Nectar update: eBookers signs up for online travel

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By: Wise Marketer Staff |

Posted on September 20, 2004

Nectar update: eBookers signs up for online travel

The pan-European online travel company eBookers has joined the UK's Nectar coalition loyalty programme as the exclusive online travel agency sponsor. The precise date of the company's introduction and launch into Nectar is yet to be announced.

Under the new agreement, eBookers will be marketed to Nectar cardholders, and those booking travel through eBookers will be able to collect Nectar points, which can then be redeemed at thousands of locations across the UK. At the same time, eBookers will also become a supplier to Nectar, allowing collectors to redeem points for a wider range of travel products.

"Nectar collectors can now collect Nectar points every time they book a flight, hotel or rental car through eBookers and, with its far-reaching distribution, Nectar will play an important part in eBookers ongoing marketing strategy," said Chris Sherlock, head of the Nectar project at eBookers. "This will help to acquire new customers in our key UK market, and to further develop our brand."

Richard Campbell, marketing director for Loyalty Management UK (LMUK), which operates the Nectar programme, added: "Although Nectar points can already be collected at over 6,000 retail locations across the UK, we are also looking to boost our online offering. Travel is recognised as the most popular online purchase today and having listened to our collectors' needs we are proud to sign up eBookers."

Nectar facts & figures Since its launch in September 2002, Nectar has signed up more than half of UK households, and has 16 sponsors (Sainsbury's, Debenhams, Barclaycard, BP, Ford, Thresher Group, Vodafone, Adams, e-Energy, all:sports, Winemark, Magnet, Hertz, Brewsters, Brewers Fayre and now eBookers).

According to LMUK, these sponsors have the combined potential to account for around 40% of an average UK household's expenditure, meaning that a Nectar collector shopping across all sponsors could earn points on up to 40% of their annual household expenditure.

Some 62% of Nectar collectors claim to have spent more at sponsors because of Nectar (i.e. they have consolidated their spend at sponsor locations), according to LMUK, quoting Customer Satisfaction Research since October 2003. Some 75% of all Nectar collectors say they shop at two or more sponsors, and this number is continuing to rise.

For the complete story of Nectar, see our Feature Article - click here

For additional information: ·  Visit eBookers at http://www.ebookers.com ·  Visit Nectar at http://www.nectar.com