Deutsche Telekom: Controlling travel payments with corporate liability

Visibility and control over business travel payments are a challenge for many companies. Not for Deutsche Telekom.
Despite a high volume of transactions, they maintain efficient processes and a clear overview of every expense.
The reason is a centralised approach where the company owns the cost.

With around 150,000 employees across Europe, many of whom travel regularly for business, Deutsche Telekom recognised early on the need for an end-to-end travel payment process that provides full control throughout the trip while ensuring a seamless and secure traveller experience.

Ben Haefner, Head of Group Travel & Event Services at Deutsche Telekom Services Europe, remembers what business travel used to be like when employees relied on their private cards. The process was often cumbersome, and reimbursement could take weeks.

“In a very modern and digital world, I don't think this is what our travellers, and what all of us expect. That's why we, many years ago, started thinking about how we could improve the process,” he says.

Visibility and control over every transaction

By combining corporate cards with travel policies embedded directly into its booking platform, Deutsche Telekom simplifies the traveller experience while maintaining visibility and control over every transaction, making it easier to ensure compliance across the organisation.

“Our central approach eliminates a lot of complexity. So either if it's an airport transfer, a flight or a train ticket, the hotel booking itself, a booking of a rental car, all that is now booked by the traveller and our central platform and paid immediately by the company,” he says.

Strengthens duty of care

More than 90% of all travel payments now go through Deutsche Telekom's central payment process. Bookings made through third-party websites using personal payment methods are discouraged, as they create additional administrative work for both travellers and the company.

Another clear advantage is enhanced duty of care. By maintaining real-time visibility into travellers’ itineraries and locations, Deutsche Telekom can support employee safety while retaining full oversight of its travel programme.

“Corporate liability for me is the right path forward because it centralises our responsibility. It strengthens duty of care and it reduces risks. And it also enables a secure, efficient and globally consistent approach to business travel management,” says Ben Haefner.

Hear the full interview with Ben Haefner in the latest episode of the AirPlus Corporate Payment Insider podcast , where we take a closer look at Deutsche Telekom's payment process for business travel and the benefits it delivers.