Transportation

Travel Payments
Report: American Airlines Considering Making Citigroup Sole Credit Card Partner
September 20, 2024

American Airlines is reportedly considering consolidating its business with a single credit card partner, potentially by making Citigroup its exclusive partner and dropping Barclays. The airline’s talks with banks and card networks are ongoing and the timing of an agreement is unknown, CNBC reported Friday...

Travel Payments
Airbnb: Long-Term Stays Present ‘Huge Growth Opportunity’
September 19, 2024

With some cities suffering housing shortages, Airbnb is eyeing long-term stays. The vacation rental company is focused on expanding its long-term rental business, meaning stays of 28 days or more, CEO Brian Chesky said at a travel conference, Reuters reported Thursday (Sept. 19). “Stays of...

Ridesharing
Uber to Launch Rider Verification and ‘Record My Ride’ Nationwide
September 17, 2024

Uber has announced the nationwide launch of two features designed to improve the safety of drivers: rider verification and the ability to record video and audio during trips with their smartphones. Both features have been tested in pilot programs and will now be made available...

Travel Payments
Expedia Teams With Influencers and Celebs on Shoppable Storefronts
September 16, 2024

Expedia has launched a series of “shoppable storefronts” curated by social media influencers and brands. The company’s Travel Shops, announced Monday (Sept. 16), allow creators to share and save travel recommendations using the Expedia app. “Every day, people are liking and buying products recommended by influencers they trust,...

Travel Payments
Klarna and UATP Partner on Flexible Payment Options for Airlines
September 10, 2024

Global payment network UATP and buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider Klarna have partnered to allow airlines to offer Klarna’s flexible payment options. With this collaboration, airline customers can select Klarna’s immediate payments; short-term, interest-free BNPL; or longer-term financing for travel products and services, the...

Transportation
Federal Funds Boost EV Charging Infrastructure, but Scaling Production Faces Hurdles
September 04, 2024

While the federal government last month allocated an additional $521 million for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, challenges persist in scaling EV production to meet market expectations. In July Ford shifted its strategy for the Oakville Assembly plant in Canada, pivoting from its original plan...

Ridesharing
Lyft Lets Commuters Cap Prices With New Subscription
September 04, 2024

Lyft has debuted a new feature designed to help commuters stay within budget. “To make your day more predictable, we’re launching price lock, a new subscription that caps the price of your regular commute,” Audrey Liu, executive vice president of rider experience at Lyft, said...

Travel Payments
One in Every Ten Dollars Globally Spent on Travel in 2024
September 03, 2024

Travel spending will generate a record 10% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year. That’s according to a report Monday (Sept. 3) by Reuters, citing data from World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), a non-profit membership group. The WTTC estimates show the travel industry contributing...

Transportation
Can Robotaxis Accelerate the Future of Automated Driving?
September 01, 2024

Fifteen years ago, Uber disrupted and transformed ride hailing. Uber, one of the platform economy’s original giants, announced Thursday (Aug. 29) that is making a strategic investment in autonomous driving software provider Wayve, agreeing to put self-driving vehicles powered by Wayve’s software on the Uber platform...