Consulting firm Runzheimer International predicted 2008 business travel costs would increase 4.5 percent

. Citing "significantly diminished" pricing power among "legacy" airlines--due in part to growing "low-cost" carriers--Runzheimer said airfares would rise by 5 percent, "less than historic annual forecasts." The company also predicted increases for lodging costs (5 percent), meal prices (5 percent) and car rental costs (3 percent).