"What is your flexibility worth?" That's the question being asked by Upside, a new travel company aiming to revolutionize the way business travel is booked. As we all know, airline and hotel loyalty programs incentivize individuals to make choices that primarily benefit the travel provider (and if you're a savvy One Mile at a Time reader, the traveler). This is reflected in the move to a revenue-based system by all the major airlines in the US domestic market. If you pay a higher fare, you'll earn more miles. If you shop around for a cheaper hotel room, or a less-convenient flight schedule your employer might save money, but you earn fewer miles. So the question becomes: if business travelers can be incentivized by loyalty programs, could they instead be incentivized to make choices that save their company money? Essentially, what Upside is hoping to do is nudge travelers towards choices that also save their employers money. By offering gift cards as an incentive, Upside thinks business travelers might be more open to considering a connecting flight, or a hotel across the street. Options which ultimately save employers money too. It's an interesting idea, and we're always looking for unique ways to save or improve the travel experience, so when Upside asked if we would be a launch partner we agreed. The You guys will also have early access to the app, and will earn higher rebates on trips booked through Upside.
By One Mile at a Time