TravelPerk Review

TravelPerk is a cloud-based, all-in-one travel management platform that integrates booking tools, expense management, traveler tracking, and reporting capabilities. Unlike traditional travel agencies, TravelPerk leverages technology to provide a seamless experience for both travelers and travel managers. The platform boasts the “world’s largest travel inventory,” integrating with major booking sites like Skyscanner, Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb to offer a wide range of flights, hotels, trains, and car rentals.

Founded by Avi Meir, Javier Suarez, and Ron Levin, TravelPerk aims to empower travelers with autonomy while ensuring companies maintain control over budgets and policies. The platform supports integrations with HR tools, accounting software, and expense management systems like Expensify, BambooHR, and Slack, making it a versatile solution for businesses of all sizes. With 24/7 customer support, a mobile app, and features like FlexiPerk for flexible cancellations, TravelPerk positions itself as a modern alternative to outdated corporate travel tools.

Key Features of TravelPerk

1. Comprehensive Booking Platform

TravelPerk’s core strength lies in its ability to consolidate travel bookings into a single platform. Users can search for flights, hotels, trains, and car rentals with robust filtering options to meet specific preferences, such as price, time, or airline. The platform’s integration with third-party booking sites ensures a vast inventory, which users describe as “one of the largest out there.” This eliminates the need to visit multiple websites, saving time and effort.

2. Travel Policy Compliance

TravelPerk simplifies compliance with corporate travel policies by allowing companies to set automated approval workflows, budget limits, and cost centers. For example, managers can configure settings to approve in-policy bookings automatically or flag out-of-policy requests for review. The Slack integration speeds up approvals by 80%, according to TravelPerk, enhancing efficiency for fast-paced organizations.

3. Expense Management and Reporting

The platform centralizes invoicing, making it easier for finance teams to track travel expenses. Features like VAT reclaim and real-time reporting customized to cost center structures are particularly valuable for businesses looking to optimize their travel budgets. Users appreciate the ability to receive a single invoice for all travel bookings, reducing administrative overhead compared to dealing with multiple vendors.

4. FlexiPerk and Cancellation Flexibility

FlexiPerk is a standout feature, allowing users to cancel bookings with minimal penalties, a critical advantage in today’s unpredictable travel landscape. This flexibility has been praised by users, with one noting, “You are able to cancel any travel you’ve booked. Really helpful nowadays.”

5. 24/7 Customer Support

TravelPerk’s customer support is a cornerstone of its service, with a target response time of 15 seconds. The in-house “7-star” support team is available via chat, email, and phone, providing assistance for issues like flight cancellations or booking errors. Users frequently highlight the responsiveness and helpfulness of the concierge team, especially in emergencies.

6. Mobile Accessibility

The TravelPerk mobile app, available on iOS and Android, allows users to manage bookings, access boarding passes, and receive real-time trip updates on the go. Reviewers praise the app’s intuitive interface, which enhances convenience for frequent travelers.

7. Sustainability and Integrations

TravelPerk emphasizes sustainability through features like carbon footprint offsetting and partnerships with corporate responsibility consultancies like Susterra. The platform also integrates with expense management tools (e.g., Pleo, Spendesk) and HR systems (e.g., BambooHR), creating a cohesive ecosystem for business operations.

User Experience: What Travelers and Managers Say

TravelPerk has garnered thousands of reviews across platforms like Trustpilot, Capterra, G2, and Software Advice, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on employee and user feedback. Below, we summarize the key positives and negatives based on user experiences.

Positive Feedback

1. Ease of Use: The platform’s clean, user-friendly interface is a recurring theme in reviews. Users describe it as “intuitive” and “self-explanatory,” requiring minimal training. One reviewer noted, “It’s like you really have someone assisting you personally throughout the process.”
2. Efficient Booking Process: Travelers appreciate the ability to book multi-destination trips, manage group reservations, and store loyalty program details automatically. The platform’s detailed filters and real-time pricing ensure transparency, with one user stating, “The price on the front end matches what you pay at checkout.”
3. Responsive Support: The concierge service receives high praise for its speed and effectiveness. A user shared, “Customer service reacted immediately when I was left on the ground in Belgium by airline cancellation, booking a hotel at 1 am.” Another highlighted the concierge team’s ability to match lower prices found on other websites.
4. Cost Savings: Many businesses report significant savings, with some claiming up to 30% reductions in travel costs compared to traditional agencies. The ability to reclaim VAT and consolidate invoices further enhances financial efficiency.
5. Mobile App Convenience: The app’s functionality, including access to tickets and trip details, is a hit among users. One reviewer said, “The app is easy to use, and if you need more, the web-based GUI is a great option.”

Negative Feedback

1. Booking Errors and Delays: Some users report issues with booking confirmations, such as flights or hotels not being properly reserved through third-party platforms like Booking.com. One reviewer complained, “Hotels were confirmed and paid for on TravelPerk’s end but not actually booked by the third party.”
2. Limited Seat Selection: A common frustration is the lack of clarity or flexibility in seat selection. Users note that choosing specific seats often requires direct contact with TravelPerk or the airline, adding complexity to the process.
3. Loyalty Program Challenges: Several travelers express disappointment with the inability to earn hotel loyalty points consistently. A Reddit user commented, “Hilton will no longer honor points on stays booked through third-party apps like TravelPerk.” While TravelPerk claims to support loyalty programs, not all bookings are eligible, and redeeming points is not supported.
4. Dashboard Updates: Some users report discrepancies between TravelPerk’s dashboard and real-time airline information, such as flight cancellations not being reflected promptly. One user noted, “I had two flight cancellations, but their dashboard didn’t update.”
5. Concierge Service Inconsistencies: While many praise the support team, others describe careless errors by concierge agents, such as incorrect booking details. A TrustRadius reviewer warned, “If you ever want to use Concierge, I would highly recommend choosing a different product.”

Strengths of TravelPerk

• All-in-One Solution: By consolidating bookings, expense tracking, and policy management, TravelPerk reduces the administrative burden on businesses.
• User-Friendly Design: The platform’s intuitive interface and mobile app make it accessible to users with varying levels of tech proficiency.
• Robust Customer Support: The 24/7 support team’s quick response time and proactive assistance set TravelPerk apart from competitors.
• Flexibility and Scalability: Features like FlexiPerk and customizable approval workflows cater to businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.
• Cost Efficiency: The platform’s competitive pricing, VAT reclaim, and consolidated invoicing help businesses save money.

Weaknesses of TravelPerk

• Third-Party Integration Issues: Reliance on third-party booking platforms can lead to errors, such as unconfirmed reservations or pricing discrepancies.
• Limited Loyalty Program Support: The inconsistent ability to earn hotel points frustrates frequent travelers who value brand loyalty.
• Occasional Technical Glitches: Dashboard inaccuracies and booking failures due to unavailable seats are minor but persistent issues.
• Concierge Service Variability: While generally praised, some users experience mistakes or delays with the concierge team, undermining trust.

Pricing and Plans

TravelPerk offers a tiered pricing model with Free, Premium, and Pro packages, tailored to different business needs. The Free plan includes basic booking and management features, while Premium and Pro plans offer advanced reporting, integrations, and enhanced support. Pricing starts at €99 per month, with costs varying based on the number of users and features required. A free trial is available, and the subscription-based model is transparent, with no hidden fees. However, specific pricing details are not publicly disclosed, and users are directed to contact TravelPerk for customized quotes.

Comparison with Competitors

TravelPerk competes with platforms like Egencia, TripActions (now Navan), and Travefy. Compared to Egencia, TravelPerk offers a more modern interface and faster customer support but lacks some of Egencia’s enterprise-level integrations. TripActions has similar self-service features but has faced criticism for customer service issues, where TravelPerk generally excels. Travefy, while strong in itinerary planning, doesn’t match TravelPerk’s comprehensive expense management and policy compliance tools. TravelPerk’s key differentiator is its vast inventory and user-friendly design, though it may fall short in loyalty program support compared to direct bookings.

Who Should Use TravelPerk?

TravelPerk is ideal for:

• Small to Medium Businesses: Companies seeking an affordable, scalable solution to manage travel without dedicated travel staff.
• Frequent Business Travelers: Employees who value autonomy and a seamless booking experience via web or mobile.
• Finance Teams: Organizations looking to streamline expense tracking, reclaim VAT, and reduce travel costs.
• Global Companies: Businesses with international travel needs, thanks to TravelPerk’s extensive inventory and multi-language support (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish).

It may be less suitable for:

• Travelers Prioritizing Loyalty Points: Those who rely heavily on hotel or airline loyalty programs may find direct bookings more rewarding.
• Companies Needing Extensive Seat Customization: Users with specific seating preferences may encounter limitations.

Conclusion

TravelPerk is a robust, user-friendly platform that has transformed business travel management for thousands of companies worldwide. Its strengths—comprehensive booking tools, responsive customer support, and cost-saving features—make it a compelling choice for businesses seeking efficiency and control. The platform’s intuitive design and mobile accessibility cater to modern travelers, while features like FlexiPerk and VAT reclaim address the needs of dynamic organizations.

However, TravelPerk is not without flaws. Issues with third-party integrations, limited loyalty program support, and occasional concierge errors highlight areas for improvement. While the platform excels in most scenarios, travelers with specific preferences or companies reliant on loyalty rewards may need to weigh these limitations.

Overall, TravelPerk delivers on its promise of simplifying corporate travel, earning high praise from users and a strong reputation in the industry. For businesses looking to optimize their travel programs without the complexity of traditional agencies, TravelPerk is a worthy investment. To explore its features further, interested users can book a demo or sign up for a free trial at TravelPerk’s website.