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Lufthansa brings online business travel booking tool to UK

Lufthansa Group is setting out to draw in more direct business travel bookings by introducing an integrated online travel platform into the UK. 

BusinessToGo gives companies the ability to book flights, hotels, cars and trains within a single travel management tool. 

The all-in-one solution, developed with travel expense software firm Navan, is designed to give corporate customers an “effective tool” to make travel and expense easier. 

It can be accessed via web and mobile devices, and automatically applies company travel policies. 

The BusinessToGo platform dynamically displays the most relevant booking options to customers by factoring in company policy, personal preferences and optimal pricing.

Lufthansa’s PartnerPlusBenefit loyalty scheme is also integrated into BusinessToGo, which allows users to earn points when booking flights. Members can also use their points to book their redemption flights on the platform.

An ‘essentials’ package is designed for companies with up to 100 travellers and does not include booking fees. 

For companies with more than 100 travellers, the premium package integrates the Navan travel management platform with internal systems, such as HR, but includes a £5 fee per booking. Travellers also receive unlimited use of Navan’s generative AI and travel agent support.

With both options, corporate clients can book Lufthansa Group and joint venture partners as well as flights from other airlines. This includes NDC and competitive pricing, as well as a range of hotel, train, and car rental content provided by Navan.

Lufthansa Northern Europe senior sales director Heinrich Lange said: “Having gathered broad experience with BusinessToGo in our home markets since 2022, we together launch today this innovative and digital platform in Great Britain, a very important corporate travel market. 

“We designed this smart new platform together with Navan in order to address travel demand from companies, who want to efficiently self-manage their travel demand.”

A spokesperson added: “For several years smaller corporate customers have asked for direct booking capabilities and functionalities that our current B2C oriented offer (.com) does not deliver.

“Additionally, we wanted to make it easier for our PartnerPlusBenefit members to redeem their points on a digital platform.

“In partnership with Navan we designed BusinessToGo for small and medium sized companies that manage their travel without the help of a travel management company.”

Navan EMEA chief executive Michael Riegel added: “We are excited to see our successful collaboration with Lufthansa Group expand to the United Kingdom and France.

“BusinessToGo is an example of how a world-class tech company can partner with a renowned service provider to deliver value and innovation to customers.”

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