The platform, according to the announcement, combines an expanded booking experience with benefits and rewards available only through Marriott Bonvoy’s travel solution and portfolio of brands. Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy is available to SMEs based in the US, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America and is anticipated to expand to other regions. Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy is powered by Spotnana, the travel platform.
According to a global survey commissioned by Marriott Bonvoy and conducted by Wakefield Research among business travelers at SMEs in the US, UK, Canada and Mexico, 75% report experiencing frustrations with their travel booking platforms. More than half (56%) say they are difficult to use, 27% are unhappy with the inability to book travel and hotels from the same place, and more than a quarter (27%) express disappointment with the platforms’ lack of integration with their travel expense programs. In fact, 58% 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 multilingual tool. The program includes additional features that satisfy business needs, such as access to live traveler data, real-time reporting and expense management, according to an announcement.
Drew Pinto, chief revenue and technology officer, Marriott International, said that whether SMEs are looking for convenient online booking capabilities for their employees or better expense management solutions, “the all-in-one platform, merged with our portfolio of hotel brands around the world, provides everything they need to manage their business travel needs.”
The program offers the following features:
- Discounted Marriott Bonvoy rates and awards: SMEs that join will be eligible to select a discount at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio around the world (subject to availability) while earning points for future stays at participating hotels, room upgrades and more. Participating businesses can also receive Marriott Bonvoy Elitestatus awards after certain companywide usage thresholds are reached. These status awards can be gifted to employees.
- Elevated shopping experience: The online booking tool serves as a one-stop shop for business travelers to compare, book, manage and change Marriott Bonvoy hotel, flight, rail and car rental reservations all within one integrated platform that supports compliance with their companies’ travel policies.
- Customizable travel policies: Travel managers can take control of their companies’ travel policies and ensure compliance with spending limits. From setting clear guidelines for their unique 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 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 will have full access to the offerings of Marriott Bonvoy. Additionally, members can earn points at properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy globally and enjoy free stays by redeeming points or a combination of points and cash or use points to bid on Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences.
