Travel management apps have become essential tools for simplifying the tasks of travel managers. For this purpose, many of the apps offer standard benefits such as online bookings, automated policy compliance, and itinerary management. These features are the foundation of any reliable app in this domain.
However, what truly sets the best travel management app apart from the rest are the outstanding features that provide additional benefits to the managers. In this article, we will explore eleven of such features in detail.
1. Android and iOS Compatibility
Android and iOS are the two dominant mobile operating systems, and each has a substantial market share. The significance of cross-platform compatibility lies in its ability to make the corporate travel management app accessible to a diverse user base.
By offering compatibility with both platforms, the app can cater to users who prefer Android devices, as well as those who opt for iOS devices like iPhones and iPads. This inclusivity ensures that no matter the user’s device preference, they can easily download, install, and use the app to manage their travel efficiently.
Additionally, this dual compatibility promotes collaboration within organizations that have a diverse range of devices. Employees can seamlessly share travel itineraries and collaborate on travel plans, regardless of their preferred mobile operating system.
2. User-Friendly Interface
The role of a simpler, intuitive UI in enhancing the user experience cannot be overstated. When travel managers and employees interact with the app, they want the process to be straightforward.
A well-designed interface streamlines the user’s journey, allowing them to complete tasks with minimal effort and frustration. Clear and concise layouts, intuitive icons, and simple navigation pathways ensure that users can quickly find the information they need.
Furthermore, an intuitive UI reduces the learning curve for new users. Whether it’s a travel manager handling multiple trips or an employee booking a business flight for the first time, a user-friendly interface guides them through the app effortlessly.
This saves time and boosts productivity, as users can adapt to the app’s features swiftly without the need for extensive training.
3. Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration
Implementing Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration is a crucial functionality that enhances both the user experience and security of a travel management application. By employing SSO, the app enables users to access multiple applications and platforms using a single set of login credentials.
This eliminates the burden of remembering and entering separate passwords for each platform.
With SSO, employees only need to sign in once, granting them access to all integrated applications, including the travel management app. This simplifies the login process, saving valuable time and allowing users to focus more on important tasks related to travel planning and management.
Additionally, SSO promotes the adoption of strong and unique passwords for the central login, greatly reducing the risk of security issues associated with weak or reused passwords.
4. Live Traveler Tracking
Tracking travelers in real-time provides travel managers with live visibility of their employees’ locations. This allows you to monitor your team members’ travel progress at any given moment.
Live tracking is not only helpful in ensuring whether the traveler is following the expected itinerary but also strengthens the safety of the traveler. With live tracking, you can ensure that employees do not tread high-risk areas.
Additionally, if a traveler faces any problem during their trip, you can offer help and support right away. For example, if the traveler falls sick or gets injured, you can quickly arrange for medical help in that area.
Additionally, in case of a more serious situation like a natural disaster, you can share the traveler’s location data with local authorities and rescue the traveler.
5. Travel Gamification
Travel Gamification introduces cost-saving challenges and goals for employees to achieve during their trips. These challenges may include finding the most cost-effective flight options or selecting preferred vendors.
Gamification features often include leaderboards and rankings to showcase top-performing employees. Recognizing and celebrating their efforts can motivate others to follow suit.
Gamification may also include travel incentive programs. For example, if the average cost of a trip is $1000 and the employee chooses to book a package of $800, then part of the savings of $200 is given to the employee.
This encourages them to book more affordable options, which increases the savings for the company.
6. AI-based Virtual Consultant
The best travel management app stands out by offering an AI-powered Virtual Travel Consultant as a powerful feature. This travel consultant employs extensive data analysis, comparing your company’s travel Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with those of similar companies in the industry. It gathers data from various sources, including historical travel data, industry trends, and market insights.
Using this data analysis, the AI consultant delivers customized recommendations to enhance your travel program. These recommendations encompass diverse aspects, such as cost-saving strategies, preferred vendors, and optimal booking lead times.
Moreover, the travel consultant is tailored to suit the unique requirements and objectives of each company, understanding the specific intricacies of their travel patterns. It provides personalized solutions to optimize the business travel management process.
Travel managers have the convenience of accessing the virtual travel consultant at any time, effectively having a 24/7 virtual travel expert at their disposal. This on-demand accessibility empowers managers to swiftly obtain insights whenever they need to make informed decisions related to travel.
7. Group Travel Management Feature
The group travel management feature is a valuable addition to the best travel management apps. The feature allows travel managers to handle group travel bookings effortlessly. They can create, manage, and modify multiple bookings for a large number of travelers within a single interface.
Travel management apps with this feature provide a centralized communication platform to keep all group members informed. Travel managers can send important updates, itineraries, and travel details to the entire group, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
The app enables the creation of shared itineraries, making it easy for group members to access and view the complete trip schedule. Plus, this feature allows you to manage RSVPs, track attendance status, and communicate with those who haven’t responded.
8. Loyalty Program Integration
Loyalty Program Integration is a highly advantageous feature offered by the best travel management apps. The app allows users to consolidate their loyalty program accounts for different travel service providers in one place. Travelers can easily access and manage their loyalty memberships without the need for multiple logins and platforms.
With Loyalty Program Integration, users can effortlessly earn points or rewards for their travel bookings directly within the app. This eliminates the need for manual entry of loyalty information and ensures no points go unclaimed.
Moreover, travelers can view their loyalty program point balance in real-time, enabling them to track their rewards and plan future bookings based on their accrued points.
9. AI Chatbots
Chatbots provide round-the-clock support, offering assistance to travelers at any time of the day or night. This ensures that users can access help and information whenever they need it, even during non-business hours or while traveling in different time zones.
Chatbots are equipped with up-to-date travel data, allowing them to provide real-time information on flight schedules, hotel availability, weather updates, and other travel-related details. Users can quickly get the information they need without any delays.
Many AI Chatbots are multilingual, capable of interacting with users in multiple languages. This feature is particularly valuable for international travelers who may require support in their native language.
10. Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics empowers travel managers to make data-driven decisions by harnessing the capabilities of AI. Using Predictive analytics, obtain historical travel data, booking patterns, and seasonal trends to anticipate future travel demands. Travel managers can proactively plan for peak travel periods, ensuring sufficient resources and accommodations are available.
By understanding past booking behaviors, the app can suggest the best times to make reservations for flights and stays. This helps travelers secure the most favorable rates and reduces the risk of last-minute price surges.
11. Mileage Tracking
Mileage tracking is a valuable feature offered by the best travel management app. It is designed to automate the process of recording business-related travel distances. With mileage tracking, employees can easily and accurately report business-related travel expenses.
This way, employees no longer need to manually record mileage as the app calculates distances based on GPS data. After that, travel managers can review mileage records effortlessly, streamlining the process.
Opt for the Best Travel Management App
When selecting a business travel management app for your company, consider these eleven essential features that offer significant benefits and value to your organization.
ITILITE is an advanced travel management app that can help you in achieving your travel management goals. It allows you to track your travelers in real time, offers mileage tracking, and also helps you in managing group events effectively. We also offer a travel incentive feature that can help your company reduce travel expenses.
Further, our industry-best virtual travel consultant, ITILITE Mastermind, can provide you with in-depth insights into how you can improvise your travel program.
To know more about these benefits, book a free demo today.
