Corporate Travel’s New Boss: The Finance Department
Photo Credit: An airport lounge operated by Encalm Hospitality at Delhi airport. Encalm
Skift Take
Finance teams have quietly become power players in corporate travel. The shift began years ago but has sped up post-pandemic. The challenge now? Ensuring that the traveler experience and domain expertise aren’t lost in the numbers.
The balance of power in corporate travel decision-making has been shifting for years — but in 2025, the trend has become unmistakable.
Travel programs, once firmly in the hands of procurement or travel departments, are now increasingly led or co-owned by finance teams. According to travel managers interviewed by Skift, finance is no longer just reviewing expense reports — it’s shaping policy, selecting platforms, and tightening oversight.
“We provide input, but HR, finance, and procurement all weigh in,” said Sushant Saini, a corporate travel and expense manager. “Post-Covid, finance has taken a much more active role. They're focused on every detail.”
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