American Express Global Commercial Services said September-quarter profits grew 31 percent to $197 million with revenue of $1.1 billion,

5 percent higher than a year ago. Results "reflected increased spending by corporate cardmembers, partially offset by lower travel commissions and fees," according to the company. GCS reported travel sales of $4.8 billion, 14 percent higher than in the same quarter in 2010, and travel commissions and fees/sales of 7.8 percent, down from 9.3 percent reported a year ago but steady from the June 2011 quarter. Amex reported the same number of corporate cards—7 million—but 17 percent more billed business at $38.7 billion year over year and 17 percent higher average cardmember spending at $5,520. Both figures were slightly less than the June 2011 quarter. Across all business units, Amex reported net income of $1.2 billion, 13 percent more than a year ago, and revenue of $7.6 billion, 9 percent more than a year earlier.