American Express Business Travel released analysis of North America-based domestic and international air, hotel and car rental rates for the full year 2007. Using data from its Business Travel Monitor, international rates experienced price increases across the board while domestic airfare and hotel rates remained stable. 

“Tight global supply and another year of high fuel costs drove continued price growth for international business travel in 2007 even as domestic prices flattened,” said Herve Sedky, Vice President and General Manager, Global Advisory Services, American Express Business Travel. “Companies can achieve savings in this environment through a well managed, dynamic travel and entertainment program allowing the flexibility to adjust their travel policies in real-time accordance with fast-moving industry changes.  To help lock in savings, it’s also essential for companies to clearly communicate policy changes to travelers in order to influence their spending behavior while on the road.”

American Express Business Travel has recently added Change Management as a consulting competency in its Advisory Services organization to help corporations defray the rising cost of travel and implement their T&E programs and policies more effectively. Change Management complements its established Compliance practice and places further emphasis on the importance of managing traveler behavior.

“The Change Management and Compliance practice offers best practices for monitoring and influencing traveler behavior to improve compliance to corporate policies and procedures,” said Frank Schnur, Vice President, Advisory Services, American Express Business Travel. “Depending on the methods used, incremental cost savings made possible through this new practice area can range between 11 percent and 33 percent of a company’s total air spend.”

Average International Airfare Paid Increased a Record Eight Percent

In 2007, international airfare increased to its highest level since the Business Travel Monitor was first published in 1999. As in the previous year, the increase was driven by rising fuel costs coupled with strong travel demand. Since 2004, the average international airfare paid has increased 21 percent.

International average airfare paid:

• 2001 - $1,461
• 2002 - $1,473
• 2003 - $1,469
• 2004 - $1,514
• 2005 - $1,614
• 2006 - $1,707
• 2007 - $1,836

“No region was immune to price increases as airfares to Asia, Australia, Central America, South America, and Europe all experienced double digit growth,” stated Sedky.  “With global economies continuing to develop and expand, demand for international business travel has remained high.  At the same time, carriers continue to weather surging oil prices.  In this environment, companies need to lean even more heavily on negotiated discounts, strategic buying opportunities and driving their travelers to preferred suppliers to offset rising costs.” 

Average Domestic Airfare Paid Decreased One Percent

After jumping seven percent from 2005 to 2006, the average domestic airfare stabilized in 2007 due to a combination of factors.

“Travelers heeded the call to book their trips further in advance by taking advantage of lower, advance purchase fares,” stated Sedky.  “Meanwhile, the continued expansion of low fare models was counter-balanced by a slowdown in network airlines' capacity growth, causing the net $1 reduction in year-over-year domestic air fares.”

Annual average domestic airfare paid:

• 2001 - $259
• 2002 - $243
• 2003 - $243
• 2004 - $225
• 2005 - $216
• 2006 - $231
• 2007 - $230   

Average International Booked Hotel Rates Rise While Domestic Rates Stabilize

Growing international economies spurred a rise in both business and leisure travel which placed hefty demand on an already short supply.  Domestic hotel rates remained relatively steady throughout each quarter of 2007.  Tight supply, high demand, and increasing renovation and operating costs kept rates at record highs.

International Average Booked Rates Increased $36 in 2007:

• 2000 - $190
• 2001 - $192
• 2002 - $188
• 2003 - $195
• 2004 - $197
• 2005 - $212
• 2006 - $230
• 2007 - $266

Average Domestic Booked Rates:

• 2000 - $131
• 2001 - $133
• 2002 - $129
• 2003 - $127
• 2004 - $132
• 2005 - $137
• 2006 - $141
• 2007 - $157

Tight supply, high demand, and increasing renovation and operating costs kept rates at record highs, but were level throughout each quarter.  The deluxe hotel segment was the one exception to this trend. Deluxe hotels continued to experience double digit increases while economy and budget tier rates flattened out. In other hotel segments, the price differential between budget, economy, and mid-price hotel tiers began to blur amidst tough competition.

“Competition is fierce in the hotel sector as companies in all tiers vie for the business traveler dollar,” said Sedky. “However, though rates remain high, this competition has spurred hotels to continually upgrade their offerings and amenities to the benefit of business travelers in countries around the world.”

Average Domestic Booked Hotel Rate by Tier

Car Rental Rates Increase 4.4 Percent

Overall domestic car rental rates increased 4.4 percent in 2007 as rental firms battled to offset high operating costs.  Fleet costs, which increased 20 percent in 2006, grew at a slower pace in 2007 due to the weakening economy and the ability of rental firms to negotiate better deals with manufacturers.

“As the price of car rental has continued to rise, corporate buyers have increasingly focused on ways to more tightly manage spending in this area,” said Sedky.  “We continue to view a well managed car rental program as an opportunity for companies to maximize the value of their ground transportation expenditures.

Average daily car rental rates:

• 2001 - $63
• 2002 - $64
• 2003 - $65
• 2004 - $65
• 2005 - $66
• 2006 - $69
• 2007 - $72