Corporate Traveler Profile: How It Benefits TMCs and Travelers

In today’s technology-driven era, the travel industry has leveraged technology to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Travel management companies (TMCs) use global distribution systems (GDS) that store various travel products with real-time prices and availability. These systems now maintain traveler profiles, making booking processes simpler and faster, especially for corporate travelers. This blog explores the corporate traveler profile, its elements, and its benefits for both TMCs and travelers.

What is a Corporate Traveler Profile?

A corporate traveler profile is data stored in the GDS, containing information related to a customer’s travel history and preferences. This data includes travel preferences, passport numbers, and food preferences. The purpose is to provide updated information about the traveler when booking business trips, offering the most suitable options.

Elements of a Corporate Traveler Profile

The elements of a traveler profile can vary according to the TMC’s needs. A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate helps establish a secure encrypted connection between the TMC and its customers, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access. Common elements include:

1. Personal Information
   • Name, address, email address, contact number, and employee ID number.
2. Travel Document Information
   • Passport number, issuance date, expiration date, and visa information.
3. Travel Preferences
   • Cabin preferences, seat preferences, dietary preferences, and preferred airlines or hotel chains.
4. Company Policy Compliance
   • Travel-related policies recorded to ensure compliance during bookings.
5. Corporate Reward Scheme
   • Membership numbers or loyalty cards for frequent traveler programs.
6. Special Requests
   • Wheelchair assistance, room preferences, contact preferences, medical conditions, or allergies.
7. Expense Management
   • Preferred payment methods, expense recording methods, and bank details for reimbursement.
8. Travel History
   • Historical travel data, including travel dates, airlines, restaurants, and hotel bookings.
9. Emergency Contact Information
   • Contact details for emergencies.

Advantages of a Corporate Traveler Profile

1. Streamlined Booking Process
   • A detailed profile speeds up the booking process by eliminating the need to re-enter traveler information.
2. Personalized Travel
   • Customizes travel arrangements according to individual preferences, offering a tailored experience.
3. Loyalty Programs
   • Airlines and hotels can easily access travel history to offer membership perks, discounts, and exclusive offers.
4. Faster Check-ins and Security Checks
   • Pre-registered profiles can help travelers skip long queues with programs like TSA Precheck or Global Entry.
5. Customized Travel Packages
   • TMCs can analyze customer preferences to offer tailored travel recommendations.
6. Direct Communication
   • Facilitates seamless communication in case of cancellations or delays, using the traveler’s preferred contact method.
7. Updated Travel Documents
   • TMCs can track and notify travelers of visa or passport updates, maintaining loyalty with travel service providers.

Conclusion

A corporate traveler profile ensures comfort and efficiency for business travelers, avoiding last-minute mishaps and cancellations. For TMCs, it creates a valuable database for extracting insights, making quick decisions, and providing customized travel solutions. However, TMCs must ensure the sensitive data in these profiles remain secure and protected from unauthorized access.