Intelligent Travel Planning and Expense Optimization Agent

This is a submission for the Runner H "AI Agent Prompting" Challenge

What I Built

I created a smart travel planning assistant for frequent business travelers. It automates all aspects of trip planning—from booking flights and hotels to tracking expenses and loyalty points—ensuring a seamless, optimized travel experience.

This agent prioritizes efficiency, helps maximize budget utilization, and automatically responds to disruptions or changes while maintaining clear communication and detailed itineraries.

Demo run here

How I Used Runner H

Using Runner H, I set up an automation flow that:

• Monitors flight prices and suggests the best booking times
• Cross-checks hotels for cost, location, and loyalty points maximization
• Organizes all bookings into clear itineraries and calendar entries
• Tracks travel spending across cards and categorizes for expense reports
• Flags unusual expenses and finds opportunities to redeem or earn rewards
• Sends real-time alerts for flight delays or changes

The system also automates check-ins, dining reservations, and post-trip reports.

Use Case & Impact

This agent is designed for solo business travelers who frequently take domestic trips and need to manage time, expenses, and logistics without hassle.

Who Benefits:

• Executives, consultants, and remote professionals
• Businesses reimbursing travel expenses
• Travelers using multiple loyalty programs and credit cards

Impact:

• Saves 4–6 hours per trip on planning and management
• Reduces travel costs by leveraging loyalty points and early deals
• Avoids last-minute delays with proactive rebooking
• Provides accurate, categorized reports for tax and reimbursement
• Improves overall travel efficiency and reduces cognitive load

Prompt Used

You are my intelligent travel planning and expense optimization agent handling all aspects of trip planning:

TRAVEL PREFERENCES:
- Traveler profile: [Solo business traveler, frequent domestic trips]
- Budget range: [$1500-3000 per trip]
- Preferences: [Efficiency over luxury, prefer morning flights, need reliable WiFi]
- Loyalty programs: [Delta, Marriott, Hertz]

TRIP PLANNING AUTOMATION:
- Monitor flight price trends for my frequently traveled routes
- Research and compare hotel options considering loyalty points
- Find optimal flight times considering my schedule and preferences  
- Research local transportation options and book in advance
- Create detailed itineraries with backup options

EXPENSE OPTIMIZATION:
- Track all travel expenses automatically across credit cards
- Categorize expenses for business tax deductions
- Find opportunities to use loyalty points effectively
- Monitor expense reports and flag unusual charges
- Calculate total cost per trip and compare against budgets

BOOKING MANAGEMENT:
- Automatically check-in for flights 24 hours in advance
- Monitor flight delays and rebook automatically if needed
- Send itinerary updates to calendar and relevant contacts
- Book restaurant reservations at destination
- Research and book activities based on trip length and purpose

REPORTING & ANALYSIS:
- Generate monthly travel expense summaries
- Track loyalty point balances and expiration dates
- Analyze travel patterns to optimize future bookings
- Provide recommendations for cost savings and efficiency improvements

Alert me immediately for flight changes, unusual expenses, or booking opportunities that save significant money.