BA Enhances Small-Business Program

British Airways this week enhanced its corporate travel program to more easily allow travel managers of U.S. and Canadian companies with low to moderate levels of international travel and without corporate contracts with the carrier to monitor air travel and get upgrades and reward flights.

The enhancements to the renamed OnBusiness program allow travel managers to redeem points, accrued by the corporation when an employee flies, for reward flights, hotel stays and upgrades through BA's Web site. Previously, they could do so only over the phone, said Susan D'Alessio, marketing program manager for British Airways. In addition, the site's new format gives travel managers a clearer look at their company's transaction history.

Employees who are members of British Airways' Executive Club program still are allowed to earn miles toward their own individual accounts at the same time.

In a cost-cutting measure, the airline moved the program's call center and database to an internal site.

Enrollment, which is free, requires a corporate officer's signature. Companies are given a membership number that travel managers and travel agents can enter into all employees' travel profiles. Businesses that were already enrolled in the former Venture Club will not have to re-enroll in On Business. About 5,000 North American companies currently participate in the program, D'Alessio said.