The University System of New Hampshire is launching a new managed travel program to better support faculty and staff conducting university-related business.
After a comprehensive selection process, USNH has selected Christopherson Business Travel as its travel management partner. The program will be piloted during the summer of 2026 and will launch more broadly during the fall semester.
This page will serve as the central resource for information about the new travel program, including booking options, training, support resources, pilot participation, and frequently asked questions.
Program Status
Current status: Pilot phase beginning July 1, 2026
Broader launch: Fall 2026
Travel management partner: Christopherson Business Travel
Online booking platform: Concur, supported by Christopherson Business Travel
Additional information, training materials, and support resources will be added to this page as they become available.
What Is a Managed Travel Program?
A managed travel program provides a consistent way to book and support university-related travel.
The program includes a single booking platform, similar to common consumer travel sites, but configured specifically for USNH business travel. The platform will include applicable negotiated rates and university travel guidance directly in the booking process.
Through the program, travelers will be able to book:
- Airfare
- Hotels
- Car rentals
- Rail
For complex domestic, group, and international travel, travelers will also have access to booking support from a Christopherson travel advisor.
Why USNH Is Launching This Program
The new travel program is designed to create a more consistent, efficient, and supported travel experience across the university system.
The program will help USNH:
- Improve the traveler experience
- Simplify booking and travel support
- Provide access to negotiated travel rates where available
- Strengthen visibility into travel activity and spending
- Support policy compliance through built-in reminders and indicators
- Support grant compliance, including indicators related to Fly America requirements when traveling on federal funds
- Improve emergency response and traveler safety through better travel data and risk management integration
- Allow authorized university employees to book travel for guests
- Allow travelers to book directly or authorize others to book on their behalf
As a future phase, USNH will also evaluate whether some or all travel booked through the platform could transition to consolidated billing to reduce the need for individual Pcard reconciliations.
About Christopherson Business Travel
Christopherson Business Travel is a travel management company that provides booking, service, reporting, policy, and traveler support tools for organizations with business travel needs.
Christopherson was selected for USNH because of its combination of service, technology, travel expertise, and experience supporting higher education travel programs.
Key strengths include:
- Dedicated travel advisor support
- 24/7 assistance for booking changes, emergencies, and complex itineraries
- Online booking through Concur
- AirPortal, Christopherson’s proprietary travel technology platform
- Tools for booking, reporting, traveler tracking, and policy management
- Access to negotiated rates with airlines, hotels, and ground transportation providers where available
- Traveler tracking and emergency support capabilities
- Experience supporting organizations with complex travel needs
Christopherson supports travel programs for a number of higher education institutions. Examples include the University of Colorado System, Boston University, Ohio University, University of Washington, UNC Charlotte, and Caltech.
Pilot Program
Before the broader launch, USNH will run a pilot program beginning July 1, 2026.
The pilot will allow USNH to:
- Test the platform and service model in a real-world environment
- Gather feedback from university travelers
- Identify and address enhancements before the broader rollout
- Develop FAQs, training materials, and support resources based on traveler feedback
Who Should Consider Participating?
USNH is currently accepting expressions of interest from travelers who:
- Have university-related travel planned during the summer or early fall
- Are willing to book applicable travel through the new platform during the pilot
- Can provide constructive feedback
- Are interested in helping improve the travel experience for colleagues across the university system
Interested in participating in the pilot?
Booking Options
When the program launches, travelers will have multiple ways to book university-related travel.
Online Booking
Travelers will be able to book common travel needs through the online booking platform, including:
- Flights
- Hotels
- Car rentals
- Rail
The platform will include available negotiated rates and policy-related guidance during the booking process.
Agent-Assisted Booking
For complex domestic, group, or international travel, travelers may work directly with a Christopherson travel advisor.
Agent-assisted booking may be helpful for:
- Complex itineraries
- International travel
- Group travel
- Travel disruptions or urgent changes
- Situations where additional booking support is needed
Additional instructions for accessing Christopherson agent support will be posted before launch.
Training and Support
Training opportunities will be offered before and during the broader rollout.
Training resources will include:
- Virtual training sessions
- In-person training opportunities
- Platform access instructions
- Job aids and quick-reference guides
- Frequently asked questions
- Support contact information
Training dates and registration links will be posted here when available.
Frequently Asked Questions
The pilot begins July 1, 2026. The program will launch more broadly during the fall semester.
Additional guidance will be shared before the broader launch. The goal is for university-related travel to be booked through the managed travel program so travelers can access support, available negotiated rates, and university-specific booking guidance.
Yes. The program will allow authorized individuals to book on behalf of travelers. Travelers can assign one or more people to book trips on their behalf directly from within their Concur profile.
Yes. The platform will support policy and compliance reminders, including indicators related to Fly America requirements when traveling on federal funds.
Yes. Existing requirements to seek travel approval do not change. This platform will support travel booking but is separate from travel authorization already in place.
Yes. Christopherson will provide agent-assisted booking support for complex domestic, group, and international travel, as well as other situations where additional assistance is needed.
The platform will display available negotiated contract rates where applicable. As more travel activity is captured through the program, USNH will be better positioned to evaluate future vendor negotiations and savings opportunities in partnership with Christopherson Travel.
Not immediately. As a future phase of the project, USNH will evaluate whether some or all travel booked through the platform will transition to consolidated billing to reduce the need for individual purchasing cards and reconciliations.
