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Why Travelers Should Be Especially Careful
Summit Management
Global Entry Mobile App Is Changing September 15
International travelers who use the Global Entry mobile app should prepare for an important change beginning September 15.
The current Global Entry app is being replaced by the new Trusted Traveler Programs mobile app. The change should be simple, but travelers should not wait until they are standing in an airport after an international flight to download and test it.
What Travelers Should Do
Before your next international trip:
Download the new Trusted Traveler Programs mobile app beginning September 15.
Sign in using your existing account information.
Confirm that your Global Entry membership details transferred correctly.
Take a few minutes to become familiar with the new app.
Keep the old app until you know the new one is working properly.
That is really all there is to the update.
Is the Global Entry Program Changing?
No. The Global Entry program, its benefits and its membership price remain the same.
Global Entry continues to provide expedited entry for approved travelers arriving in the United States. Membership costs $120 and is valid for five years.
Many premium travel credit cards also reimburse the Global Entry application or renewal fee through a statement credit. Travelers should check the benefits associated with their individual credit card before paying.
Don’t Wait Until You Land
Mobile applications can require updated passwords, identity verification or permission settings. Handling those details before leaving home can help avoid unnecessary delays after a long international flight.
If you regularly use Global Entry, put a reminder on your calendar for September 15. Download the new app, sign in and make sure everything is ready before your next trip.
The program is not changing. The benefits are not changing. The price is not changing. Only the mobile app associated with Global Entry is changing.
At Summit Management Services, we continue to monitor developments that affect business travelers, meeting attendees and international groups. A small amount of preparation before departure can make the return home much easier.
#JoeKnows #HistoryIsRewritten #GlobalEntry #InternationalTravel #TravelTips #BusinessTravel #SummitManagementServices
A Smart Incentive Travel Opportunity for 2028: Taking Advantage of Washington's Birthday Week
Most companies plan incentive trips around destination, budget, and attendee appeal.
But what if the calendar itself became part of the value proposition?
As organizations begin looking ahead to 2028 incentive travel programs, Washington's Birthday Week presents a unique opportunity that deserves consideration. With Presidents Day falling on Monday, February 21, 2028, companies have an opportunity to leverage a holiday that employees already have off while creating a longer and more memorable travel experience.
Traditionally, many incentive programs operate on a Wednesday-to-Monday schedule. While effective, these programs often require attendees to take additional time away from work and family commitments.
A Washington's Birthday Week program changes the equation.
By departing over the holiday weekend, participants can take advantage of a federal holiday that is already built into the calendar. In many cases, schools and businesses are closed on Monday, reducing the impact of time away from the office while creating the opportunity for a longer travel experience.
For family-oriented programs, this can be especially attractive. Some school districts may have additional days off during that week, making travel easier for families. Even when they do not, the holiday still provides a natural launching point for a program.
The result is a full seven-night experience that often feels easier to justify than a traditional week-long trip because part of the schedule is already supported by the holiday calendar.
Looking Beyond Traditional Resort Programs
Many organizations automatically focus on land-based Caribbean resorts when evaluating incentive travel. While resorts remain excellent options, cruise programs deserve a closer look than they often receive.
Today's cruise ships are destinations unto themselves.
Guests can enjoy multiple dining venues, entertainment options, private islands, shore excursions, meeting facilities, networking opportunities, spas, fitness centers, and accommodations ranging from standard staterooms to luxury suites.
Perhaps most importantly, a cruise creates a shared experience. Attendees travel together, dine together, participate in activities together, and build relationships in a way that can be difficult to replicate in a traditional resort setting.
Three Distinct Approaches
Family-Friendly Value: Royal Caribbean
A seven-night sailing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey offers a compelling combination of convenience and value.
The ability to drive to the port eliminates airfare costs entirely. Guests can enjoy a full Caribbean itinerary while spouses, children, and extended family members can participate through triple and quad occupancy accommodations.
For organizations seeking maximum participation, this approach can be particularly attractive.
Adults-Only Recognition Programs
For companies focused on owners, managers, key customers, strategic suppliers, and top performers, adults-only cruise programs offer a very different atmosphere.
Virgin Voyages has created a modern, upscale experience centered around exceptional dining, contemporary entertainment, and sophisticated accommodations. These programs can work particularly well for recognition programs, relationship-building events, and executive-level travel.
Destination-Focused Caribbean Experiences
Longer Southern Caribbean itineraries offer access to destinations such as Aruba, Curaçao, Antigua, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean favorites.
Rather than remaining in a single resort, attendees experience multiple destinations while enjoying the convenience of unpacking only once.
Regional Departure Options Expand the Opportunity
While a Cape Liberty departure works exceptionally well for organizations located in the Northeast, companies based in other regions of the country have similar opportunities available from ports closer to home.
Organizations located in the Southeast can take advantage of departures from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, Charleston, Mobile, Galveston, and New Orleans.
West Coast organizations have access to sailings from Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle, offering itineraries to Mexico, the Pacific Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, and beyond.
Companies located in Texas benefit from convenient departures from Galveston, one of the fastest-growing cruise ports in North America, while Midwestern organizations often find that flights to Florida, Texas, or New Orleans are both plentiful and competitively priced.
The key advantage is flexibility.
Unlike many land-based incentive programs that require participants to fly into a single destination, cruise programs provide numerous embarkation options throughout the United States. This often reduces airfare costs, minimizes travel time, and creates more convenient options for attendees and their families.
In many cases, the savings in airfare and transfers can offset a meaningful portion of the program cost while still delivering a premium incentive experience.
When evaluating a 2028 incentive program, organizations should not focus solely on the cruise itself. They should evaluate the entire travel experience from the participant's front door to the destination and back home again.
Sometimes the most cost-effective and attendee-friendly solution is simply choosing the right departure port.
The Real Value
When evaluating incentive travel, many organizations focus exclusively on the upfront cost.
A better approach is to evaluate overall value.
What is included?
How much travel time is required?
How much time must participants spend away from work?
How easy is it for spouses and families to participate?
How memorable is the experience?
Will participants still be talking about it years later?
Washington's Birthday Week offers an opportunity to answer those questions differently than traditional programs.
By combining a federal holiday, attractive destinations, and thoughtfully designed travel experiences, organizations may discover opportunities that provide greater value than they initially expected.
The best incentive programs are not simply trips.
They are experiences that strengthen relationships, reward performance, create memories, and motivate future success.
Sometimes the smartest opportunity is not changing the destination.
It's changing the way we think about the calendar.
Now is the time to begin evaluating 2028 opportunities. The best space, best pricing, and best itineraries will be secured well in advance. Organizations that plan early often gain the greatest advantage.
Joe Lipman
A Labor Day Reminder - Relax, Enjoy… and Check a Few Things Off Your List
Labor Day is more than just the unofficial end of summer. It is a day set aside to recognize the contributions, achievements, and hard work of American workers — and, just as importantly, an opportunity to step away from work for a little while and enjoy the people and things that matter most.
With Labor Day weekend fast approaching, you and I may both feel like summer has come and gone far too quickly. But here is the perfect opportunity to fire up the grill, visit with friends and family, build some memories, relax, and plan a little fun.
This is also the time of year when I like to send out one of my periodic checklists. Over the years, many of my family members, clients, and friends have found that taking a few minutes to review the things we tend to forget can save money, avoid aggravation, and help us plan ahead.
So, while you're enjoying Labor Day weekend, here is my Annual Labor Day Travel Checklist:
✓ Check everyone's passport expiration date.
Don't just check your own. Look at passports for your spouse, children, and anyone else in the family who may be traveling. Remember that some countries require your passport to remain valid for several months beyond your travel dates. Don't wait until you're ready to leave to discover a problem.
✓ Start planning future trips early.
If you know you're traveling for the holidays, winter break, spring break, a cruise, or a major family vacation, start looking now. Airfares, hotels, cruises, and the best accommodations don't necessarily get better when you wait.
✓ Check your frequent-flyer and hotel status.
Where do you stand for the year? Are you close to earning or renewing status? Are there trips you should consolidate with one airline or hotel program before year-end?
✓ Find out what is expiring.
Check airline miles, hotel points, credit-card benefits, travel credits, certificates, lounge memberships, upgrades, companion certificates, and other rewards. Some expire at year-end; others have completely different expiration dates.
✓ Don't forget your freebies!
This may be the most overlooked item. Check all those "free" benefits you've accumulated — free hotel nights, upgrades, airline credits, certificates, points, and promotional awards. I learned the hard way that expiration dates can sneak up on anyone — even me!
✓ Use ChatGPT to help you do an annual review.
Make a list of your airline programs, hotel programs, credit cards, memberships, points, certificates, and travel benefits. ChatGPT can help you organize what you have, identify the expiration rules you need to verify, and create a checklist so valuable benefits don't simply disappear.
✓ Consider annual travel insurance.
If you and your family travel several times a year, it may make sense to compare an annual travel insurance policy with purchasing coverage trip by trip. Allianz is one company worth considering, but compare the coverage carefully — particularly medical coverage, trip cancellation/interruption, baggage protection, exclusions, and whether your existing credit cards already provide some of these benefits.
Most importantly, enjoy the weekend. Labor Day is supposed to be a break from our everyday routines — a chance to appreciate the work we've done, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy what remains of summer.
Fire up the grill, make some memories, plan that next trip — and take ten minutes to make sure none of your hard-earned travel benefits are going to waste.
Have a safe, relaxing, and very happy Labor Day!
Joe Lipman
#LaborDay #LaborDayWeekend #TravelTips #TravelSmart #TravelPlanning #PassportCheck #FrequentFlyer #HotelRewards #TravelRewards #TravelInsurance #FamilyTravel #BusinessTravel #TravelAdvisor #TravelChecklist #PlanAhead #MakingMemories
Company Meetings Are Just a Click Away
Successful meetings don't happen by chance. They happen through thoughtful planning, flawless execution, and an experienced team that manages every detail.
Whether you're planning an executive retreat, sales meeting, advisory board, training program, or incentive event, Summit Management Services delivers meetings that inspire, engage, and achieve results.
Why Choose Summit?
Strategic Planning
Every successful meeting begins with a blueprint. We develop a clear plan that guides your program from the initial announcement through your attendees' safe return home.
Complete Meeting Management
From groups of 20 to conferences of hundreds, we manage every aspect of your meeting, from site selection and registration to travel, hotels, budgeting, production, and onsite execution, anywhere in the world.
Engaging Meeting Experiences
Today's attendees expect more than presentations. We create interactive experiences using innovative room layouts, audience response technology, multi-screen presentations, and meeting formats that encourage participation and collaboration.
Attention to Every Detail
The difference between a good meeting and a great one is execution. Our experienced team anticipates challenges before they arise, allowing your meeting to run seamlessly while you focus on your attendees and objectives.
A Trusted Partner
For more than 40 years, organizations have trusted Summit Management Services because we become an extension of their team, not just another vendor. Our long-standing client relationships reflect our commitment to exceptional service, creative solutions, and measurable results.
World-Class Meetings. Personalized Service. Proven Results.
At Summit Management Services, we don't just plan meetings. We create experiences that bring people together, strengthen organizations, and leave lasting impressions.
Let's start planning your next meeting.
#SummitManagementServices #MeetingPlanning #CorporateMeetings #EventManagement #BusinessEvents #MeetingProfessionals #ConferencePlanning #ExecutiveRetreats #IncentiveTravel #CorporateEvents #JoeLipman #MrLipmanKnows #RobKnows #ClaudetteKnows
Why Companies Choose Summit Management Services for Their Incentive Meetings
Your top performers have earned more than another trip. They've earned an experience they'll never forget.
An incentive meeting is one of the most powerful investments a company can make. It's an opportunity to reward achievement, strengthen relationships, build loyalty, launch new initiatives, and inspire future performance.
But great incentive meetings don't happen by accident.
They require experience, planning, creativity, and a team that understands every aspect of the attendee journey—from the first invitation to the flight home.
For more than 40 years, Summit Management Services has been helping organizations create memorable meetings and incentive programs throughout the United States and around the world.
Here are six reasons companies continue to trust Summit.
1. Experience You Can't Replace
Experience isn't just measured in years—it's measured in successful programs.
Over four decades, we've managed thousands of travelers and hundreds of meetings, including sales meetings, incentive trips, pharmaceutical investigator meetings, advisory boards, executive retreats, customer events, and international conferences.
We've seen virtually every challenge imaginable, and we know how to solve problems before they become disruptions.
2. We Are Both a Travel Agency and a Meeting Management Company
This is one of Summit's greatest advantages.
Many companies either plan meetings or book travel.
We do both.
That means one experienced team manages hotel negotiations, airline reservations, registration, rooming lists, ground transportation, attendee communications, budgeting, reporting, and on-site management.
Our clients don't have to coordinate multiple vendors. They have one partner who understands the entire program.
3. We Help Protect Your Investment
Every meeting represents a significant investment.
Our responsibility is to help maximize that investment through careful planning, strategic negotiations, and proactive management.
We negotiate hotel contracts, evaluate destinations, monitor airline pricing, manage budgets, and identify opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing the attendee experience.
Sometimes that means recommending an overlooked destination that delivers exceptional value. Other times, it means knowing when paying a little more creates a significantly better experience.
Either way, every recommendation is made with your objectives—and your budget—in mind.
4. We Become an Extension of Your Team
Our clients don't think of us as another vendor.
They think of us as part of their organization.
We represent your company professionally with your attendees, your hotel partners, your destination management companies, and your suppliers.
Whether an attendee needs assistance booking a flight, extending a stay, changing an itinerary, or handling a last-minute emergency, our team is there to help.
Your attendees receive personalized service—not a call center.
5. We Solve Problems Before They Become Your Problems
Travel is unpredictable.
Flights are delayed.
Weather changes.
Hotels occasionally make mistakes.
VIPs change schedules.
Attendees miss connections.
The difference isn't whether problems occur.
The difference is having an experienced team already working on the solution before your attendees even know there was an issue.
That's where experience makes all the difference.
6. We Focus on Creating Experiences—Not Just Meetings
People rarely remember a meeting agenda.
They remember how they felt.
They remember the welcome reception overlooking the ocean.
The surprise local experience.
The outstanding service.
The friendships they strengthened.
The recognition they received.
The memories they took home.
Those moments are what create lasting value.
Our goal is to design programs that not only accomplish your business objectives but also leave attendees saying, "That was one of the best meetings I've ever attended."
The Summit Difference
For more than four decades, Summit Management Services has helped organizations plan meetings that inspire, motivate, educate, and deliver measurable business results.
Whether your next program includes 20 attendees or 200, our commitment remains the same:
Deliver exceptional service.
Protect your investment.
Create unforgettable experiences.
If you're planning an incentive meeting, sales conference, executive retreat, advisory board, or customer event, we'd welcome the opportunity to show you what Summit can do.
Let's start the conversation.
Joe Lipman
President
Summit Management Services
973-390-1736
joe@7mtt.com
"Where face-to-face, online, and hybrid meetings begin."
#MeetingsMatter #IncentiveTravel #MeetingPlanning #CorporateTravel #EventManagement #Leadership #EmployeeRecognition #SalesMeetings #PharmaceuticalMeetings #SummitManagementServices #JoeKnows #smsIncentives #HistoryIsWrittenInRealTime
Why Great Meetings Don't Just Happen
Many people believe event planning begins and ends with selecting a hotel and arranging food. In reality, that's only the beginning.
Every successful meeting is the result of hundreds of coordinated details. Audiovisual production, room configurations, attendee registration, transportation, hotel negotiations, meal timing, contingency planning, and on-site management all play a role in creating a seamless experience.
The difference between a good meeting and an exceptional one is rarely the venue—it's the planning behind it.
At Summit Management Services, we've spent more than 40 years helping organizations produce meetings that are efficient, cost-effective, and memorable. Our experience allows clients to avoid expensive mistakes, negotiate better agreements, anticipate challenges before they arise, and focus on what matters most: their attendees and business objectives.
Whether you're planning an investigator meeting, advisory board, sales conference, incentive program, or corporate event, success comes from having an experienced partner who understands every moving part.
Call or Email Claudette@summitmgt.com 973-239-3005 Ext 124
Because great meetings aren't measured by what happens on stage—they're measured by everything that happens behind the scenes.
#MeetingPlanning #CorporateMeetings #EventProfessionals #ConferenceManagement #BusinessEvents #TravelManagement #Hospitality #MeetingStrategy #EventSuccess #SummitManagementServices
America’s Independence Day Weekend
Today, as we celebrate America’s Independence Day weekend, the world’s attention turns to New Jersey as the United States takes on England at MetLife Stadium in the FIFA World Cup. It’s a fitting reminder of how far our nation has come—from declaring its independence nearly 250 years ago to welcoming the world for one of its greatest sporting events.
The American story has always been about courage, opportunity, innovation, and the determination of people who never stop striving for something better.
At Summit Management Services, we’ve been inspired by that same spirit for more than four decades. We are grateful for the trust of our clients, the support of our partners, and the dedication of our team. Together, we’ve built lasting relationships that continue to move us forward.
As we celebrate Independence Day and cheer on Team USA today, we wish everyone a safe, happy, and memorable Fourth of July weekend.
Happy Independence Day from all of us at Summit Management Services.
An Ode to the 2026 World Cup in America- The Stories Make You Smile
By Joe Lipman, President – Summit Management Services
After 50 years in the meetings, travel, and events industry, one thing has never changed:
It is incredibly difficult to move thousands of people, house them, feed them, transport them, keep them safe, and make sure they leave with a smile on their face.
That's why I've found myself watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup through a different lens. While millions are focused on the action on the field, I'm also watching the extraordinary logistics behind the scenes.
The planning, coordination, transportation, security, hotels, restaurants, volunteers, training facilities, communications, and hospitality required to host teams and fans from around the world are nothing short of remarkable. The organizational skills demonstrated by FIFA, the host cities, local organizing committees, convention and visitor bureaus, hotels, transportation providers, and thousands of volunteers deserve tremendous credit.
Does everything go perfectly? Of course not. Anyone who has ever managed a major meeting, convention, sporting event, or incentive program knows there are always unexpected challenges, last-minute changes, weather issues, transportation delays, and logistical surprises. Success isn't measured by the absence of problems—it's measured by how quickly and professionally they're solved.
As someone who has spent a lifetime producing meetings and events, I have a deep appreciation for the thousands of people working behind the scenes who will never appear on television. Their work allows millions of fans to simply enjoy the experience.
But beyond the logistics, this World Cup has reminded me of something even more important.
Sometimes it takes visitors to remind us of who we are.
Watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been a lesson—not just in soccer, but in people. Millions have traveled from every corner of the globe to the United States, bringing with them their flags, songs, traditions, and pride. They have filled our streets, restaurants, hotels, parks, and stadiums with excitement, laughter, and friendship.
What Have We Learned?
We've learned that America is a beautiful place. A welcoming place. A place where people from every nation can gather, celebrate, and simply enjoy being together.
We've learned that enormous crowds can have fun without destroying neighborhoods, setting fires, vandalizing property, or leaving taxpayers to clean up the damage. These fans are governed not by heavy-handed policing, but by respect—for one another, for the communities they visit, and for the game itself.
It makes you wonder why we have ever accepted the kind of destruction we've witnessed in some American cities over the past several years. We should expect better. Civility and responsibility are not impossible—they're being demonstrated every day by people who have traveled thousands of miles to be here.
We've also learned something else.
Not everyone needs to stay in the middle of a major city to have an unforgettable experience.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this World Cup is that many teams chose to make their temporary homes in welcoming communities outside the largest metropolitan areas. They paired outstanding hotels with exceptional training facilities, many located at colleges, universities, and professional sports complexes. Rather than disappearing behind the walls of downtown hotels, these athletes became part of the communities that welcomed them.
Perhaps there's a lesson here for professional sports in America.
Sports are supposed to be about the game, the athletes, the teamwork, the passion, and the camaraderie—not about how much fans can be charged for a ticket, parking, a hot dog, popcorn, or a soft drink.
Watching supporters from Cabo Verde, Norway, Spain, Germany, Ecuador, South Africa, and dozens of other nations reminds us why people fall in love with sports in the first place. Some of these countries are small. Some have little chance of winning the tournament. Yet every team steps onto the field believing that history is still possible.
And they're making that history here in the United States of America.
The Best Moments Aren't Inside the Stadium
Perhaps the most heartwarming part of this World Cup hasn't happened inside the stadiums.
It's happened in communities across America.
From Kansas City and Lawrence, Kansas, to Tampa, Florida, Morristown, New Jersey, Renton, Washington, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Frisco, Texas, communities have embraced teams from around the world.
Families have invited players and supporters into their homes for backyard barbecues and family dinners. Young soccer players have attended training sessions and community events where professional athletes have volunteered their time, signed jerseys, posed for photographs, and spent hours encouraging the next generation.
One of my favorite examples has been Cabo Verde, whose team has made Tampa, Florida, its home during the tournament. They haven't simply trained there—they've embraced the local community, demonstrating that the World Cup is about far more than ninety minutes on the field.
Can you imagine being ten years old and having a World Cup player show up at your neighborhood soccer field to spend an afternoon teaching you the game?
They're not doing it because they're being paid. They're doing it because they love the sport, because someone once inspired them, and because they understand that giving back is part of being a champion.
Those moments will never appear on a scoreboard, but they may become the greatest legacy of the 2026 World Cup.
A Salute to American Hospitality
Finally, a salute to the families, restaurants, bars, hotels, volunteers, convention and visitor bureaus, destination organizations, and local businesses that welcomed these visitors without taking advantage of them.
To those who kept prices fair, greeted visitors with a smile, answered questions, gave directions, recommended local restaurants, and made guests feel at home rather than treating them as an opportunity to make a quick dollar—my hat is off to you.
You demonstrated what hospitality professionals have always known: people may remember the game, but they'll never forget how you made them feel.
One Final Thought
If you don't believe how much fun people are having, spend a few minutes on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or watch the evening news. You'll see neighborhoods, restaurants, parks, hotels, and stadiums across our great nation filled with people from every corner of the world laughing, celebrating, singing, and proudly cheering for their countries.
As these teams pursue a place in soccer history, they've also reminded us of something just as important: at its best, sport has the power to bring out the very best in people.
I've enjoyed every minute of it.
When the final whistle blows, one nation will lift the World Cup trophy. But America will have earned something just as meaningful—the admiration of millions of visitors who experienced our hospitality, our communities, our generosity, and our ability to welcome the world.
For me, that's a victory worth celebrating.
#HistoryWillBeWrittenInRealTime #HistoryIsREWrittenInRealTime #WorldCup2026 #FIFAWorldCup #Hospitality #Travel #EventProfs #MeetingPlanners #SportsTourism #Leadership
Joe Lipman
President
Summit Management Services
#HistoryIsWrittenInRealTime #HistoryIsREWrittenInRealTime #WorldCup2026 #FIFAWorldCup #Hospitality #Travel #EventProfs #MeetingPlanners #SportsTourism #Leadership
Meetings Matter. Execution Matters More.
Anyone can book a meeting room. Delivering a seamless, engaging, and productive event is something entirely different.
At Summit Management Services, we bring decades of experience managing meetings, conferences, incentives, and corporate events across the globe. We know the hundreds of details that happen behind the scenes—the details that determine whether an event simply takes place or truly succeeds.
From site selection and contract negotiations to registration, audiovisual planning, room setups, food and beverage management, attendee communications, and on-site execution, we help clients maximize every dollar while creating exceptional attendee experiences.
Need to know the right AV setup? The optimal room configuration? How to avoid costly venue surprises? That's where experience matters.
Your attendees see a polished, professional event. We handle everything behind the curtain.
Whether you're planning a board meeting, investigator meeting, incentive trip, sales conference, or corporate gathering, Summit Management Services helps make your event more engaging, more effective, and more efficient.
Visit us at Summit Management Services and let's discuss your next meeting or event.
#MeetingsMatter #EventManagement #CorporateMeetings #MeetingPlanning #IncentiveTravel #ConferencePlanning #PharmaMeetings #BusinessTravel #EventStrategy #MeetingProfessionals #Hospitality #CorporateEvents #TravelManagement #SummitManagementServices #JoeKnows
WE SPEAK: HOW AI IS CHANGING GLOBAL CONFERENCES
During a recent discussion in Frankfurt with the team from WeSpeak, we explored a growing trend that is quickly moving into mainstream international meetings: AI-driven multilingual communication platforms.
For years, international conferences followed a familiar formula when language interpretation was required.
Interpreter booths.
Headsets.
RF receivers.
Dedicated language channels.
Large technical setups.
And significant expense.
It worked - but it also created limitations.
Smaller meetings often could not justify the cost.
Roundtable discussions became difficult.
Informal networking conversations were frequently lost across language barriers.
And audience participation was often limited to those comfortable speaking the dominant meeting language.
That model is now beginning to change.
The concept is surprisingly simple.
A speaker presents in English. Or any language.
Attendees scan a QR code.
They select their preferred language.
And the system delivers near real-time translated audio and text directly to their phone or device.
But the real breakthrough is not the translation itself.
It is participation.
These newer systems are no longer simply one-way interpretation tools. They are becoming live multilingual communication environments.
A physician attending from Japan can ask a question in Japanese.
The moderator hears the question in English.
At the same time, other attendees can hear or read the same question translated into Mandarin, Thai, Vietnamese, or additional languages selected by the audience.
The conversation becomes interactive instead of segmented.
That distinction matters enormously in medical, pharmaceutical, scientific, and advisory board meetings where discussion and collaboration are often more valuable than the presentation itself.
For the meetings industry, this represents a major operational shift.
Historically, multilingual meetings required:
interpreter travel
booth construction
headset distribution
onsite channel management
multiple interpreters per language
freight and logistics coordination
Now much of that infrastructure can potentially be replaced with:
software platforms
cloud-based AI translation
attendee smartphones
minimal onsite hardware
a stable internet connection
For smaller high-touch meetings, investigator meetings, KOL discussions, and executive roundtables, the implications are significant.
Meetings become more globally accessible.
Audience participation increases.
International attendees engage more comfortably.
Hybrid meeting support improves dramatically.
And operational complexity can potentially decrease.
Of course, an important question immediately follows:
Why not simply use generic AI translation apps?
The answer is that professional conference communication involves far more than basic translation.
What these specialized systems are actually managing includes:
audio routing
speaker recognition
participant management
multilingual moderation
terminology handling
question flow
low-latency delivery
privacy and compliance concerns
integration with AV systems
In regulated industries such as pharmaceutical and medical meetings, those details matter tremendously.
A scientific discussion involving clinical outcomes, patient data, regulatory terminology, or highly technical medical language cannot rely solely on consumer-grade translation tools.
That is why many organizations are now adopting a hybrid approach.
AI handles much of the general communication.
Human interpreters remain available for critical sessions, nuanced scientific discussions, legal matters, and highly sensitive conversations.
The result is not necessarily the elimination of simultaneous interpretation.
It is the evolution of it.
The future conference environment may ultimately look very different from the traditional model many of us have worked within for decades.
Headset distribution may largely disappear.
Interpreter booths may become smaller or more specialized.
Breakout sessions may become far more multilingual.
Networking conversations may become dramatically more inclusive.
And perhaps most importantly, more attendees may finally feel comfortable joining the discussion rather than simply listening from the sidelines.
That may be the most important translation of all.
Joe Lipman,
President
Summit Management Services
I’m not offering legal advice. I’m sharing industry experience. It’s practical insight from experience—not legal representation.
Email: joe@summitmgt.com
Website: www.summitmgt.com
#MeetingsAndEvents #Frankfurt #SheratonFrankfurt #PharmaMeetings #MedicalMeetings #CorporateTravel #MeetingPlanning #SummitManagementServices #IncentiveTravel #BusinessTravel #EventProfessionals #FlyInFlyOut #EuropeMeetings #ConferencePlanning #JoeKnows #AskMrLipman #HistoryIsRewrittenInRealTime
10 Reasons to Use Summit Management Services for Your Next Incentive Program
A successful incentive trip is more than airfare and hotel rooms. It’s recognition. Motivation. Loyalty. Experience. And when done correctly, it becomes something attendees remember for years.
At Summit Management Services, we understand that incentive travel is not just about moving people. It’s about creating moments that matter.
Here are 10 reasons companies continue to trust Summit with their incentive programs worldwide.
1. Boutique Service With Senior-Level Attention
Your program is handled by experienced professionals — not passed through layers of departments or junior coordinators. Every program receives direct oversight and personal attention.
2. Real-World Travel Experience
Summit has decades of operational experience managing complex programs, executive travel, meetings, incentives, and international logistics in real time.
3. Customized Programs
No cookie-cutter programs. Every incentive is designed around your company culture, goals, attendee demographics, and budget expectations.
4. Destination Knowledge That Matters
From Aruba to Alaska, Paris to Costa Rica, Summit helps match the right destination to the right audience and the right objective.
5. Strong Supplier Relationships
Longstanding relationships with hotels, cruise lines, airlines, destination management companies, and tourism partners help create additional value and smoother execution.
6. Full-Service Program Management
Registration, air, rooming lists, transfers, excursions, hospitality, branding, onsite staffing, accounting, and reconciliation — managed under one experienced umbrella.
7. High-Touch Traveler Support
Travel disruptions happen. Flights cancel. Weather changes. Plans shift. Summit is known for solving problems calmly and professionally while travelers are still standing at the airport gate.
8. Technology Backed by Human Support
Automation matters. But so does accountability. Summit combines technology tools with real human operational support when it matters most.
9. Financial Oversight and Budget Awareness
Incentive programs can quietly become expensive very quickly. Summit focuses on maximizing attendee experience while helping clients avoid unnecessary spending and hidden costs.
10. Experience Is Everything
People may forget the agenda. They rarely forget how a program made them feel. Summit focuses on creating experiences that strengthen morale, loyalty, relationships, and long-term company culture.
The difference between a trip and an incentive program is the outcome.
That’s where experience matters.
— Joe Lipman
President
Summit Management Services
#JoeKnows #AskMrLipman #SummitManagementServices #IncentiveTravel #MeetingPlanning #CorporateTravel #EventProfessionals #TravelIndustry #LuxuryTravel #VIPTravel #BoutiqueService #ExperienceMatters #SMSBlog #HighTouchService #SmallMeetingsBigImpact #HistoryIsWrittenInRealTime
The Day Low-Cost Died: What Spirit’s Shutdown Means for Every Traveler
This one hit close to home.
My family has a gathering planned in Fresno, California — something we’ve been organizing for months. Flights booked. Homes rented. Time carved out together at the lake.
Many were flying Spirit.
Now those flights are gone.
And the reality is immediate — if they don’t rebook now, we don’t just lose airfare. We risk disrupting the entire program.
That’s the part most people don’t think about.
Travel isn’t just a ticket. It’s everything built around it.
History Is Written in Real Time
This isn’t just an airline shutting down.
It’s the collapse of a model that reshaped the industry — and then got overtaken by it.
Spirit forced pricing discipline. They stripped airfare down to its core and made everything else optional. For years, that worked.
Then the major carriers adapted.
They introduced basic economy. They added fees. They segmented their product. But they never gave up what Spirit never had:
Global networks
Loyalty programs
Corporate contracts
Premium cabins
At that point, the model didn’t just get challenged.
It got cornered.
Why There Was No Bailout
During COVID, airlines were protected because the system was at risk.
This time, it’s different.
Spirit wasn’t system-critical. It was model-specific.
There’s no appetite right now to step in and support a single airline whose structure no longer works in the current environment.
That’s the reality.
What Happens Next (And Why It Matters)
Capacity just disappeared overnight.
And when that happens, three things follow quickly:
Pricing rises
Inventory tightens
Flexibility disappears
Spirit represented a meaningful portion of low-cost capacity in the U.S., especially in leisure-heavy markets.
Without that pressure:
Fewer ultra-low fares
Less downward pricing force
More controlled yield management by the majors
This isn’t theoretical.
It’s already happening.
Immediate Action: What Travelers Need to Do Today
If you had a Spirit flight booked — this is not a wait-and-see moment.
Act now
Do not assume pricing will hold
Do not expect availability to last
Call your next best carrier immediately:
United
American
Delta
They are stepping in with short-term, one-way “rescue fares” on overlapping routes previously served by Spirit.
This is a temporary window — likely 1 to 2 weeks at best.
After that:
Pricing resets
Inventory tightens further
Options become limited
Waiting will cost you.
Who Fills the Gap
This doesn’t leave a vacuum — it creates opportunity.
Legacy carriers will absorb demand
Frontier will chase price-sensitive travelers
Breeze will continue expanding selectively
But none of them fully replace what Spirit represented.
That means:
The lowest end of pricing disappears
The middle moves up
The consumer pays the difference
What This Means for Planners and Clients
If you manage:
Incentive programs
Corporate travel
Group movement
You need to adjust immediately.
Reconfirm all air
Lock inventory earlier
Build in backup options
Assume less pricing flexibility
The old approach of waiting for fares to drop no longer applies in this environment.
Closing: Where SMS Stands
At Summit Management Services, this is where experience matters.
We don’t just book travel.
We protect the program around it.
When disruption hits:
We move fast
We secure alternatives
We protect the full experience — not just the ticket
Because it’s never just about the flight.
It’s about everything connected to it.
And when something breaks, that’s when the difference shows.
Disclaimer
I’m not offering legal advice. I’m sharing industry experience. It’s practical insight from experience—not legal representation.
Hashtags
#SpiritAirlines #AirlineIndustry #TravelDisruption #BreakingNews #Aviation #TravelAdvisory #UnitedAirlines #AmericanAirlines #DeltaAirLines #TravelSmart #CorporateTravel #IncentiveTravel #FresnoTravel #FamilyTravel #ActNow #JoeKnows #AskMrLipman #HistoryIsWrittenInRealTime
Europe Travel Just Changed - But Not the Way People Think By Rob Lipman
Let’s clean this up, because there’s a lot of confusion out there right now.
Everyone keeps talking about ETIAS like it’s happening tomorrow. It’s not.
ETIAS — Not Yet
As of now, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) has been pushed again. Latest guidance points to Q4 of 2026 at the earliest, and even then, it won’t be mandatory until sometime in 2027.
That means if you’re traveling to Europe this year or even much of next year, you do NOT need ETIAS.
What Is Happening — Right Now
What has gone live is the Entry/Exit System (EES).
This is the real change, and it matters.
After a phased rollout that began in October, the system is now active across 29 European countries.
What EES Actually Does
Eliminates passport stamping
Digitally records every entry and exit
Tracks overstays automatically
Logs refused entries
Captures biometric data (facial image + fingerprints)
In simple terms:
Europe now knows exactly when you arrive, when you leave, and how long you stayed.
The Rule That Matters
90 days within a 180-day period for short-stay travelers
That rule isn’t new — but enforcement just got real.
What This Means for You
If you’re a U.S. traveler heading to Europe:
You can still travel as you always have (no ETIAS yet)
But your time in Europe is now digitally tracked — no gray area
Overstays will be flagged automatically
The Reality
We’ve moved from a stamp-in-the-passport system to a fully digital border environment.
No more guesswork.
No more “they didn’t notice.”
Call it modernization.
Call it control.
Either way — it’s here. #RobKnows #AskMrLipman
Please Note: We are not offering legal advice. I’m sharing industry experience. It’s practical insight from experience—not legal representation.
Cruise Gratuities: Are You Tipping-or Paying Payroll?
Cruise Gratuities: Are You Tipping or Paying Payroll?
Gratuities on a cruise used to be one of the simplest parts of the experience.
You tipped the people who took care of you.
You saw them every day.
You knew exactly where your money went.
That clarity is gone.
Today, most cruise lines automatically charge between $16 and $25 per person, per day. It’s labeled as a gratuity—but in practice, it operates very differently.
The better question is:
Is it really a tip anymore?
What Automatic Gratuities Actually Are
Automatic gratuities are not handed directly to your cabin attendant or your waiter.
They are collected into a centralized pool and distributed across multiple departments.
That includes:
Front-facing crew:
Cabin attendants
Dining room wait staff
Buffet service teams
Behind-the-scenes crew:
Galley (kitchen staff)
Laundry operations
Cleaning and sanitation teams
This broader distribution matters. A cruise ship runs on far more than the people you see.
But here’s where the system becomes unclear.
There is no published breakdown.
You won’t find a chart showing:
Who gets what percentage
How much goes to each role
How the funds are calculated or adjusted
Instead, cruise lines allocate internally based on rank, department, and contract structure.
The Missing Transparency
If a charge is automatic, most guests assume:
It’s fixed
It’s traceable
It’s directly tied to service
None of that is fully visible.
Which leads to a reasonable conclusion:
Automatic gratuities function more like a built-in service charge than a discretionary tip.
From a business standpoint, that makes sense.
It creates:
Predictable income for crew
Lower base wages supported by pooled funds
A consistent revenue stream managed by the cruise line
In other words, part of what used to be optional has become embedded in the pricing model.
What About Bar Staff?
Bar service is handled separately.
Most cruise lines add:
18%–20% service charge on every drink
That goes into a different pool specific to bar and beverage teams.
So when you order a cocktail, you are already tipping—whether you realize it or not.
Then Why Are There Still Envelopes?
Despite automatic gratuities, you’ll still find tipping envelopes in your cabin at the end of the cruise.
That’s not an accident.
Those envelopes exist for one reason:
Direct tipping still matters.
When you hand cash directly to a crew member:
It does not go into the pool
It is not redistributed
It is a personal acknowledgment of service
And for many crew members, that extra income is meaningful.
What Experienced Travelers Actually Do
Most seasoned travelers don’t fight the system—they work within it.
They follow a simple, two-part approach:
Tip Personally (Where It Matters)
This is where you take control.
At the end of the cruise even if included:
Cabin Attendant
$20–$100+ depending on service and length of cruise
This is the one person you should almost always tip extra
Dining Staff (if consistent team)
$20–$50 per main waiter / assistant
Only if you had regular interaction and good service
Bartenders (if you had a “go-to”)
$10–$30 at the end, even with service charges already added
When You Might Adjust the Plan
Exceptional service: Tip more—this is where it matters most
Poor service: Don’t remove auto gratuities, but you can skip extra tipping
Guest Services pressure to remove gratuities: Rare, but don’t feel obligated
What NOT to Do
Don’t remove automatic gratuities unless something was seriously wrong
Don’t assume the system fully rewards individuals (it doesn’t)
Don’t rely on envelopes alone—be intentional about who you recognize
Final Thought
Cruise gratuities today sit in a gray area.
They are:
Not fully optional
Not fully transparent
Not directly tied to individual service
Yet they remain essential to crew compensation.
Until there is more clarity, the best approach is simple:
Understand the system—and tip with intention.
Because at the end of the day, the people delivering the experience still matter most.
#CruiseTravel #CruiseTips #TravelAdvice #TravelExpert #TravelIndustry #Hospitality #CustomerExperience #ServiceMatters #LuxuryTravel #TravelPlanning #TravelProfessionals #IncentiveTravel #MeetingsAndIncentives #CorporateTravel #SummitManagementServices #TravelInsights #TravelSmart #OnboardExperience #Gratuities #TippingCulture #TravelLeadership #JoeKnows
Where Trips Are Won or Lost - 20 Ways to Make Travel Actually Work the Way It Should
20 Ways to Make Travel Actually Work the Way It Should
I came across a list of “10 things to upgrade your flight experience.”
Some of it was fine.
But like most of these lists, it missed the point.
After a lifetime in the travel business, here’s the reality:
Travel doesn’t break because you forgot a neck pillow.
Travel breaks because of decisions made days—or weeks—before you ever get to the airport.
It’s not about hacks.
It’s about preparation and judgment.
Here’s what actually makes a difference.
The Basics (Most People Get Right)
These are simple—but they matter because they remove friction.
Download your boarding passes, shows, and music ahead of time.
Don’t rely on airport Wi-Fi or a last-minute connection.
Bring an empty water bottle.
Hydration matters more than people think, especially on longer flights.
Pack a small comfort kit.
Whatever that means for you—medication, wipes, toothbrush—keep it accessible.
Wear layers.
Cabin temperatures change. You don’t control that.
Choose your seat strategically.
Window for sleep. Aisle for mobility. Middle—avoid when you can.
Bring snacks.
Airlines don’t control your schedule—you should.
Use a neck pillow and eye mask.
Not glamorous, but effective.
Set your watch to destination time.
Start adjusting before you land.
Use noise-canceling headphones.
They don’t just improve comfort—they reduce fatigue.
Board calm.
The rush doesn’t change your seat assignment.
Where Trips Are Won or Lost
This is where experience shows.
Don’t just find the cheapest fare—find the best total value.
A $200 savings isn’t worth a bad connection, poor routing, or no recovery options.
Arrive early—and assume TSA will be an issue.
If everything runs smoothly, you wait.
If it doesn’t, you’re protected.
Reserve aisle seats whenever possible.
You control your movement, not the person next to you.
Start visa and entry requirements a few days in advance.
Not at the airport. Not the night before.
Countries change requirements—don’t assume anything.
Check the aircraft type before booking.
Then check the seat map.
Some planes—and some configurations—are significantly better than others.
Bring a fully charged portable battery.
A dead phone today is more than an inconvenience—it’s your boarding pass, your ID backup, your connection to everything.
Screenshot everything.
Boarding passes. Hotel confirmations. Transfers. QR codes.
Keep a copy with your passport.
Do not rely on apps.
Signals fail. Airports go offline. Customs halls often have no connectivity.
Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on.
If you land at 10:00 AM and your room isn’t ready until 4:00 PM, you’ll want options.
Pre-select meals when available.
It’s a small step that avoids unnecessary problems.
Avoid tight connections.
This is one of the biggest mistakes travelers make.
A 45-minute connection might work on paper.
It rarely works when anything goes wrong.
What Most Travelers Miss Completely
Here’s what rarely gets said:
Airlines don’t prioritize your schedule.
Hotels don’t prioritize your arrival time.
Systems don’t adapt to you—you have to plan around them.
Recovery is everything.
If your first flight is delayed, what are your options?
If you miss a connection, is there another flight?
If your luggage doesn’t arrive, are you prepared?
Most travelers don’t think about this.
Professionals do.
Booking Strategy Matters More Than Anything
This is where trips are either protected—or exposed.
Flight timing matters.
Early flights tend to run more reliably than late ones.
Routing matters.
Nonstop is always better than connecting—until it isn’t.
Sometimes a better connection gives you more recovery options.
Airline choice matters.
Not all carriers handle disruptions the same way.
Ticket type matters.
Basic economy may save money—but it removes flexibility when you need it most.
Seat availability matters.
A full flight gives you fewer options when things change.
Upgrade paths matter.
Knowing where opportunities exist can change the entire experience.
The Reality
The biggest difference in travel isn’t what you pack.
It’s what—and how—you book.
Everything else is secondary.
You can have the perfect carry-on, the best headphones, and every “tip” in the world.
But if your flight is poorly timed, your connection is too tight, and you have no backup options—none of it matters.
Final Thought
Good travel feels easy. But it’s not accidental. It’s planned that way.
— Joe Lipman joe@summitmgt.com
#JoeKnows #TravelSmart #BusinessTravel #FrequentTraveler #TravelTips #AirTravel #TravelPlanning #MeetingsAndEvents #IncentiveTravel #SummitManagementServices #TravelIndustry #ClientExperience #PlanAhead #TravelBetter #Aviation #RoadWarrior #SmartTravel #TravelStrategy #EventProfs #TravelInsights #HistoryIsWrittenInRealTime
Why Your Phone Won’t Stop Ringing After You Book Travel (And What the Travel Industry Isn’t Talking About)
You book a trip.
Maybe it’s a cruise.
Maybe it’s a resort.
Maybe it’s a quick flight and hotel.
And then it starts.
Calls. Emails. Texts.
Travel offers. Insurance pitches. “Upgrades.” Credit card offers. Timeshares.
At first, it feels like coincidence.
It’s not.
Your Trip Didn’t Stay Between You and Your Travel Advisor
People assume when they book travel, their information stays within:
• The airline
• The hotel
• The cruise line
• The travel advisor
That used to be closer to reality.
Today, your data moves.
And it moves fast.
When you enter your information, even in legitimate places, it can pass through:
• Booking platforms
• Marketing systems
• Affiliate networks
• Data partners
Each step creates another opportunity for your information to be shared, matched, or sold.
The “Lead” Economy Inside Travel
Here’s something most travelers don’t realize:
Your trip can turn into a lead.
And leads have value.
If you:
• Search for a cruise
• Compare all-inclusive resorts
• Request pricing
• Look at travel insurance
That activity can signal:
“This person is about to spend money.”
So your information can end up in ecosystems where:
• Insurance companies reach out
• Credit card companies target you
• Other travel companies try to intercept or upsell
You didn’t ask for it.
But your behavior triggered it.
Even Legitimate Travel Channels Contribute
This isn’t just about shady operators.
Even reputable companies use:
• Third-party marketing platforms
• Retargeting systems
• Data enrichment services
Which means your information can be:
• Matched with other databases
• Appended with additional details
• Used in campaigns you never directly signed up for
Often legally.
A Simple Trick I Use (That Tells Me Exactly Who Sold My Info)
Here’s something I do personally, and it’s surprisingly effective.
When I fill out forms online, I’ll sometimes enter my name in all lowercase.
Instead of:
Joe Lipman
I’ll use:
joe lipman
Now, when emails or calls start coming in addressed that way, I know exactly what happened:
That source shared or sold my information.
It gives me a clear signal:
• Where the leak likely came from
• Which companies are passing data downstream
And from there, I block, filter, and shut it down.
It’s a small move, but it gives you visibility in a system that’s otherwise invisible.
Why This Hits Frequent Travelers Harder
If you travel often, like many of my clients:
You are more exposed.
Because your profile becomes more valuable:
• Higher spend
• Predictable behavior
• Repeat booking patterns
You’re not just a traveler.
You’re a high-value data profile.
What I See From the Inside
Being in this business my entire life, I can tell you:
There’s a big difference between:
• High-touch, controlled travel planning
and
• Open, digital booking ecosystems
When everything runs through:
• Quote engines
• Comparison sites
• Broad marketing funnels
Your data footprint expands quickly.
When it’s handled in a more controlled, relationship-driven way:
Exposure drops.
Why the Outreach Feels So Targeted
Ever notice how the calls and emails feel relevant?
That’s because your data gets:
• Scored
• Categorized
• Sold with context
So instead of random spam, you get:
• “Cruise upgrade offers”
• “Luxury travel credit cards”
• “Travel insurance follow-ups”
It feels personalized because it is.
What Travelers Can Do
You don’t need to disappear, but you should be intentional.
A few practical moves:
• Use a dedicated email for travel bookings
• Be cautious on “compare and save” sites
• Limit how many places you request quotes from
• Work with trusted, controlled channels
• Monitor where your data shows up
• Use small tracking tactics (like name variations) to identify leaks
What the Travel Industry Needs to Do (And Hasn’t Yet)
Here’s the part that doesn’t get talked about enough:
This isn’t just a consumer problem.
It’s an industry responsibility.
Right now, the travel industry benefits from data flow, but doesn’t control it.
That needs to change.
1. Push for a Real Privacy Standard
Europe has already set a framework with GDPR.
It’s not perfect, but it establishes something critical:
Clear ownership of personal data.
The U.S. doesn’t have that.
The travel industry should be pushing for:
• A unified federal privacy standard
• Clear limits on data resale
• Real accountability for third-party sharing
2. Demand Transparency in the Booking Chain
Travel companies should be required to clearly disclose:
• Who receives your data
• Who they share it with
• How long it’s retained
Not buried in a 40-page agreement.
Simple. Visible. Understandable.
3. Stop Treating Travelers Like Leads
There’s a difference between:
• Serving a client
and
• Selling a profile
The industry needs to draw that line again.
If someone books a trip, that should not automatically:
• Trigger downstream marketing pipelines
• Open the door to unrelated outreach
4. Create a “Do Not Share” Standard
We have “Do Not Call.”
What we don’t have is:
“Do Not Sell or Distribute My Travel Data.”
That should exist.
And it should be easy to activate.
5. Protect the Advisor-Client Relationship
This is where professionals have an advantage.
A trusted advisor relationship should:
• Limit data exposure
• Control where information flows
• Act as a buffer between client and the open market
That’s not just service.
That’s protection.
Final Thought
Travel is one of the best parts of life.
But behind the scenes, it has quietly become one of the largest pipelines of personal data distribution.
Not because the industry set out to do that.
But because no one stepped in to stop it.
That’s the next evolution of this business.
Not just better trips.
Better protection for the people taking them.
Take a look. You may start seeing your own travel bookings very differently.
#JoeKnows #TravelPrivacy #DataBrokers #TravelIndustry #ConsumerAwareness
#DigitalFootprint #HistoryIsWrittenInRealTime
Choosing the Right Airline to Europe
A Look at ITA Airways vs. United and Delta for Premium Economy and Business Class
When planning a cruise to Europe, most travelers focus on the ship, the itinerary, and the destinations. But one piece of the journey can shape the entire experience before you even step on board — the flight.
For many of my cruise clients heading to Italy or connecting through Rome for Mediterranean sailings, one airline often appears in the search results: ITA Airways. Clients frequently ask how it compares with familiar U.S. carriers like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
I put together a simple comparison to help travelers understand the differences, particularly when choosing Premium Economy or Business Class for long-haul flights to Europe.
What Is ITA Airways?
ITA Airways is Italy’s national airline and the successor to Alitalia, which ceased operations in 2021.
The airline operates a modern fleet centered around new Airbus aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Airbus A330neo, many of which feature newly designed cabins.
Its main hub is Rome Fiumicino Airport, which is convenient for travelers connecting to Mediterranean cruise ports such as Rome (Civitavecchia), Venice, Naples, and other Italian gateways.
In short, ITA Airways is a newer airline with modern aircraft, though it does not yet have the same global network as the larger U.S. carriers.
Comparing Premium Economy
Premium Economy has become one of the most popular options for transatlantic travel. It offers significantly more comfort than economy without the price of business class.
ITA Airways Premium Economy
ITA’s Premium Economy cabin is smaller and quieter than many competitors.
Highlights include:
Wider reclining seats
Approximately 38 inches of seat pitch
Footrest and leg support
Priority boarding
Upgraded meal service
The cabin tends to feel more intimate because fewer seats are installed.
United Premium Plus
United’s Premium Plus product offers:
Wider reclining seats with leg rests
Saks Fifth Avenue bedding items on overnight flights
Larger entertainment screens
Upgraded meals and beverages
United’s advantage is its extensive route network and loyalty program benefits.
Delta Premium Select
Delta’s Premium Select product is often considered the most refined of the three.
Features include:
Larger reclining seats
Elevated meal presentation
Dedicated cabin service
Good reliability and consistency
Delta tends to deliver the most polished service experience, though often at the highest price.
Typical Premium Economy Price Differences
For many transatlantic routes between the United States and Italy, average round-trip pricing generally looks like this:
ITA Airways: approximately $1,600–$2,100
United Premium Plus: approximately $1,900–$2,400
Delta Premium Select: approximately $2,200–$2,800
In many cases, ITA Airways can be 10–25% less expensive, which makes it an attractive value option for travelers who want more comfort without jumping to business class.
Business Class Comparison
For cruise clients beginning their vacation overseas, business class can be the best way to arrive rested and ready to enjoy embarkation day.
ITA Airways Business Class
ITA’s business class seats are fully lie-flat and feature a modern 1-2-1 configuration, meaning every passenger has aisle access.
Passengers can expect:
Italian-inspired cuisine
Premium wine selections
Stylish cabin design
Fully flat beds
Where ITA sometimes falls short compared to U.S. carriers is its smaller global lounge network.
United Polaris Business Class
United’s Polaris business class is designed primarily around sleep comfort.
Features include:
Fully flat pods
High-quality bedding
Polaris lounges at major airports
Good privacy for overnight flights
The seat itself is widely regarded as one of the best transatlantic sleeping environments.
Delta One Business Class
Delta One cabins on newer aircraft offer suites with sliding doors, strong service, and excellent catering.
Delta has built a reputation for delivering a consistent premium experience, though its pricing is usually the highest among the three airlines.
Typical Business Class Pricing
On flights between the U.S. and Italy, approximate round-trip pricing typically falls in these ranges:
ITA Airways: $2,800–$3,800
United Polaris: $3,200–$4,500
Delta One: $3,500–$5,000
Because of this pricing difference, ITA Airways is often considered one of the best values for transatlantic business class travel.
My Take for Cruise Travelers
For clients heading to Mediterranean cruises, I generally suggest the following approach:
Premium Economy: Delta or United offer strong consistency and service.
Business Class: ITA Airways can offer exceptional value while still providing a fully lie-flat experience.
Frequent Flyer Benefits: United or Delta may be preferable for travelers focused on loyalty programs.
