Articles tagged “business of loyalty”

Google Finds Customer Service Beats Loyalty Programs

Google Finds Customer Service Beats Loyalty Programs

Grant Martin, Skift

It's no surprise that travelers are starting to place a higher priority on customer experience over loyalty programs, considering how uncomfortable air travel has become. Google's data just proves it.

3 days ago

Blackstone May Take a Stake in the Loyalty Program of India’s Jet Airways

Blackstone May Take a Stake in the Loyalty Program of India’s Jet Airways

George Smith Alexander and P R Sanjai, Bloomberg

Jet Airways is in a race to raise cash as its pile of debt balloons. Blackstone is reportedly discussing a valuation of around $400 million to $500 million for the Indian carrier's loyalty arm, but the bigger financial picture remains troubled.

3 days ago

Marriott and Starwood Clean House Ahead of Combining Loyalty Programs

Marriott and Starwood Clean House Ahead of Combining Loyalty Programs

Grant Martin, Skift

Marriott and Starwood are ready to pull the trigger on integrating their loyalty programs — but will their hotel and loyalty members ever be ready for the change?

5 days ago

Marriott Still Working Through Starwood Integration Two Years After Deal

Marriott Still Working Through Starwood Integration Two Years After Deal

Deanna Ting, Skift

Can Marriott hold onto hotel owners and SPG elites? That was the underlying question on many analysts' minds during Marriott's second quarter earnings call. After all, the bigger you are, the harder you have to fall, right? But the world's largest hotel company, not surprisingly, doesn't see things that way.

2 weeks ago

Aimia Praised by Biggest Shareholder for Rejecting Air Canada’s Aeroplan Bid

Aimia Praised by Biggest Shareholder for Rejecting Air Canada’s Aeroplan Bid

Frederic Tomesco, Bloomberg

Aimia is taking aggressive action to show the Aeroplan frequent flyer program, which Air Canada started in 1984 but Aimia now owns, can exist after the airline adopts a new loyalty scheme in 2020. That might be true, and Aimia's investors seem to be buying it. But we still think the best move is for Aimia to sell Aeroplan back to Air Canada.

2 weeks ago

Hyatt Expands Loyalty Program to New Luxury Hotel Partners

Hyatt Expands Loyalty Program to New Luxury Hotel Partners

Grant Martin, Skift

Hyatt just extended its loyalty program to reach a whole new market of luxury properties around the world. Boutique enthusiasts will be thrilled with both Hyatt and its reach.

2 weeks ago

Aimia Explores Partnership With Oneworld as It Weighs Selling Aeroplan to Air Canada

Aimia Explores Partnership With Oneworld as It Weighs Selling Aeroplan to Air Canada

Frederic Tomesco and Kristine Owram, Bloomberg

Customers holding Aeroplan points likely would prefer Aimia to sell to Air Canada, and that may happen. But we suspect Aimia, which owns Aeroplan, does not want to sell to Air Canada for a bargain price. Thus, the company is exploring other options.

2 weeks ago

Hyatt’s New Alliance Hints at the Future of Hotel Loyalty Programs

Hyatt’s New Alliance Hints at the Future of Hotel Loyalty Programs

Deanna Ting, Skift

If independent hotel collections like Small Luxury Hotels of the World and its peers want to thrive, pursuing more loyalty tie-ins seems likely, but they have to be careful to stress the additional value they can bring for independent hotels. Otherwise, what's stopping independents from flocking to the hotel soft brands?

3 weeks ago

Air Canada Plans a Hostile Takeover of the Aeroplan Loyalty Program

Air Canada Plans a Hostile Takeover of the Aeroplan Loyalty Program

Grant Martin, Skift

Until last week, Air Canada's loyalty program members were on track to see Aeroplan split from the airline in 2020. Now, the program and miles are in jeopardy.

3 weeks ago

CEO: Air Canada’s Offer to Buy Back Its Frequent Flyer Program Has a ‘Short Fuse’

CEO: Air Canada’s Offer to Buy Back Its Frequent Flyer Program Has a ‘Short Fuse’

Frederic Tomesco, Bloomberg

Air Canada has all the leverage. While the airline probably would prefer to control Aeroplan, it doesn't need it. Given the circumstances, why shouldn't the airline play hardball?

3 weeks ago

Aeroplan Prepares for Life After Air Canada

Aeroplan Prepares for Life After Air Canada

Grant Martin, Skift

In June of 2020, Air Canada and Aeroplan will officially split. Aeroplan last week announced a new strategy and made the case for members to stick with its program after the milestone parting.

4 weeks ago

Flyers Brace for More Credit Card Pitches, This Time on United Flights

Flyers Brace for More Credit Card Pitches, This Time on United Flights

Grant Martin, Skift

Flight attendants on United will have both a stricter mandate and a stronger incentive to pitch the airline's new co-branded credit card.

1 month ago

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