Amex GBT-CWT Merger Cleared, Will Create Business Travel Giant Twice the Size of Nearest Rival

Soon it will be Amex GBT-CWT — and then everyone else. But tech-advanced companies can potentially make inroads as the merger partners get distracted with managing a huge integration.

The U.S. Department of Justice has dropped its lawsuit challenging the merger of American Express Global Business Travel and CWT, clearing the way for the formation of a business travel giant twice the size of the nearest competitor, BCD Travel.

Amex GBT (#1 in the space) and CWT (#4) had a combined $45.5 billion in sales in 2024, according to the Travel Weekly. BCD (#2) had $23 billion.

The DOJ sued to block the merger just days before the end of the Biden administration.

In March, the UK Competition and Markets Authority approved the merger,