What are Supplier-Direct Bookings, and Do They Impact Your Travel Program?
An SAP Concur blog post citing a GBTA report notes that 37% of hotel reservations and 15% of air reservations are invisible—made directly with suppliers or through online travel agencies. These percentages remain the same between companies with flexible and strict travel policies. Currently, 80% of travel programs do not use technology to capture supplier-direct bookings. Drivers include convenience, low-cost carriers and discounts, and the sharing economy. The article recommends bringing direct bookings under management by automatically capturing bookings from connected suppliers or encouraging employees to send booking information, to improve policy compliance, duty of care, savings, and…
Impact and considerations
Supplier-direct bookings result in significant invisible travel spend, affecting policy compliance, duty of care, and rate negotiation capabilities. This article provides quantified data and strategies for travel managers to optimize travel program management.
Key points
- According to a GBTA report, 37% of hotel reservations and 15% of air reservations are invisible—made directly with suppliers or through online travel agencies.
- These percentages remain the same between companies with flexible and strict travel policies.
- Currently, 80% of travel programs do not use technology to capture supplier-direct bookings.
- Drivers include convenience, low-cost carriers and discounts, and the sharing economy.
- Bring direct bookings under management by automatically capturing bookings from connected suppliers or encouraging employees to send booking information.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- SAP Concur
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 29 Jun 2022, 19:47
- Page published
- 14 Aug 2026, 08:36
- Last updated
- 29 Jun 2022, 19:47
- Original links
- SAP Concur Blog：What are Supplier-Direct Bookings, and Do They Impact Your Travel Program? (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 29 Jun 2022, 19:47