NEW YORK, NY, April 29, 2009 -- American Express Business Travel today released data and analysis of its North American-based domestic and international air, hotel, and car rental prices paid for the full 2008 year and first quarter of 2009, as economic conditions heavily impacted a change in average prices paid for business travel.

Data from the company's Business Travel Monitor (BTM), the industry's pricing benchmark, revealed that international and domestic airfare prices ended 2008 up year-over-year and hotel rates down slightly. Looking at Q1 2009 data, signs point to the effect of a weakening economy, belt tightening by corporations, and falling consumer demand noticeably impacting travel rates across the board. Read More