STOCK TITAN

Long Lake to take Amex GBT (NYSE: GBTG) private at $9.50, 60% premium

Filing Impact
(High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (Amex GBT) has agreed to be acquired by Long Lake Management in an all-cash deal. Long Lake will pay $9.50 per share, valuing the transaction at approximately $6.3 billion. The price represents a 60.2% premium to Amex GBT’s May 1, 2026 closing share price and a 65.1% premium to its 30‑day volume‑weighted average price.

Under the merger agreement, a Long Lake subsidiary will merge into Amex GBT, which will become a wholly owned subsidiary and go private after closing, targeted for the second half of 2026, subject to stockholder approval, antitrust and other regulatory clearances, and customary closing conditions. Most equity awards, including in‑the‑money options, RSUs and PSUs, will convert into cash based on the $9.50 Per Share Price.

American Express, Expedia, Qatar Investment Authority and BlackRock have signed voting agreements covering about 69% of outstanding shares, supporting the deal. The agreement includes a $200 million Company Termination Fee and a $270 million Parent Termination Fee. Financing will come from equity provided by Long Lake and Koch Equity Development and $2.5 billion of committed debt financing.

Positive

  • Premium all-cash consideration: Shareholders are offered $9.50 per share in cash, implying an approximately 60.2% premium to the May 1, 2026 closing price and about 65.1% to the 30‑day VWAP, locking in a substantial uplift versus recent trading levels.
  • High deal support and committed financing: Holders of roughly 69% of outstanding shares have entered voting agreements backing the merger, and the buyer has lined up equity plus $2.5 billion of committed debt financing, enhancing perceived closing certainty.

Negative

  • Deal execution and timing risk: Closing is targeted for the second half of 2026 and remains subject to stockholder approval, Hart‑Scott‑Rodino and other regulatory clearances, and customary conditions, creating uncertainty on when, and if, shareholders receive the cash consideration.
  • Termination fee overhang: The merger agreement includes a $200 million Company Termination Fee in certain scenarios and a $270 million Parent Termination Fee, meaning specific failures or superior bids could trigger sizable payments that affect outcomes for each side.

Insights

Amex GBT agrees to a premium all-cash sale to Long Lake.

The merger delivers Amex GBT shareholders $9.50 per share in cash, valuing the company at about $6.3 billion. That price reflects a 60.2% premium to the May 1, 2026 close and a 65.1% premium to the 30‑day VWAP, indicating a materially higher takeout valuation than recent trading levels.

Deal certainty is bolstered by voting agreements from holders representing roughly 69% of outstanding shares and by fully committed financing, including $2.5 billion of debt and equity from Long Lake and Koch Equity Development. However, completion still depends on the Requisite Stockholder Approval, antitrust and other regulatory clearances, and the absence of a Company Material Adverse Effect.

The termination structure allocates risk: Amex GBT may owe a $200 million Company Termination Fee in specified "Superior Proposal" or recommendation‑change scenarios, while Parent may owe a $270 million Parent Termination Fee if it fails to close under defined conditions. The outside Termination Date runs to November 2, 2026, extendable to February 2, 2027 for regulatory approvals, so the timing of value realization hinges on regulatory and stockholder processes.

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement Business
The company signed a significant contract such as a merger agreement, credit facility, or major partnership.
Item 8.01 Other Events Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Per Share Price $9.50 per share Cash consideration for each share of Company Common Stock at closing
Equity Value $6.3 billion Approximate total transaction value for Amex GBT
Premium to last close 60.2% Premium over May 1, 2026 Amex GBT closing stock price
Premium to 30-day VWAP 65.1% Premium over 30‑day volume‑weighted average price ending May 1, 2026
Debt financing commitment $2.5 billion Committed debt financing to partially fund the merger consideration
Company Termination Fee $200 million Fee payable by the Company in specified termination scenarios
Parent Termination Fee $270 million Fee payable by Parent if it fails to close under defined conditions
Shares under Voting Agreements 69% of outstanding shares Approximate portion of Company Common Stock backing the merger
Per Share Price financial
"receive cash in an amount equal to $9.50, without interest thereon (the “Per Share Price”)."
Requisite Stockholder Approval regulatory
"the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote (the “Requisite Stockholder Approval”)"
Company Material Adverse Effect financial
"except, generally, for any inaccuracies that have not had a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement)"
A company material adverse effect is a significant, harmful change in a company’s business, financial condition, or operations that makes it much less valuable or viable. Investors care because this kind of change can trigger contract protections, delay or cancel deals, and often leads to a sharp re-evaluation of the stock — like discovering a serious health problem that suddenly changes future prospects and insurance coverage.
Company Termination Fee financial
"the Company will be required to pay Parent a termination fee equal to $200 million (the “Company Termination Fee”)"
Parent Termination Fee financial
"Parent will be required to pay the Company a termination fee equal to $270 million (the “Parent Termination Fee”)"
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 regulatory
"the expiration or termination of the waiting periods applicable under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976"
Voting Agreements regulatory
"entered into voting and support agreements (the “Voting Agreements”) with each of (i) American Express International, Inc., (ii) EG Corporate Travel Holdings LLC"
A voting agreement is a legally binding deal where shareholders promise to cast their votes the same way on corporate matters, such as choosing directors or approving big transactions. Think of it like a neighborhood group agreeing to support the same candidate so they can decide how the block is run; for investors, these pacts can change who controls a company, influence strategy and risk, and affect the value and liquidity of shares.


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
_____________________

FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) May 4, 2026 (May 2, 2026)
_____________________

Global Business Travel Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________

Delaware
 
001-39576
 
98-0598290
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

666 3rd Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, New York 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(646) 344-1290
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
_____________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act

Title of Each Class
 
Trading symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which
registered
Class A common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share
 
GBTG
 
The New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 



Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Agreement and Plan of Merger

On May 2, 2026, Global Business Travel Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Gaia Purchaser, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Gaia Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which the Company is to be acquired by Long Lake Management Holdings Inc. (“Long Lake”).

Merger

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Merger” and, together with the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Transactions”), with the Company surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

Board Recommendation

The board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) previously established a special committee of the Company Board consisting only of independent and disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”) to, among other things, review, consider, evaluate and negotiate the Merger Agreement and the Transactions and to make a recommendation to the Company Board with respect thereto. The Special Committee unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the Transactions are fair to, advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and (ii) recommended that the Company Board (x) approve and declare advisable the Merger Agreement and the Transactions and (y) recommend that the Company’s stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement.

Acting upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Company Board (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into the Merger Agreement and consummate the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (ii) approved the Merger Agreement and certain other ancillary agreements (including the Voting Agreements, as defined below), and the consummation of the Merger and the related transactions upon the terms and conditions set forth therein, (iii) resolved to recommend that the Company’s stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), and (v) directed that the adoption of the Merger Agreement be submitted for consideration by the Company’s stockholders at a meeting thereof.

Effect on Capital Stock

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) that is issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any shares of Company Common Stock held by the Company as treasury stock, owned by Parent or Merger Sub, unvested pursuant to a side letter with the Company, pursuant to which appraisal rights have been properly exercised and perfected (and not withdrawn or lost) in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL, and, if applicable, any shares of Company Common Stock held by any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (other than Merger Sub) or of the Company that are converted in the manner set forth in the Merger Agreement) will be automatically cancelled, extinguished and converted into the right to receive cash in an amount equal to $9.50, without interest thereon (the “Per Share Price”).

Representations and Warranties; Covenants

The Company, Parent and Merger Sub have each made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement. Among other things, the Company has agreed, subject to certain exceptions, from the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier to occur of the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to Article VIII of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time (i) to use its commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business, (ii) not to take certain actions prior to the Effective Time without the prior written consent of Parent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and (iii) to comply with certain restrictions on soliciting any acquisition proposal, subject to certain exceptions and a fiduciary out, in each case as set forth in the Merger Agreement and further described below.
 
1


Treatment of Company Equity Awards

Company Options

At the Effective Time, each option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock with an exercise price per share of Company Common Stock (a “Company Option”) that is less than the Per Share Price (each such Company Option, an “In-the-Money Company Option”) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, will automatically, without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holder thereof, be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes, equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such In-the-Money Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the excess of the Per Share Price over the exercise price per share of such In-the-Money Company Option.

At the Effective Time, each Company Option that is not an In-the-Money Company Option that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, will automatically, without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holder thereof, be canceled without any cash payment or other consideration being made in respect thereof.

Company RSUs

Each award of restricted stock units of the Company (a “Company RSU”) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, will, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, automatically, without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holder thereof, be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes, equal to the product of (i) the Per Share Price and (ii) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company RSU as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Company PSUs

Each award of performance stock units of the Company (each, a “Company PSU”) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time will, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, automatically, without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holder thereof, be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes, equal to the product of (A) the Per Share Price and (B) the greater of (i) the target number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company PSU as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the number of shares of Company Common Stock to be earned based on actual achievement of the performance criteria set forth in the applicable award agreement as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Closing Conditions

The closing of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions at or prior to the Closing, including (i) the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote (in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders (the “Requisite Stockholder Approval”), (ii) the expiration or termination of the waiting periods applicable to the Transactions under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and receipt of certain other regulatory approvals (including under applicable foreign investment laws), (iii) CSA Approval (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and (iv) other customary conditions for a transaction of this type, such as the absence of any legal restraint prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions, the accuracy of the Company’s representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement (except, generally, for any inaccuracies that have not had a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement)) and the absence of any Company Material Adverse Effect since the date of the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will Parent or Merger Sub be obligated to consummate the Closing prior to July 1, 2026.
 
2


No Solicitation

The Company is generally prohibited from, among other things, soliciting any alternative acquisition proposal, furnishing any non-public information relating to the Company in connection with an acquisition proposal, or participating or engaging in discussions or negotiations regarding an alternative acquisition proposal.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to obtaining the Requisite Stockholder Approval, if the Company receives a bona fide, unsolicited written alternative acquisition proposal that did not result from a breach of the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement and the Company Board (or a committee thereof, including the Special Committee) determines in good faith (after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors) that such alternative acquisition proposal constitutes or would reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and that failure to take such actions would be inconsistent with the Company Board’s or such committee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, then, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement (including notice and match right provisions), the Company may participate or engage in discussions or negotiations for such alternative acquisition proposal and furnish any non-public information relating to the Company in connection therewith.

Termination Rights

The Merger Agreement contains certain customary termination rights for the Company and Parent, including, (i) if the Merger is not consummated by 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 2, 2026, subject to automatic extension under certain circumstances to February 2, 2027 for the purpose of obtaining specified regulatory approvals (as extended, if applicable, the “Termination Date”), (ii) if the Requisite Stockholder Approval is not obtained at a meeting of Company stockholders (or any adjournment or postponement thereof) at which a vote is taken on the Merger, (iii) if the other party breaches its representations, warranties or covenants in a manner that would cause the conditions to the closing of the Transactions to not be satisfied and fails to cure such breach within the applicable cure period, (iv) if any law, order or judgment prohibiting the Merger has become final and non-appealable, and (v) by mutual written agreement of Parent and the Company. In addition, (x) subject to compliance with certain terms of the Merger Agreement, the Merger Agreement may be terminated by the Company (prior to obtaining the Requisite Stockholder Approval) in order to enter into a definitive agreement providing for a Superior Proposal and, (y) subject to compliance with certain terms of the Merger Agreement, the Merger Agreement may be terminated by Parent (prior to obtaining the Requisite Stockholder Approval) if the Company Board changes its recommendation to the Company’s stockholders to vote to adopt the Merger Agreement.

Termination Fees

In certain circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement, the Company will be required to pay Parent a termination fee equal to $200 million (the “Company Termination Fee”), including if (i) Parent terminates the Merger Agreement following a change in the recommendation of the Company Board or Special Committee in the manner specified in the Merger Agreement or (ii) the Company terminates the Merger Agreement to enter into a definitive agreement providing for a Superior Proposal, in each case as set forth in the Merger Agreement. In addition, if (a) the Merger Agreement is terminated due to a failure to obtain the Requisite Stockholder Approval or due to the Company’s breach in the manner specified in the Merger Agreement, (b) following entry into the Merger Agreement and prior to such termination an alternative acquisition proposal was publicly announced or became known to the Company Board (or any committee thereof) and was not withdrawn within the timeframe specified in the Merger Agreement, and (c) within 12 months following such termination the Company enters into or consummates an alternative acquisition transaction, then the Company will be required to pay Parent the Company Termination Fee, in each case as set forth in the Merger Agreement.

Parent will be required to pay the Company a termination fee equal to $270 million (the “Parent Termination Fee”) if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement due to Parent’s or Merger Sub’s breach or failure to perform in the manner specified in the Merger Agreement or due to Parent’s failure to consummate the Merger under the circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement.
 
3


Financing

Parent has obtained equity and debt financing commitments for the purpose of financing the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Long Lake has committed to capitalize Parent at the closing of the Merger with equity financing for the transaction, subject to the conditions set forth in an equity commitment letter. In addition, Koch Equity Development LLC has committed to capitalize Parent at the closing of the Merger with a combination of preferred and common equity financing for the transaction, subject to the conditions set forth in an equity commitment letter.

In addition, Long Lake has guaranteed certain payment obligations, including payment of the termination fee payable by Parent under certain circumstances pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as well as certain indemnification and reimbursement obligations that may be owed by Parent pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and the limited guarantee provided.

Pursuant to a debt commitment letter, certain financing sources have committed to Parent to provide it with $2.5 billion of debt financing to fund in part, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The obligations of the lenders to provide debt financing under the debt commitment letter are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of certain closing conditions described in the debt commitment letter.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide Parent with customary cooperation in connection with the debt financing.

Description of Merger Agreement Not Complete

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions contemplated thereby is only a summary, does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein. The Merger Agreement and the above description have been included to provide information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement. They are not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company or Parent. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement and as of specific dates; were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement; and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties, including being qualified and modified by confidential disclosures made by each contracting party to the other for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between them. Accordingly, investors should not rely on such representations, warranties and covenants as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company or Parent. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may change after the date of the Merger Agreement. Further, investors should not read the Merger Agreement in isolation, but rather in conjunction with the other information that the Company includes in reports, statements and other filings it makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Voting Agreements

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement Parent, Merger Sub and the Company entered into voting and support agreements (the “Voting Agreements”) with each of (i) American Express International, Inc., (ii) EG Corporate Travel Holdings LLC, (iii) QIA Retail Holding LLC and (iv) BR Investors Juweel, L.P. Under the Voting Agreements, the stockholders party thereto have agreed to, among other things, vote or execute consents with respect to all of their shares of Company Common Stock in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Merger and against any acquisition proposal, subject to certain terms and conditions contained therein. Each such stockholder has also agreed not to transfer any of its shares of Company Common Stock or any related equity interests of the Company during the term of such Voting Agreement, subject to certain exceptions. The Voting Agreement also restricts each such stockholder and its controlled affiliates from taking any action that the Company or its subsidiaries would be prohibited from taking under the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement, subject to certain exceptions. The shares of Company Common Stock beneficially owned by the stockholders party to the Voting Agreements represent approximately 69% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock as of April 30, 2026.
 
4


The foregoing description of the Voting Agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full texts of the Voting Agreements, a form of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference. Further, investors should not read the form of voting agreement in isolation, but rather in conjunction with the other information that the Company includes in reports, statements and other filings it makes with the SEC.

Item 8.01
Other Events.

On May 4, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing its entry into the Merger Agreement.

A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein solely for purposes of this Item 8.01 disclosure. The information required to be reported on Form 8-K with respect to the Merger Agreement will be filed in a separate Current Report on Form 8-K.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains statements regarding the proposed acquisition of Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (“Amex GBT” or the “Company”) by certain investment funds affiliated with, or advised by, Gaia Purchaser, Inc. (the “Merger”), stockholder approvals for the Merger, any expected timetable for completing the Merger, the expected benefits of the Merger and other statements regarding our financial position, business strategy, and the plans and objectives of management for future operations and full-year guidance. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us, including as a result of the proposed Merger, will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following risks, uncertainties and other factors: (1) changes to projected financial information or our ability to achieve our anticipated growth rate and execute on industry opportunities; (2) our ability to maintain our existing relationships with clients and suppliers and to compete with existing and new competitors; (3) various conflicts of interest that could arise among us, affiliates and investors; (4) our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors; (5) factors relating to our business, operations and financial performance, including market conditions and global and economic factors beyond our control; (6) the impact of geopolitical conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East, tensions between China and Taiwan and military operations in Venezuela, as well as related changes in base interest rates, inflation and significant market volatility on our business, the travel industry, travel trends and the global economy generally; (7) the sufficiency of our cash, cash equivalents and investments to meet our liquidity needs; (8) the effect of a prolonged or substantial decrease in global travel on the global travel industry; (9) political, social and macroeconomic conditions (including the widespread adoption of teleconference and virtual meeting technologies which could reduce the number of in-person business meetings and demand for travel and our services); (10) the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes; (11) the impact of any future acquisitions including the integration of any acquisition; (12) the decisions of market data providers, indices and individual investors; (13) costs related to, or the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of our merger with CWT Holdings, LLC (“CWT”); (14) risks related to the business of CWT or unexpected liabilities that arise in connection with the integration of CWT into our business, including our ability to apply our procedures regarding internal controls over financial reporting to CWT; (15) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company in connection with our merger with CWT or the proposed Merger; (16) the ability to complete the proposed Merger on the anticipated terms and timing, or at all, including obtaining required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the proposed Merger; (17) the risk that disruptions from the proposed Merger (such as the ability of certain customers of Amex GBT to terminate or amend contracts upon a change of control, or to withhold consent to such change of control) will harm Amex GBT’s business, including current plans and operations, during the pendency, and following the completion of, the proposed Merger; (18) the diversion of management’s time and attention from ordinary course business operations to completion of the proposed Merger; (19) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed Merger; (20) contractual provisions that may impact Amex GBT’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions during the pendency, and/or following the completion of, the proposed Merger; (21) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the proposed Merger, including in circumstances requiring Amex GBT to pay a termination fee to Parent; (22) those risks and uncertainties found in Amex GBT’s filings with the SEC, including the risk factors discussed in Amex GBT’s most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, as updated by Amex GBT’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and future filings with the SEC from time to time, which are available via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov; and (23) those risks that will be described in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC and available from the sources indicated below. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.
 
5


These risks, as well as other risks associated with the Merger, will be more fully discussed in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger. There can be no assurance that the Merger will be completed, or if it is completed, that it will close within the anticipated time period. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement except as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the Merger, the Company plans to file a proxy statement and certain other documents with the SEC. The definitive proxy statement (if and when available) will be mailed to stockholders of the Company. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER. Stockholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of the proxy statement and other documents that are filed by the Company when filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) and at the Company’s website (https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com). Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from the Company upon written request to the Company at 666 3rd Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York, 10017.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and certain of its directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of the Company in connection with the Merger. Additional information regarding the identity of any such participants, and their respective direct and indirect interests in the Merger, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above.
 
6


Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)
Exhibits

Exhibit Number
 
Description
2.1*
 
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 2, 2026, by and among Global Business Travel Group, Inc., Gaia Purchaser, Inc. and Gaia Merger Sub, Inc.
10.1
 
Form of Voting Agreement by and among Gaia Purchaser, Inc., Gaia Merger Sub, Inc., Global Business Travel Group, Inc. and certain stockholders of Global Business Travel Group, Inc.
99.1
 
Merger Agreement Press Release, dated May 4, 2026.
104
 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL)
__________________________
*
Schedules and exhibits to the Merger Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601 (a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon its request.
 
7


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
GLOBAL BUSINESS TRAVEL GROUP, INC.
     
Date: May 4, 2026
   
     
 
By:
/s/ Eric J. Bock
   
Name: Eric J. Bock
   
Title: Chief Legal Officer, Global Head of M&A and
   
Compliance and Corporate Secretary


8


Exhibit 99.1

Long Lake agrees to acquire American Express Global Business Travel, the world’s largest corporate travel platform, for $6.3 billion, with support from General Catalyst and Alpha Wave

Transaction combines Long Lake’s applied AI capabilities with Amex GBT’s marketplace, customer relationships and technology solutions to make business travel faster, smarter and more seamless for every traveler


Amex GBT shareholders to receive $9.50 per share in cash, representing 65.1% premium to the 30-day VWAP

Major shareholders collectively representing 69% of GBT’s shares have entered into voting agreements in support of the transaction, including American Express, Expedia, Qatar Investment Authority, and BlackRock

American Express brand licensing agreement to remain in place, ensuring continuity for clients, partners and travelers worldwide

New York, NY – May 4, 2026 – American Express Global Business Travel, which is operated by Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE: GBTG) (“Amex GBT” or the “Company”), a leading software and services company for travel, expense and meetings & events, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Long Lake Management (“Long Lake”) for $9.50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $6.3 billion.

Under the terms of the agreement, Amex GBT shareholders will receive $9.50 per share in cash, which represents a 60.2% premium to Amex GBT’s closing stock price on May 1, 2026, the last full trading day prior to the transaction announcement, and a premium of approximately 65.1% over the volume weighted average price of Amex GBT’s stock for the 30 days ending May 1, 2026.

Transaction negotiations were led by a Special Committee of the Amex GBT Board of Directors, composed entirely of independent and disinterested directors. Following the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, the Amex GBT Board of Directors approved the merger agreement with Long Lake.

Paul Abbott, Chief Executive Officer of Amex GBT, said: “This transaction is a testament to the value of Amex GBT, the success of our strategy and the strength of our incredible team. This agreement delivers a compelling outcome for our shareholders, providing them a substantial, certain cash value at an attractive premium. Our customers have always been at the heart of Amex GBT, and this partnership with Long Lake is about serving them even better. General Catalyst and Alpha Wave, among Long Lake’s world-class investors, have backed some of the most successful technology companies in the world. Together with Long Lake's applied AI capabilities and our travel expertise, global scale, and trusted customer and supplier relationships built over decades, Amex GBT is driving the transformation of business travel.”
  
Ken Chenault, Chairman and Managing Director, General Catalyst; former Chairman and CEO, American Express said: "American Express Global Business Travel was built on trust earned over decades. Similarly, the foundation of the Long Lake model is a strong commitment to extraordinary customer service for the modern era. I am so pleased for both companies, their customers, and the people dedicated to their success – now and in the future."


Alex Taubman, Co-Founder and CEO of Long Lake, said: “Amex GBT is the most trusted partner in corporate travel. The future of business travel will be defined by AI and human agents working seamlessly together on behalf of every traveler: faster booking times, proactive disruption resolution, and frictionless travel administration. In partnership with Long Lake, Amex GBT will continue to invest heavily in these capabilities and continue to set the gold standard for customer excellence.”

Certain Terms, Approvals and Timing

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval by Amex GBT’s stockholders and receipt of requisite regulatory clearances. Upon completion of the transaction, Amex GBT’s common stock will no longer be publicly listed, and Amex GBT will become a privately held company.

The consummation of the merger is not subject to any financing condition. Long Lake intends to have discussions with certain significant stockholders of the Company relating to a potential rollover of a portion of their Amex GBT shares, which discussions have been authorized by the Special Committee, and may enter into rollover agreements with one or more of those parties in advance of the transaction closing.

American Express, Expedia, Qatar Investment Authority and BlackRock, collectively representing 69% of GBT’s shares, have entered into voting agreements in support of the transaction.

The transaction is being financed with a combination of equity provided by Long Lake’s existing investors and Koch Equity Development LLC (“Koch”), the principal investment and acquisition arm of Koch, Inc. and committed debt financing provided by JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citi, and MUFG.

Advisors

Rothschild & Co. is acting as financial advisor to the Special Committee, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Special Committee.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal counsel to Amex GBT.

Citi is acting as lead financial advisor to Long Lake. JPMorgan and BofA Securities are also acting as advisors to Long Lake. Latham & Watkins LLP is acting as legal counsel to Long Lake with Gibson Dunn as financing counsel. Moelis & Company LLC is acting as financial advisor to Koch Equity Development and Jones Day is serving as its legal counsel.

About Amex GBT

American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) is a leading software and services company for travel, expense, and meetings & events. We have built the most valuable marketplace in travel with the most comprehensive and competitive content. A choice of solutions brought to you through a strong combination of technology and people, delivering the best experiences. With travel professionals and business partners in more than 140 countries, our solutions deliver savings, flexibility, and service from a brand you can trust – Amex GBT.


About Long Lake

Long Lake pioneered the use of frontier technology to accelerate services industries. It has acquired and partnered with dozens of wide-ranging services businesses, improving growth and customer experience with its proprietary Nexus AI transformation platform. It was founded in 2023 and is backed by investors including General Catalyst, Alpha Wave, Elad Gil, D1, Thrive and other strategic partners.

About General Catalyst

General Catalyst is a global investment and transformation company with venture at its core that meets the most ambitious founders where they are from seed to growth stage and beyond to drive resilience and applied AI. We support entrepreneurs with a long-term view who challenge the status quo, and give them access to insanely powerful advantages. With offices across the globe, we have supported the growth of 800+ businesses, including Airbnb, Anduril, Anthropic, Applied Intuition, Commure, Glean, Guild, Gusto, Helsing, Hubspot, Kayak, Livongo, Mistral, Samsara, Snap, Stripe, Sword, and Zepto.

About Alpha Wave

Alpha Wave is a global alternative asset manager that has four main verticals: private equity, private credit, public markets, and insurance/retirement solutions. It is led by Rick Gerson, Navroz Udwadia, and Ryan Khoury. In private equity, Alpha Wave's objective is to invest in best-in-class growth stage companies defining category leadership in the AI era; in private credit, direct lending to established businesses seeking funding solutions; and in public markets an uncorrelated strategy. Alpha Wave is building an AI-native life insurance and retirement solutions company. Alpha Wave’s investments include SpaceX, Anthropic, OpenAI, Cerebras, TikTok, Aman Resorts, Long Lake, Cognition, HistoSonics and more.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains statements regarding the proposed acquisition of Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (“Amex GBT” or the “Company”) by certain investment funds affiliated with, or advised by, Long Lake Management (the “Merger”), stockholder approvals for the Merger, any expected timetable for completing the Merger, the expected benefits of the Merger and other statements regarding our financial position, business strategy, and the plans and objectives of management for future operations and full-year guidance. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.


The forward-looking statements contained in this communication are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us, including as a result of the proposed merger, will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following risks, uncertainties and other factors: (1) changes to projected financial information or our ability to achieve our anticipated growth rate and execute on industry opportunities; (2) our ability to maintain our existing relationships with clients and suppliers and to compete with existing and new competitors; (3) various conflicts of interest that could arise among us, affiliates and investors; (4) our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors; (5) factors relating to our business, operations and financial performance, including market conditions and global and economic factors beyond our control; (6) the impact of geopolitical conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East, tensions between China and Taiwan and military operations in Venezuela, as well as related changes in base interest rates, inflation and significant market volatility on our business, the travel industry, travel trends and the global economy generally; (7) the sufficiency of our cash, cash equivalents and investments to meet our liquidity needs; (8) the effect of a prolonged or substantial decrease in global travel on the global travel industry; (9) political, social and macroeconomic conditions (including the widespread adoption of teleconference and virtual meeting technologies which could reduce the number of in-person business meetings and demand for travel and our services); (10) the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes; (11) the impact of any future acquisitions including the integration of any acquisition; (12) the decisions of market data providers, indices and individual investors; (13) costs related to, or the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of our merger with CWT Holdings, LLC ("CWT"); (14) risks related to the business of CWT or unexpected liabilities that arise in connection with the integration of CWT into our business, including our ability to apply our procedures regarding internal controls over financial reporting to CWT; (15) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company in connection with our merger with CWT or the proposed Merger; (16) the ability to complete the proposed Merger on the anticipated terms and timing, or at all, including obtaining required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the proposed Merger; (17) the risk that disruptions from the proposed Merger (such as the ability of certain customers of Amex GBT to terminate or amend contracts upon a change of control, or to withhold consent to such change of control) will harm Amex GBT’s business, including current plans and operations, during the pendency, and following the completion of, the proposed Merger; (18) the diversion of management’s time and attention from ordinary course business operations to completion of the proposed Merger; (19) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed Merger; (20) contractual provisions that may impact Amex GBT’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions during the pendency, and/or following the completion of, the proposed Merger; (21) the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the proposed Merger, including in circumstances requiring Amex GBT to pay a termination fee to Long Lake; (22) those risks and uncertainties found in Amex GBT’s filings with the SEC, including the risk factors discussed in Amex GBT’s most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, as updated by their Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and future filings with the SEC from time to time, which are available via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov; and (23) those risks that will be described in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC and available from the sources indicated below. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements.

These risks, as well as other risks associated with the Merger, will be more fully discussed in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger. There can be no assurance that the Merger will be completed, or if it is completed, that it will close within the anticipated time period. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement except as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.


Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the Merger, the Company plans to file a proxy statement and certain other documents with the SEC. The definitive proxy statement (if and when available) will be mailed to stockholders of the Company. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER. Stockholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of the proxy statement and other documents that are filed by the Company when filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) and at the Company’s website (https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com). Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from the Company upon written request to the Company at 666 3rd Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York, 10017.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and certain of its directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of the Company in connection with the merger. Additional information regarding the identity of any such participants, and their respective direct and indirect interests in the Merger, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above.

Contacts

For Amex GBT – Investor Contact:
Jennifer Thorington
Vice President of Investor Relations
investor@amexgbt.com

For Amex GBT – Media Contact:
Megan Kat
Head of Global Communications and Public Affairs
megan.kat@amexgbt.com

For General Catalyst:
Laura Yianni
+44 7860 665 041
press@generalcatalyst.com 

For Long Lake:
media@llmh.com



FAQ

What did Long Lake agree to pay for Global Business Travel Group (GBTG)?

Long Lake agreed to acquire Amex GBT for $9.50 per share in cash, valuing the company at about $6.3 billion. This price reflects a 60.2% premium to the May 1, 2026 closing share price and about 65.1% above the 30‑day volume‑weighted average price.

How will the Long Lake acquisition affect GBTG shareholders?

If the deal closes, Amex GBT shareholders will receive $9.50 per share in cash and the stock will be delisted as the company becomes private. Equity awards such as in‑the‑money options, RSUs and PSUs will generally be cashed out based on the $9.50 Per Share Price.

When is the Long Lake and Global Business Travel Group (GBTG) merger expected to close?

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary conditions. It requires Requisite Stockholder Approval, antitrust clearance under the Hart‑Scott‑Rodino Act, other regulatory approvals and satisfaction of closing conditions, with an outside Termination Date in late 2026.

Do any major GBTG shareholders support the Long Lake transaction?

Yes. American Express, Expedia, Qatar Investment Authority and BlackRock have signed voting agreements supporting the merger. Together they represent about 69% of outstanding shares, significantly increasing the likelihood of obtaining the stockholder approval required to complete the deal.

How is the Long Lake acquisition of Global Business Travel Group (GBTG) being financed?

The acquisition will use a mix of equity and debt financing. Long Lake and Koch Equity Development will provide equity capital, and financing sources have committed to $2.5 billion of debt. The merger agreement states the transaction is not subject to a financing condition.

What termination fees are included in the Global Business Travel Group (GBTG) merger agreement?

If specified events occur, Amex GBT may owe a $200 million Company Termination Fee, including certain superior‑proposal scenarios. Under other defined circumstances, Parent may owe a $270 million Parent Termination Fee. These provisions allocate downside risk between the parties if the merger does not close.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

6 documents