Engine survey: business travelers less willing to let AI handle client itineraries

On November 10, 2026, travel and expense management platform Engine released a survey showing that business travelers' acceptance of AI involvement in travel matters varies by stage: 86% of respondents were willing to let agentic AI handle routine travel arrangements such as booking, and 82% were willing to let it submit expense reports; but 53% said they still wanted client itineraries or dinners to be planned by humans. Earlier reports did not disclose the sample size, survey timing or geographic scope; the follow-up report said the survey covered 1,000 U.S. business travelers and travel decision-makers. The same-day follow-up report also said that among surveyed enterprises that had measured AI's impact, 77% reported improved travel visibility and 71% reported improved compliance, but 60% reported higher travel costs, and the same proportion reported spending more time on planning, booking and reimbursement, meaning AI's main benefit was reflected in compliance rather than cost savings.