Payment Innovation 2026

Payment innovation and its intersection with travel management takes center stage in this BTN mini-series that covers how travel managers can choose to impact the cost of payment for their suppliers and potentially broker better deals, but also analyzes how payment providers themselves are edging into the managed travel space, while spend management solutions want to address what they see as unfulfilled promises of fragmented managed travel ecosystems.

Decoding the Upfront and Hidden Costs of PaymentBy Michael B. Baker

Understanding the economics of payment and how those interact in the travel ecosystem can be daunting. Here's the thing: If travel buyers can help their suppliers save on payment costs, their program could reap the rewards. And new opportunities are... KEEP READING

For Finance Cos., Travel is More than a Bankable BusinessBy Nick Easen

Banks are increasingly moving beyond payments and expense management to become travel sellers themselves, using acquisitions, partnerships and integrated platforms to capture more of the travel spend flowing through their ecosystems. What comes next?... KEEP READING

Can Fintech-Driven Spend Management Cos. Rewire Managed Travel?By Elizabeth West

Spend management companies, like Brex, Emburse, Mesh, and Ramp, are challenging traditional managed travel structures by integrating booking, payment, and policy controls into fintech platforms, offering automation and flexibility.... KEEP READING