New York tops in business travel costs

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NEW YORK, April 12 (UPI) -- For the third consecutive year, the most expensive destination for business travelers in the United States is New York City, a national survey revealed.

Business Travel News in its 2010 survey said a room for the night, meals and a car rental in the Big Apple costs $622. The second most expensive destination of 100 cities included in the survey was Washington where the same amenities cost $563.

White Plains, N.Y., was third on the list at $498, while Boston was fourth at $493. Fifth most expensive was Detroit, $474.

Akron, Ohio, was the cheapest on the list, costing $255.70 for wheels, meals and a place to sleep.

Overall, hotels cost 43 percent of the average daily costs in the Corporate Travel Index. Car rentals cost slightly more than they did in 2009, while food costs held steady compared to a year ago, the magazine said.

Lodging listed as "upper upscale," excluding taxes, cost $275 per night in New York while "midscale" lodging in New York cost $226. Food was most expensive in San Francisco costing $132.50 for breakfast, lunch and dinner -- 2 cents more than New York City.

Car rentals cost the most in Detroit, where a full-sized vehicle rents for $151 for a total daily cost of $175.25 for cruising around Motor City.