No Tourists Allowed - An Insider's Guide to Travel

Is Your Frequent Flyer Program Manipulating You? Airline Exec Tells All

Listen on

Episode notes

In this episode, we sit down with airline industry veteran Cory Garner to discuss the complex world of airline distribution and frequent flyer programs. Cory shares his insider perspective on how airlines are using new technologies and strategies to compete for customer loyalty in an increasingly dynamic market. We also dive into the pros and cons of splitting your loyalty between airlines to maximize benefits.

Highlights:

(0:00) Introduction

(1:23) Airlines using new tech to influence loyalty

(5:54) NDC gives airlines more control over distribution

(11:25) Leisure agencies adapted to NDC, corporate lags

(14:58) Airlines mark up fares in legacy channels

(17:52) Loyalty programs drive 15-20% of airline revenue

(22:28) Cash + points offers usually a worse deal

(26:45) Split loyalty in competitive markets to maximize benefits

(33:55) Made pizza, saw Sophia Loren filming location

NTA Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/notouristsallowed321/