Marriott International has announced the launch of “Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy,” an online travel booking program designed as a direct channel for small- to medium-sized businesses. The program combines an expanded booking experience with benefits and rewards available only through Marriott Bonvoy’s travel program and portfolio of brands.
According to a global survey commissioned by Marriott Bonvoy and conducted by Wakefield Research among business travelers at small- to medium-sized businesses in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Mexico, 75 percent report experiencing frustrations with their travel booking platforms; 56 percent say they are difficult to use; 27 percent are unhappy with the inability to book travel and hotels from the same place; and another 27 percent express disappointment with the platforms’ lack of integration with their travel expense programs. In fact, 58 percent are so unwilling to work within their current programs that they would rather ask for forgiveness than permission for booking outside their companies’ travel management platforms.
With “Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy,” companies have the ability to book hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio at a discounted rate, as well as flights, rail and rental cars, within one easy-to-use multilingual tool. The program includes additional features such as access to live traveler data, real-time reporting and expense management.
What companies can expect with "Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy:"
- Discounted Marriott Bonvoy rates and awards – Small- to medium-sized businesses that join the program will be eligible to select a discount at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio while earning points for future stays at participating hotels, room upgrades and more. Participating businesses can also receive Marriott Bonvoy Elite status awards after certain company-wide usage thresholds are reached. These status awards can be gifted to employees. (Small businesses that have the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business credit card from Chase or the Marriott Bonvoy Business credit card from Chase can also apply for the program.)
- Elevated shopping experience – The online booking tool serves as a one-stop shop for small- to medium-sized business travelers to compare, book, manage and change Marriott Bonvoy hotel, flight, rail and car rental reservations.
- Customizable travel policies – Travel managers can take control of their companies’ travel policies and ensure compliance with spending limits. From setting guidelines for their needs to managing expenses, the self-service tool makes it easy for managers to make changes.
- Global travel policy management and reporting – Real-time analytics empower managers with detailed insights on travel spend, sustainability reporting and behavior so they can make policy adjustments.
- Traveler health and safety monitoring – The travel insights tool gives managers the ability to monitor the well-being and safety of employees on the move. Managers can view interactive maps to stay informed of potential disruptions and proactively mitigate risks, helping keep teams safe and their businesses running smoothly.
- Expense management solutions – Businesses that sign up for the program will have the option to use an expense management tool. Travelers can choose to integrate the program with existing expense management platforms and submit payments with virtual credit cards. They can also automate expense reports based on set policies, making it easy for managers to approve and reconcile expenses.
- Access to Marriott Bonvoy benefits – Employees of small- and medium-sized businesses who join the program will have full access to the offerings of Marriott Bonvoy. Members can take advantage of benefits such as member rates, free breakfast, late checkout, mobile check-in, room upgrades and more, subject to availability. Additionally, members can earn points at participating properties and enjoy free stays by redeeming points or a combination of points and cash or use points to bid on Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences.
For more information, visit www.marriott.com/businessaccess.
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