Acendas Travel

What Acendas Travel does

Acendas Travel is a privately held corporate travel management company (TMC) founded in 1982 in Kansas City and headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. It operates as the dedicated mid-market division of BCD Travel, a wholly-owned subsidiary relationship formalized in 2017 after a 16-year joint venture. The company serves more than 400 small and medium-sized enterprises across diversified verticals, with stated specialized Practice Groups in Architecture/Engineering/Construction, Banking/Finance, Manufacturing, Healthcare/Medical, and Technology. Its product portfolio spans full-service corporate travel management, leisure/vacation planning, meetings and events (Liaisons), and a self-service travel and expense platform (GetGoing). The company reports a 98% client retention rate and 24/7/365 traveler support, leveraging BCD's 109-location global network and 40,000+ hotel property relationships to deliver negotiated discounts of 5-40% to mid-market buyers that lack the volume to negotiate independently.

The technology stack combines proprietary tools with third-party platforms. Proprietary components include Mission Control (end-to-end traveler assistance pre/during/post-trip), Mission Control ReRoute (proactive disruption rebooking via text), Ticketrak (unused non-refundable ticket management), DecisionSource and All Access Reporting (analytics), and RateWatch (post-booking hotel rate monitoring). These layer on third-party online booking tools (Concur and Deem/Etta), Conferma Pay virtual card payment, Oversee-powered price assurance automation, and the BCD-built TripSource mobile app. AI/ML capability is limited to rule-based process automation through these third parties, with no disclosed in-house AI models.

Acendas generates revenue primarily through transaction fees and management service fees on managed corporate travel programs, with subscription/recurring elements via the GetGoing platform. Pricing is quote-based, tailored to client scope, and structured around multi-year contracts with tiered service levels including standard, VIP, and Priority Access. Distribution is sales-led with dedicated account management, obligation-free assessments, and direct corporate and vacation phone lines. The company has grown through regional acquisitions, completing four Minneapolis-area deals (Vanguard 2010, Gateway Express 2012, Interlachen 2013, Edina 2016) and adding Gwin's Travel (St. Louis, 2018) and Travel Partners (Sioux Falls, 2018). Leadership transitioned in January 2025 with President Richard Aquino succeeding the retiring 27-year President Brent Blake.

Name

Acendas Travel

Legal name

Acendas Travel

Website

https://acendas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Acendas Travel is a privately held corporate travel management company serving 400+ mid-market U.S. enterprises as the dedicated mid-market division of BCD Travel, combining proprietary technology, negotiated supplier discounts, and dedicated account management.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Travel Management

NAICS

Travel Agencies (561510), Travel Agencies (56151)

akta.pro primary industry

Online/Hybrid Corporate Travel Agencies (Self-Booking + Support) (THAKACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Booking Tools (OBT) & Corporate Booking UX (THALAGAD), Concierge & Luxury Personal Itinerary Design (THAKAOAB), Corporate & VIP Group Charter Operators (THABADAD)

Keywords

• Corporate travel management
• Managed travel services
• Business travel booking
• Travel expense management
• Group meeting planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Mission

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Travel Management Services: Full-service corporate travel management including booking assistance, program management, and administrative support. Revenue generated through transaction fees and management service arrangements with corporate clients.
2. Air, Hotel, and Car Discount Programs: Access to BCD Travel's negotiated global discounts on airfare, hotels, and car rentals passed through to clients as part of managed travel programs.
3. GetGoing Platform Services: Self-service travel and expense platform for mid-market companies, combining digital-first tools with expert support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Acendas Travel is a corporate travel management company that delivers full-service managed travel programs for mid-market companies, encompassing travel booking, policy compliance, traveler support, expense management, and data analytics. The firm combines proprietary technology (Mission Control, DecisionSource, Ticketrak) and the GetGoing digital platform with BCD Travel's global network to provide negotiated air, hotel, and car discounts alongside 24/7 traveler assistance.

Product overview

Acendas Travel offers a comprehensive portfolio of travel management products and services designed for mid-sized organizations. The core platform consists of GetGoing, an all-in-one travel and expense management platform that integrates booking, policy compliance, reporting, and spend management. This core platform is supported by proprietary technology including Mission Control for end-to-end traveler support, Mission Control ReRoute for proactive disruption management, and Ticketrak for unused ticket management. The company also provides DecisionSource and All Access Reporting for analytics and reporting. Integration options include Concur and Deem (Etta) as online booking tools, Conferma Pay for virtual payments, and BCD Travel Trip Authorizer for pre-trip approvals. Additional services include the International Rate Desk, Liaisons Meetings & Events, Acendas Go expedited implementation, and specialized Practice Groups for key industries. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCD Travel and the mid-market division of BCD.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GetGoing: An all-in-one travel and expense platform designed to simplify booking, policy compliance, reporting and spend management for mid-market companies.
• Liaisons Meetings & Events
• DecisionSource
• Conferma Pay
• Acendas Go

Products and services

• Corporate Travel Management Full-service travel management program for mid-market companies, including travel planning, booking assistance, policy development, dedicated account management, 24/7 traveler support, and ongoing program optimization.
• GetGoing Travel and Expense Platform All-in-one travel and expense management platform that simplifies business travel booking, policy compliance, reporting, and spend management for mid-market organizations.
• Mission Control Proprietary traveler assistance platform that supports corporate travelers before, during, and after trips with air and hotel rate monitoring, real-time flight status, and 24/7 worldwide support coordination.
• TripSource Mobile App Mobile application delivering real-time worldwide flight information on cancellations, gate changes, and delays via smartphone push notifications and email, with airline check-in, policy access, and crisis management functions.
• DecisionSource Desktop reporting and analytics system that delivers consolidated travel data, standard and customized reports, executive summaries, and what-if analytical scenarios for travel program management.
• International Rate Desk Specialized service for complex international travel providing alternate routings, creative faring strategies, split-ticketing, passport and visa assistance, and safety and security advisories.
• Liaisons Meetings & Events Full-service meeting and events planning for board meetings, incentive trips, company retreats, sales kick-offs, product launches, training road shows, annual conferences, and trade shows.
• Acendas Go Expedited travel management implementation service that deploys a new corporate travel program in 2-3 weeks with automated efficiency, expert-led setup, and platform-to-policy integration support.
• Hotel Program Corporate hotel booking program providing access to negotiated BCD Global Hotel Program rates at 40,000+ properties, rate monitoring, email notifications, and RFP management for hotel sourcing.
• Practice Groups Industry-specific travel management specialization clusters serving Architecture/Engineering/Construction, Banking/Finance, Manufacturing, Health Care/Medical, and Technology sectors with tailored reporting and integration.
• Vacation and Leisure Travel Planning Leisure and vacation travel planning service providing personal itinerary planning, premium and luxury travel options, and consumer booking support through Signature Travel Network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% client retention rate demonstrating long-term relationship value
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

AI capability1 record

Feature10 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BCD TravelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017BCD Travel is the parent company of Acendas Travel. Acendas became a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCD Travel in 2017 (previously a joint venture since 2001). This relationship provides Acendas access to BCD's global network, technology platform, international offices, and purchasing power for negotiated travel discounts. Acendas serves as BCD's dedicated mid-market division.
• SAP ConcurcoreTechnology or IntegrationConcur is one of two online booking tool (OBT) options offered by Acendas. Integrates with Concur Expense for seamless travel and expense management. Concur Travel is implemented globally and features a robust App Center allowing travelers to link favorite apps to their accounts.
• Deem (Etta)coreTechnology or IntegrationDeem (Etta) is one of two online booking tool options offered by Acendas. Features a robust mobile app allowing travelers to book and make changes. Offers an open expense platform providing flexibility to choose expense solutions. Has a consumer-friendly interface with sustainability details.
• BCD Global Hotel ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal hotel discount program through BCD Travel offering 5-40% discounts on all property types at over 40,000 properties in 3,530 cities worldwide. Includes Last Room Availability guarantee, security compliance, and oversold protection policies.
• AvisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred car rental partner through BCD program providing discounted rates and cost-saving specials. Alternative option alongside National/Enterprise.
• National/EnterpriseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred car rental partner through BCD program providing discounted rates and cost-saving specials. Alternative option alongside Avis.
• IHG Hotels & ResortsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHG has partnered with BCD Travel and Acendas to offer exclusive benefits including 10% off Best Available Flexible rate, inclusive of breakfast and free WiFi at over 1,000+ hotels globally. IHG offers 21 brands and over 7,000 hotels worldwide.
• AccorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccor's hotel program with BCD Travel and its mid-market subsidiaries including Acendas brings favorable booking conditions at best prices in 1,000+ hotels globally, with 10% off Best Available Flexible rate, inclusive of breakfast and free WiFi.
• Liaisons Meetings & EventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiaisons Meetings & Events is Acendas Travel's partner for full-service meeting and events management. Provides board meetings, incentive trips, company retreats, sales kick-offs, training/road shows, and annual conferences. Led by Lynn Beierschmitt, executive director of sales and operations with 30+ years of industry experience.
• TripSource (BCD Travel)coreTechnology or IntegrationMobile app developed by BCD Travel, parent company. Delivers real-time worldwide flight information including cancellations, gate changes, and delays to smartphones via push notifications and email. Includes customizable company policy sections, crisis management functions, and airline check-in for over 79 major airlines.
• Signature Travel NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcendas Travel Vacation Division is a member of Signature Travel Network, focusing on premium and luxury travel services. The network provides diversity of travel opportunities and outstanding values through significant purchasing power. Members include top leisure travel agencies and respected travel providers.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas CityminorOthersCorporate partner supporting the organization through donations, sponsorships, Summer Bowl for Kids Sake event fundraising, and annual clothing drives.
• The Big SlickminorOthersKansas City's premier philanthropic event. Acendas Travel VP of Corporate Relations Kathy Sudeikis plays a key role in year-round activities to bring the event to fruition.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Direct Travel: US-based mid-market focused corporate travel management company with similar service-led approach, dedicated account teams, and proprietary reporting tools. Comparable to Acendas in client profile (mid-market corporates) and core managed travel offering.
• Frosch Travel: Mid-market-focused corporate and leisure travel management company emphasizing personalized service and boutique-style account management, very similar positioning to Acendas in the corporate mid-market segment.
• Corporate Travel Management (CTM): Global corporate travel management company with significant North American operations serving corporate clients including mid-market accounts. Competes directly with Acendas on managed travel programs, technology, and duty of care services.
• Christopherson Business Travel: US mid-market corporate travel management company providing full-service corporate travel programs, online booking tools, and reporting analytics — closely overlapping Acendas' target customer and service portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• BCD Travel: Acendas' parent company and one of the world's largest travel management companies. Provides the same corporate travel services as Acendas but targets large global enterprise clients rather than mid-market, and offers the global network, technology, and purchasing power Acendas leverages.
• American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT): One of the world's largest corporate travel management companies serving enterprise and mid-market clients globally. Competes with Acendas on managed travel services but at much larger scale, with broader geographic coverage and deeper technology investment.
• CWT (Carlson Wagonlit Travel): Major global corporate travel management competitor with similar service portfolio (corporate booking tools, reporting, duty of care) but focused on large multinational enterprise accounts rather than mid-market.

Emerging players

• TravelPerk: Fast-growing digital-first corporate travel and expense platform targeting SMB and mid-market with consumer-grade UX and self-service booking. Directly addresses the same mid-market buyer as Acendas' GetGoing platform but with a fundamentally different tech-led delivery model.
• Navan (formerly TripActions): AI-powered corporate travel and expense management platform competing for the same mid-market corporate travel buyer with a unified T&E platform approach. Represents the digital-native disruption vector to traditional agent-assisted TMCs like Acendas.

Regional players

• JTB Business Travel: Corporate travel management company with strong presence in select US regions and global capabilities through parent JTB. Comparable mid-market service model with similar account management and reporting capabilities, competing for similar regional accounts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AcendasCorp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AcendasVideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/acendascorporate
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acendas
• Instagraminstagram.com/acendasvacations
• Pinterestpinterest.com/acendas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Acendas Travel