MasterCard Worldwide and Carlson Wagonlit Travel Launch Enhanced Corporate Travel Data Solution

Global Program Provides Companies and Government Agencies with Comprehensive Access to Enhanced Travel Data
Munich. - MasterCard Worldwide and Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), the leading business travel management company, announced today the launch of a global, card-based enhanced travel data program for corporate travel buyers. The program will ensure that CWT clients who pay with MasterCard commercial cards have consistent, high- quality data related to travel and entertainment expenditures around the world. This will enable organizations to more rapidly implement and optimize a corporate card program on a global basis. The announcement was made at the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) Global Education Conference being held here October 21-23.

At the core of the new enhanced travel data program is a fully integrated, card-based global network that will allow MasterCard issuers to offer companies of all sizes, as well as government agencies, the ability to access, analyze and act upon more complete data related to their travel program. Integrating travel program information such as policy rules, itineraries, and accounting codes with actual expenditures can help CWT clients with MasterCard corporate cards to achieve savings.

“Corporate travel buyers, especially multinational corporations, require access to robust data that allows them to closely manage travel spending globally and at the regional and country level. This program will do just that by allowing users to better understand travel spending patterns around the world and make smarter business decisions,” said Paul Adler, Vice President, Global Commerce Development, MasterCard Worldwide. “MasterCard sits at the heart of global commerce and together with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, can deliver more complete and relevant information that will streamline travel procurement and drive savings.”

“CWT is committed to providing clients with integrated data from multiple sources so they can manage their travel program more effectively. As a global leader, MasterCard obtains invoice-level data from travel suppliers around the world. Working with MasterCard issuers, CWT can ensure that organizations receive the level of detail necessary to reconcile expenses charged to their central travel accounts, aggregate data for supplier negotiations and help track travel policy compliance,” said Dawn Raasch, Director, Global Product Management, Carlson Wagonlit Travel. She added, “Enhanced data will also help us provide our clients with better reporting and even more relevant recommendations for optimizing their travel program.”

The new enhanced travel data program is now available in Australia, China and Singapore as well as 13 European markets: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The program will be introduced in other markets over time. Travel content from CWT will be fully integrated and delivered via the MasterCard corporate payments suite of solutions, including SmartData,® the leading global payments information and reporting tool.

Among the first MasterCard issuers to offer the new program to corporate customers is GE Money. Geoff Beeson, Head of Market Strategy for Corporate Payment Services, commented: “As a leading provider of multinational corporate payment solutions, we greatly welcome this innovation from two of our longstanding business relationships. Robust data is critical to our customers’ travel procurement process, and this initiative enables our customers to benefit from global online information supporting travel expenditures. Coupled with the expertise CWT offers worldwide, this means clients can more effectively manage their travel program.”

The MasterCard and CWT enhanced travel data program respects current data privacy laws, including European data protection and privacy legislation.