CWT links with Amex

Global - Travel buyers of Carlson Wagonlit Travel's (CWT) services in 21 countries will have access to greater travel spend visibility and American Express payment solutions under the companies' joint multi-year preferred supplier agreement.

The agreement will see the travel services provider promoting three American Express payment tools - Business Travel Account, Corporate Card and Corporate Meeting Card - to its clients in 21 countries.

In addition, CWT and American Express will provide mutual customers enhanced data and reporting consolidated on a local, regional and/or global basis. CWT clients who are using the CWT Agency+Card Reporting will be able to gain better insight into their travel and expense data by being able to compare and match actual credit card expenditures with CWT transactions.

"Many of our clients are already using [American Express] cards and are looking forward to the enhanced data which, when coupled with CWT Agency+Card Reporting can provide increased visibility and understanding into travel-related expenditures," Mike Koetting, CWT executive vice president of global supplier management said. "Thanks to this broader view, companies can increase compliance and more effectively leverage negotiations with suppliers for greater savings," he added.

CWT previously announced that it had acquired the remaining 24% of shares in Indtravels thereby acquiring 100% of its operations in the country.

Indtravels is now named CWT India, and was bought from AFL, CWT's joint venture partner and India's leading supply chain management company.

"This acquisition comes at a very exciting time in the history of the Indian travel market," said Berthold Trenkel, Asia Pacific president and executive vice president, traveller and transaction services at CWT.

"Business travel ahs increased tremendously in India over the last few years, making it one of our top three Asia-Pacific markets," he said.

CWT currently has 12 offices in 10 cities in India and more than 1,000 employees.