In today’s loyalty landscape, travel rewards have become essential for brands looking to attract and retain customers. Research shows that consumers of all ages seek out unique, unforgettable experiences through travel rewards, which creates strong emotional connections. According to experts, brands are increasingly using travel perks to drive engagement and loyalty with consumers in order to stay competitive in their respective industries. The demand for travel rewards is on the rise, with 95% of brands now offering them and 84% providing travel booking capabilities in their loyalty programs.
Technology plays a key role in creating seamless and engaging customer experiences, but integrating and managing the necessary tech can be a significant challenge for brands. Partnering with technology leaders, like Expedia Group Private Label Solutions, allows brands to access industry-leading technology and expertise. By leveraging automated solutions, supply partners can enhance their loyalty programs, reach high-value travelers, and tap into new markets. Expedia Group’s business-to-business bookings, for example, see 30% coming from partner loyalty programs.
Flexibility is another important factor that consumers now expect from loyalty programs. Loyalty providers must offer options for earning and redeeming points across various purchases and partners to drive more value and meet consumer demands. Private Label Solutions enables partners to introduce flexible earning and redemption options seamlessly, allowing travelers to switch between cash and points pricing throughout the booking journey. Expedia Group’s partnerships, such as the one with Microsoft Bing, offer additional rewards to travelers through collaboration in loyalty programs.
As loyalty programs grow, maintaining exceptional customer service becomes increasingly challenging. Complex procedures lead to more nuanced customer questions, and higher membership numbers mean more queries and calls. To address this challenge, Private Label Solutions offers a range of customer support options, including AI-powered virtual agents, self-service solutions, and multilingual contact centers. This ensures top-quality customer support for partner brands, allowing for personalized experiences and efficient handling of customer inquiries.
For non-endemic brands, integrating travel rewards into existing programs can drive customer engagement and boost brand loyalty. Private Label Solutions has partnered with companies like Walmart to launch successful travel reward programs, enhancing the value for members and driving engagement. Expedia Group’s extensive global inventory, with access to properties, airlines, activities, and car rental companies, provides unparalleled scale and reach for partner brands. In 2023, Private Label Solutions powered over 100 million room nights and $25 billion in lodging gross booking value, demonstrating significant year-over-year growth.
In conclusion, integrating travel rewards into loyalty programs presents a critical opportunity for brands to differentiate themselves and attract customers across all sectors. Expedia Group, through its Private Label Solutions, offers cutting-edge technology and industry-leading inventory to ensure that brands can deliver unmatched travel rewards to their customers. By leveraging these resources, brands can stand out, drive customer engagement, and ultimately win over consumers in a competitive marketplace.
