Unmanaged Travel

Unmanaged travel occurs when employees book flights, hotels, or transportation independently, without using a corporate-approved travel program or policy. These bookings are typically made through OTAs, public travel websites, or direct vendor platforms rather than centralized systems.

While unmanaged travel gives employees flexibility and autonomy, it often creates challenges for businesses, including higher costs, lack of policy compliance, reduced visibility into expenses, and risks related to traveler safety. Companies may also face difficulties in managing reimbursements and duty-of-care obligations.

To balance flexibility and control, many organizations transition to managed or partially managed travel programs. These programs use corporate booking tools and negotiated vendor rates to reduce costs, improve compliance, and enhance traveler safety while still offering some degree of booking freedom.