Is it Time to Revamp Your Loyalty Program

What is a ‘Loyalty Program’

Companies are usually willing to reward customers who frequently purchase their products or services. Often the company builds a branded membership organization for these customers that usually brings a sense of inclusion, of belonging. Whether customers join a company’s Loyalty Program for social reasons or because of the special discounts, free merchandise, upgrades, or other monetary reasons, the company benefits from increased sales activity and a wealth of consumer information.

Loyal customers are great brand ambassadors when they talk about their favorite brands and products. Word-of-mouth advertising has always been the best way to increase sales, but never more so than in today’s interconnected, social world.

The Future of Loyalty Programs in the Travel Industry

The most interconnected, and arguably the most social generation is the Millennial Generation – those born after 1980 and now between age 18 and 34. This makes them a highly desirable, yet elusive target for travel marketers.

Even though this group is a small percentage of total travelers, it is a driving force in the emersion of a new industry – professionally managed travel clubs that use both technology and seasoned professionals to create unique, bespoke travel experiences for every member.

In today’s fast-paced world where Millennials demand information and gratification instantly, traditional loyalty rewards programs in the travel industry are falling out of favor. Airlines, retailers and hotels developed their business models and their brands around loyalty programs and the number of points their customers could accumulate through direct purchases or booking travel online. However, that model is experiencing a nose dive as consumers begin to encounter the loss of real savings as direct purchases and booking travel online becomes more complicated.

The good news for companies and their loyalty rewards program is the arrival of a saving grace, or more to the point, the arrival of professional companies that manage the complexities of travel planning, travel booking and technology on behalf of companies and associations.

The most important asset for most Millennials today is time, and they just do not wish to waste that valuable time trying to navigate numerous websites for hours to book their travel arrangements. So, they are willing to spend a little extra money to get the services they need and expect.

And now comes another saving grace – professionally managed travel clubs that can book reservations at up to 40% less than the online services offering "lowest price guarantees."

Custom Travel Clubs are experts in creating travel membership programs with more than 60 years of experience in travel domain