Why corporate card programs and AI are the foundation of a more integrated travel and expense (T&E) program


Business travel is under more scrutiny and outdated T&E models cannot keep up

New global research from Mastercard, based on insights from more than 1,750 T&E decision-makers across 15 countries, reveals how large enterprises are modernizing travel, payments and AI to gain greater visibility, control and value from every trip.

Whether you lead travel, finance or technology at a large enterprise, multinational company, travel management company, B2B platform or financial institution, this white paper provides a practical view of where T&E is headed and how leading organizations are responding.

Download the white paper to learn:

• Why business travel is under more scrutiny and what it means for T&E
• How organizations are shifting from after-the-fact reviews to real-time visibility and control
• Why corporate card programs are becoming a critical part of modern T&E infrastructure
• What AI adoption means for travel, finance and expense management
• Four priorities T&E leaders should focus on next

This research was conducted by The Harris Poll and Mastercard from May 8–28, 2026, among 1,773 T&E decision-makers at large B2B companies across Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, U.K. and U.S. 

To capture distinct market dynamics, the study included an additional oversample of multinational companies (MNCs). Expert interviews and industry landscape research were also conducted.

Frequently asked questions

What is T&E?

Travel and expense (T&E) refers to how organizations manage, pay for and report on business travel spending, including booking, payments, expense reporting and reconciliation.

Why is T&E changing now?

Organizations are prioritizing fewer, higher-impact trips while managing rising costs, growing complexity and new expectations around visibility, control and AI readiness.

What is a connected T&E program?

A connected T&E program brings together travel, payment, expense and financial systems to improve visibility, control and efficiency across the travel journey.

How does AI affect T&E management?

Organizations are increasingly exploring AI to improve traveler experiences, automate workflows and strengthen financial operations. Realizing its full potential depends on access to connected data, payments and workflows.