A day in the life of a corporate travel manager
Business travel keeps companies moving. But behind every smooth itinerary, every on-time arrival, and every well-managed budget there’s someone orchestrating the logistics: the corporate travel manager.
Their role goes far beyond booking flights or hotels. They are strategists, analysts, and problem-solvers — balancing cost control, traveler experience, sustainability, and compliance every single day.
Morning: Managing bookings, budgets, and compliance
The day begins early, often with a flood of new travel requests. A team heading to Copenhagen for client meetings. A last-minute sales trip to Stockholm. An executive visit to Brussels.
For the travel manager, each request requires precision — balancing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and company travel policy.
According to BCD Travel’s 2024 Global Travel Manager Survey, 68% of travel managers are now responsible for travel sourcing, while 51% also oversee payment and expense management, proving that the role is evolving into a more strategic business function.¹
Cost control, policy compliance, and traveler satisfaction all compete for attention. Add rising airfares and inflation, and it’s easy to see why corporate travel management is more complex than ever.
Midday: Collaboration and constant change
By late morning, collaboration takes center stage. Travel managers coordinate closely with procurement (58%) and finance (43%) teams to align on budgets, manage suppliers, and track spend.¹
But no two days are the same. A canceled flight, a rebooked meeting, or a delayed visa can derail even the best-laid plans.
Each issue demands a fast, policy-compliant solution, often requiring creative problem-solving to keep both the traveler and the finance team happy.
This constant juggling act is taking its toll. In the 2023 SAP Concur Global Business Travel Managers Report, 47% of travel managers said their job has become more stressful than the previous year, and 99% expect it to become even more challenging in the months and years to come.²
The main culprits? Rising travel costs, evolving technologies, sustainability targets, and data visibility issues.
Afternoon: Turning data into strategic decisions
As flights take off and meetings begin, the focus shifts to data — the backbone of modern corporate travel management.
Reporting and analytics aren’t just administrative tasks; they’re essential tools for proving value. BCD Travel’s survey found that 44% of travel managers spend a significant amount of time on reporting and supplier management.¹
Armed with data, they identify cost-saving opportunities, monitor policy compliance, and negotiate better supplier rates.
But data quality remains a challenge.
Without reliable, centralized spend data, even the most experienced travel manager can struggle to make informed, data-driven decisions.
At the same time, sustainability has become a critical KPI. 61% of business travelers now consider environmental impact a key concern, meaning travel managers must balance cost control with sustainable travel policies.³
Evening: Reflection and strategy for the future
As the workday winds down, travel managers are already planning for what’s next — refining travel policies, updating supplier agreements, and preparing new business travel strategies.
Their role is no longer operational but strategic.
Today’s travel managers are at the crossroads of finance, procurement, HR, and sustainability — ensuring that travel supports broader company goals like cost efficiency, duty of care, and environmental responsibility.
They are not just managing travel; they are shaping how businesses move forward.
Meeting challenges with the right tools and insights
Technology can’t remove the unpredictability of business travel, but it can help travel managers work smarter.
The right payment and expense management tools centralize data, automate reconciliation, and deliver real-time spend visibility. This allows travel teams to focus on strategic decisions instead of manual processes.
At AirPlus International, we partner with travel managers worldwide to simplify every stage of the travel payment journey. From booking to reporting, while providing the actionable insights needed to optimize corporate travel programs and support sustainable growth.
Want to dive deeper into the challenges shaping corporate travel today, and how to overcome them?
Download our free Travel Manager’s Strategic Survival Guide for practical insights, expert advice, and proven strategies for mastering modern corporate travel.
3 AirPlus | Travel Manager's Strategic Survival Guide
