The changes to how we work, play, and shop over the past few years have meant that entire industries have had to re-think how they do business. In a world of instant online shopping, where anyone can instantly read 100 reviews to decide where to go to dinner or buy a new rug, and where a single Google search can help you to find the lowest price for the items you want, cultivating loyalty is more valuable than ever.
Some businesses might think that loyalty programs are old hat and that it is useless to even attempt to court repeat customers in a world where so much choice makes us all fickle. However, some industries are proving that, when done right, a loyalty program can be the key to lasting success. Here are the industries that are getting loyalty programs right in 2022.
Hotels
When you think of loyalty programs, hotels might be your first go-to. After all, it was the hotel industry that pioneered the model in the 20th century, and schemes from leading brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Four Seasons are known worldwide. As travel kicks back into high gear, hotel loyalty schemes are entering a new golden age.
Research has shown that younger demographics are signing up to these schemes at unprecedented rates, partly because shopping around for the cheapest hostel is no longer cutting it for millennials and Gen Z. A huge portion of hotel industry revenue comes from intensely loyal, repeat visitors, which is why this sector tends to be the most generous, with loyalty programs usually offering free stays, discount meals, and instant upgrades upon check-in.
Online Casinos
The online casino industry has exploded in recent years, rapidly emerging to become one of the largest and most profitable elements of the entire entertainment sector. One of the secrets to the runaway success of this industry has been its savvy use of digital loyalty schemes, which often reward players with free casino bets in exchange for points.
In fact, loyalty schemes are now so ubiquitous in the casino industry that expert casino review platforms will often rank casino sites according to how generous their loyalty scheme is. Some of the most popular loyalty schemes even give dedicated casino gamers freebies such as birthday gifts, flights, account managers, and even free stays at famous casino resorts around the world. This merging of digital and physical loyalty programs could prove to be a hybrid model that other industries follow in the years to come.
Food & Beverage
We all have our go-to restaurants, whether it’s the local neighborhood bistro or the familiar comforts of a famous fast-food chain. The food and beverage industry has gone all-in on loyalty schemes in recent years, with industry observers noting that last year was the year that major restaurant chains all decided to create their own.
In the past year alone, we have seen the likes of Chipotle, Wendy’s, Starbucks, Burger King, and Dominos rolling out their own bespoke loyalty programs. One of the most successful examples has been Burger King’s, which allows users to collect “crowns” for every purchase, which can usually be exchanged for a free meal after just a couple of paid meals. It might seem overly generous to some, but it’s certainly keeping customers coming back.
If you think that your loyalty deserves some more recognition, these are the industries that are more than happy to compensate you for it.
