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Ian Allan Travel works closely with a number of respected card
companies which each have bespoke products to suit the particular
needs of business travel payments. The benefits of using a card
are primarily the extended credit timescale over and above a normal
credit trading account, plus the centralised billing capabilities
to reduce the administration requirement for both the client and
the agent, thus containing costs. Electronic downloads and matching
of data save hours of manual entry and enable the client to be
more efficient and accurate.
There is a selection of cards within the market, and each company
should decide which suits their needs and culture best. Some companies
take a combination of cards to address their varying needs:
Lodge Card
This is a “virtual card” which is lodged with the Travel
Agent and can only be used by the company it was issued to/for.
The traffic types (air, hotel, rail, etc) can be restricted to one
or many types for authorised billing. Travellers will not be able
to bill to the card direct away from Ian Allan Travel. This card
can not be used to purchase internet hosted low cost carrier tickets
so an alternative card as per below must be used for these types
of transactions). Full transaction data is available via this method
of payment.
Corporate Card
This card is issued to an individual under the company’s card
plan and can be used by the traveller as a form of payment when
either purchasing tickets via Ian Allan Travel, paying for hotels
on departure, etc. In conjunction with using the Lodge Card for
tickets procured via Ian Allan Travel, it can then be used for expenses
incurred whilst having to pay travel providers other than Ian Allan
Travel (unless it was for an internet hosted low cost carrier ticket)
and/or as a payment method for expenses incurred whilst travelling.
The individual is then responsible for submitting the charges incurred
via expenses for either direct company settle or personal settlement
and reimbursement.
Procurement/Purchasing Card
This card is issued to a Department within the workplace and managed
by the nominated person(s) for all departmental purchasing (travel,
stationery, etc). By using this card, companies are moving the responsibility
directly to the departmental administrators for reconciliation and
away from the accounts department.
Personal Cards
These are the normal individually issued credit cards which most
people now have. These can be accepted for all types of travel payments.
Moving to one of the above cards will also bring additional benefits
specific per card company such as additional OnBusiness points
with British Airways, insurance cover in addition to the extended
credit facility.
Please refer to each of the links following to review which company
would best suit your individual company needs:
Please get in touch with your local contact or the Ian Allan Travel
Account Management Team on 01932 255509 if you are interested in
pursuing this alternative method of payment and to control your
costs of administration and funding.
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