friendliness and responsiveness to your business's unique travel demands. This allows you to find the best solution tailored to your operational requirements.

FAQs

1. What is Navan?

Navan is a travel management platform formerly known as TripActions, utilizing AI to offer cost-effective travel options and real-time expense tracking for small businesses.

2. How does TravelPerk support sustainability?

TravelPerk has a Sustainability Dashboard that helps businesses monitor and manage their carbon footprint related to business travel.

3. What features does SAP Concur offer?

SAP Concur provides an end-to-end travel management solution, including booking, expense management, and real-time alerts for potential travel risks.

4. Why choose Egencia?

Egencia offers access to a global inventory with exclusive corporate rates from Expedia, centralized billing, and a user-friendly mobile app for real-time travel updates.

5. What is unique about Pana?

Pana combines automated booking with personalized concierge service, ensuring that travelers receive both technological efficiency and human support.

6. Who benefits from American Express Global Business Travel?

This platform is ideal for small businesses that require frequent international travel and robust support structures along with access to negotiated rates.

7. How does Airbnb for Work cater to businesses?

Airbnb for Work is perfect for long-term stays and offers centralized billing and flexible cancellation options, appealing to remote teams needing extended accommodations.

8. What is Emburse’s incentivization model?

Emburse encourages employees to save on travel costs by rewarding them for budget-conscious decisions, simplifying expense management.

9. Why use Certify Travel?

Certify Travel integrates travel booking with expense reporting, streamlining the processes for both users and finance teams in small businesses.

10. What does Hopper for Business offer?

Hopper for Business utilizes price prediction technology to help businesses find the best times to book travel, with features like price-freezing options for better cost management.