By Ortharize - Business Travel Better
The podcast currently has 34 episodes available.
In this episode of Mileage May Vary, we dive into the latest innovations and trends shaping corporate travel and hospitality. From the transformative role of AI in travel management to exciting airline benefits and lounge openings, here’s what we’re covering this week:
- Discover how AI is streamlining tasks like data analysis, itinerary adjustments, and customer service in corporate travel.
- Learn about the benefits of chatbots, dynamic itinerary creation, and AI-driven cost reductions, along with tips for getting started with AI.
- Explore how American Airlines is using technology to simplify boarding processes, improve gate agent insights, and ensure seamless passenger experiences.
- Find out about new perks for AerClub members traveling on American Airlines and British Airways, including priority check-in, lounge access, and Avios earning opportunities.
- Flight Centre’s corporate brands are thriving despite global market stagnation, with significant account wins and international airfare growth.
- Star Alliance unveils its first branded lounge in Asia at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, offering 24/7 amenities for premium and Gold status passengers.
- PwC forecasts steady U.S. hotel occupancy rates but muted demand growth due to economic challenges. Meetings and group travel, however, are on the rise.
Planning your next business trip? Businesses save time and money with Ortharize—the smarter way to manage corporate travel. Ortharize simplifies booking, offers a suite of business intelligence, and ensures compliance with company travel policies, all while giving your team access to exclusive deals on flights and hotels. Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! With Ortharize, you’ll streamline travel planning and get back to focusing on what really matters—growing your business!
In this episode of Mileage May Vary, we’re uncovering the ins and outs of split ticketing for UK rail travel. With rail fares on the rise, split ticketing is a handy trick to help you save on long-distance journeys, offering real benefits for frequent and occasional travellers alike. Join us as we break down how to use split tickets to your advantage, potential pitfalls, and essential tips to make the most of this cost-saving hack.
Episode Highlights:
What is Split Ticketing?
Learn what split ticketing is, how it works, and why it can be cheaper than traditional through-tickets for the same journey—even if you stay on the same train!
Why Split Ticketing is Legal and Effective:
Split ticketing is perfectly legal under the National Rail Conditions of Travel. We discuss why this approach is often a win-win for both your wallet and your travel plans.
Key Benefits:
From cost savings to flexible railcard usage, we explore the main advantages of split ticketing and why more UK travellers are turning to this method.
Things to Consider:
We dive into important factors like seating arrangements, refund policies, missed connections, and route stop requirements to ensure a smooth journey.
Common Questions Answered:
Can split tickets work with railcards? Are they always cheaper? We answer the most common questions and offer guidance on when split ticketing might not be the best choice.
Top Tips for Successful Split Ticketing:
Plan ahead, use split ticketing tools, and confirm stop points on your route to make the most of split ticketing without any hassle.
Whether you're a regular rail commuter or planning a one-off trip, this episode will equip you with the know-how to start saving on UK rail journeys with split ticketing.
In this episode of Mileage May Vary: Layover Lowdown, we unpack the latest trends and developments shaping business travel, hospitality, and aviation. From environmental challenges to innovative airline strategies, here’s what we’re covering this week:
2. IAG’s Strong Transatlantic Performance
3. Southwest Airlines Reimagines Business Travel
4. Europe’s Summer Business Travel Slowdown
5. CBRE Revises 2024 Hotel Forecast
6. Icelandair Expands with Istanbul Service
Planning your next business trip? Businesses save time and money with Ortharize—the smarter way to manage corporate travel. Ortharize simplifies booking, offers a suite of business intelligence, and ensures compliance with company travel policies, all while giving your team access to exclusive deals on flights and hotels. Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! With Ortharize, you’ll streamline travel planning and get back to focusing on what really matters—growing your business!
In this week’s Mileage May Vary, we dive into what happens when an airline suddenly goes bankrupt, leaving passengers stranded mid-journey. With recent high-profile closures like Czech Airlines and Air Malta, we explore how these airline collapses impact travellers and what steps are taken to get them home safely.
Episode Highlights:
Czech Airlines & Air Malta Closures: We discuss the recent closures of two historic airlines and the steps these companies took to transfer customers to affiliate airlines, offering a rare cushion for impacted travelers.
No Notice, No Options: When airlines collapse without warning—as with WOW Air, Monarch, and Primera—passengers are often left scrambling. Governments sometimes step in with emergency repatriation, but the level of support varies widely based on the resources available. We’ll break down past large-scale efforts, like the UK’s costly Operation Matterhorn.
Relief Fares from Rival Airlines: Competitor airlines often come to the rescue with "relief fares," offering stranded passengers discounted tickets home. We look at airlines that have stepped in after sudden closures, providing affordable alternatives in times of crisis.
Financial Protection & Refunds: Find out how to safeguard yourself financially when booking flights. We cover airline refunds, travel insurance policies, credit card protections, ATOL certifications, and chargeback options—steps that can make a world of difference if your airline folds unexpectedly.
Whether you’re planning a trip or just want to be prepared, tune in to learn how to handle the worst-case scenario while traveling. Don’t miss this essential episode!
Special Offer: Ready to take your travel rewards to the next level? Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! Start optimising your business travel today.
In this week’s episode of Mileage May Vary, we explore the latest trends and updates shaping the world of corporate travel, from rising profits in aviation to the steady growth of blended travel. Join us as we dive into how these developments impact business travelers and the travel industry as a whole.
Episode Highlights:
Blended Travel on the Rise
We look at how more business travellers are combining work with leisure, with longer trips on the rise and over 75% of companies reporting travellers adding leisure to work trips.
IAG’s Impressive Q3 Profits
Strong leisure demand and expanded capacity have pushed International Airlines Group (IAG) to exceed profit expectations. We discuss the group’s North Atlantic focus, challenges with Aer Lingus, and the termination of its Air Europa acquisition.
Sustainability in Corporate Travel
Despite rising awareness around sustainability, few business travellers are taking action. We discuss the industry’s "say-do" gap, the challenges for sustainable travel options, and the need for EU incentives to support alternative fuels.
Marriott’s Corporate Rate Increases for 2025
Marriott projects mid-single-digit rate hikes for corporate clients, with strong growth in both transient and group bookings. We cover what this means for business travel budgets in the coming year.
United Expands Touchless ID Service
United Airlines has added TSA PreCheck Touchless ID services at Washington National Airport, now available at seven U.S. airports. This expansion offers a streamlined, touchless travel experience.
Air Canada’s Intermodal Partnerships
Air Canada is expanding rail and bus connections for its travellers across Europe and South Korea, enhancing seamless connectivity for international journeys.
Route Updates from Major Airlines
In this episode of Mileage May Vary, we unpack some of the most compelling insights from the latest developments in corporate travel. From shifts in TMC sourcing and gender disparity in leadership roles to key moves by major airlines and hotel giants, this episode delves into what’s shaping business travel as we look toward 2024.
Episode Highlights:
A new BTN survey reveals that one-third of travel managers are prioritising technology capabilities over service when choosing a TMC. We discuss the increasing integration of tech solutions in travel programs and how companies are balancing direct sourcing with TMC-provided tools.
At the GBTA Foundation’s WinIt Conference, new data highlighted a persistent lack of women in senior travel industry roles. We explore what this means for the future of gender equality in the travel sector and the push for stronger career development initiatives for women.
American Airlines is working to regain corporate business after a failed push for direct and NDC bookings left some agencies and travellers dissatisfied. We discuss the airline's new corporate agreements, incentives, and what this means for travel managers in 2024.
Hilton’s Q3 results indicate a resurgence in business travel demand, with growth in group bookings and corporate events. We dive into how Hilton’s performance is impacted by regional trends, labour challenges, and shifts in leisure travel demand.
As global business travel spend is projected to hit $1.5 trillion in 2024, we discuss what’s driving this growth—namely, the return to face-to-face meetings, with the US and China leading the way. We also look at how blended travel and the MICE industry are contributing to this rebound.
Planning your next business trip? Businesses save time and money with Ortharize—the smarter way to manage corporate travel. Ortharize simplifies booking, offers a suite of business intelligence, and ensures compliance with company travel policies, all while giving your team access to exclusive deals on flights and hotels. Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! With Ortharize, you’ll streamline travel planning and get back to focusing on what really matters—growing your business!
In this episode of Mileage May Vary, we break down the October 24 UK budget announcements and explore what these changes mean for the travel industry. From national insurance hikes and minimum wage increases to air passenger duty adjustments, we cover the latest updates that will impact airlines, hotels, ground transport, and business travellers. Join us as we unpack the budget’s key travel-related changes and how they might shape industry strategies and pricing.
Key Budget Announcements and Impact on Travel:
National Insurance Increase for Employers:
Minimum Wage Increases:
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for Zero Emission and Hybrid Cars:
Air Passenger Duty (APD) Adjustments:
Local and Regional Transport Funding:
Single Bus Fare Cap Extension:
Reduced Business Rates Relief for Retail, Leisure, and Hospitality:
HS2 Rail Project Update:
Frozen Fuel Duty:
Air Passenger Duty on Private Jets:
Economic Forecast and Inflation Rates:
Planning your next business trip? Businesses save time and money with Ortharize—the smarter way to manage corporate travel. Ortharize simplifies booking, offers a suite of business intelligence, and ensures compliance with company travel policies, all while giving your team access to exclusive deals on flights and hotels. Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! With Ortharize, you’ll streamline travel planning and get back to focusing on what really matters—growing your business!
In this episode of Mileage May Vary, Sam and Alex explore how business travellers can make the most of frequent flyer programs and travel rewards. They provide actionable tips and insights to help you rack up points and miles, redeem them wisely, and enhance your overall travel experience.
Key Highlights:
Choosing the Right Airline:
Sam and Alex discuss how selecting the best frequent flyer program depends on your travel habits. They explain the importance of aligning your travel goals with the airline's routes, alliances, and redemption options.
Redeeming Points for Upgrades:
One of the best ways to make your miles work for you is by using them to upgrade your travel experience. The hosts share advice on how to strategically redeem points for seat upgrades, from economy to business or first class, and how to ensure you're getting the best value for your miles.
Understanding Flight Routes and Rewards:
Not all flight routes are equal in terms of earning and redeeming points. The hosts explain how to maximise point accrual by choosing long-haul or high-traffic routes and discuss why understanding airline alliances can open up more options for redeeming miles.
Overview of Points and Miles:
The episode also covers different types of reward programs, from airline miles to hotel points and transferable points. Sam and Alex explain the best ways to earn points, whether through credit card bonuses, strategic spending, or booking travel through loyalty programs.
Maximising Value When Redeeming Points:
Redeeming points and miles wisely is key to getting the most out of your rewards. The hosts share tips on how to calculate the value of points, when to redeem them, and how to use them for high-value travel experiences like luxury hotels or long-haul flights.
Special Offer:
Ready to take your travel rewards to the next level? Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! Start optimising your business travel today.
Welcome to this week’s Layover Lowdown, where we unpack the latest developments in business travel and the aviation industry.
Key Stories Covered:
Sustainability in Business Travel:
Global Travel Updates:
Lodging Trends:
Meetings and Events:
Boeing’s Financial and Operational Challenges:
Security Threats in Aviation:
Airline Financial Struggles:
Planning your next business trip? Businesses save time and money with Ortharize—the smarter way to manage corporate travel. Ortharize simplifies booking, offers a suite of business intelligence, and ensures compliance with company travel policies, all while giving your team access to exclusive deals on flights and hotels. Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! With Ortharize, you’ll streamline travel planning and get back to focusing on what matters—growing your business!
Business Travel Boom: $1.5 Trillion in 2024
London Stansted’s £1.1 Billion Expansion Plan
EU Delays New Entry System Implementation
Australia and Indonesia Strengthen Economic Ties
Business Travel's Enduring Importance in Europe
British Airways Brings Back A380 for London-Boston Route
Poland’s Central Communication Port (CPK) to Become Major European Hub
SkyTeam Partners with Eurostar & Trenitalia for Seamless Rail-Air Journeys
United Airlines' Largest International Expansion for Summer 2025
The podcast currently has 34 episodes available.