Average domestic airfare paid rose 7.2 percent in 2006 and international fares paid climbed 5.8 percent

, according to the American Express Business Travel Monitor. Amex also said "international hotel bookings continued to climb, ending 2006 up 8.5 percent" and the average domestic hotel rate in key cities rose to $200 in the December 2006 quarter from $182 a year earlier. Average car rental rates rose 6 percent in 2006, Amex said.