May 17, 2012

Value Airlines Offer Best Reward Seat Availability, British and United Improve Most Among Majors
IdeaWorks Company releases results from the 3rd annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey.

April 30, 2012

Shocking News: A la Carte Pricing is Good for Consumers
The ultimate compliment for the consumer acknowledges their right to choose.

April 3, 2012

Airlines Woo Members with Wild, Wierd and Wonderful Rewards
IdeaWorks reviews the frequent flier programs associated with 150+ airlines to find the most unique rewards that go far beyond flying.

March 14, 2012

Learn What it Takes to Boost Ancillary Revenue to 30 Percent of Passenger Revenue
First-ever Ancillary Revenue Training Camp by IdeaWorks is scheduled for 12/13 September 2012. Equipping Travel Agents to Book a la Carte

December 19, 2011

Spirit Succeeds with the World’s Only Fee for Carry-on Bags
IdeaWorks estimates 20% of passengers choose it, generating $50 million annually for the airline.

December 1, 2011

Hotel and Car Rental Rewards Now Available to 300 Million Frequent Flier Members Worldwide
But consumer values differ widely among airlines offering alternative rewards designed to reduce mileage and point liability

November 17, 2011

Equipping Travel Agents to Book a la Carte Features Could Boost Global Ancillary Revenue to $100 Billion
IdeaWorks explores how airlines manage a la carte transactions with travel agents.

October 19, 2011

Airline ancillary revenue soars to $32.5 billion worldwide in 2011
The Amadeus worldwide estimate of ancillary revenue reveals a $9.9 billion increase of 43.8% (please read the results in the press release).

September 12, 2011

Five Frequent Flier Programs Accrue Revenue of $7 Billion
IdeaWorks analyzes how loyalty programs pour cash into airline coffers.

August 8, 2011

US Carriers’ Baggage Revenue of $3.4 Billion Encourages
Fees to Fly Across the Globe
IdeaWorks analyzes the boom in the largest a la carte component.

August 1, 2011

Global Surge in Airline Fees and Charges Captured in 2011 Amadeus Yearbook of Ancillary Revenue by IdeaWorks
Results from 47 airlines worldwide depict huge scope of ancillary revenue.

May 31, 2011

Ancillary Revenue reported by airlines grew to €15.11 billion in 2010 and has almost doubled since 2008
Analysis from IdeaWorks, sponsored by Amadeus, reveals that United, Continental, Delta, American and Qantas are top ancillary revenue carriers for 2010.

May 26, 2011

Low Fare Airlines Offer Better Reward Seat Availability While Traditional Carriers Provide Mixed Results
The IdeaWorks Company releases results from the 2nd annual ezRez Reward Seat Availability Survey.

January 31, 2011

Planes, Cars, and Ancillary Revenues
Car rental powers ahead as a lucrative source of extra revenue for airlines and the travel industry.

October 14, 2010

Airline Ancillary Revenue Soars to €18.4 billion ($22.6 billion) Worldwide in 2010
The 110-page Amadeus Guide to Ancillary Revenue by IdeaWorks compiles a la carte activity worldwide, highlighting industry leaders such as AirAsia X, Alaska Airlines, easyJet, Ryanair, and United Airlines.

September 20, 2010

Alternative Rewards Help Airlines Cope With Boom in Miles and Plunge in Trips
The 110-page ezRez Guide to Loyalty Marketing by IdeaWorks unveils the secrets of frequent flier program activity worldwide

July 21, 2010

Airlines Worldwide Fly High on Ancillary Services -- 2009 Revenues Jump 43 percent to €11 billion ($13.5 billion)
Analysis from IdeaWorks, supported by Amadeus, shows United, American, Delta, Qantas, and Ryanair are top ancillary revenue earners for 2009

May 3, 2010

Miles to Smiles or Sold Out - First Ever Global Survey Finds Disparity in Airline Reward Seat Availability
ezRez Software and the IdeaWorks Company introduce the annual guide for understanding and maximizing loyalty marketing.

January 20, 2010

US Airlines Will Generate Millions from Higher Baggage Fees
Despite consumer gripes, fee hikes still bring in more revenue.

December 15, 2009

Has British Airways Fallen into a Rabbit Hole or Embarked on an Adventure of Change?
IdeaWorks reviews the wonderland of changes wrought by BA and Willie Walsh.

October 14, 2009

Delta, Alaska Airlines, and Aeroplan Create Solutions for the Reward Availability Problem
Innovation and accountability are key factors in addressing an issue that many consumers complain about and many airline executives prefer to ignore.

September 8, 2009

Airlines All Over the Globe Post Big Ancillary Revenue Gains - - 2008 Activity Jumps 345% to €7.68 billion ($10.25 billion)
IdeaWorks releases the 2009 Guide to Ancillary Revenue and a la Carte Pricing.

March 24, 2009

Today’s Cash-Strapped Consumers Demand More - Low Cost Long Haul Flights and Cheap Hotels in Major Cities
IdeaWorks describes why AirAsia X and easyHotel have the right product at the right time, and how airlines and hotels can thrive by deploying an a la carte pricing strategy.

March 12, 2009

The IdeaWorks Transatlantic Reward Report 2009 is now available
Iberia Offers Best Transatlantic Online Reward Availability - - American Airlines is Best Among US-Based Carriers. IdeaWorks’s extensive research reveals some airlines offer consumers virtually no online availability for US -Europe reward travel.

January 27, 2009

IdeaWorks Adds Ancillary Revenue, Loyalty Marketing, and Airline Product Development Consulting Expertise
Michael Smith based in Scotland and Andrea Spiegel - formerly Vice President of Sales & Marketing of JetBlue - join IdeaWorks as consulting affiliates.

December 1, 2008

Airlines Will Introduce More A La Carte Fees and Other Revenue-Based Methods
to Serve and Reward Customers
69% of airline executives in a worldwide survey say charging fees for services - - instead of including benefits in the price of a ticket - - will become more prevalent.

September 3, 2008

Testing Consumer Patience - Airline Executives Predict More Fees
69% of airline executives in a worldwide survey say charging fees for services - - instead of including benefits in the price of a ticket - - will become more prevalent.

August 18, 2008

Frequent Flier Credit Cards Generate More Than $4 Billion for Major U.S. Airlines
Card issuers, such as American Express, Bank of America, Citi, Chase, and US Bank, are attracted by annual charge volumes estimated to be in excess of $337 billion.

July 24, 2008

IdeaWorks Helps Airlines Find a Bottom Line Boost With Ancillary Revenue
The US-based consulting firm is a global leader in the ancillary revenue movement with its
147-page guide, industry reports, speaking engagements, and new consulting services.

July 14, 2008

American Airlines Borrows Ryanair Fee Tactics - - Consumers Should Expect More To Come
American’s recent implementation of checked baggage fees, which appear to have been accepted by passengers, will likely generate annual revenue in excess of $458 million.

May 29, 2008

Believe It Or Not - Frequent Flier Seats are Truly Available -
New Research by IdeaWorks
Even during the peak travel season of summer, reward seats for a family of 4 were available in top markets more than 46% of the time.

February 19, 2008

How Ryanair Achieves Ancillary Revenue Zen in a World Where Airline Profits Might Become Zero
IdeaWorks offers an excerpt from its recently released 147-page Ancillary Revenue Guide.

December 18, 2007

Airlines All Over the Globe Seek Ancillary Revenue Nirvana- A Guide to this
$2.45 Billion Business
132-page manual is filled with lessons from a la carte pricing leaders Ryanair, Air Canada, SkyEurope, Delta, Jetstar, and Spirit Airlines.

August 27, 2007

Buckle Your Seat Belts - Airline Executives Predict More Fees and Plan to Sell More Services via Their Web Sites
63% of airline executives in a worldwide survey say charging fees for services - - instead of including benefits in the price of a ticket - - will become more prevalent.

July 30, 2007

The Great Branding Debate: Is airline branding a waste of money and do airlines really care?
91% of airline executives in a worldwide survey say the power of an airline’s brand can attract more customers, but 56% admit funding for branding initiatives is a problem.

July 25, 2007

IdeaWorks Reports: Rating Budget Hotel Credit Cards, and Comparing AirTran and Midwest on Reward Payback
IdeaWorks rates the Choices Privileges Visa card as offering the largest payback, and AirTran A+ Rewards as the fastest way to a free reward ticket.

April 4, 2007

New York - Los Angeles is the Top Market for Frequent Flier Reward Travel in the United States
IdeaWorks releases report listing the top 15 market choices for standard frequent flier rewards on the mainland routes of U.S. airlines.

February 28, 2007

Stormy Weather: Frequent Flier Executives Are Concerned About Reward Availability and Other Consumer Issues
In a recent survey of frequent flier program management, 66% recognize seat availability is “too limited” at the lowest reward level.

December 13, 2006

Allegiant Air Declares its Ancillary Revenue Manifesto
Allegiant Air’s recent stock prospectus reveals it is changing the business model for US low cost carriers.

October 10, 2006

Europe’s Top 4 Low Cost Carriers Generated 470 Million Euros (US$593 Million) From Non-Ticket Sources in 2005
But U.S. frequent flier programs produced revenues estimated at 2.5 billion Euros
(more than US$3 billion) and better per passenger results.

July 20, 2006

Eight Low Cost Airlines Launch New Frequent Flier Programs All Over the Globe
Free travel benefits are now offered by eight new entrant airlines: Eos Airlines, Germanwings, go!, Kingfisher Airlines, MAXjet Airways, Spirit Airlines, Virgin Blue Airlines, and Virgin Express.

May 22, 2006

Frequent Fliers Reach New Heights with More Than 15 Million Reward Trips
During 2005
Storm clouds may have cleared a little with reward redemptions becoming more prevalent, but liability for unused miles also increases a record $3.8 billion.

May 11, 2006

The Value of a Frequent Flier Mile Jumps in 2005 But Reward Availability Remains a Consumer Complaint
By some measures, the value of a frequent flier mile seems to be increasing, and yet other measures suggest a troubled mileage marketplace. United Airlines introduces a new loyalty currency that bypasses the need to rely upon traditional reward availability.

May 8, 2006

IdeaWorks Participates in Global Conference for Low Cost Airlines and Adds to Client Base
IdeaWorks president Jay Sorensen will participate as a speaker at the World Low Cost Airlines Congress Americas 2006 to be held June 26-28 in Miami, Florida.

January 19, 2006

IdeaWorks Issues Report on Innovative Reward Alternatives for the World’s Largest Airlines
Airline frequent flier programs begin to open their wallets and spend cash on new alternative reward choices that go beyond air travel.

October 24, 2005

IdeaWorks Issues Report on Frequent Guest Partnerships for the Top 15 US-Based Hotel Brands
InterContinental Hotel Group’s Priority Club program eclipses Delta, Lufthansa and United with its network of 190 partner relationships.

August 22, 2005

IdeaWorks Issues Report on Frequent Flier Partnerships for the World’s Top 20 Low Fare Carriers
Condor, Jetstar, Song and Ted enjoy significant partner advantages from the frequent flier programs operated by their major airline affiliates.

July 15, 2005

IdeaWorks Adds Consulting Resource and Grows Client Base
Director of Revenue Management for Midwest Airlines joins consulting team.

July 13, 2005

IdeaWorks Participates in Global Conference for Low Cost Airlines
IdeaWorks president Jay Sorensen will participate as a speaker at the World Low Cost Airlines Congress 2005 to be held September 14-16, 2005 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

May 18, 2005

United Airlines Shutdown Could Also Ground its Mileage Plus Frequent Flier Program
United Loyalty Services, operator of Mileage Plus, generated revenues of $822 million during 2004.

April 25, 2005

Frequent Flier Reward Liability Among the Top 14 U.S. Airlines Increased to $3.87 Billion During 2004
Liability for unused reward travel jumps 10.8% ahead of 2003.

April 20, 2005

Frequent Flier Rewards Among the Top 14 U.S. Airlines Dropped to 14.7 Million Tickets During 2004
Reward travel became a smaller component of overall passenger activity on nine of the largest U.S. airlines.

April 5, 2004

Frequent Flier Benefits Now Offered by 8 Top European LCCs: Aer Lingus, Air Berlin, Air Europa, Condor, flybe, Hapag-Lloyd, LTU and Monarch
Among the more than 55 low cost carriers analyzed, only 12 provide frequent flier programs.

February 16, 2005

Frequent Flier Mileage Values for Major Airlines such as American, Continental, Delta and United Have Dropped 33% Since 1994
Airlines would be required to drop their standard 25,000 mile reward level to 17,000 miles to recover the mileage value offered in 1994.

December 27, 2004

Ryanair, jetBlue, Air New Zealand, Virgin Blue, American and United Launch Innovative Marketing Programs during 2004
Airlines opt for innovative solutions to attract more customers, gain market share and boost revenues rather than rely only on cost cutting and fare discounting.

December 3, 2004

Points and Powder: Frequent-Skier Programs Are Far More Generous Than Airline Industry Counterparts
Free skiing benefits are offered by Vail Resorts Management Company, American Skiing Company and at Squaw Valley and Northstar-at-Tahoe.

September 21, 2004

Frequent Fliers May Experience Turbulence During Bankruptcy
United Airlines and US Airways award travel liabilities may create the setting for a perfect storm that leaves millions of travelers stranded.

September 8, 2004

Six Hotel Loyalty Programs Now Offer No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards
Co-branded card offers from major hotel chains offer points that can be exchanged for free room nights and even airline miles.

August 25, 2004

Five U.S. Airlines Now Offer No-Annual-Fee Mileage Credit Card
The ever-competitive airline industry is finally acknowledging the pressures of the credit card marketplace with American, Delta and United now offering no-annual-fee cards to meet the growing demands of fee-adverse consumers.

April 9, 2004

Robert Bahlman to Join IdeaWorks as Managing Director and Consultant
Current CFO for Midwest Airlines will lead new Financial Consulting Practice as of May 1, 2004.

March 1, 2004

IdeaWorks adds Editorial and Creative Consulting Services
Eric Lucas and Melinda Caughill join the IdeaWorks Company effective March 8, 2004.

October 28, 2003

IdeaWorks Announces Client Relationships in Travel and Consumer Products Sectors
Alterra Coffee Roasters, DB Air, Ltd., Europe Express and Go-Today.com are clients.