Business Travel Holds Regular as Travel Prices Rise

Business journey prices continued to climb in the primary half of this yr, pushed partly by rising gas costs and broader transportation pressures. However, in keeping with SAP Concur knowledge, firms 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 world knowledge from January 1–May 31, 2026, general enterprise journey prices elevated throughout practically each main class yr over yr. Airfare rose greater than 8%, lodge charges elevated practically 6%, and automobile 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 gasoline class elevated roughly 22% globally, rising from $50 in February to $61 in April with related spikes seen in international locations world wide. 

Transportation patterns shifted in choose segments 

Those will increase are already influencing some journey selections. While general air and lodge reserving volumes remained comparatively flat yr over yr, there have been some shifts in how staff journey as soon as they arrive at their locations, as automobile rental bookings declined roughly 4% globally. Additionally, rail bookings elevated roughly 4%, suggesting some organizations could also be on the lookout for less expensive or environment friendly transportation alternate options as gas costs rise. 

Premium journey demand remained sturdy 

Even with prices rising, firms didn’t considerably scale back premium journey spending. Premium cabin bookings—together with enterprise and top quality—elevated about 9% yr over yr. By comparability, financial system bookings remained flat, whereas premium financial 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 look at in the second half of 2026 

There are early indicators that rising prices and operational disruptions may start affecting demand, with considerably larger 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 info suggests firms are keen to soak up larger journey prices reasonably than cut back journey plans.  

Research exhibits that enterprise journey stays intently tied to skilled alternative and relationship constructing. In a latest 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 larger journey prices in 2026, the info suggests many nonetheless view enterprise journey as a worthwhile funding in relationships, worker improvement, and long-term progress. 

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