Mike McGearty, CEO and co-founder of Meili, stopped by the WiT Studio to talk about tech disruption in the travel and mobility landscape, tackling competition, and new approaches to leadership in the business.
“At Meili, loyalty means creating reciprocal benefits across the entire value chain,” explains McGearty. To him, it’s the difference between booking a car rental, and booking a car rental for the first time and being greeted as if you’ve been a VIP customer for years. It’s when a customer’s elite airline status has seamlessly granted you premium perks at a car rental agency, saving them time and enhancing their journey.
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By integrating with airline and car rental loyalty programs, Meili opens a channel for customers to earn rewards and enjoy privileges at every step of their journey. “For instance, if you’re a prestige member of an airline’s loyalty program but have never rented a car, you can still receive elite status with the car rental partner,” McGearty adds. This approach not only benefits travellers but also drives ancillary revenue for airlines and strengthens partnerships with car rental companies.
McGearty also touched on fostering meaningful customer relationships by saying, “We focus on removing friction, ensuring transparency, and presenting customers with services tailored to their needs”. This customer-centric approach stems from Meili’s deep domain knowledge in the travel industry, which enables the company to align its technology with the intent and behavior of its users.
Drawing from his experience as the former CEO of CarTrawler, McGearty underscores the importance of values and culture in scaling a business. “Good execution requires alignment across values, culture, and vision,” he says. “One bad apple can derail your operations for months, which is a significant setback when scaling globally.” He also highlights the need for a sustainable commercial model, adding, “Our broker model at CarTrawler created friction, and we’ve designed Meili to avoid such challenges.”
Meili’s commitment to staying in its “lane” as a transparent tech provider fosters trust and collaboration. “We’re not competing with our partners but enabling their strategies,” McGearty clarifies. This clarity allows Meili to explore new verticals while maintaining its focus on adding value through technology.
When asked about AI’s role in the travel industry, McGearty points out its limitations. “AI can enhance relationships but cannot build or manage them. Relationships are the foundation of the travel industry, and trust is paramount,” he asserts. As such, Meili leverages AI to optimise operations but ensures that human connections remain at the core of its business model.
Scaling globally while maintaining agility is another challenge Meili has tackled effectively. “Our lean structure is supported by modern tech stacks and careful hiring,” McGearty says. “We focus on building only what adds value and are strong enough to say no to unnecessary features.”
“It’s about staying true to your values and aligning with the right people and strategies,” McGearty concludes.
