Press Releases

Delta Air Lines Is 2015 Champ for Revenue Innovation and Marketing Leadership
IdeaWorksCompany continues a year-end tradition by identifying the airlines that have shown the greatest prowess in the areas of ancillary revenue, a la carte pricing, and loyalty marketing. Throughout 2015, we assessed the top ancillary revenue producing airlines and the most generous frequent flier programs, and issued reports that described the industry’s service innovation and product development; and offered practical advice for airline executives.

IdeaWorksCompany boycotts Trump
Presidential candidate Donald Trump called for a “total ban” of Muslims entering the United States at a campaign rally yesterday. In prior comments he has suggested creating a database to monitor Muslim Americans and proposed warrantless searches of their homes. His statements have gone far beyond normal political discourse and represent overt bigotry and xenophobia. Donald Trump has placed hatred and fear in the forefront of his political campaign.

Airline ancillary revenue projected to be $59.2 billion worldwide in 2015
IdeaWorksCompany, the foremost consultancy on airline ancillary revenues, and CarTrawler, the leading provider of online car rental distribution systems, project airline ancillary revenue will reach $59.2 billion worldwide in 2015. The CarTrawler Worldwide Estimate of Ancillary Revenue represents a giant increase of 163% from the 2010 figure of $22.6 billion, which was the first year for the ancillary revenue estimate.

Airlines Want to Become the Amazon.com of Travel
The forever quotable Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, motivated his competitors when he recently said, “We want to become the Amazon.com of travel in Europe, with a whole load of additional services: price comparison, cut-rate hotels, discounted football tickets, concert tickets.” It’s a sentence that instantly conveys why airline executives are eager to learn more about airline merchandising.  The latest report issued by IdeaWorksCompany is designed to prepare industry professionals for the decision-making required to take merchandising to the next level with examples from the world of airline retail.

Marriott Rewards Found to Offer Best Reward Payback Among Leading Global Hotel Loyalty Programs
Marriott Rewards returns an average of 9.4% from room night spending as reward stay value in the first Switchfly Hotel Reward Payback Survey. That’s a 54% higher return than the reward value provided by Starwood SPG, which was ranked last among the four hotel loyalty programs at 6.1% for reward payback.  During July 2015, IdeaWorksCompany conducted 1,440 reward queries for key hotel brands in four global frequent guest programs: Hilton HHonors, IHG Rewards, Marriott Rewards, and Starwood SPG.  The result provides an average “reward payback” for each program, which is described in this press release.
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Switchfly Hotel Reward Seat Survey 2015 Graphic

2014 Airline Ancillary Revenue Activity Surpasses $38 Billion, Up Nearly 21 Percent
IdeaWorksCompany researched financial filings made by 130 airlines all over the world, 63 of which disclosed qualifying revenue activity, to reveal that ancillary revenue reported by these airlines was $38.1 billion for 2014. That represents a more than $35.6 billion increase since 2007, and the 2014 number is up 20.9% over $31.5 billion from 2013.  The 2015 CarTrawler Yearbook of Ancillary Revenue by IdeaWorksCompany, now available free online, provides the most detailed global assessment of a bottom-line-booster that can represent 38.7% of a carrier’s revenue, as it does for Spirit Airlines in the US, or $56.28 per passenger for Jet2.com in the UK, and $5.86 billion for global behemoth United Airlines.

2014 Airline Ancillary Revenue Leaps to $38.1 Billion – Up Nearly 21% in a Year
For the eighth consecutive year, 63 airlines tracked by IdeaWorksCompany reported substantial increases in revenue from retail activities and the sale of a la carte services and frequent flier miles.  The IdeaWorksCompany study, sponsored by CarTrawler, focused on 63 airlines which disclosed qualifying revenue activity, to reveal that ancillary revenue reported by these airlines was $38.1 billion for 2014.

Brussels Airlines, JetBlue, KLM, and United Rev Up Their Ancillary Revenue Engines
The best airline merchandisers know a la carte revenue is boosted by a magical combination of human support and distribution technology.  The most recent ancillary revenue report sponsored by CarTrawler celebrates retail and merchandising innovations that support ancillary revenue. It offers a collection of examples that rely upon technology and training to create a type of mercantile seduction that encourages consumers to open their wallets and spend.

Southwest and airberlin Still Tops for Rewards, but Alaska Airlines and Avianca Jump in the Rankings
IdeaWorksCompany releases results from the 6th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey.  Value-oriented airlines dominate the top tiers of the 6th annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey. Airberlin, Southwest, and Virgin Australia have placed within the top six in every edition of the reward survey since 2010. But global network carriers Air Canada (and the Aeroplan coalition loyalty program), Lufthansa, and Singapore are now in the top 5. Once again, airberlin and Southwest share first place with outstanding 100% scores; every flight queried in the survey provided reward seats at saver-style levels.
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Swithfly Reward Seat Availability Survey Graphic

American, Etihad, Qantas and 20 Other Airlines Woo Members with Wild, Weird and Wonderful Rewards
From marriage proposals to magic scarves, savvy airlines intrigue customers with mileage rewards that go far beyond flying.  IdeaWorksCompany recently reviewed the frequent flier programs of 160 airlines around the world to gather examples of alternative rewards such as unique experiences, event tickets, and retail goods. Beyond the benefit of reducing reward liability, alternative rewards can encourage members to interact more frequently and deeply with the program. In addition, a thoughtful selection of rewards can create a personality for the frequent flier program and ultimately the airline. Does the program wish to be playful, luxurious, or socially aware? Through its review of programs worldwide, IdeaWorksCompany offers examples of 25 alternative rewards ranging from the extravagant to everyday comforts.