Business travelers are just as cost conscious as many economy passengers when it comes to finding cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel packages. Airlines will fight fiercely for premium paying passengers.
Perks being rolled out to attract business travelers include:
Adding first class seats on regional airlines
Luxury airport lounges
In flight gourmet meals
New flat bed seats in Business Class on overseas flights
Business travelers tend to pay more to fly not only because the lucky ones fly in First or Business Class seats, but also because often they fly at a moments notice paying much higher fares than leisure passengers who purchased their tickets well in advance.
The lowest refundable domestic price paid by a business passenger is often five times the cheapest price paid by a leisure flier who purchased a non-refundable ticket.
Although premium travelers fill less than 10 percent of all international seats, the higher prices they pay contribute to 30 percent of all international passenger revenue.
Between 07 and 09 sales from premium international passengers fell 20 percent. The tide appeared to start turning in December of 09 when premium sales increased almost 2 percent for the month; the first increase since May of 08.
As the economy rebounds, increased business travel will follow.
www.cheapfares.com