During 2009, Marriott Hotels implemented both purchasing and travel card solutions across their UK hotels and regional offices, totalling approximately 1,000 cards. The company had an aggressive deadline for the travel card implementation, which had to be achieved without any detrimental effect to the business and its associates.

The travel card and purchasing card are key to Marriott’s operation and the company needed to build bridges with their associates to regain their confidence from the previous card providers.

Helen Ford, Accounts Payable Manager, Marriott Hotels points out, “We expected a great deal from J.P. Morgan, our solution provider and they delivered both programmes on time despite a very tight schedule, due to an option in the contract of our previous card provider which enabled them to take advantage of a three month cancellation option.

They have gone out of their way to ensure we are fully supported by providing us with an excellent service from their Implementation Manager and it did not stop there. The Customer Services Team is highly responsive and most importantly understands our business needs.”

The benefits of the solution have resulted in an increased rebate based on spend, which is over and above Marriott Hotels’ previous card provider and greater acceptance worldwide, which is a major advantage to their associates.

“Marriott’s philosophy is to utilise the travel and purchase card to its potential as it offers so many benefits to both associates and suppliers.”

The solution also benefits Marriott Hotels by providing a high level of support to both their card holders and the Marriott Card Administration team who in turn have increased their knowledge of the reporting tools giving them more leverage and transparency on the card holder transactions.

As Ford concludes “J.P. Morgan can certainly deliver the goods, in fact I believe they are striving to go over and above what other banks can offer, they have clearly done their research and have created a team who offer exceptionally strong skills, their implementation approach was managed with excellence throughout the project.

Marriott’s philosophy is to utilise the travel and purchase card to its potential as it offers so many benefits to both associates and suppliers. We are confident we can achieve our goal with the support and knowledge that J.P. Morgan has to offer.”