The Loyalty Newswire from The Smart Marketer
From the Editor
On this vacation week, we’ve got fascinating information of recent program launches and adjustments to acquainted names. Final week, we shared a gaggle of loyalty metrics revealed by a bunch of main manufacturers. This week, we see that, identical to time, loyalty economics are undefeated, proof supplied by American Airways as it is going to not award miles for the acquisition of its lowest economic system fares. These vacationers sad with the change will inevitably be reminded that there’s “no free lunch” on the planet of loyalty applications.
You want a break after a protracted yr, and so will we. Subsequent week, we’ll share a extra considerate message about what’s forward in 2025. For now, we simply need to want you peace and relaxation throughout this vacation season. Please take time to get pleasure from pals, household, and bear in mind to reward your self alongside the way in which.
We’re right here that can assist you succeed.
Tell us how we will help.
Invoice Hanifin, Managing Editor, The Smart Marketer
Quick Takes
Wiser Retail Insights Discussion board™ 2026 Coming to Nashville, TN on January 27
Offered by Alternate Options, Ebbo, and The Smart Marketer, Wiser Boards™ is a half-day occasion presenting findings from a 2025 shopper analysis examine in comfort retail and residential enchancment retail, the inflection level in a longitudinal examine exploring the connection between model loyalty, buyer expertise, and programmatic loyalty. Register Right here.
This highly effective occasion is a singular alternative for enterprise leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers who search a greater understanding of how customers take into consideration their loyalty to manufacturers. This is a chance for retail enterprise leaders who need to create impactful and insights-led engagement and experiences for his or her clients.
Olo acquires Spendgo and launches its personal loyalty providing
On-line ordering firm Olo has acquired loyalty program supplier Spendgo. The deal will enable Olo to launch a loyalty providing that integrates with present merchandise, on-line ordering, funds, and advertising and marketing.
That is Olo’s first acquisition since shopping for middleware supplier Omnivore in 2022, and likewise its first underneath its new proprietor, private-equity agency Thoma Bravo. The official press launch stated the acquisition will assist it deal with demand from eating places for an built-in loyalty system. Sixty-five % of eating places utilizing Olo have a loyalty program.
PerfectVape Launches Loyalty Program Providing
PerfectVape, a number one retailer within the vaping trade, introduced the launch of PV Rewards, a brand new buyer loyalty program. Buyers earn PV factors with each buy – 3PV factors for each $1 spent on PerfectVape merchandise. As well as, following the model on Instagram and X (previously Twitter) provides 50 PV factors, whereas sharing a PerfectVape Fb publish will increase PV factors by 50.
The loyalty rebates construct from round 1% to as a lot as 2.5% with elevated spending. Members can observe their factors stability and rewards by clicking the PV Rewards possibility on the web site. Enrollment may be simply achieved by clicking on PV Rewards or opening a retailer account.
Again by Well-liked Demand – CLMP™ Certification in Dubai – 10 – 12 February 2026!
The response has been overwhelming! Because of unimaginable demand from loyalty professionals throughout the area, QBF Consulting is internet hosting the subsequent Licensed Loyalty Advertising and marketing Skilled™ (CLMP™) program in Dubai, so save the dates 10-12 February 2026.
Register now and safe your passport to Lifelong Studying! With Loyalty Academy Lifetime Membership, you aren’t simply studying—you’re staying forward, at all times. This isn’t only a course—it’s an funding in YOU.
New India CLMP™ Workshop on Feb 12-13, 2026
Licensed schooling accomplice Strategic Caravan will probably be internet hosting the India CLMP™ Loyalty Academy workshop in Delhi, February 12-13. Early fowl pricing is on the market via thirteenth January 2026.
Register right here. It is a workshop designed and delivered by practitioners for practitioners, so anticipate a excessive stage of interactive dialog, workouts, and group work. Give your self a present to start out the brand new yr and speed up your profession in buyer loyalty and digital advertising and marketing.
Native Pockets Loyalty Launch Would possibly Change The Case For Investing In PAR Know-how (PAR)
In December 2025, PAR Know-how Company launched Sensible Passes, a wallet-native loyalty resolution inside its PAR Punchh platform that lets restaurant manufacturers ship real-time, app-free rewards and gives via Apple and Google Pockets on friends’ cell phones.
This transfer positions PAR to deepen its function in restaurant visitor engagement by integrating loyalty instantly into on a regular basis cell conduct, doubtlessly enhancing the attraction and income alternative of its broader cloud platform for operators. The transfer will check how embedding loyalty instantly into Apple and Google Pockets might affect PAR Know-how’s long-term progress and profitability narrative.
American Airways Eliminates AAdvantage Miles for Economic system Fares
American Airways has introduced it’s stripping away one of many key advantages of shopping for an economic system fare, the flexibility to earn frequent flyer miles in its AAdvantage program or factors towards elite standing. The provider stated this week that primary economic system fares will not rely for reaching these frequent flyer milestones.
American’s new coverage is much like the usual set by Delta Air Strains, which additionally doesn’t enable vacationers on primary economic system tickets to earn Delta SkyMiles standing or miles, although vacationers on the brand new Delta Consolation Primary are capable of earn SkyMiles. CNBC factors out that whereas United Airways does enable primary economic system clients to earn miles, they aren’t allowed to convey a carry-on bag.
Paying with factors is gaining recognition with customers
majority of customers, 79%, are utilizing Pay With Factors at checkout in-store and on-line, double the determine from 2023. That is a major discovering from an annual survey from Have interaction Folks and carried out by The Smart Marketer.
This text from Retail Buyer Expertise stories that solely 37% respondents had tried utilizing PwP, and nearly half have been utterly unfamiliar with PwP as a fee possibility, based on a press launch. The survey polled 752 U.S.-based customers in August 2025.
PRISM launches ‘Insta Stays’ program throughout OYO properties in India
Oravel Stays Restricted (“PRISM”) has introduced the launch of its new ‘Insta Stays’ program for all OYO properties in India as last-minute vacation planning positive factors momentum forward of the brand new yr. Vacationers can do last-minute bookings by way of the OYO app or web site by clicking on the Insta Stays possibility.
OYO is a value-stay model with greater than 13000 resorts throughout India. As a part of this system, OYO Wizard members obtain an extra 5% unique low cost on Insta Stays bookings. With over 18 million members, OYO Wizard is amongst India’s largest lodge loyalty applications, reflecting the rising choice for trusted manufacturers and loyalty-led worth amongst frequent and spontaneous vacationers.
Millennium Lodges & Resorts and IHCL Enter Into World Loyalty Partnership
Millennium Lodges & Resorts introduced a strategic loyalty partnership with Indian Lodges Firm (IHCL), India’s main hospitality firm and custodian of the long-lasting Taj Lodges & Resorts model. The collaboration brings collectively MHR’s MyMillennium and IHCL’s celebrated Taj InnerCircle of NeuPass programme, unlocking enhanced journey and keep advantages for members worldwide.
Headquartered in Singapore, Millennium Lodges & Resorts is without doubt one of the nation’s most precious hospitality manufacturers, acknowledged for its award-winning portfolio of resorts throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, the UK, the US, and the Center East. This milestone partnership displays MHR’s continued evolution over three a long time, increasing its worldwide presence, strengthening its loyalty ecosystem, and forging alliances with like-minded hospitality leaders to ship better worth, selection, and recognition to vacationers throughout key markets.
Please Subscribe to our “Smart and Weekly” E-newsletter, revealed every Friday.
