Tech vs touch: Corporate travel platforms compared

The platform breakdown

Here's how the major players stack up when it comes to booking business travel:

Navan

Navan is known for its easy-to-use interface and features like integrated expense management. But scratch beneath the surface, and some gaps appear.

Challenges with Navan

• Limited customer support: Long wait times and unhelpful chatbot interactions can frustrate your travelers during emergencies.
• Global limitations: Navan struggles with certain international markets, like China and Japan, and lacks robust global partnerships.
• Booking roadblocks: Problems with modifying or canceling flights and outdated airline information mean users often have to double-check travel bookings manually.

TravelPerk

TravelPerk is a tech-first platform with business travel booking tools for flights, hotels, trains, and more.

Challenges with TravelPerk

• Inconsistent support: Support teams are based in Spain, which can lead to delays for North American businesses.
• High costs: TravelPerk consistently offers higher prices than competitors and charges steep cancellation fees.
• Booking inaccuracies: Mistakes in flight and hotel reservations are a recurring complaint.

Egencia (Amex GBT)

Egencia focuses on automated corporate travel management with minimal human interaction.

Challenges with Egencia

• Lack of personal touch: No dedicated consultants means travelers and managers are left to manage travel issues on their own.
• Booking reliability issues: Frequent complaints of hotel reservations not being honored, leaving travelers in difficult situations.
• Limited hotel partnerships: Egencia’s reliance on Expedia often leads to higher rates and fewer options.

Spotnana

Spotnana is a SaaS-based platform offering “travel-as-a-service” through microservices and APIs.

Challenges with Spotnana

• Complicated booking process: Users report needing to book flight segments separately, adding unnecessary complexity.
• Payment limitations: Certain cards like Mastercard may not be accepted, and loyalty point usage is restricted.
• Slow support response times: Waiting for customer service during a travel disruption can be a major pain point.

Real-world differences

Marketing promises are one thing, but what happens when flights get canceled, plans change, or you need to book complex international trips?

Here's what we found when we compared actual user experiences across common travel situations—from routine bookings to those critical moments when support really matters.

1. Support when it matters

While Navan relies heavily on chatbots and TravelPerk's support team operates from Spain, Corporate Traveler pairs Melon's technology with dedicated local travel experts. Here's what this means:

When your CEO's flight gets canceled:

• Navan: Queue for chatbot support
• TravelPerk: Wait for overseas support
• Corporate Traveler: Immediate help from your dedicated agent

2. Booking technology

While all platforms offer online booking, the experience varies significantly.

Spotnana:

• Limited booking options
• Issues with hotel reservations
• Complicated multi-leg bookings

Egencia:

• Reliability issues at check-in
• Limited hotel choices
• Blanked out costs

Melon by Corporate Traveler:

• One-click booking for complex itineraries
• Real-time policy compliance checks
• Automatic credit tracking
• Integrated approval workflows

3. Booking flexibility

The limitations become clear in complex situations.

• Navan: Can't change flights beyond 24 hours
• TravelPerk: High cancellation fees
• Spotnana: Requires week-advance changes
• Corporate Traveler: Flexible changes anytime through Melon or your dedicated travel agent

4. Global reach and content

When it comes to international travel, the differences are stark.

Navan struggles with Asian markets and offers limited international hotel options. TravelPerk, despite its Miami office, concentrates on European travel. Meanwhile, Corporate Traveler's booking platform, Melon, offers:

• Genuine global coverage across 90+ countries
• Access to both local and international rates
• Real relationships with suppliers worldwide
• Local experts who understand regional nuances

5. Price & value comparison

Let's talk money.

TravelPerk users report consistently higher prices and outdated rates. Navan shows non-competitive pricing, especially for international hotels. Here's what Corporate Traveler delivers through Melon:

• Mix-and-match carriers for better rates
• Exclusive hotel deals and upgrades
• AI-powered "Recommended Spend" feature
• Actual negotiated rates with major suppliers
• corporate card with 1.5% cashback on all spending

6. Reporting & insights

The depth of reporting varies dramatically across platforms.

Egencia:

• Basic expense reports
• Limited customization
• No real-time data access

Navan:

• AI-generated reports Limited historical data
• Basic expense integration

Corporate Traveler's Melon:

• Overall travel visibility
• Real-time expense tracking to manage spending limits
• Custom reporting dashboards
• Deep analytical insights
• Program optimization recommendations

Duty of care & risk management

When it comes to traveler safety, the differences are crucial.

Spotnana:

• Basic location tracking
• Limited emergency support
• Minimal risk alerts

TravelPerk:

• Standard risk notifications
• Delayed support response
• Limited traveler tracking

Melon:

• Real-time traveler tracking
• 24/7 emergency response
• Crisis24 risk intelligence
• Proactive risk alerts

Making your choice: Beyond the tech

While Navan, TravelPerk, Spotnana, and Egencia offer solid technology, business travel needs more than just apps and algorithms. Here's what it comes down to:

Choose tech-only platforms if you:

• Have simple, domestic-only travel needs
• Don't mind navigating support queues
• Are comfortable with self-service only
• Have dedicated internal travel and finance teams

Choose Corporate Traveler if you need:

• Both powerful tech and human expertise
• Real support when things go wrong
• Genuine cost savings through smart booking
• Built-in negotiated airfares, hotel discounts, and perks
• A partner who understands your business

The bottom line

The right platform isn't just about features like booking flights, hotels, and car rentals. It's more about having the right support when it matters.

While Navan might work for basic domestic travel and TravelPerk for European business trips, growing businesses need a solution that combines smart technology with real expertise.

With Melon, you get the best of both worlds: modern technology backed by dedicated travel experts who are invested in your own travel success. No chatbots, no overseas call centers, just straightforward support when you need it.

Ready to see the difference?

Chat with us to see how Corporate Traveler combines the best of technology and human expertise to deliver a travel program that actually works for your business.

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