Travelers change behavior due to delays, costs

CHICAGO -- Travelers are checking in from home, checking more luggage, using different airports and trying to economize on hotels and car rentals in response to higher prices, increased flight delays and other changes in the travel industry, according to Orbitz.com's quarterly Traveler Update Report.

A third of air travelers are opting for smaller regional airports over larger hubs in an effort to avoid delays, and almost 70 percent are leaving for the airport earlier than they used to, the survey found.

Thirty-two percent said they now book the earliest flight of the day or travel the night before a meeting or appointment, to make sure they get where they're going on time.

The survey also found that 35 percent of travelers are renting smaller cars due to gas prices, and 31 percent are staying at a less expensive or lower-rated hotel than they would prefer as a way of dealing with higher overall travel costs.

Forty percent said they are checking luggage more often and 25 percent say they have altered what they check, as a way of complying with carry-on restrictions on liquids and gels.

Sixty percent of those surveyed said they check in from home or work before arriving at the airport, and two-thirds of those surveyed said they feel the check-in process has become a more positive experience than it used to be.

But 42 percent said getting through airport security has become a more negative experience this year.

The survey looked at changes in travel behavior following a record-setting summer for flight delays.

The telephone poll was conducted in September among 838 consumers who traveled in the past year. The poll was conducted for Orbitz by Ipsos Public Affairs.

Business travel demand will exceed supply

NEW YORK -- Demand for business travel services will exceed supply in 2008, driving increases in rates for airfare, hotels, car rentals and corporate meetings, according to the annual Global Business Travel Forecast from American Express.

"In 2008, we expect a domestic trip inclusive of airfare, car rental and hotel stay will increase 6 percent, or $63, bringing the average trip cost to a total of approximately $1,110," Mike Streit, vice president and global leader for American Express Business Travel Advisory Services said in a statement. "For an international trip, the increase is expected to be nearly 7 percent, or approximately $205, bringing the cost of an average trip to $3,171."

In North America, American Express predicts a 1 percent to 5 percent increase in economy-class airfares, a 4 percent to 7 percent increase in mid-range hotel rates and a 2 percent to 4 percent increase in car-rental costs.

Factors contributing to overall increases in average costs include premium pricing for airplane seats with flat beds or more legroom; heavy demand for hotels in certain U.S. cities such as New York, Washington and Chicago, where rates could rise as much as 14 percent, and more taxes and fees on car rentals, the report said.

However, the report noted that in air travel, increased competition and low-budget airlines could help keep the lid on prices.

The report also concluded that high demand and slow growth of supply for hotel rooms around the world will not only force prices up but might also lead to more minimum and maximum stay requirements, as well as instances when corporate rates do not apply.

Projections for the global forecast were based on statistical forecasting, market research, economic trends, interviews with American Express analysts and other data.

Las Vegas known to golfers, but not a great value

LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas is the best-known U.S. destination among golfers, but its courses get an average grade for quality and value, according to a new survey.

The online poll conducted by Digest Publications Inc. shows Las Vegas ranking first out of 37 golf markets for the number of golfers who know a lot or something about the area.

Las Vegas beat out No. 2 Orlando and No. 3 Hawaii.

But Sin City courses ranked 14th among golfers for quality of golf and 27th for value for money.

Digest Publications publishes four magazines including Golf Digest. The survey was conducted among 2,000 golfers who subscribe or registered when buying equipment.