Travelers starting to move to the front of the plane. Monday, 28th December 2009 Source : American Express Business Travel Monitor

Hotel rates continue to decrease in upscale categories, but increase in mid-price, economy and budget tiers.

American Express Business Travel, a global leader in business travel management, released third quarter data and analysis from its Business Travel Monitor (BTM) North America. Modest airfare increases were seen and travelers appear to be moving back to the front of the plane, showing positive signs companies may likely be feeling more optimistic about the economy.

The BTM is published by eXpert insights, American Express Business Travel's research practice of Global Advisory Services.

The BTM is a monthly pricing index tracking actual airfares paid on the most popular business travel routes for domestic and international travel compared to published prices. It also tracks paid hotel and car rates in key business travel markets.

Highlights of the Q3 BTM include the following:

International and domestic airfares paid from North America increased quarter-over-quarter, where as year-over-year airfares continue to be down. From a hotel perspective, rates varied across hotel categories quarter-over-quarter, but overall average rates decreased both internationally and domestically. In looking at individual hotel tiers, rate increases were evident in budget, economy and mid-tier categories.

• Average international airfares paid and domestic airfares paid increased two percent quarter-over-quarter
• Average international booked hotel rates decreased 10 percent year-over-year
• Average domestic booked hotel rates decreased two percent year-over-year, but increased seven percent in budget-tier hotels quarter-over-quarter
• Car rental rates increased five percent in quarter-over-quarter and remained flat year-over-year