Saving on business-travel costs

With fuel surcharges, baggage fees and rising ticket costs, flying is expensive and aggravating these days, especially for business travelers. Here are some cash-saving tips for companies and road warriors from American Express Business Travel:

— Double-check travel plans before booking; airlines often charge $150 or more for flight changes.

— Check as few bags as possible: Overnight delivery of presentation materials may be more cost-effective than checking an extra bag.

— Check flights to all airports in a region, not just the one closest to your final destination.

— Coordinate car service or taxis to save on expense costs if several employees are traveling to the same place at the same time. Some companies now require traveling workers to share hotel rooms.

— Book flights for the lowest fares. If you see a price lower than the one you paid, ask for a discount.

— Extend a midweek trip over a weekend to cut down on airfare costs (although some airlines are starting to do away with Saturday night stays for cheaper fares).

— Choose "offseason" destinations if the location is up to you — for instance, a group meeting in Las Vegas during the summer.