Travel Loyalty News

The loyalty linkage between Alaska and American hasn't been particularly fluid these last few years. Now it's getting even harder to take advantage of the partnership.

United's new points-based system for upgrading MileagePlus members should be more flexible and straightforward for elite travelers. Emphasis on "should be."

When used in conjunction with each other, geospatial, temporal, and other flight data, can not only help an airline increase customer loyalty, but also strategically expand its footprint around the world.

The addition of Mr and Mrs Smith hotels to IHG's loyalty portfolio will help the hospitality giant better compete against Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt for high-end customers. IHG Rewards members also can't be too unhappy about new luxury properties within their reach.

Most hotel operators will say that food and beverage can be a money loser for brands, but offering some version of it remains an essential part of the guest experience. Hyatt just stepped up its game.

The majority of U.S. travelers don't have to worry about how they'll upgrade on United Airlines. But United's most loyal customers, who contribute more than their share of revenue, care deeply about the process. United can't make things too difficult for them, or they will defect.

If anyone was hoping to see change on the horizon for Marriott's Bonvoy program, which has suffered its fair share of integration and IT issues, it doesn't seem to be on the road map. At Skift Global Forum in New York City, Marriott's chief financial officer practically doubled down on its future.

Can a loyalty program outlast the ups and downs of economic uncertainty in key markets? That's what Marriott is banking on by making sure Bonvoy offers everything customers want.

Introducing a subscription model to the travel industry could lead to a transformation in the way companies sell their products. On the other hand, it may be a challenge to get travelers to lock themselves into one brand over a period of time — unless, of course, there is an attractive perceived value.

Airlines are taking cues from sectors outside the travel industry, including dining, wellness, and retail to better target and engage with their passengers. The key to success is delivering personalized messages through the smarter and secure use of customer data, experts said.