Gennady Podolsky, a renowned global travel concierge with over three decades of industry experience, recently shared his expertise and observations during a Road Warriors roundtable discussion. The event, held on February 29, 2024, at Ernst & Young’s Miami offices, brought together business and government leaders to explore diverse topics relevant to top-tier luminaries and policymakers.
Podolsky began by highlighting the foundational changes witnessed in the travel industry, particularly the shifting dynamics between airlines and their customers. He noted that airlines’ frequent flyer programs have become more valuable than the actual flights. “The airlines are changing. There’s a joke that airlines are no longer airlines. They’re credit cards with a side gig on flying planes,” Podolsky remarked.
Furthermore, Podolsky discussed the airlines‘ increased reliance on data analytics and its ramifications for the consumer-airline relationship. “The tables are turning in the consumer and airline relationship. They have 30 years of frequent flyer program data, and they’re using that to deliver custom prices for every customer,” he explained.
Podolsky advised travelers to use their credit cards as a buffer between themselves and the airlines, as the latter aims to determine each customer’s willingness to pay. “The airline wants to know how much you’re willing to pay. Use the credit card, forget the status, and use your frequent flyer number sparingly,” he advised.
Recognizing the critical role of travel credit cards in the evolving landscape, Podolsky highlighted four notable programs that could maximize travelers’ points and benefits:
- CapitalOne Venture X: Podolsky praised this card as the best program to work with, citing its exceptional value proposition.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Described as the “queen of the cards,” Podolsky highlighted the card’s $300 travel credit and the generous three points per dollar spent on travel-related expenses.
- American Express Platinum and Centurion: Podolsky acknowledged American Express as the “grand dame of the cards,” with the Platinum card being an excellent choice and the exclusive Centurion card reserved for high-spenders.
- Citibank Prestige: While no longer issued, Podolsky recommended keeping the Citibank Prestige card if one already possesses it, as it remains the best card, in his opinion.
Podolsky’s deep understanding of the travel credit card market and his ability to navigate its complexities have made him a valuable resource for his clients. With his superb applied mathematics skills and extensive industry experience, he is well-equipped to find optimal solutions to his clients’ travel-related challenges.
Gennady Podolsky’s insights provide a valuable perspective for business and leisure travelers as the travel industry continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements and data-driven strategies. His participation in the Road Warriors Leap Year Roundtable underscores his standing as a thought leader in the global travel concierge space and his willingness to share his expertise to benefit the broader travel community.