Amex GBT Now Deviates Widely From Core Travel Focus
Photo Credit: Neo1 will target smaller businesses that treat travel spend the same way they would other items needed to run their business. Unsplash / Bench Accounting
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Putting the “American Express” back into American Express Global Business Travel, its new Neo1 expense tool reminds us the world’s biggest corporate travel agency is half-owned by a credit card company.
American Express Global Business Travel has launched its spend management platform, called Neo1, in the U.S. after 12 months of putting it through its paces in the UK.
It represents a significant break from the agency's typical travel management offering. Not to be confused with Neo, Amex GBT's booking and expense tool, Neo1 has been built for smaller companies that probably don't care that much about travel.
At this juncture, it's worth reminding ourselves that American Express Global Business Travel is 50 percent owned by American Express, and 50 percent owned by a group of investors led by Certares,
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Neo1 wants to cover all bases for smaller companies, offering budgeting, purchasing, expense management, reporting and reconciliation under one roof.
"If we’re going to be successful, we have to give clients what they need," said Fiona Hastings, Neo1's general manager. "And smaller businesses do not differentiate between travel and general busin
