Mileage May Vary - A Business Travel Podcast

In this episode of Mileage May Vary, we take you through the Eternal City—Rome—one of the world’s most historic capitals and a major business hub in Italy. From navigating the city’s transport system to finding the best spots for business lunches and networking, we cover all you need to know to make the most of your business trip to Rome. We also dive into the city’s cultural landmarks and provide tips for balancing work and leisure in this iconic destination. Key Topics Covered: 1. Getting Around Rome: Tips on public transport, taxis, and walking through Rome’s historic districts. 2. Key Business Districts: Overview of EUR, Prati, Centro Storico, and Parioli as vital areas for business meetings and events. 3. Business Etiquette: Learn about formalities, language tips, and what to expect in a Roman business setting. 4. Best Places for Meetings and Networking: Discover co-working spaces, conference venues, and casual areas for networking. 5. Cultural Highlights: Take a break to explore iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, the Vatican, and Piazza Navona. 6. Health and Safety Tips: Stay fit and safe while travelling through Rome with helpful advice on eating healthy and avoiding common travel pitfalls. Takeaways: - Rome provides the perfect mix of modern business infrastructure and ancient culture, ideal for professionals looking to balance work with leisure. - From formal meeting spaces to informal networking venues, Rome offers options for all business types. - Don’t forget to explore Rome’s historic landmarks and immerse yourself in the city's timeless charm between business engagements. Planning your next business trip? Businesses save time and money with Ortharize—the smarter way to manage corporate travel. Ortharize simplifies booking, offers a suite of business intelligence, and ensures compliance with company travel policies, all while giving your team access to exclusive deals on flights and hotels. Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! With Ortharize, you’ll streamline travel planning and get back to focusing on what really matters—growing your business!

In this episode of Mileage May Vary, we cover critical updates shaping global travel, from the UK's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirements to Delta's AI-powered travel assistant and trends in global air travel demand. UK ETA Requirements: What Travelers Need to Know Starting January 8, 2025, US travellers will need a UK ETA for entry. Costs £10, valid for two years, and allows stays up to six months. Required for transit passengers and must be applied for before arrival. Application involves submitting a valid passport, digital headshot, and travel details online. Delta’s AI Concierge and SkyMiles Enhancements New Delta Concierge: AI-powered travel assistant launching in 2025 to provide personalized insights, alternative transport options, and travel notifications. Uber Partnership: SkyMiles members can now earn miles on Uber rides to and from airports. Ending Lyft Partnership: Delta ends its Lyft collaboration on April 7, 2025. Global Air Travel Demand: Growth and Challenges Strong Demand: International travel grew 11.6% year-over-year, led by Europe and Asia-Pacific. Capacity Constraints: Supply chain issues are delaying aircraft deliveries, causing record load factors. Domestic Trends: India leads domestic air travel growth at 1.5%. British Airways Revamps Loyalty Program Introducing British Airways Club: Tier Points now based on spending rather than distance. New Tier Point thresholds for Bronze, Silver, and Gold status. Changes effective from April 1, 2025. Planning your next business trip? Businesses save time and money with Ortharize—the smarter way to manage corporate travel. Ortharize simplifies booking, offers a suite of business intelligence, and ensures compliance with company travel policies, all while giving your team access to exclusive deals on flights and hotels. Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! With Ortharize, you’ll streamline travel planning and get back to focusing on what really matters—growing your business!

In this week’s episode of Mileage May Vary, we cover key developments in U.S. travel, from policy changes to airline and hotel updates. Discover how these stories shape the business travellers' landscape. Key Stories: FTC Bans Hidden Hotel Fees FTC bans hidden hotel fees, requiring upfront disclosure of all charges. The rule aims to improve transparency and help travellers budget accurately. The ban, expected to take effect in 120 days, follows pressure from consumer groups and legal actions. Global Air Travel Booms Asia-Pacific dominates the top international routes, with Hong Kong-Taipei leading the way. Domestic travel surges on routes like Jeju-Seoul, the busiest globally. New York-London remains a key route for transatlantic travel. JetBlue Expands European Network The new seasonal route from Edinburgh to Boston starts in May 2025. JetBlue launches its first Spanish route with Boston-Madrid flights. Seasonal services to Dublin and Edinburgh extended through October. Air Canada Offers Free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members Free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members on North American and Sun destinations flights begins May 2025. The service will expand to international flights in 2026, sponsored by Bell. Non-members can access Wi-Fi at reduced rates. November Air Sales Rise, Corporate Travel Dips Total air ticket sales increased by 7% year-on-year, surpassing $7.2 billion. Corporate travel sales dropped 2.7%, signalling a potential slowdown. Rising fares hit a record average of $576 for domestic roundtrips. U.S. Hotel Rates and Occupancy Rise Average daily rate (ADR) increased to $152.70 in November, up 0.9%. Occupancy rates rose to 59.4%, with major markets like New York outperforming others. Despite the growth, forecasts for business travel remain cautious. Planning your next business trip? Businesses save time and money with Ortharize—the smarter way to manage corporate travel. Ortharize simplifies booking, offers a suite of business intelligence, and ensures compliance with company travel policies, all while giving your team access to exclusive deals on flights and hotels. Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! With Ortharize, you’ll streamline travel planning and get back to focusing on what really matters—growing your business!

This week on Mileage May Vary, we’re covering the latest developments in the business travel and aviation industries. Tune in for insights into airport fees, air traffic congestion, sustainable aviation, airline tech, and mergers reshaping the global aviation landscape. Heathrow’s Planned Fee Hike Draws Criticism Heathrow Airport plans to raise its drop-off charge to £6 in 2025. The Business Travel Association calls it a “raid on travellers’ wallets” and warns of disproportionate impacts on business travellers. Overcrowded Airspace Disrupts UK Flights European airspace is under pressure due to the Ukraine conflict and rising flight volumes. NATS warns of delays and calls for collaboration to address the congestion. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Growth Falls Short SAF production doubled in 2024 but missed IATA’s projections, comprising just 0.3% of global jet fuel. Airlines urge governments to provide clearer support for SAF adoption. US Flights: Fewer Cancellations, More Passengers U.S. passenger flights rose by 3.5% year-on-year in September, while cancellations dropped to 0.6%. Airlines like Delta and JetBlue recorded the lowest cancellation rates. Korean Air Completes Asiana Airlines Merger Korean Air finalized its acquisition of Asiana, forming the world’s 10th largest airline. Integration plans include unified frequent-flyer programs and network expansions. United Airlines Expands Touchless ID Tech United’s Touchless ID for TSA PreCheck expands to Las Vegas, enabling passengers to clear security with facial recognition. Planning your next business trip? Businesses save time and money with Ortharize—the smarter way to manage corporate travel. Ortharize simplifies booking, offers a suite of business intelligence, and ensures compliance with company travel policies, all while giving your team access to exclusive deals on flights and hotels. Visit Ortharize.com and use the code MMVFREE for 3 months of Premier access for free! With Ortharize, you’ll streamline travel planning and get back to focusing on what really matters—growing your business!