David Jonas

In the latest BTE Town Hall, buyers share lessons learned from AA's experiment and paths ahead

The concept of “lowest logical fare” has always been open to interpretation. Traditionally, it’s the cheapest, in-policy fare returned when the traveler or travel agent searches in a booking system. But various market dynamics are making it harder to pin down, prompting industry professionals to reconsider it. New challenges in point-of-sale shopping comparisons due to personalized offers and bundled options…

Based on feedback from corporate clients, travel agencies and a couple of old friends, American Airlines will reactivate the Corporate Experience program on Oct. 10, providing preferred seats at no fee and priority check-in, security screening, boarding and disruption recovery. According to a Wednesday message to corporate clients, the suite of benefits, which was taken away in February, will be restored…

Someone should audit Dublin for suspicious purchases of wool, since city leaders are attempting to pull mass quantities of the stuff over Dublin voters’ eyes.

Certifications under consideration by a major standards body could usher in a new level of risk management rigor for participating corporate travel departments and suppliers.This would come in the form of auditable travel risk management standards for corporates and relevant providers — offshoots of the ISO 31030 travel risk management best practices document — which an ad hoc group within…

Jean King’s Sept. 26 letter to the editor accuses the Livermore City Council of failing to require developers to build housing developments that are inclusionary, meaning they include a required minimum percentage of affordable units.

Airlines have focused for several years on sustainable aviation fuel as a critical part of decarbonizing aviation. Certain carriers evidently are willing to deepen negotiated airfare discounts for corporate clients making SAF investments.Several airlines have promoted sustainability programs in which corporate clients can participate, but financial incentives provided by airlines to their accounts as a reward for backing them are…

A fresh approach to hotel safety and security is taking shape across the pond. Seeking input from around the industry, the Accommodation Conformity working group of the relatively new, U.K.-based Travel Risk Academy envisions a framework backed by technology initially designed for managing serviced apartments.The plan is to publish criteria for industry review by the start of 2025. The effort…

Jeff Kaskey, a candidate for Livermore City Council / District 3, has accused the City of “losing track of over $25 million” in affordable housing funds. He also claims the

Marriott International is pushing corporate rates for 2025 that lack last-room availability guarantees that, at least in key destinations, some buyers consider essential. Already, LRA rates are not always honored across the industry and don’t always provide sufficient savings compared with other negotiated rates, prompting some to wonder whether they’re worth the effort.Acknowledging a “stance for 2025 pricing that is…