As a corporate travel manager or booker, your colleagues’ overall travel experience is top of mind. When facing the usual travel challenges, added value items such as upgrades or early check-in can make a significant difference to your travellers’ overall experience and wellbeing. Your travel management company (TMC) can leverage buying power and supplier relationships to deliver an enhanced travel experience. But did you know you can also secure added benefits by enrolling travellers in an airline, car hire or hotel loyalty programme?
Examples include Lufthansa Miles & More, Emirates Skywards, Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. You can tailor your loyalty programme to support preferred supplier agreements while considering individual traveller preferences.
What are the benefits of a loyalty programme?
By signing up for these programmes, your corporate travellers gain access to a range of benefits, including priority check-in, lounge access and upgrades, which save them time and enhance their comfort. They can also earn points or miles redeemed for free flights or complimentary hotel stays. In addition, as they accumulate points, they earn recognition and exclusive opportunities that can only be earned through the programme.
Recent developments to loyalty programmes
Loyalty programmes have come a long way from their traditional structure and brands are now incorporating dynamic technologies to offer personalised experiences and tailored rewards. For example, British Airways has rebranded its loyalty scheme to The British Airways Club and introduced a new tier-points system based on travel spend, rather than distance travelled.
Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, has expanded its partnership with Accor through a new two-way points system. JetBlue’s TrueBlue programme has updated its Mosaic tiers, simplifying the path to elite status, through rewarding travel spend and engagement. Meanwhile, American Airlines has released new perks including using its AAdvantage miles for Hyatt free night awards.
It doesn’t stop there. Suppliers are increasingly partnering to match travellers’ loyalty status across brands. Marriott Bonvoy and Uber have expanded their partnership, allowing members to earn Bonvoy points on select Uber rides globally. Similarly, Hilton Honors members can earn points through select dining experiences and attractions in more than 40 cities worldwide.
Top tips for loyalty programme success
- Ensure your travellers are aware they must sign up for loyalty programmes using their name as written on their passport. Otherwise, travellers can miss gaining significant loyalty points. This is particularly crucial if you’re using automated systems to complete forms.
- You can check the name held by the supplier by logging into the loyalty programme account, contacting customer support or asking at check-in.
Enrolling your business travellers in loyalty programmes can significantly enhance their travel experience, saving them time and money, and providing them with exclusive rewards and recognition.
“We can help clients navigate the complex world of airline loyalty programmes,” Reed & Mackay Senior Director Airline Partnerships Richard Lindsay says. “Our team ensures you are maximising your earning potential by consolidating any airline alliance partners into one preferred carrier membership. We can also work with our airline partners to offer status matches if you’re looking to try a new airline for the first time.”
Get in touch
Mail hello@reedmackay.com to discuss all your corporate travel and event management needs.
