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Loyalty Newswire – January 16, 2023

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By: Wise Marketer Staff |

Posted on January 16, 2023

In this week's Newswire you can enjoy a curated list of the latest customer loyalty, technology, payments, and other relevant marketing news. We include a spectrum of topics, all with the intention of keeping you informed and enabling you to star in your next big meeting.

The Loyalty Newswire makes it simple for busy professionals (e.g. YOU) to quickly digest important industry news and trending topics. Keep reading!

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  • New rewards concept from Chipotle in 2023
  • Samsung Rewards coming to Qatar
  • Best Buy revamps the My Best Buy® rewards program
  • Enhancements on the way for Meijer's mPerks program
  • GetPlus program relaunched using Antavo technology
  • Antavo releases Global Customer Loyalty Report 2023

Chipotle launches new rewards concept Freepotle for 2023

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced it is launching "Freepotle," a new Chipotle Rewards perk that gives members up to ten free food drops throughout 2023. All existing Chipotle Rewards members (the company press release reports the total to be 30 Million) will be automatically enrolled in "Freepotle". Non-members can get "Freepotle" by joining the Chipotle Rewards program by March 6. The ten free food drops throughout the year will include rewards such as free guac, free Queso Blanco, free beverages, free chips, and double protein. To kick off the launch of "Freepotle," Chipotle is giving customers the chance to win free Chipotle For A Year at all restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.

Samsung Gulf Electronics launches Samsung Rewards in Qatar

Samsung Rewards is available to all customers wishing to purchase their favorite products on samsung.com and Samsung Members App. Samsung products are highly immersive, from the latest smartphone portfolio to cutting-edge wearables. The company says Samsung Rewards aims to enhance customer experiences through customization and mobile offers. Customers can join Samsung Rewards Program free of charge on samsung.com and Samsung Members App. Each Rewards Point is valid for up to 24 months and may be redeemed against all products and services available online.

Changes are happening to the My Best Buy® program

The Best Buy rewards program, now known as My Best Buy®, has been operating since the early 2000’s. The program began as a fee-based program that awarded a percent back on items purchased. After a few years in the market, the program dropped its membership fee and became a pure rebate program with additional benefits. Now, bigger changes are about to take place. The company’s website says that “Beginning January 9, 2023, My Best Buy® members will get free shipping with no minimum purchase required*. On February 14th, reward points will become a benefit that’s exclusive to My Best Buy® Credit Cardmembers.” That is a polite way of saying that points will no longer be earned by program members. The current site states that My Best Buy members earn 1 percent back in rewards and a $5 reward for every 250 points accumulated. You can read the updated terms and conditions here.

Meijer introduces enhanced mPerks loyalty program

Meijer, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 499 supercenters, neighborhood markets and Express locations throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin, announced the launch of a refreshed mPerks loyalty program. The enhanced mPerks program will allow for more personalized rewards and savings, with customers now earning points for every dollar spent and every qualifying prescription filled, along with additional opportunities to earn even more points.

Perks changes include:

  • Purchases now earn points, which customers can apply toward the savings of their choice.
  • Each qualifying prescription filled now earns points, instead of every five prescriptions filled.
  • Points expire after 90 days, as opposed to 45 days in the current system.
  • Customers choose when and how they want to redeem points for additional savings.

Indonesian loyalty program GetPlus is relaunched using Antavo technology

GetPlus is a mobile app-based coalition loyalty program in Indonesia that is free for members. GetPlus members can earn and redeem GetPlus Points at a wide range of in-store and online partners, including grocery stores, eCommerce stores, apparel brands, travel partners, entertainment brands, food & beverage establishments, and more. GetPlus, Indonesia’s B2C multi-brand loyalty and customer management program, has partnered with Antavo Enterprise Loyalty Cloud to enhance its one-stop rewards solution and align with modern customer needs.

Antavo releases Global Customer Loyalty Report 2023

Antavo, the Enterprise Loyalty Cloud platform, has released its 2023 Global Customer Loyalty Report, highlighting an increasing reliance on loyalty programs to overcome concerns around inflation and potential recession. The report is based on behavioural data from more than 290 million loyalty member actions, over 600 minutes of qualitative interviews, and data from over 260 industry professionals. A few of the key findings from respondents you can find in the report include:

  • 88.5% said trusted loyalty initiatives to help them overcome the current inflation crisis
  • 67.7% have plans to increase or significantly increase their investment in customer retention over the inflation crisis and possible recession
  • 78.6% of companies with existing loyalty programs are looking to revamp or make significant changes in the next three years – growing from 71.6% last year
  • 93.7% agreed that customer loyalty should be the primary focus over customer acquisition due to the current economic climate

Idea of the Week – Bleisure Travel

Ever heard of “Blesisure Travel”? Neither had we until we heard from Evisa Express. The company provides electronic visa services and, since many in the loyalty business are frequent travelers, this could be a very useful service. According to the company website, 'Bleisure' represents a mix of 'business' and 'leisure'. Weary road-warriors relish the opportunity to extend a stay on a business trip for a few days in a preferred location. It is worth noting that millennials are the keenest to go on Bleisure trips among all generations. If you are in the travel and hospitality sector, identifying who among your customer base craves Bleisure activities could be a step forward in effectively customizing travel offers.

Luxury cruise line Sliversea takes a uniquely simple approach to loyalty

Silversea Cruises is a luxury cruise line headquartered in Monaco. Founded in 1994 by the Vlasov Group of Monaco and the Lefebvre family of Rome, it pioneered all-inclusive cruising with its first ship, Silver Cloud. Since July 2020, it has been owned by Royal Caribbean Group. When you complete your first Silversea voyage, you are enrolled in the Venetian Society, Silversea's cruise loyalty program. The program is unique in its simplicity as there is one tier only offering up to 5% off on every cruise. Other savings offers, onboard recognition and invitations to private events are included. You can learn more by reading the program terms and conditions here.

Smile of the Week

Have you ever gone to a batting cage to take a few swings like a MLB major leaguer? Heck, we stand up in front of board rooms full of people making presentations on a regular basis, so how hard can it be to face a pitching machine? This Tik-Tok’er found out the hard way that those pitches can come pretty fast. It’s Monday. If you are in the “batting cage” today and the machine goes haywire, sending you multiple unexpected curve balls, what can you do? Remember that you can only hit one ball at a time. Concentrate on the one right in front of you and you’ll be ok.

Miss the previous newswire? Stay informed: Loyalty Newswire – January 10, 2023

The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the hard-working, customer-centric, data-driven staff at The Wise Marketer.