2020 U.S.-Booked Air Volume: $18 million
Global Payment Supplier: American Express
Global Expense Tool Supplier: SAP/Concur
Global Travel Risk Management Supplier: ISOS
Consolidated Global TMC: Amex GBT
Following suspension of travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic, technology conglomerate Cisco implemented a new travel policy supporting business-critical travel with tighter approvals. As that happened, the company’s U.S.-booked air volume dropped to $18 million in 2020, compared with $138 million the year before.
During that pause, Cisco’s travel team worked closely with suppliers to add value to its program. American Express GBT serves as Cisco’s global TMC, and the company has renegotiated its TMC pricing model to reduce fees and move away from a bundled transaction fee model. The company also renegotiated its airline contracts, updated its hotel program to move to more dynamic discounts and is researching global agreements with Uber for rideshare and food delivery.
Cisco is doing more traveling this year compared to last year, though total U.S.-booked air volumes are projected to remain below half of pre-pandemic levels for 2021.