With travel and entertainment (T&E) costs counting as the second-largest expense at most companies–and with hotel, car rental and international travel costs projected to rise–controlling and cutting those costs is a top priority for most organizations. One approach taken by big companies is the use of T&E card programs to maximize their travel program and minimize the impact of rising business costs. Now, JPMorgan Chase Treasury Services has issued a report in which leading U.S. companies share their best practices on controlling and cutting those expenses by leveraging T&E card programs. Among the best practices highlighted in the report are the following: use T&E visibility and reporting tools to leverage vendor discounts, satisfy Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, manage delinquency and establish effective controls and business rules.

Among those companies surveyed as part of the report include Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Sears and Starbucks. The free report is available from JPMorgan Chase.