While international travel costs rose last year, the price of getting around within the United States stayed about the same – so says American Express Business Travel.
“Tight global supply and another year of high fuel costs drove continued price growth of international business in 2007,” says Hervé Sedky, Vice President and General Manager for Global Advisory Services.
American Express says the average international airfare rose a record 8 percent last year – from $1,707 in 2006 to $1,836 in 2007.
“No region was immune to price increases,” says Sedky. “Asia, Australia, Central America, South America, and Europe all experienced double digit growth.”
At the same time, American Express says the average domestic airfare actually dropped by $1. In 2006 it was $231; in 2007, $230. “Travelers heeded the call to book their trips in advance by taking advantage of lower, advance purchase fares,” says Sedky.
Cheapflights’ best advice for helping control your travel costs in 2008 is to book as early as possible, and stick to those plans. That personal travel policy should apply to domestic as well as international trips.
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler
