Stop Guessing, Start Measuring: The KPIs Every Travel Manager Needs

By: Leigh-Ann Burroughs, Principal Advisor

In today’s travel landscape, success isn’t just about managing bookings, it’s about managing performance.  The best Travel Managers track KPIs that show how efficiently, compliantly, and strategically their programs operate.

Here’s a quick rundown of the travel metrics that matter most:

Efficiency

Measure how smoothly your travelers move through the process.

• Online Booking Adoption – Target 80%+ in Concur

• Booking Lead Time – More days = lower fares

• Approval Time – Delays cost savings

**High adoption and fast approvals = lower fees and happier travelers.

Compliance

Keep travel policy and duty of care in check.

• In-Policy vs. Out-of-Policy Bookings

• Preferred Supplier Usage

• Traveler Profile Completion

**Compliance protects your company spend, and your travelers.

Cost Savings

Spot where value is gained (or lost).

• Average Ticket Price / Hotel ADR

• Service Fees per Booking

• Unused Ticket Value Reclaimed

• Lost Savings

**Savings are real only when they’re measured and managed.

Strategic Insight

See travel as a business enabler, not a cost center.

• Trip Purpose ROI

• Sustainability Metrics (CO₂, rail vs. air)

• Traveler Satisfaction (CSAT)

**When you connect KPIs to outcomes, travel drives impact.

At Lyndon Group, we help clients turn travel data into strategic action, optimizing Concur reporting to drive efficiency, compliance, and savings.