Amex ties with Airbnb for business travel
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American Express Global Business Travel (“GBT”) has signed a commercial agreement with Airbnb that will make Airbnb for Business more accessible to GBT customers and allow GBT to book accommodation on Airbnb for business travellers.
Since being founded in 2008, Airbnb hosts have welcomed more than 100 million guest arrivals worldwide. Approximately 10 per cent of all travellers on Airbnb are business travellers. This trend is largely driven by those seeking accommodation that allows them to experience cities and neighbourhoods they visit.
During the first phase of the programme, GBT and its customers can book directly on Airbnb.com. In the coming weeks, GBT and Airbnb will integrate Airbnb booking information into GBT’s reporting platform so customers can easily track travellers’ Airbnb bookings. Once the integration is complete, the reservation details for each business trip will automatically be shared with GBT. Travel managers access the data through corporate reporting and duty of care platforms. Travellers also access booking information through GBT’s corporate reporting and duty of care platforms, in addition to their regular corporate itineraries and on mobile devices.
“Business travellers want the freedom to choose accommodation that aligns with their personal and professional tastes,” said Wes Bergstrom, GBT’s VP, Global Supplier Relations. “At the same time, traveller safety and security are a top priority for companies. As the first travel management company (TMC) to partner with Airbnb, our customers can evolve their travel policies to offer travellers the ability to book preferred accommodation.”
The first phase of the partnership will go live in the US in the next few weeks, and expand to the UK, France and Germany, later this year.
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