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Using Navan for Travel Management

Learn to use Navan for booking project travel, tracking expenses, and managing travel budgets for your WXLLSPACE mural projects.

Updated over 2 months ago

Overview

Navan (formerly TripActions) is the all-in-one travel and expense management platform that WXLLSPACE uses to streamline artist travel for mural projects. This guide explains how to use Navan to book travel, track expenses, and incorporate travel costs into your project budgets.

What is Navan?

Navan is a comprehensive travel management platform that combines booking capabilities with expense tracking and reporting. For WXLLSPACE artists working on out-of-town projects, Navan provides:

  • Centralized travel booking for flights, hotels, and ground transportation

  • Digital receipt capturing and expense management

  • Budget tracking and reporting

  • 24/7 global travel support

Getting Started with Navan

Setting Up Your Account

  1. Once your project requires travel, you'll receive an email invitation to create your Navan account

  2. Follow the link to set up your profile with:

    • Legal name (matching your ID for travel)

    • Contact information

    • Travel preferences (seat preferences, loyalty program numbers, etc.)

    • Payment method for incidental expenses

Booking Travel through Navan

Flight Booking

  1. Log in to your Navan account

  2. Select "Book a Trip" from the dashboard

  3. Enter your departure and arrival locations

  4. Select your dates and preferred times

  5. Browse available flights filtered by:

    • Price (within the project's budget)

    • Duration

    • Number of stops

    • Airline preferences

  6. Select your preferred flight option

  7. Review and confirm booking details

  8. Submit for approval (if required by project terms)

Hotel Accommodations

  1. From the dashboard, select "Book a Hotel"

  2. Enter your destination and dates

  3. Browse available options filtered by:

    • Price range (within the project's budget)

    • Location proximity to the project site

    • Amenities (such as WiFi, breakfast, etc.)

  4. Select your preferred accommodation

  5. Review and confirm booking details

  6. Submit for approval (if required by project terms)

Ground Transportation

  1. From the dashboard, select "Book a Car" or "Book Ground Transport"

  2. Enter your pickup/dropoff locations and times

  3. Choose between car rental, rideshare, or other options

  4. Select your preferred option based on budget and needs

  5. Review and confirm booking details

Tracking Travel Expenses

Submitting Receipts

  1. Save all receipts related to project travel (meals, supplies, local transportation, etc.)

  2. In the Navan app, select "Expenses" then "Add Expense"

  3. Take a photo of your receipt or upload an existing image

  4. Assign the expense to the correct project

  5. Add any necessary notes or explanations

  6. Submit for review

Creating Expense Reports

  1. From the dashboard, select "Expenses" then "Create Report"

  2. Name your report (include project name and dates for clarity)

  3. Select all expenses to include in the report

  4. Add any additional notes or context

  5. Submit report for approval

Reviewing Expense Status

You can track the status of your submitted expenses through the "Reports" section of your Navan dashboard. Statuses include:

  • Submitted

  • In Review

  • Approved

  • Reimbursed

  • Additional Information Requested

Incorporating Travel Costs into Budgets

Pre-Project Estimation

  1. During the project planning phase, use Navan's search features to estimate:

    • Flight costs for your travel dates

    • Accommodation costs for the project duration

    • Ground transportation estimates

  2. Add these estimates to your project proposal or budget

Budget Tracking

  1. Navan automatically categorizes expenses by type (airfare, lodging, meals, etc.)

  2. Use the "Reports" feature to generate summaries of travel expenses by project

  3. Compare actual expenses against projected budgets

  4. Make adjustments to future project estimates based on real data

Expense Categories

Typical expense categories for mural projects include:

  • Transportation (flights, trains, rideshare, car rental)

  • Accommodations

  • Meals (per diem or actual)

  • Local transport (between lodging and project site)

  • Materials transport

  • Communication (SIM cards, WiFi access)

Best Practices for WXLLSPACE Artists

Booking Timeline

  • Book flights at least 21 days in advance when possible for best rates

  • Confirm hotel accommodations at least 14 days before project start

  • Arrange ground transportation 3-7 days before arrival

Expense Management

  • Submit receipts within 24 hours to prevent loss or forgetting details

  • Group expenses by project phase for clearer reporting

  • Include detailed notes for unusual or special expenses

  • Keep separate tracks of client-billable vs. personal expenses

Communication

  • Use Navan's messaging feature to contact support for any travel disruptions

  • Share your itinerary with the project coordinator

  • Update stakeholders if travel plans change

Troubleshooting and Support

24/7 Travel Assistance

Navan provides around-the-clock support for:

  • Flight delays or cancellations

  • Hotel booking issues

  • Emergency rebooking

  • Lost baggage assistance

  • International travel support

Access support through:

  • In-app chat

  • Support hotline: [Support Number]

  • Email: [Support Email]

Common Issues and Solutions

  • Booking Error: Log out and back in, clear browser cache, or contact support

  • Missing Loyalty Points: Verify your account numbers are correctly entered in your profile

  • Receipt Upload Failure: Try reducing the image size or use the "Text Receipt" option

FAQ

What is Navan?

Navan (formerly TripActions) is an all-in-one travel and expense management platform that WXLLSPACE uses to streamline travel booking and expense tracking for mural projects requiring artist travel.

How do I book travel for my project?

Once you've been onboarded to Navan, log in to your account, select "Book a Trip" and follow the guided process to book flights, hotels, and ground transportation within your project's approved budget.

How do I track travel expenses?

Use the Navan mobile app to photograph and submit receipts for all project-related expenses. The system automatically categorizes and tracks expenses, allowing you to create expense reports organized by project.

How do I incorporate travel costs into my project budgets?

During the planning phase, use Navan's search features to estimate transportation and accommodation costs. These estimates can be included in your project proposal. As expenses are incurred, Navan's reporting features help you track actual costs against your budget projections.

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