Travel Services
Welcome to VCU Travel Services!
Whether you are faculty or staff, we are here to ensure a seamless travel experience—from pre-approval to planning and booking.
Our travel program is built on two core priorities:
- Fiscal responsibility: Maximizing the University’s resources effectively.
- Traveler experience: Ensuring you have the best possible experience while representing VCU.
Our goal is simple: Professional travel with a personal touch.
Resources and tips
Booking with Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP)
As the University’s mandated and contracted travel management provider, Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP) offers comprehensive support to University travelers. Depending on your itinerary, you have two primary ways to book:
- Simple travel: Use the Lightning online booking tool for quick, straightforward reservations.
- Complex or international travel: Contact designated CTP agents for hands-on, expert assistance.
Core Benefits
Expert Support & Safety
- Designated Assistance: Access best-in-class support tailored specifically to academic travel.
- 24/7 Emergency Coverage: Reach designated agents anytime, including after-hours, holidays, and emergencies.
- Duty of Care Advisories: Receive real-time safety, security, and travel risk alerts while on trip assignments.
Higher Education Expertise
- Academic Focus: Benefit from a team specialized solely in higher education travel, including general, group, and athletic trips.
- VCU Policy Alignment: Ensure your bookings strictly comply with University travel policies and financial requirements.
Value & Efficiency
- Negotiated VCU Discounts: Save on overall trip costs with exclusive airline, hotel, and car rental rates negotiated by VCU.
- All-in-One Platform: Manage your entire itinerary from a single, centralized source.
- Unused Ticket Management: Track and easily reuse canceled ticket credits to prevent lost departmental funds.