NEWS & OFFERS: 40% off Aegean flights and Hilton and Marriott launch small business programs – get double nights

Marriott has just announced that it, too, has launched a small/medium business program following on from Hilton. Hilton also has a very good special offer that many readers may be able to participate in, even if they don’t own a business.

Marriott

Marriott has announced the launch of Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy™ an online travel booking program designed as a direct channel for small to medium-sized businesses. Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy is available to small to medium-sized businesses based in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America and is anticipated to expand to other regions. It is not totally clear whether you need to be a registered company as it says that to qualify, an SMB must be a legally registered corporate entity or possess a valid tax ID number, business number, or other relevant documentation that demonstrates that the SMB is a legal entity. Whether a standard national insurance number would be enough for those who are self-employed or sole traders is not clear.

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 tool. The Program includes additional features that satisfy business needs, such as access to live traveler data, real-time reporting, and expense management. This is more than the Hilton program offers but makes it more complex. 

Here are the benefits of the program:

• Discounted Marriott Bonvoy Rates and Awards: Small to medium-sized businesses that join Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy will be eligible to select a discount at hotels in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio around the world  while earning points for future stays at participating hotels, room upgrades, and more. Participating businesses can also receive Marriott Bonvoy Elite status awards after certain companywide usage thresholds are reached. These status awards can be gifted to employees
• Online booking tool serves as a one-stop shop for small to medium-sized 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 that sign up for Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy 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 card 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 of small and medium-sized businesses who join Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy will have full access to the offerings of Marriott Bonvoy.

For more information on Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy or to apply for the Program, visit www.marriott.com/businessaccess.