In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with John Choate, co-founder of Apogee Travel, to discuss how the travel industry hides value, the illusion of price comparison, and how Apogee is disrupting the online travel agency model by turning every hotel booking into a charitable donation. Discover the truth behind loyalty programs, the commoditization of hotels, and how transparency and social good can reshape an entire industry.

 

Four Key Takeaways:
The Illusion of Comparison Shopping [00:41]
John explains how consumers believe they are comparison shopping for hotels, but in reality, prices are controlled and nearly identical across platforms.
The Birth of Apogee’s Value Model [06:55]
The story of how a charity hotel stay and a conversation with Steve Wynn inspired the idea of using hotel profits for social good.
Exposing Loyalty Program Devaluation [24:15]
John breaks down how hotel loyalty programs manipulate point values, creating “value blindness” for consumers.
How Apogee Travel Disrupts the Industry [32:05]
Apogee’s unique model: every booking generates a donation to a charity of the traveler’s choice, at no extra cost, while still earning brand rewards points.

 

Quote of the Show (34:20):
"Most people think charity is emotional. In our model, it's structural. Travel's the largest overlooked fundraising engine in the world. We just plugged it in." – John Choate

 

Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.

 

Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval

 

Ways to connect withJohn Choate:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchoate/

Company Website:  https://apogeetravel.com

 

How to get more Disruption/Interruption: 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption

Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD?si=22332d4cd4ef4e41

In this episode of Disruption/Interruption, host KJ sits down with John Choate, co-founder of Apogee Travel, to discuss how the travel industry hides value, the illusion of price comparison, and how Apogee is disrupting the online travel agency model by turning every hotel booking into a charitable donation. Discover the truth behind loyalty programs, the commoditization of hotels, and how transparency and social good can reshape an entire industry.
&nbsp;
Four Key Takeaways:
<ol>
<li>The Illusion of Comparison Shopping [00:41] John explains how consumers believe they are comparison shopping for hotels, but in reality, prices are controlled and nearly identical across platforms.</li>
<li>The Birth of Apogee&rsquo;s Value Model [06:55] The story of how a charity hotel stay and a conversation with Steve Wynn inspired the idea of using hotel profits for social good.</li>
<li>Exposing Loyalty Program Devaluation [24:15] John breaks down how hotel loyalty programs manipulate point values, creating &ldquo;value blindness&rdquo; for consumers.</li>
<li>How Apogee Travel Disrupts the Industry [32:05] Apogee&rsquo;s unique model: every booking generates a donation to a charity of the traveler&rsquo;s choice, at no extra cost, while still earning brand rewards points.</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
Quote of the Show (34:20): "Most people think charity is emotional. In our model, it's structural. Travel's the largest overlooked fundraising engine in the world. We just plugged it in." &ndash; John Choate
&nbsp;
Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we&rsquo;re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome.
&nbsp;
Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: <a href="https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval">https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval</a>
&nbsp;
Ways to connect with John Choate:
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchoate/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchoate/</a>
Company Website: &nbsp;<a href="https://apogeetravel.com/">https://apogeetravel.com</a>
&nbsp;
How to get more Disruption/Interruption:&nbsp;
Amazon Music - <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption">https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption</a>
Apple Podcast - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755</a>
Spotify -<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD?si=22332d4cd4ef4e41">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD?si=22332d4cd4ef4e41">https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD?si=22332d4cd4ef4e41</a>

When did you say ”THAT’S IT! I’VE HAD IT!”? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host Karla Jo. Every week KJ interviews professionals who are disrupting their industries and altering economic networks that have been antiquated with bull-headed predecessors holding up the progress.

KJ delves into uncovering more from industry rebels and innovators that you didn’t know you needed in your life.

Advertisement