8 critical questions to ask your travel management company
If your business is already working with a corporate travel management company (TMC), then you might be aware of the type of services they offer. But are you really getting the most out of your partnership?
Asking the right questions now can help you plan for future business travel needs, improve your travel program, and make sure your team has the support they need. Here are eight critical questions every business in Australia should be asking their travel partner.
We’ve narrowed down 8 critical questions you should be asking your travel partner right now:
1. Who’s my Dedicated Travel Consultant?
Your dedicated travel manager should be your go-to person for booking questions, emergency support, or any travel-related issue. You want someone who knows your company, your travellers, your policies, and even your travel culture.
At Corporate Traveller, our travel consultants build a deep understanding of your business. Our dedicated travel consultants - who have an average tenure of 8 years - become the experts of your account and know the ins and outs of your program, your policy, people, preferences, and even your travel culture. They become the experts on your travel program, ensuring consistency and personalised service every time you call.
"Everyone I've dealt with at Corporate Traveller treats us like part of their organisation... They're invested in what we're doing as much as we are. I feel listened to and understood, and I really appreciate having an expert in every area that I need," says Ingrid Ralph from Hydro Tasmania.
A great travel manager anticipates your needs and solves problems quickly. They don’t just book flights—they become an extension of your team.
2. Do you have service level agreements (SLAs)?
SLAs define the minimum standards your TMC must meet, from booking and reporting to issue resolution and emergency support. They set expectations for response times and service quality, so you know what your travellers can expect.
With 45% of corporates intending to increase their travel spend in FY26, having a TMC that consistently meets SLAs ensures smooth bookings, satisfied travellers, and a positive travel culture.
When CHQ Group partnered with Corporate Traveller, things started running a whole lot smoother. With a dedicated travel manager who knew their business inside out, they gained faster responses, clearer visibility on travel spend, and an all-round better experience. That kind of consistent, reliable service is exactly what strong SLAs are built to protect.
“Corporate Traveller has revolutionised our travel management experience. The ease of transactions and access to corporate rates have not only saved us valuable time but also significantly reduced costs… The dedicated travel manager assigned to our account has elevated the level of personalised assistance we receive, instilling confidence and peace of mind,” says Lachlan Thurecht, Human Resources & Systems Manager at CHQ Group.
3. Who do I call for emergencies?
Travel emergencies can happen anytime: flights are delayed, natural disasters strike, or sudden disruptions occur. Your TMC should provide 24/7 emergency support, quickly access your company policy, and leverage relationships with airlines, hotels, and transport providers.
Corporate Traveller offers traveller tracking, risk management, and duty-of-care solutions to ensure your employees are safe and supported wherever they are.
When Tropical Cyclone Alfred impacted southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales, Corporate Traveller's frontline teams dove straight into action, managing 433 calls in 3 days, 708 flight changes, and booking 232 new flights so that travellers were safe and their business plans stayed on track.
Knowing your travellers are covered when travel plans go sideways gives peace of mind to both managers and employees.
4. Who do I talk to about reviewing my travel policy and program?
Your travel policy shouldn’t be static. Regular reviews are essential to adapt to changing prices, new supplier partnerships, technology updates, and changing business needs. Your TMC can help identify gaps, improve compliance, and optimise travel spend.
Australian businesses face fluctuating travel costs and new industry developments. A TMC can offer insights, proactive solutions, and recommendations to keep your travel program efficient and cost-effective.
5. What does your current travel tech offer?
The right technology saves time and makes bookings simple. Your TMC should offer:
- Online booking tools for flights, hotels, and transport
- Automated policy compliance and approvals
- Reporting dashboards and travel analytics
- Traveller tracking and real-time updates
- Tools for reconciliation and flexible payment options
These tools reduce booking times, improve policy compliance, ensure traveller safety, and provide visibility into your travel spend. With automated approvals and integrated reporting, your team can focus on travel strategy instead of admin.
Explore Corporate Traveller's complete travel management platform.
6. What other technology do you have to streamline my travel processes?
Beyond bookings, technology can make the entire travel program seamless. Ask about:
- Expense management and reconciliation automation
- Flexible payment options
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- Traveller safety tracking
- Integrated all-in-one solutions
The right TMC technology gives you a complete view of your program, helping you make smarter decisions, track travellers, and ensure duty-of-care compliance.
7. What added value can you offer me as a customer?
A strong TMC provides more than bookings. They bring insights, perks, and partnerships that save time and money. This could include:
- Exclusive hotel perks or loyalty benefits
- Ride-share partnerships, like Uber for Business
- Negotiated corporate rates and discounts
- Insights for cost savings and program optimisation
Corporate Traveller customers benefit from the added value our strong supplier partnerships provide, made possible through our connection to Flight Centre Travel Group’s extensive global network.
Your TMC can also guide you on industry trends, policy updates, and travel risk management. The goal is to keep your travellers safe, comfortable, and confident, while adding measurable value to your business travel program.
8. How do you manage last-minute changes and requests?
Unexpected events—from flight disruptions to natural disasters—require fast, personalised support. Ask your TMC how they handle:
- Sudden cancellations or delays
- Global events impacting travel
- Risk assessment and traveller communication
A reliable TMC ensures your travellers are guided safely, your program remains compliant, and your business keeps moving, no matter the circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
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What are Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in corporate travel?
SLAs define the minimum standards your TMC must meet for booking, reporting, issue resolution, and emergency support. They ensure fast response times, consistent service quality, and a positive travel experience for your employees.
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How does a TMC support emergencies and traveller safety?
Top TMCs offer 24/7 emergency support and in-house teams who can quickly assist with flight disruptions, cancellations, or safety concerns. They provide traveller tracking, risk management, and duty-of-care solutions to protect employees during travel.
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How often should I review my travel policy with my TMC?
Regular reviews of your travel policy are essential to adapt to fluctuating prices, new supplier partnerships, technology updates, and evolving business needs. Your TMC can help identify gaps, improve compliance, and optimise travel spend.
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What travel technology should my TMC provide?
A TMC should offer tools such as:
- Online booking tools for flights, hotels, and transport
- Automated policy compliance and approvals
- Reporting dashboards and travel analytics
- Traveller tracking and real-time updates
- Tools for reconciliation and flexible payment options
- What added value can a TMC offer beyond booking?
A strong TMC provides value-added services like:- Exclusive hotel perks or loyalty benefits
- Partnerships with ride-share services (e.g., Uber for Business)
- Negotiated corporate rates and discounts
- Insights for cost savings and program optimisation
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How does a TMC support businesses during global events or travel disruptions?
Reliable TMCs provide proactive support during crises, including natural disasters, political unrest, or health emergencies. They guide travellers safely, offer real-time updates, and ensure your travel program remains compliant and efficient even in uncertain times