TAP Air Portugal is soft-launching a revamped version of its TAP Corporate offering, now called TAP ForBiz, the carrier shared with BTN.
The program offers corporate customers credits that can be used to defray the cost of future flights or purchase inflight or at-airport perks and amenities, according to the carrier.
"The new TAP ForBiz platform is a resource for SMEs, large corporations, and meetings and conferences, offering corporations not just a program for SMEs, but also other solutions depending on travel budgets and other travel needs, such as the discounts program for large corporations and discounts for meetings," said Fernanda Ottavio, TAP Air Portugal manager for North America.
To qualify for and enroll in TAP ForBiz for SMEs, companies must have a valid registration in the United States and an active tax ID number, Ottavio said. Companies enroll online and receive a corporate identification number that is inserted into flight bookings, regardless if they are made directly on the TAP website or through a travel agency.
There is no minimum spend required for the SME part of the program, and "companies with higher spend are never required to have individual negotiations," Ottavio said. These members also can access their company trips on a single platform and view the cashback balance statement, trip history and receipts.
The carrier requires those in the "large corporations" segment of the TAP ForBiz program to have a minimum spend depending on their historical travel spend, Ottavio said. "These programs are negotiated individually and are tailored to a corporation's travel budget and centered around preferential fares in both business and economy class, which include discounts, exclusive conditions and benefits," she added. They also receive a dedicated TAP manager and monthly reports about cumulative earnings from employee trips.
All companies earn credits in their account once a trip is completed, and the balance accumulates. Credits are given to the corporation. "You can consider it like a loyalty program for the corporation," Ottavio said. "However, the individual travelers continue to earn mileage in their frequent-flyer accounts." TAP Air Portugal's loyalty program is TAP Miles&Go. Company credits can be used toward purchase of tickets or extra services, such as Fast Track security, TAP VIP lounge access, seat selection and extra baggage, Ottavio said.
SMEs can earn from 0.5 percent to 5 percent of their spending as balance credits for the company, depending on the fare purchased. The credits are calculated based on the cost of the fare and the carrier surcharge.
The percentage earned depends on the fare type, according to Ottavio. For example, in economy class, customers with TAP's no-frills Discount fare will earn 0.5 percent, while those using a Basic fare will earn 3 percent, and those using Classic or Plus will earn 4 percent or 5 percent, respectively. In business class, those using Executive fares will earn 4 percent, and those using Top Executive fares will earn 5 percent, she said.
For meetings travel, TAP offers discounts of up to 15 percent on fares, applicable to organizers, participants and companions, according to the carrier's website, as well as flexibility in travel dates up to 10 days before and after the event.
The carrier includes on its TAP ForBiz platform a short quiz to help companies find the program that best suits their travel needs, Ottavio added.