Loyalty program tips

The United States is the first international market for Volare membership. More than 20 commercial partnerships and 7 partner airlines.

Reaching status with an airline loyalty program may feel more difficult in 2024, as airlines opt to incentivize passengers willing to spend more.

Las Vegas is getting a shiny, towering new hotel when the highly anticipated Fontainebleau Las Vegas — a project years in the making — finally opens its doors Dec. 13. And with it comes an all-new loyalty program for people looking to play or stay at the new 67-floor resort on the north end of the Strip.

When Alaska Airlines said Hawaiian Airlines would maintain its independent brand under a merged company, it was unclear how the two carriers would combine their loyalty programs. 

Hyatt said on Thursday it would improve its hotel loyalty program in January. Hyatt’s most notable change will be to expand the ability of program members to give some benefits to friends and family in one-off gifts.

When Ennismore launched a rewards program in July, the lifestyle hospitality joint venture with Accor said it wanted to stand apart from supposedly boring, generic loyalty programs — partly by adopting a paid subscription model instead. Ennismore on Monday introduced its latest twist.

American Airlines is adjusting its course during the pandemic recovery to boost its profitability, such as by focusing on under-served routes in the U.S. and by making its frequent flyer program an even bigger revenue generator. 

Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, Shashi has taken a bold step, diverging from the conventional path of hotel loyalty programs. Shashi’s unique approach cuts through the clutter, offering guests not just a place to stay, but a direct financial incentive to remain loyal.

Usually when loyalty programs announce changes, frequent fliers prepare for the worst. However, Southwest’s recently announced changes to its loyalty program, Rapid Rewards, are all for the best.

Frontier Airlines became the latest carrier to revamp its loyalty program on Tuesday, allowing travelers to earn up to 20 miles for every dollar spent and adding new loyalty tiers. 

American Airlines introduced strict spending requirements two years ago on its once-generous Business Extra program. Now, the airline plans to retire Business Extra as it introduces AAdvantage Business, a new loyalty program for eligible small businesses.

Delta Air Lines revealed a highly-anticipated revamp to its loyalty program on Wednesday, following swift backlash over previously-announced changes.

Christmas is still more than two months away, but Southwest Airlines just told its loyalty club members about one of its gifts. The carrier today said it would make some enhancements to its Rapid Rewards program.

American Airlines announced the introduction of a new business loyalty program, dubbed AAdvantage Business.

American Airlines business travelers now have the opportunity to earn airline elite status sooner through the AAdvantage Business loyalty program. Travelers will collect Loyalty Points in addition to the regular earning rate for being an AAdvantage member. Businesses will earn AAdvantage miles that can be redeemed for employee travel.

American Airlines is making changes to its corporate travel loyalty program for small businesses – the airline said Monday the newly launched AAdvantage Business would replace Business Extra.

Hilton said Monday it’s taking steps to streamline how small- and medium-sized businesses book and manage billings for business travel and small-group meetings and events.

Delta Air Lines announced that some of the recent changes to the carrier’s loyalty program would be rolled back after travelers voiced their displeasure.

The Travel Corporation has merged its six brands into one Global Tour Rewards program, with brand awareness behind this seemingly vanilla approach to loyalty. Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold, Costsaver, Brendan Vacations, and Contiki are now aligned under one rewards program. 

Expedia Group, which is combining its Expedia and Hotels.com rewards programs and extending it to Vrbo, hopes its upcoming One Key program will be used by regular people, or relatively infrequent travelers, and not just those who board first at the front of the line on major airlines.

Marriott International has long relied on its array of 30 brands to appeal to diverse mix of travelers. But the hotel giant increasingly would like consumers to believe its loyalty program gives them access to a surprising mix of lodging. Its marketers appear to hope that travelers will make Marriott’s mobile app their default place to book hotels.