News & Research

The latest from IdeaWorksCompany.

Listed below are the most recent posts to the website.  Click on any item (in blue font) to access our latest reports, press releases, and news items.  Or use the menu to the right to browse the library of reports, articles featuring IdeaWorksCompany research, and archive of press releases.
Apr 02

April 3, 2013 – Report

Choice and Creativity.
Carriers Build Ancillary Revenue by Empowering a Consumer’s Right to Choose.  Air New Zealand, Air Canada, and Wizz Air use three contrasting retail methods that can boost revenue more than 20%.  IdeaWorksCompany reveals how the ancillary revenue revolution is focusing less on product development and more on retail methods.

Feb 18

February 18, 2013 – Report

Card-Carrying Generosity.
IdeaWorksCompany reviewed the credit cards offered by the five largest US airlines, such as American and United, and compared these to the independent travel reward cards offered by banks such as Chase and Citi.  This report finds American Express, Barclays, Chase, Citibank and Southwest are most rewarding, while American, Delta, US Airways, and United cards offer travel perks but higher reward thresholds.

Jan 23

January 23, 2013

New York Times
How to Get a Seat Out of Your Miles
“When the economy does poorly, cash bookings go down, and that creates more opportunity for reward travelers,” said Jay Sorensen, president of the IdeaWorks Company, a travel consulting firm that compiles an annual ranking of award availability based on thousands of attempts to book seats on popular routes.

Dec 01

December 1, 2012

Air Transport World
The Ancillary Revenue Jungle
Ancillary fees and a la carte options are now an important part of many airline revenue streams.  They have prompted criticism from the public and lawmakers, but these fees are not unique to the industry.  Companies such as Disney Parks & Resorts, hotels and cruise ships, charge ancillary fees – and have been doing for years.  “Good ideas are embraced within an industry; great ideas are adopted by those outside the industry” IdeaWorksCompany President Jay Sorensen said.