Get ready. The definition of "lowest logical airfare" is changing forever.

For a very long time, travel managers have used the term "logical" to describe components of their travel policies--"our policy is to enforce the lowest logical airfare"--which, for the most part, seemed logical. But with constant innovations to technology, suppliers' needs to optimize revenue and a more emboldened and empowered workforce, what has been logical for years might no longer be.

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It has always been interesting to watch how [airline-GDS] skirmishes have played out in the past. Travel buyers can and should be more engaged with respect to closely managing their entire travel and expense "supply chain." In a managed travel program there are a myriad of things that form your supply chain. Everything from the products and services consumed (ex: airline seat, hotel room, etc), the middleman who helps with the purchase (ex: TMC), the form of payment, online booking tool, mid and Read More »

It’s time for the 2010 live edition of The Beat,

and in case you didn’t notice the speaker roster is quite a treat...

From Hogg comes a man that they call Radcliffe,

during a cozy fireside chat about travel he will riff,

The GDS guys will all be there…..Parks, Ekert, Ingram, and Stow,

their ancillary fee proclamations will likely strike a blow,

especially to the airline guys – I’m talking Blaise-Shamai, and that guy Hilfman who wears a fro,

Banter from Hegeman is always f Read More »

Way back in the day, before I sported my current, clean-cropped hairstyle, I wasn’t quite the ladies man. Since I didn’t have Leon Phelps, or more appropriately Giuseppe Franco , to help out in this department, I took advantage of the Queens County Fair. Yes there was such a thing. Although there wasn’t a cow milking contest, they did bring in a pony that was three weeks from the glue factory that you could ride for half a buck. There was a Dunking Booth to display my pitching skills, and even Read More »

Mike D recently released his 2010 NBTA packing guide to critical acclaim. As a complement to this fine piece of work, I'm pleased to present my own guide. While Daly and I will both be carrying on our luggage, that crazy guy will be packing his stuff, white dinner coat included, in a ratty Nike duffel that is shabbier than what you used for treks home while in college. To each his own. Read More »

I read, with some interest last week, that President Obama wants federal workers to cut down on travel. Read More »

Last week I read a story on The Beat in which Jay Campbell insinuates that simply marketing mobile solutions directly to corporate travelers is sufficient to establish a corporate technology provider as traveler-centric. Bowling night was canceled last Tuesday, so I wasn't waking up to the typical Wednesday morning fog. I reread the posting several times, and frankly I cannot comprehend how marketing to an end-user makes a company or its products traveler-centric. In fact, I'd argue that it's Read More »

I was in London a couple of weeks back to attend the Business Travel Market, a conference and trade show for the UK and broader European corporate travel market. In the opening remarks, Jon West, HRS's Commercial Director for the UK and Ireland, posed the following question to the audience comprised mostly of corporate travel buyers:

“Do you make your travel program easy for you, or for your travelers?” Read More »

“I’ll have a half double decaffeinated half-caf, with a twist of lemon.” And, I want to sip it as I get to first base with my favorite TSA agent. It’s funny how the rules can be stretched for big business. That’s right, check out the picture below. I captured it in the Puerto Vallarta airport on a recent trip to Mexico. I wonder how many grande Pike Place Roasts Starbucks offered up for this preferential treatment. Read More »

You're quite a masochist if you choose to squish four kids into a minivan for a 15-hour road trip to Cooperstown, NY, an adventure to the Baseball Hall of Fame. That is, unless you've made a wise investment to "pimp your ride" with a DVD player. It's one instance when I fully advocate turning my kids into mindless drones, to replace the whining, fighting and constant ringing of "are we there yet," with bug-eyed blank stares that are mesmerized by a sea-dwelling sponge that wears pants. The retur Read More »