The third-quarter average daily hotel rate paid by corporate travelers in North American markets was $144, according to Amex.

That is below both the second quarter ($150) and the third quarter of 2008 ($147). American Express Business Travel noted that the ADR during October rose to $156. By tier, third-quarter ADR dropped to $214 from $240 a year earlier for deluxe hotels, to $178 from $204 for upscale, to $175 from $203 for midprice and to $156 from $189 for economy.