Eighty-nine percent of second-quarter domestic tickets purchased through American Express Business Travel were "discount coach fares

," indicating that more travelers were booking tickets further in advance. "The companies that had travelers purchase eight to 14 days in advance rather than zero to seven days in advance saved an average of $49 per segment" during the first six months of 2008, according to Hervé Sedky, vice president and general manager for American Express Business Travel Global Advisory Services. Amex also reported that 49 percent of international ticket purchases in the second quarter were for business class seats, "the lowest level since the third quarter of 2004."