Skip to main content

Orbitz Targets Mac Users for Pricier Hotels

Image
By
Marketers have always been working diligently to better understand consumers and their behaviors. Using cellphone signals to track consumers’ shopping routines is a great example.

Now, Orbitz has found some interesting statistics by comparing the spending habits of Mac users and PC users. And because of that, Orbitz will display pricier options on top of the search results for Mac users than those for PC users.

As suggested in this news video @WSJ (Wall Street Journal), however, it does not mean that Orbitz is offering higher price for the same product to Mac users than to PC users. In other words, there is no price discrimination. What Orbitz does is to simply display different search results for Mac users because:  

  • As compared to PC users, Mac users spend $20 - $30 more per night on hotels.
  • They are more likely to stay in a four- or five-star hotel.
  • They are more likely to upgrade to a bigger room.

Similar results are also found in e-commerce sites. Retailers have found that people using tablets, iPads in particular, spend more on online shopping than PC users.

Do you think Orbitz is making a smart move by differentiating Mac users and PC users? How so? Will other online travel agents (OTAs) and retailers follow Orbitz soon?



References:
The picture was downloaded from http://orbitz.com.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Linchi KwokJune 29, 2012 at 11:58 AM

    A similar report at MSNBC.com via http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/47970026

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linchi KwokJune 30, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    Orbitz CEO responded to CNN via http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2012/06/26/exp-orbitz-ceo-addresses-claim-website-steers-mac-users-to-pricier-hotels.cnn.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jihee HanNovember 30, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    Orbits' marketing sounds smart. It was nice try to grasp the tendencies of mac users and PC users and the differences between those two groups. Displaying higher prices for mac users is appropriate to market them who spend more money compare to PC users. That doesn't even discriminating mac users with the prices, so I think this is a good idea.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Shall We Do When Job Seekers Cheat the AI Hiring Systems?

By
AI can streamline the hiring process, but concerns linger. For example, AI could perpetuate gender or racial biases in the hiring process , just like most human HR managers could do. Meanwhile, to increase the chances of being picked by AI, job candidates must prepare resumes and job interviews tailored to AI’s “preference.” When more job candidates understand how to convince AI that they are the best candidates for the job , can AI still make valid recommendations to hire the best-fit candidate in the pool? Then, if AI makes a mix of valid and invalid recommendations for hiring, will HR managers find it more challenging to select the right candidate for the job? The situation can get even more complicated if a candidate cheats the AI hiring systems. Cheat to bypass AI screening: Is it the cruelty of human nature? Job candidates are eager to get hired. Career coaches want to help. That is a good thing. Nevertheless, I have seen many free online tutorial videos teaching job candidate...
19 comments
Read more

Learn-by-Going: Study Abroad in Thailand (by Cecilyah New)

By
When I signed up for the 2024 Thailand Collins College Study Abroad Program, I did not anticipate a life-changing experience. I had no expectations beyond learning how to cook Thai food in Thailand for course credits, and I had not researched much about studying abroad before the trip. However, during my time at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi ( RMUTT ), I immersed myself in Thai culture, gained new insights into the hospitality industry, and broadened my global perspective in a new environment. Participating in this study abroad program has significantly contributed to my academic journey, professional development, and personal growth.   Academic and Professional Enrichment at RMUTT The Faculty of Liberal Arts at RMUTT and Dr. Kwok organized an intensive educational program that provided us with a comprehensive overview of hospitality and tourism in Thailand, along with an introduction to Thai history, language, and culture. On campus, we attended lectures that del...
13 comments
Read more

Is It OK for Hotel Staff to Wear Piercings and Tattoos?

By
Time has changed. I see more and more college students wearing piercings and tattoos nowadays, but is it OK for hotel staff to wear piercings and tattoos? The answer is “no, no, no.” According a report at USAToday.com, customers across the board do not want to see any hotel workers with pierced eyebrow, pierced tongue, tattooed arm, or nose ring. Some may argue that tattooed and pierced workers may seem more acceptable in edgy boutique hotels as compared to the big franchised hotels, but the survey results did not find any differences among a variety of lodging products. Many respondents believe people who wear visible tattoos and piercings are taking a high risk of their professional lives. If you stay in a hotel, do you mind being served by tattooed and/or pierced staff? What if you are the one who makes the hiring decision? References: USAToday.com: http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010 Picture was downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/linchikwok08042010P
28 comments
Read more