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On today鈥檚 podcast episode, we discuss what traveler media can do that retail media can鈥檛, what makes travelers more receptive to personalized ads, and the possibilities that emerge once fast, free WiFi becomes ubiquitous on planes. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Principal Analyst Sarah Marzano, and the CEO of MileagePlus, United Airlines Richard Nunn. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

The news: President Donald Trump鈥檚 immigration crackdown is chilling consumer spending and reducing the available labor force for key industries like construction and hospitality. Our take: The US economy depends heavily on immigrants, both documented or otherwise. The Trump administration鈥檚 aggressive deportation push could therefore deprive companies of crucial workers鈥攁nd drive up costs for essentials like housing and groceries鈥攁s well as eliminate a considerable source of tax revenues and consumer spending.

The insight: The US is mired in the 鈥渨orst housing market in almost 50 years,鈥� RH CEO Gary Friedman said during the company鈥檚 Q1 earnings call, as high housing costs and economic uncertainty chill demand. Our take: With the sluggish housing market showing few signs of improvement, retailers must lean into any pockets of opportunity they find. For RH, that鈥檚 burnishing its luxury credentials and pushing deeper into hospitality, while Wayfair is leaning on its diverse supplier base. The resilient pro market is another area companies should look to take advantage of as they try to ride out the downturn.

Retail media is now being adapted by companies in other verticals: Financial services and travel companies are among those launching commerce media networks in a bid to monetize their first-party data.

Airlines prepare for soaring demand in 2025: A record 5.2 billion people are expected to fly next year as global tourism activity surpasses prepandemic levels.

Half (49%) of people in the US are traveling between Thanksgiving and mid-January, according to Deloitte. With so many people getting on planes, trains, and automobiles, advertisers have increased opportunities to reach consumers across travel media networks, especially those who are younger and higher-income.

鈥淎fter watching or engaging with our content, you walk away learning something a little bit more about Amtrak, a little bit more about train 迟谤补惫别濒,鈥� Lopez said. Amtrak avoids appearing out of touch with these posts by thoroughly researching trends. 鈥淚 think a lot of people tend to go for speed, which makes sense. It pays off,鈥� said Lopez. Amtrak works slower.

Rivals set their sights on Southwest Airlines customers: Frontier is temporarily offering perks that consumers associate with Southwest, including a free checked bag and no-fee flight changes.

Post-pandemic, China鈥檚 economy, including its retail sector, faces a pivotal moment. On one hand, all travel restrictions have been removed. But on the other, consumption has been dragged down by a deflated property sector and high youth unemployment, among other difficulties. For brands and retailers, the conundrum has created nearly unprecedented challenges to growth.

Despite Google Wallet and Apple Wallet鈥檚 investments in travel and ID features, adoption has been tepid

The rollout keeps U.S. Bank competitive with other issuers, like Chase, and can help encourage greater travel spend on its cards