Travel Management Services

What is Concur Travel?

Concur Travel (Concur) is an online travel booking tool provided by the state’s contracted travel agency, CI Azumano. Concur streamlines the booking process by offering air, rail, car rental and hotel reservations conveniently in a single location. Concur is the primary method for shopping and booking the state’s contracted rates and fares, providing the ability to conduct side-by-side comparisons and select rates and fares that are in the best interest of the state. Booking through Concur ensures access to the Statewide Travel Program's negotiated rates and fares and guarantees support from CI Azumano agents if issues arise during your trip.

Do I have to use Concur?

If you work for an executive branch state agency, you are required to follow the policies outlined in State Administrative Manual (SAM) section 4117, which indicates that the online booking tool (Concur) is the primary means of booking travel. The Concur online booking tool or booking directly with a CI Azumano agent is required for all business travel.

If you work for an optional user (non-executive branch) agency, Concur is still the primary means of booking travel. Please contact your agency’s Travel Coordinator(s) for guidance on agency-specific travel booking policies that may be applicable.

What are the benefits of using Concur and CI Azumano?

Using the state’s contracted travel agency (CI Azumano) and the online booking tool, Concur, yields the following benefits:

• Access to state contracted/negotiated rates and fares for air, rail, car rental and hotel.
• Book and manage business travel in one place.
• Integration of travel policies.
• Automated pre-trip approval process.
• A secure online profile to store travel preferences and encrypted travel information required for business travel, such as TSA Pre-Check information, credit card for payment (if needed for lodging), and frequent traveler loyalty/program numbers.

• Built-in, agency-specific travel requirements, such as travel authorization numbers and accounting codes.

• Unused ticket credit tracking, including an alert to travelers if an unused ticket credit is available.
• Real-time travel update alerts (travelers must subscribe to this).

Additionally, CI Azumano and Concur offer the following cost-savings and value-added benefits and services:

• 24/7 customer service.
• International travel booking expertise.
• Meeting management & group (10 or more) travel services.

What is the difference between the use of the Travel Management Services provider, CI Azumano, and the online booking tool, Concur?

CI Azumano is the state of California’s dedicated, contracted travel agency. CI Azumano provides business travel arrangements to participating user agencies.

Concur is the online booking tool provided by CI Azumano. Concur is used by travelers, travel arrangers/assistants, and travel coordinators to book travel online.

Concur is the most efficient and cost-effective way to book travel. It is user-friendly, available 24/7, and provides access to all state of California contracted rates for airfare, rail, car rental, and lodging. Concur also keeps a record of all past and upcoming travel reservations. 

What are the business hours for the contracted travel agency?

The online booking tool, Concur, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Normal business hours for CI Azumano are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

CI Azumano also provides full-service “after-hours” support outside of normal business hours, including weekends and holidays. You can reach the after-hours service for urgent travel needs by calling the main line at 1 (877) 454-8785 and following the prompts. 

Is there a mobile app for Concur?

Yes. Concur Mobile is available for iPhone and Android devices. It can be used to book travel, make some changes, and review trip itineraries. It can also be used by approvers to approve their employees’ travel.

If I have a question regarding Concur and have to call the travel agency, will I be charged a fee?

You will not be charged a fee to speak with an agent. The fee is only charged if a ticket/trip is purchased. 

I received an email that said: "CI Azumano Alerts now available!" What is this?

This is a valid email from CI Azumano's risk management system. It is sent to travelers after making a reservation to offer travel alerts. Travelers can choose to get travel alerts by entering their personal or work email and/or phone number.

For any questions related to iBank, please refer to the Travel Management Services resources page and scroll to Resources – iBank Reporting Guides for the iBank FAQs.

*These FAQs are updated after every iBank training.