Business Travel Holds Regular as Travel Prices Rise

Business journey prices continued to climb in the primary half of this yr, pushed partially by rising gasoline costs and broader transportation pressures. However, in line with SAP Concur knowledge, corporations world wide largely maintained their journey exercise regardless of the upper costs.

The knowledge means that whereas organizations have gotten extra considerate about journey economics, most are nonetheless prioritizing in-person conferences and worker journey.

Travel prices rose throughout most classes

 According to SAP Concur international knowledge from January 1–May 31, 2026, total enterprise journey prices elevated throughout practically each main class yr over yr. Airfare rose greater than 8%, lodge charges elevated practically 6%, and automotive rental prices climbed roughly 5%.

At the identical time, the typical value of fuel-related bills surged. The common transaction in Concur Expense within the fuel class elevated roughly 22% globally, rising from $50 in February to $61 in April with comparable spikes seen in nations world wide. 

Transportation patterns shifted in choose segments

Those will increase are already influencing some journey selections. While total air and lodge reserving volumes remained comparatively flat yr over yr, there have been some shifts in how workers journey as soon as they arrive at their locations, as automotive rental bookings declined roughly 4% globally. Additionally, rail bookings elevated roughly 4%, suggesting some organizations could also be in search of cheaper or environment friendly transportation options as gasoline costs rise.

Premium journey demand remained sturdy

Even with prices rising, corporations didn’t considerably cut back premium journey spending. Premium cabin bookings—together with enterprise and firstclass—elevated about 9% yr over yr. By comparability, economic system bookings remained flat, whereas premium economic system bookings declined roughly 15%.

Companies are balancing traveler expertise alongside funds pressures. For longer flights and worldwide journeys particularly, some organizations nonetheless view premium journey as a worthwhile funding.

What to observe in the second half of 2026

There are early indicators that rising prices and operational disruptions may start affecting demand, with considerably greater common airfares and diminished airline capability in some elements of the world. The coming months will assist decide whether or not these disruptions create a short-term adjustment or form a broader shift in enterprise journey conduct. For now, the information suggests corporations are prepared to soak up greater journey prices reasonably than reduce journey plans.

Research exhibits that enterprise journey stays carefully tied to skilled alternative and relationship constructing. In a recent survey carried out within the U.S. on behalf of SAP Concur, 90% of frequent enterprise vacationers say touring for work has positively impacted their careers, underscoring the worker expertise and retention advantages of constant to prioritize enterprise journey even as prices rise.

As organizations navigate greater journey prices in 2026, the information suggests many nonetheless view enterprise journey as a worthwhile funding in relationships, worker improvement, and long-term progress.

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Charlie Sultan is president of Concur Travel at SAP.

Methodology: SAP Concur analyzed expense transactions tagged as “gas” in Concur Expense between January 1, 2026, by May 31, 2026, and equal time durations from 2025. SAP Concur analyzed air, rail, lodge, and automotive bookings in Concur Travel for journeys booked and undertaken between January 1, 2026 and May 31, 2026 and the equal time interval in 2025.