November 13, 2024

On December 6, 2024, UMB will switch travel management companies from Travel Leaders Corporate (TLC) to Collegiate Travel Planners. The FAQ below provides more information about CTP and the new benefits provided to UMB faculty, staff, and students. 

Why are we switching travel management companies? It is standard practice to periodically rebid contracts for business services to ensure UMB receives the best service and costing available on the market.   

Who will be impacted by the switch to a new travel management company? All UMB faculty, staff and students who travel or have expenses reimbursed will be affected by the change.  

How will this change affect faculty, staff and students? Travelers can expect to use a new portal requiring an extra click to access Concur—which enables greater support for those booking online, and access to additional reporting for travel administrators. The individual travel agents will be different as well. 

We’ve had challenges getting support for booking travel in the past. Will this company be any better? CTP specializes in travel for higher education institutions, so they will better understand the needs of our travelers. Also, travelers will also have a better experience because the new travel company will be able to view what the user has booked online and be able to walk through the process as needed, providing support whether booking online or through agent assist. CTP specializes in working with higher education institutions and is well versed in the needs of university travel.  

I have already booked travel that will take place after UMB switches to CTP. If anything happens during my trip (flight cancellation, etc.), who should I call? For any support, please contact the travel management company that booked your travel. Unsure which company you used? Look in the upper left corner of your travel itinerary for the company name and contact information. 

I need to book travel for January. Should I wait until the switch or book the ticket now? Users can book travel now as you normally would. Though we recommend avoiding booking travel during the cutover period, December 2 through 5, which can only be done by calling TLC, you will receive support either way. 

For future travel booked with the new travel company, will I need to reenter my personal information or create a new travel profile? The switch will not affect your Concur travel profile data; you will not need to reenter information. 

I have an unused ticket. Will that be affected by the switch to a new travel management company? Unused tickets on Southwest will be reimbursed to schools/departments—no action is required. Stay tuned for how unused tickets from other airlines will be handled.