loyalty program

New AA Agency Program, Loyalty Restrictions Support Direct, NDC Distribution 

Keeping its chief commercial officer’s word on plans for more incentives on “internet” bookings, American Airlines on Tuesday announced new conditions for customers to earn miles and points beginning with tickets issued May 1. They’ll earn when they book directly with AA or certain partners, book anywhere as an AAdvantage Business member or contracted corporate…

Dispatch 9

Reaction: Responding to Scott Gillespie’s Op Ed on how today’s corporate travel market demands “long-sighted travel policies” prioritizing value and sustainability over traditional cost-cutting, readers generally agreed with the need for change. Microsoft’s Eric Bailey echoed the goal of reducing emissions and minimizing low-value trips but suggested different methods. He recommended carbon taxes and budget…

AA To ‘Start’ Restricting Legacy Sales And Service As Corporates Roll Eyes 

With American Airlines’ 2023 passenger revenues 8.8 percent higher and selling expenses 1 percent lower, executives said on Thursday that corporate buyers and travel management companies could expect more of the same: more incentives for business travelers to book directly, more focus on co-branded cards and loyalty, more degradation in support for predominant corporate travel…

United, AA Take Different Paths In Jettisoning Aging Small Business Programs

Thanks to apparently contradictory messaging from American Airlines, some travel managers said they were confused about how the line between airline small business programs and larger corporate discounts was blurring. Changes are underway at both American and United. AA stopped points accrual for the Business Extra program last month and encouraged enrollees to switch to…

Notebook: The Beat Live

New York — First up on the agenda at The Beat Live here Tuesday was American Express Global Business Travel CEO Paul Abbott, interviewed by The Beat editor-in-chief Jay Boehmer. AmTrav CEO Jeff Klee followed with a keynote speech and then Scott Laurence, American Airlines SVP of partnerships and retailing, took a few questions. Highlights follow….

New Hilton SME Program Highlights Supplier-Intermediary Clash

Corporate travel agencies and tech firms concerned about competition from suppliers won’t find comfort in the latest business travel moves from Hilton Worldwide.  Last month, the company announced it would launch by early next year a program offering discounted rates, company loyalty points and program management tools to small and medium-sized enterprises booking on its…

United Move Prompts Some Buyers To Again Find Direct Channel Insufficient

Surprised to find last week that United Airlines made their negotiated rates available to travelers via its website and mobile app, some corporate travel buyers took a closer look at functionality the airline built to support their needs. While United has done more than some other carriers to legitimize supplier-direct channels for managed travel, “better…

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