2019 U.S.-Booked Air Volume: $116.6 million
2019 Global Air Volume: $261 million
2019 U.S. T&E: $286 million
2019 Global T&E: $590 million
Primary Air Suppliers: United, American, Delta
Primary Hotel Suppliers: Hilton, Hyatt, Intercontinental
Primary Car Rental Supplier: Hertz
Primary Global Online Booking Tool: Concur
Primary U.S. Payment Supplier: American Express
Card Program: Individual Bill/Central Pay
Primary Global Expense Supplier: SAP EEM
Primary Global Travel Risk Management Supplier: ISOS
Consolidated U.S. TMC: Amex GBT
In 2019, Merck's travel department deployed a car rental supplier Hertz, and inked new TMC contracts for the coming years. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical mainstay launched a new business intelligence tool and began the process of developing a global mobility strategy.
Both U.S.-booked and global air volume ticked up in 2019 for Merck, rising 4 percent and 6 percent, respectively, over 2018—and international trips continued to comprise around three-quarters of all U.S.-booked volume for the company. But the ongoing pandemic is projected to slash U.S.-booked volume by more than 80 percent in 2020, to just $25 million. Ninety-nine percent of U.S.-booked tickets were booked through approved channels in 2019.
Merck's 2020 plans include rolling out new app-based travel tech, completing a multi-year airline RFP, implementing a new TMC partner for Asia Pacific, and continuing to support and manage travel amid changing Covid-19 restrictions. From Oct. 1, 2020, American Express Global Business Travel will be the sole global TMC for Merck.