AI & digital tools reshaping global business travel

As business travel remains central to organizational success, the programs that support it are evolving. The Global Business Travel Association's Business Travel Index ("BTI") data shows that companies are investing not only in travel itself, but in the systems that enable travel to operate more consistently and effectively, for travelers and companies alike.

This evolution reflects a growing recognition that business travel is both a human activity and a complex operational function. Strong programs require integration, visibility, and reliability across every stage of the journey.

Modernization in payments and expense processes

GBTA's BTI findings show widespread use of digital payment and expense tools across business travel programs. According to our research, 69 percent of travelers have access to corporate cards globally, 64 percent use mobile wallets, and 67 percent use expense systems.

At the same time, the data indicates that friction remains, particularly around expense processes and reimbursement timing. This highlights the importance of systems that are intuitive, reliable, integrated, and easy for travelers to use.

AI adoption supports innovation at scale

Technology continues to play an important role in strengthening business travel programs as organizations look to operate more consistently and effectively – while maintaining their core "duty of care" foundational mission. A recent GBTA industry outlook poll shows a fair amount of travel suppliers and travel management companies/TMCs (49 percent) and travel buyers (33 percent) have already begun experimenting with agentic artificial intelligence. 

Travel suppliers and travel management companies are more likely to use agentic AI for customer service/virtual agents, traveler personalization/ recommendations, and automated itinerary planning across their customer bases including many types of organizations. Corporate travel managers are also applying agentic AI to internal customer service but also for expense reconciliation, traveler personalization and travel policy optimization within their organizations. 

These early applications reflect a practical approach to developing other use cases, with organizations exploring how AI can improve information access, support policy guidance, and help programs respond more smoothly when plans change or disruptions occur.

Looking ahead: designing programs policy, people and impact 

As business travel programs continue to evolve, the focus remains on ensuring they support the people and organizations that rely on them for positive organizational outcomes. Investments in technology and infrastructure reflect a long-term commitment to making travel more reliable, more connected, and better aligned with how work is done today. 

With programs becoming more "intelligent" and responsive, they are better positioned to support intended outcomes, helping organizations navigate change while maintaining the value of in-person engagement in 2026 and beyond.