Almost half of all companies expect mobile payment to make travel easier, yet presently, only 5% of them actually make use of this option for business travel. That is the conclusion drawn from exclusive expert interviews and a survey for the new white paper “Mobile Payment – How It Will Transform Corporate Travel and Expense Management” published by AirPlus International. The…
Almost half of all companies expect mobile payment to make travel easier, yet presently, only 5% of them actually make use of this option for business travel. That is the conclusion drawn from exclusive expert interviews and a survey for the new white paper “Mobile Payment – How It Will Transform Corporate Travel and Expense Management” published by AirPlus International. The leading international provider of payment and invoicing solutions for business travel got together with the international Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) to produce this white paper. Seventy-three ACTE members were asked how they handle mobile payment solutions. The key findings of the white paper are now also available as an app.
Paying with smartphones
“Our survey showed there are still big knowledge deficits in the industry as regards mobile payment solutions,” says Volker Huber, Executive Vice President of Global Sales at AirPlus. Thus, 53% of respondents rated their knowledge as beginner level. “But, this topic is becoming extremely important for business travel and will completely transform the way we pay,” Huber explains. Mobile payment works completely without credit cards or cash. Instead, travellers only have to hold their smartphone against a contact surface, for example on ticket machines, to book a ticket. The technology that enables such transactions is called “Near Field Communication” (NFC). So far, little use has been made of this technology, which posed an obstacle to using mobile payment. Studies conducted by the consultancy firm Juniper, for example, come to the conclusion that NFC-enabled payments will become more widespread in the future. Experts estimate there will be USD 50 billion in mobile NFC-enabled payments by 2014.
“This will remove a crucial obstacle to mobile payment,” Huber says. “As soon as the necessary technology is widely available, both business travellers and travel managers will benefit from the advantages of mobile payment.” For travellers, these advantages lie mainly in enormous time savings. Not only can travellers pay faster at cash desks or ticket machines, they will also spend less time accounting for their expenditure.
Many future benefits for travel management as a whole
Currently, only 18% of respondents expect mobile payment to make work easier for travel managers. “To make that possible, we have developed a prototype mobile payment solution called AirPlus MobilePayment,” Huber says. Currently undergoing testing, AirPlus MobilePayment is expected to be launched on the market in 2013. “Our prototype shows how mobile payment solutions can help to optimise travel management processes. All transactions can be captured in a company account in real time. The travel manager receives all relevant data in one package,” Huber goes on to say. Greater compliance with travel policy can also be expected, since mobile payment gives travel managers several new steering possibilities.
Read the white paper on the go
The new web app gives quick access to all the facts presented in the white paper, even for people on the go, enabling interactive use of the content. Intuitive navigation guides the user through the chapters and key statements can be posted and shared directly via Twitter and Facebook.
The app is based on the new HTML5 standard that enables all content to be displayed directly in the internet browser without additional software. This ensures the app is always perfectly displayed regardless of the type of mobile device being used (smartphone, tablet or computer). AirPlus is thereby continuing its policy of adapting communication to the mobile future, enabling rapid access to all relevant information for people on the move.
Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
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