Starwood is thinking about loyalty much differently than its peers, and moves like this new Apple Watch app should be seen as a loyalty play more than a tech one.
Southwest is certainly on an upward trajectory and the good times keep on rolling for the airline. The fruits of its labor with the recent rebranding and seeing record profits are now reaching passengers by giving them a brand to use that they already know and love. Let's see what other airlines may follow.
The technology exists to make most of these ideas a reality right now, so inventors and the technologically-inclined should take notes and listen to what these travelers are asking for.
Apple's products have change the way we travel from how we listen to music on long bus rides to how we navigate new neighborhoods. In time, these products will likely impact our travel habits and behaviors as well.
JetBlue really needs to devote more resources to its tech capabilities. It is finally getting around to it with its imminent satellite-based Wi-Fi, but the airline needs to stay on top of its game.
Both Apple and Google know that the next battle is to help people discover the physical world around them. This is Apple's latest attempt, but is still significantly behind its rival.