Guess Who’s Ready to Go Deeper into Your Pocket

May 27, 2009 | Uncategorized

If you read this blog regularly you know how much the airlines have been trying to increase revenue through all sorts of things over the past year.

Well, fasten your seatbelt because there’s more to come. But you probably suspected that already.

At the recent Airline Sales Channel and A La Carte Pricing Conference in Miami -– who comes up with these names? -– an interesting little secret was revealed. The airlines — hell-bent on finding still more sources of revenue beyond added luggage charges, charging for food, even Ryanair mulling a charge to use the loo -– are not content with lightening the load in your wallet only in the terminal and in the air.

They are now going to go after you at home, in your office and, probably in the case of Ryanair, in the loo, as well.

According to Amadeus, a supplier of technology to the travel and tourism industry, on average consumers make airline reservations 46 days before a trip, and they book hotels and rental cars about 24 days out. This, of course, tells them a lot about you. It also gives them anywhere from 576 to more than 1100 hours to pick your pocket.

Look at it this way — airlines only have to look at your passenger name record to see if you’re bringing a child on your trip and also if you’ve snagged discount economy tickets. They can then try to sell you an economy family hotel or theme park tickets. Ditto for business travelers.

According to Aviation Week, whose reporter sat through a week of agonizing speeches in Miami, the profit potential for an airline is probably five times greater than they ever realized if they’d just begin being a bit more shrewd in using all that data they have on hand. Why, those sneaky SOBs…so you can imagine what’s coming!

“Hello sir, this is Delta confirming your departure tomorrow. And, by the way, have you forgotten your anniversary next week — would you like us to deliver flowers?”

Jim Ferri