Originally published Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Business travel to be pricier next year
American Express forecasts higher costs for business travel in 2009
Business travelers can expect to pay almost 3 percent more to get from "Point A" to "Point B" in the U.S. next year, according to a report from American Express Business Travel released Wednesday.
"Considering airfare, car rental and hotel stay, we expect the average domestic trip to increase 2.8 percent, or $31, to a total of approximately $1,139," said Herve Sedky, vice president and general manager global advisory services. "An increase of 4.3 percent, or approximately $147, is expected for international trips to bring the average cost to $3,556."
Sedky said lower fuel prices and the slowing economy could mean airlines will lower fares in 2009. But he cautioned that an array of fees for things like meals and baggage could keep the total cost of flights up. Sedky said fees can add as much as 15 percent to the cost of a trip.
The bad news for hotel owners — good news for business travelers — is that lower occupancy rates in most areas will keep 2009 room rate increases below this year's level, according to the report.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
![]()
NEW - 11:33 AM
Get ready for Thanksgiving flight delays, thanks to New York
UPDATE - 12:30 PM
Biofuel used on Boeing 747 flight
Thanksgiving travel plans expected to grow slightly
Ask Travel: A free day in Prague

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.
nwautos
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Do you suffer from "sitting disease"?
Post a comment
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Snow piles up on Cascade slopes
- Denny Triangle gains skyline, but tenants slow to come
- Illegal workers quietly let go
350 - Climate change speeds up since 1997 Kyoto accord
202 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
170 - Metro won't cut bus service after all
143 - Historic health care bill clears Senate hurdle
94 - New Husky recruit: Enes Kanter
87 - Tattoos at Mill Creek Church pierce skin, soul
81 - Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
72 - Middleton says Huskies "plan on scoring at least 50 points'' Saturday
70 - UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
66
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Taste | The Great Pie Bake-off pits friends and fruit





