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The Loyalty Newswire
November 17, 2025

  • By: Wise Marketer Staff
  • Posted on November 17, 2025

The Loyalty Newswire from The Wise Marketer

From the Editor

Several new program launches, enhancements and partnerships are in the news this week, highlighting QSR Culver’s, Papa Murphy’s, DoorDash, RBC Bank and Hilton. One group is enabling cash back rewards on alcohol purchases.

Tomorrow, we feature a new webinar, “The Role of Habit in Building Customer Loyalty - Are Habit Loops the marketer’s friend – or enemy?”. Join us as experts from Loyalty Science Lab and ebbo talk us through the nature of habits and how to leverage them for brand engagement.

In Dubai, a new Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional (CLMP™) educational workshop kicks off. They are nearly at capacity, but there’s still time to register for this two-day event hosted by our UAE Partners, QBF Consulting on 18-20 November at the Rove Downtown Hotel.

If you have any questions or would like more details, please feel free to reach out.

We are here to help you succeed. Let us know how we can help.

Bill Hanifin, Managing Editor, The Wise Marketer

Short Takes

Webinar Tomorrow - Break the Habit or Make the Habit? Connecting Habit & Loyalty

Ready to flip the script on loyalty? Research shows that habits shape buying behavior more than any points program or promotion. They can lock customers into your brand—or make it effortless for them to walk away. But marketers have questions:

  • Are Habit Loops the marketer’s friend – or enemy?
  • Are Your Customers Loyal—Or Just Stuck?

Want the answers? Then register for this new webinar “The Role of Habit in Building Customer Loyalty” on 18 Nov., Noon ET.  Join the experts from Old Dominion University and ebbo for a research-backed discussion that challenges outdated thinking and surfaces the drivers of consumer behavior today.

NOV 18 – 20: QBF Hosting Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional™ Workshop in Dubai

A new CLMP™ Educational Workshop will be presented by the highly experienced instructor team from QBF Consulting on 18-20 November 2025. The event will take place at the ROVE Downtown Hotel in Dubai.

The event will feature a “Loyalty After Hours” get-together on 18 November at 5:30 local time. This event is open to all CLMP™s able to attend. Register here and accelerate your career success!

Inflation is Impacting the Way US Consumers Approach Charitable Giving

As Giving Tuesday approaches, new national data from Fellowship Development reveals how inflation is changing the way Americans give. Our survey found that while 61% say charitable giving feels more important during tough times, only 23% would protect donations over other expenses. It’s a sharp sign of the economic pressure shaping this year’s generosity.

Nearly two-thirds of households now live paycheck to paycheck, and 39% plan to spend less this holiday season. Yet beneath the strain, Americans are still finding ways to give, often in smaller, more local, and more heartfelt ways. Download this report which breaks down giving by income, gender, and region, revealing how inflation is quietly reshaping generosity across America as the holiday season approaches.

Papa Murphy's Unveils Revamped MySLICE Rewards Program With $1 Medium Pizza Offer

Papa Murphy's Take 'n' Bake Pizza is kicking off a new chapter for its guests with the relaunch of MySLICE Rewards. The celebration kick-off on November 3, when guests — both new and current members — can enjoy a $1 Medium, one-topping pizza offer through November 30.

The new program replaces Papa Murphy's previous surprise-and-delight model with a clear, points-based system that combines the best of visit-based and dollar-based rewards. Guests earn 10 points for every pizza purchased (excluding Mini Murph® pizzas) and can start redeeming rewards at just 25 points for a $3 discount or a 2-liter beverage. Full press release here.

International Loyalty Awards 2026 Head to the USA for the First Time – Entries Are Open

The International Loyalty Awards (ILA) has announced that entries are now officially open for its 17th annual celebration. Entries are due by 12 December 2025. For the first time, the awards ceremony will take place in the United States, with Atlanta, Georgia, confirmed as the host city for 2026.

The ILA recognizes outstanding achievements across industries, from retail and travel to financial services and digital innovation. A new category has also been introduced for 2026 – Best Supplier / Vendor – highlighting the essential role of solution providers and technology innovators within the loyalty ecosystem. Full details of categories and entry requirements can be found in the official information pack, available to download here.

RBC x DoorDash Extend Program to Deliver New and Greater Value for Canadians

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and DoorDash are extending their long-standing program to provide complimentary access to DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service, offering even more value to eligible RBC credit cardholders as well as Avion Rewards members.

Through DashPass, customers receive $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible* delivery orders via DoorDash, plus other perks like exclusive savings opportunities. "RBC is delighted to deepen our relationship with DoorDash to offer even more meaningful, accessible savings to RBC credit cardholders and Avion Rewards members," said Kevin Rose, Vice President, Everyday Rewards, RBC.

Culver's Launches "Delicious Rewards" Loyalty Program Nationwide

Culver's is giving guests even more reasons to enjoy their favorite menu items with the launch of Delicious Rewards nationwide on Nov. 17. In addition to rewarding guests with points for every dollar they spend and sharing unique offers inspired by their past purchases, restaurant teams can use data about members' preferences to serve them better when they visit.

The launch comes at a time when consumer interest in loyalty programs is at an all-time high, with78% of U.S. consumers saying they're more likely to visit a restaurant where they can earn rewards.

Riyadh Air’s Sfeer Loyalty Program and Hilton Announce Strategic Partnership

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and Riyadh Air have announced a strategic partnership, naming Hilton the inaugural hotel partner for Sfeer, the recently launched lifestyle loyalty program powered by Riyadh Air.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, premium service, and customer-centric travel, uniting Hilton’s hospitality excellence with Riyadh Air’s vision to connect Saudi Arabia to more than 100 global destinations by 2030. Sfeer Founding Members will be the first to enjoy the benefits of Sfeer partnerships as it continues to grow ahead of commercial flight sales.

Club Car Wash Launches New Mobile App

The new Club Car Wash Mobile App allows users to manage their memberships, shop seamlessly, view locations, and contact support in a centralized spot. Through the app's new tipping feature, customers can virtually tip the locations they visit as well, so they can enjoy a fully contactless wash experience.

Club Car Wash is also offering its members a brand-new rewards program within the app. Members must sign up for Club Car Wash Platinum Rewards to start earning points, which can then be used to apply discounts on their monthly membership payments.

Swiftly To Partner with EG America to Launch Digital Alcohol Cashback Offers

Swiftly, a leading provider of retail technology and retail media solutions, announced a new partnership with EG America, one of the nation’s largest convenience store operators, to integrate Swiftly’s Alcohol Cashback solution into EG America’s Smart Rewards® app.

For decades, alcohol promotions have relied on paper-based rebates, forcing shoppers to mail receipts and wait weeks for reimbursement. Swiftly’s Alcohol Cashback program replaces the traditional mail-in rebate process with a fully digital experience that benefits shoppers, retailers, and suppliers alike.

Customer Loyalty In A Subscription-Fatigued World

Bernard May is the CEO of National Positions, a 5-time Inc. 500 company, award-winning marketing agency and Google Premier Partner. In this Forbes article, he postures that consumers are experiencing what analysts call subscription fatigue and tell us that loyalty is no longer something brands can assume.

Instead, he explains that loyalty is something to be earned. Consumers expect transparency, convenience, and the freedom to leave. They reward companies that give them those things. Read the full article here.

World Loyalty Giving Day (WLGD) is Coming on 2 December

The 2nd Annual World Loyalty Giving Day is coming on Dec 2 and it’s going to be bigger than ever. Taking place on Giving Tuesday, World Loyalty Giving Day is the capstone of the Black Friday / Cyber Monday / Giving Tuesday trilogy of events that mark the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season.

WLGD is a day where loyalty points can literally change lives. Visit this link to learn more about WLGD and how you can participate. Please support the cause by posting about it on LinkedIn using this link and sharing across your network using #PointsForGoodChallenge.

Webinar: Strategies to Build Loyalty & Maximize Revenue, with Hibbett & Baesman

Hibbett, Inc. is an American sporting goods retailer headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, operating over 1,169 retail stores, including 960 Hibbett Sports stores, 193 City Gear stores, and 16 Sports Additions athletic shoe stores across 36 states.

Customer loyalty isn’t built by chance. Join Hibbett's Kayla Brown, and Baesman's Kim Welther on Wednesday December 3, 1pm ET as they explore how brands can harness customer data to identify opportunities that strengthen brand loyalty. This session uncovers how to set clear KPIs, such as repeat purchase rates, customer lifetime value, and redemption engagement, then tie those metrics back to actionable customer touchpoints. Register Now.

Convenience Stores are Redefining Their Approach to Loyalty Program Design

Nicole Masullo, operations manager at Nittany MinitMart, told Convenience Store News, "We have learned that the most successful loyalty programs are simple, mobile-friendly and focused on delivering value,” elaborating, "our loyalty program is now completely digital and fully integrated into the Nittany MinitMart app."

This article documents several case studies and summarizes that a successful loyalty program should be:

  • simple to use across in-store, online and mobile platforms
  • offer rewards that provide real value
  • shouldn’t overcomplicate how customers join, earn or redeem rewards
  • should listen to customers through direct feedback, social media, and app interactions

Kroger Precision Marketing: Thanksgiving Traditions & Trends 2025

According to the latest Consumer Digest from Kroger Precision Marketing, shoppers will approach gift-giving strategically: 49% begin when sales hit, 34% when stores display décor, and 30% when homes are decorated. In terms of how they shop, the majority purchase gifts in-store (55%), while 39% will place an order via delivery and just 4% use curbside pickup.

The top holiday stressors this year include: sticking to a budget, navigating busy stores and gift-giving pressures. Nearly half of consumers are budget-conscious, while many also chase steep discounts and start shopping early to spread out expenses. Technology is helping households streamline holiday planning. 20% will use AI for gift ideas, 19% for price comparisons, 15% for grocery lists, and 14% for recipe inspiration.

Jobs in Loyalty

There are many talented people looking for full-time and contract positions in loyalty marketing. Fortunately, there are opportunities available from both brands and providers. We list a sampling of what we are aware of here.

Please click through the links if provided or contact us here to learn more and apply for these positions.

  • Loyalty Methods – Project Manager and other positions available.
  • VP Sales Executive - Loyalty platform operator with growing footprint in the US is actively looking to engage with the right person. Inquire with Wise Marketer.

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Stay. Loyal. Always.

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