If there were any lingering fears keeping Americans from traveling freely about the country, you wouldn't be able to tell it from the pricing power that airlines, hotels and rental-car companies seem to have these days. With planes, rooms and autos jammed at every turn, it's no wonder travel prices are going up. Business travelers are going to feel the pinch more than most. That's because they are on the road so much, of course, but also because the travel industry knows it can pretty much sock it to road warriors, who tend not to make many arrangements in advance and thus are at the mercy of the market when they just can't miss a critical meeting or important client contact. Another upshot of the price increases, running as high as 10% next year in some categories, is likely to be a crackdown by corporate travel departments on use of unauthorized vendors. That's because the bean counters are going to want to enforce all the negotiated discounts that companies obtain -- say bye-bye to those upgraded accommodations. Our lead story looks at the latest American Express Global Business travel forecast and tells you what you can expect in the way of price hikes next year. Read Andrea Coombes' Travel column, plus find out how you may be able to save a bundle of money on your redecorating project by hiring a redesigner first and check out Marshall Loeb's tip for winning cases in small claims court, on Friday's Personal Finance pages. It's the fear of flying that will hold travel down. It's the fear of expense-account audits. Steve Kerch, assistant managing editor/personal finance TRAVELMore price hikes in store for business travelers in 2007 Combine high travel demand, low supply and uncertainty about fuel costs and what do you get? Rising prices for business travel next year, according to the American Express 2007 Global Business Travel Forecast, released Thursday. See Travel.REAL ESTATEInterior redesigners bring objective eye to decorating trouble spots Sometimes even a stuffed hunting trophy and a modern sofa can exist in harmony, if left to redesign professionals. See Real Estate.Now is the wrong time for a speculative home-building venture I think there is a lot in my neighborhood for sale that may be undervalued. I am considering buying it and putting a spec home on it. I do not, however, have experience with this type of project. Do you have any advice or do you know of a reference on building homes on speculation which would be helpful? See Realty Q&A.Home renovations that pay off when it comes time to sell My brother-in-law Brian and his wife Colleen are in the process of renovating their home in northern New Jersey, for both practical and aesthetic reasons. They have changes in mind they think will make their home a nicer place to live, but they also plan on selling in the not-too-distant future and know their home needs improvements. See story from RealEstateJournal.Texan turns home into a rental when it won't sell Patrick Watson, 42, became an investor in 2002, shortly after marrying. Watson, who works in the financial-services industry in Austin, Texas, bought a home in 1995 in the city's Westlake neighborhood. But after he got married, he and his wife decided it would make sense for them to live in another area of town. In early 2002, Watson didn't find any takers after having the property up for sale for three months, due to the effects of the tech bubble's pop. Watson then listed it as a rental and swiftly found tenants. See Resale.CONSUMER WATCHHow to win in small claims court