Why Now Is the Time to Revisit Your Corporate Travel Policy

Business travel is back—but it’s not business as usual.

Whether you're managing a lean small or medium sized business or steering the financial strategy of a large enterprise, one thing is clear: your corporate travel policy needs a refresh. Hybrid work models, evolving duty of care standards, and rising employee expectations have fundamentally reshaped how (and why) we travel for work.

So, when was the last time you looked at your company’s travel policy?

If the answer is “before 2020” or even “I’m not sure,” you’re not alone. Businesses that take the time now to rethink and recalibrate their travel policies are more likely to control costs, keep employees safe, and meet sustainability targets without slowing down operations.

Here’s what we’re hearing from finance and operations teams: 

• “We have no visibility into travel spend until after the trip.” 

• “There’s no consistency—everyone books however they want.” 

• “It’s hard to balance policy enforcement with flexibility for our staff.” 

• “We’re still chasing down receipts after every flight.” 

Sound familiar? 

A strong travel policy doesn’t need to be rigid or bureaucratic. In fact, the best policies are clear, adaptable, and built with your people in mind. 

What Happens When Travel Policies Are Outdated

A travel policy that hasn’t kept pace can introduce more risk than you think:

• Non-compliant bookings and expense blowouts

• Unclear reimbursement rules leading to employee frustration

• Gaps in duty of care and travel risk management

• Missed opportunities for negotiated supplier savings

• Inability to track carbon emissions from travel

Finance leaders across the board are being asked to do more with less, yet they’re also expected to keep employees happy and support corporate ESG goals. A modern travel policy doesn’t just check the compliance box. It becomes a strategic asset.

What Makes a Great Corporate Travel Policy?

SAP Concur has developed a practical resource just for finance and procurement leaders in mid-market firms. Without giving too much away, here’s a sneak peek at the strategic shifts top-performing businesses are making: 

• Aligning policy with employee needs and corporate values 
• Clarifying what’s in and out of policy—no fine print required
• Embracing technology to streamline approvals and bookings
• Strengthening duty of care and safety protocols
• Using data to influence smarter travel decisions 

Taking the Pain out of Travel Expense Management - A Travel Policy Template

An upfront, plain-English travel policy turns chaotic bookings and expense disputes into a smooth, data-driven process that everyone can follow. Here is a step-by-step guide inspired by nine proven tips from the experts.

Download now

What Should a Modern Travel Policy Include?

Here are a few strategic considerations that are critical today, download the tip sheet and policy template for the full list:

• Policy flexibility with clear guardrails
  Travel needs are more personal and diverse than ever, your policy should accommodate that without sacrificing control

• End-to-end visibility
  Integrate your policy with your travel and expense system to gain real-time insights, ensure compliance, and simplify audits

• Duty of care and traveller safety
  Ensure your travellers know exactly what to do and who to contact in case of disruptions, delays, or emergencies, no matter where they are

• Sustainability tracking
  As ESG reporting becomes mandatory, your travel policy must reflect carbon-conscious choices and help track emissions

Whether you're building a policy from scratch or updating an existing one, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But there is a proven framework to follow—and we've distilled it into nine practical tips that finance and travel leaders can start implementing today.

Ready to Create a Travel Policy That Works Now and Beyond?

Download the full guide:
9 Tips for Creating or Updating a Corporate Travel Policy

This free PDF resource includes:

✅ Key questions to ask before revising your policy
✅ Practical tips for balancing flexibility with control
✅ Tools to help track costs, compliance, and carbon
✅ Insights tailored to the unique needs of small, medium, and large businesses