Reading the recent front-page article titled "End-To-End Claims Fly,"
(BTN, March 19), I remembered back in September 1989, outlining an end-to-end solution for travel managers at what was then called Long Island Passenger Traffic Association. The elements I presented then were simple:
1. A slave computer/PC
2. A database of trips including:
a. All transportation, including private and company cars
b. All lodging
c. All dining
d. Tips
e. Parking
3. A personally issued charge card to pay for each billable item and ATM cash advances to cover items not billable, like mileage and tips
4. A billing system that could be accessed and modified by individual travelers to claim reimbursement
5. Expense claims using monthly charge card statements, with cash purchases manually added as credits to traveler's charge card account
6. ATM withdrawal for approved, but un-reimbursed, cash expenditures and mileage.
What is missing from every so-called system that claims to be end-to-end today?
• Coverage of mileage, carfare, tips and other reimbursables that cannot be paid for with credit card
• A database of "end-to-end" pre-planned trips for traveler preview and quick booking
• An integrated system that permits traveler review and adjustment of charge card statements to cover items not charged to a traveler's card
When will we see real end-to-end solutions that a traveler will enjoy?