2010 Business Travel Forecast

Following this weakened demand in 2009, American Express Business Travel expects a pent up need for travel and meetings to be unleashed in 2010. Fuel prices, along with sustained signs of a restarting economy, could also generate slight up-ticks in travel category prices worldwide, particularly in Asia Pacific. "As the world begins to show signs [...]

Airlines and Security Updates for May

Air Travel Demand Falls Fifth Month in a Row
The Air Transport Association of America reported that passenger revenue fell 23 percent in March 2009 versus the same month in 2008 – the fifth consecutive month in which passenger revenue has fallen from the prior year.
March passenger traffic on U.S. airlines fell by 10 [...]

Hotels and Car Rentals

Hotel Occupancy Rates Drop, Putting Pressure on Room rates
There’s more room at the inn for U.S. travelers, with the U.S. hotel industry finishing 2009 with an occupancy rate that was 4.2 percent lower than at the end of 2007, according to hotel consulting company STR.
The industry saw a decent start to the year, but became [...]

Business Travel Forecast 2009

"Based on foretasted economic conditions for 2009 and the substantial increase in fares already experienced in 2008, it is possible that airfares in 2009 may decrease," said Hervé Sedky, vice president and general manager, Global Advisory Services, American Express Business Travel.
Sedky continued, "Considering airfare, car rental and hotel stay, we expect the average domestic trip [...]

Hotels and Car Rental Updates for Oct 2008

Hotels
Choice Hotels, American Express Offer
Double Rewards for European Stays
Members of Choice Privileges, Choice Hotels International’s loyalty program who use their American Express card when they stay at Choice Hotels International in Europe will earn 10 bonus points per $1 spent, in addition to the base 10 points (a total of 20 points per $1 spent).
The [...]

Hotel Car & Record Airfare Updates for Sept 2008

Hotels
Sheraton Opens at JFK
The Sheraton JFK Hotel, a new build, has opened at New York´s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The 150-room hotel is a full-service hotel with meeting facilities, complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, a restaurant, indoor pool, business center, fitness center and Club floor. (Source: Starwood Hotels Resorts press release).
Marriott [...]

June Footnotes for Hotels & Car Rentals

Hotels

Loews Hotels Introduces Baggage Buy Back Program
In the wake of American Airlines’ new $15 fee for checking bags, , Loews Hotels has introduced a new “Baggage Buy Back” incentive that will reimburse guests for their $15 checked baggage fee.
Arriving guests simply present any airline bag fee receipt at the front desk to receive the rebate, [...]

June Footnotes for Airlines

Airlines Up Fares Again for 16th Time This Year
Airlines continued to increase fares and search for new revenue streams to help them cope with soaring fuel prices.

United Airlines initiated what was the 16th fare hike to stick since the beginning of the year, with fare increases that ranged from $10 to $60, depending on the [...]

Hotel Information May 2008

Avenue Hotel Opens in Chicago
The Avenue, a contemporary, post-modern hotel, has opened just a half block east of Chicago´s Michigan Avenue.

It has 150 one-bedroom and junior suites and 200 guest rooms. It has Special Tech rooms with iMac, dedicated T-1 Internet connection and color printer for business travelers and kid-friendly rooms with games and child-oriented [...]