[WalletHub] Ampountolas Weighs In on Credit Cards for First-Time Borrowers
Credit card marketing tends to lead with rewards. For someone opening a first account, that framing can be the wrong place to start. That was the message from Apostolos Ampountolas, Associate Professor of Hospitality Finance and Chair of Graduate Programs at the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA), in expert commentary published July […]
BU SHA Promotes Two Faculty to New Academic Leadership Positions
Boston University School of Hospitality (BU SHA) is pleased to announce two faculty promotions: Makarand Mody, Ph.D., to Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and Apostolos Ampountolas, Ph.D., CQF, to Chair of Academic Programs. Mody, Associate Professor of Hospitality Marketing, is a leading scholar of customer experience and service innovation whose research explores hospitality as a force […]
[WalletHub] Apostolos Ampountolas on “Guaranteed Approval” Credit Cards
Apostolos Ampountolas, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Finance and Chair of Graduate Programs at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, recently shared expert insights on the realities behind “guaranteed approval” credit cards and consumer financial decision-making. Ampountolas explains that truly guaranteed approval credit cards are largely a misconception, as financial institutions must still comply with legal […]
[New Publication] Understanding Lodging REIT Vulnerability Through Event Study Analysis
Apostolos Ampountolas, Ph.D., has published “Market Volatility and Lodging REIT Performance: An Event Study Analysis” in Tourism Analysis. The study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected 18 publicly traded lodging REITs using an event study approach and the Fama–French five-factor model. Results show significant negative cumulative abnormal returns following the World Health Organization’s pandemic declaration, […]
[FinanceBuzz] 2025 Auto Insurance Statistics and Consumer Report (Study)
By Josh Koebert. Edited by Melinda Sineriz, ABFP™ FinanceBuzz reviews consumer and market trends across the auto insurance industry annually to understand what trends are coming in the next year. With auto insurance premiums climbing 45% since 2019, drivers are increasingly cost-conscious and hesitant to file claims or switch providers. To make sense of these market shifts, […]
[Business Travel Executive] November/December 2024 – Hotels: Transforming the Business Stay
Changing times are motivating hoteliers to reimagine hospitality for contemporary travelers. By Harvey Chipkin Apostolos Ampountolas, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Finance and Chair of Graduate Programs at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, provided valuable insights into how hotels are innovating to meet the evolving needs of today’s business travelers. Professor Ampountolas highlighted trends like […]
[WalletHub] Best Credit Cards for Purchase Protection
By Alina Comoreanu, WalletHub Senior Researcher Apostolos Ampountolas, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Finance and Chair of Graduate Programs at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, provides a comprehensive analysis of purchase protection and its role in fostering trust and loyalty within the retail ecosystem. Drawing on his expertise in finance and consumer behavior, Dr. Ampountolas explores […]
[WalletHub] Best Car Insurance in Massachusetts for 2024
In discussion with WalletHub, Apostolos Ampountolas, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Hospitality Finance and Revenue Management at BU’s School of Hospitality Administration, offers expert insights into the complexities of car insurance pricing and how consumers can navigate these challenges. Professor Ampountolas provides a detailed analysis of the factors influencing car insurance costs, including state regulations, weather […]
[WalletHub] Is Chase Sapphire Preferred Worth It?
Apostolos Ampountolas, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Finance and Revenue Management at BU School of Hospitality Administration, talked to Wallethub and provided valuable insights into the future of travel rewards credit card bonuses amidst a rebounding travel market post-pandemic. He suggested that while the competitive nature of the credit card industry might drive increased rewards to […]
[CBS News] Making a restaurant reservation? That’ll be $100 — without food or drinks.
It’s become increasingly common for restaurants to charge customers’ credit cards even before they step foot into an establishment, let alone order food or drinks. Referred to as a “reservation fee” and applied at the time of booking, the charge ranges in amount but inevitably peeves diners who don’t want to be on the hook for […]