FCM Travel Launches Innovative Multi-Booking Channel ‘Approvals’ Feature

Atlanta, GA (July 22, 2024) – FCM Travel, the flagship large market corporate division of Flight Centre Travel Group (ASX:FLT) operating in 95 countries worldwide, has today announced the launch of its innovative ‘Approvals’ feature to enhance the technology capability for its myriad of customers.

The grand reveal, that took place at the Global Business Travel Association’s annual convention in Atlanta, is the latest leap forward for the company’s proprietary FCM Platform that brings together everything into a single, intuitive interface.

“FCM Approvals is a new and innovative feature in Platform that simplifies travel approvals,” said John Morhous, Chief Experience Officer, Flight Centre Travel Group – Corporate Brands.

“Many of our customers follow a best-in-market approach in terms of regional booking technology and this adds complexity to managing approvals on a global level. We listened to the needs of our customers and thought outside the box to build our own alternative approval system that centralizes all approvals flows into Platform. No matter the booking channel, no matter the country, our customers have global consistency and a seamless user experience.”

"Our integrated approval platform centralizes control over all travel activities by mirroring online and offline approvals flows. Designed for cross-online booking tools and cross-market approval flows, it provides a consistent, efficient process for managing travel approvals across different booking channels and countries."

“We pride ourselves on investment in our technology offering, based on the feedback and needs of our valued customers and this new feature is just the latest in a long line of innovation, following the announcement of our corporate-specific AI Center of Excellence.”

What it will mean to customers

• Enhanced Control: One unified platform that streamlines all travel approvals, ensures every decision aligns with company policies and budgets.
• Global Compliance and Local Adaptability: Designed to simplify cross-booking channel, crossborder approval flows while also allowing for regional rule customization to ensure safety and compliance.
• Harmonized Operations: Automated process, omni-channel access, saving up to two hours in offline flow, reducing manual dependencies, and simplifying policy updates across platforms.

“We needed a concise notification of booked travel for line managers and travelers in more than 60 countries,” said Nichola Rimmer, Category Manager Travel & Events, JTI – a pilot customer for FCM Approvals. “Our personalized solution has allowed us to start providing concise, useful information to help travelers and line managers make value-add decisions.”

FCM Approvals will launch its first iteration of the functionality in 35 countries, with the rollout plan including deployment across more markets with the aim to achieve global availability in the future, with the feature being constantly developed to become more robust and solve more complex needs.

The rollout will start with FCM’s existing customer base, with the new calendar year earmarked to onboard new customers.