The Loyalty Newswire from The Wise Marketer
This edition covers: Accor, Agoda, Air Canada, CLMP™, Contentsquare, Digital Wallets, IndiGo, Jacksons Food Stores, Japan Airlines, Klaviyo, Kroger, Leal Hub, Marriott Bonvoy, Mastercard, Sandals & Beaches, Timewise, Upside, World of Hyatt
FROM THE EDITOR
There is news of new program announcements and partnerships among leading brands including Air Canada, Hyatt, Marriott, and Uber. We also share research on Gen Z travel preferences in Asia and why many loyalty programs are considered to have hit a plateau.
The educational calendar is filling up at the Loyalty Academy in the latter half of 2026. Start with the details on this fall’s CLMP™ training workshop in Mexico City, and check the website for updates on workshops in Brazil, Colombia, Dubai, and the US.
Bill Hanifin, Managing Editor — The Wise Marketer
SHORT TAKES
- [Global] McKinsey Global Publishing’s Annual Reading List
- [Global] Marriott Bonvoy, Japan Airlines Deepen Loyalty Partnership
- [Global] Uber Announces Acquisition Offer for Delivery Hero
- [Global] Contentsquare Partners With Klaviyo to Turn Behavioral Signals Into On-Brand Targeted Campaigns
- [UK] Mastercard Examines Sale of UK Payments Subsidiary Vocalink
- [US] America’s Best Companies of 2026 (Time)
CLMP™ TRAINING SPOTLIGHT — MEXICO CITY
Certified Loyalty Marketing Training™ Workshop Coming to Mexico City
Leal Hub, the leading customer loyalty and strategy consultancy in Mexico, is hosting a CLMP™ workshop with the Loyalty Academy in Mexico City on October 21–22. This is the credential that distinguishes professionals who design and lead customer strategies in B2C and B2B markets — an important professional development opportunity for loyalty practitioners across the region.
FEATURED STORIES
Air Canada’s Aeroplan and World of Hyatt Bringing Members More Ways to Earn and Redeem
Air Canada’s Aeroplan and World of Hyatt announced a collaboration giving members more ways to earn and redeem rewards across travel experiences. Bringing together two of the travel industry’s most popular loyalty programs, the tie-up expands member benefits across a combined network of more than 1,300 destinations and 1,500 hotels. Whether flying with Air Canada or staying at participating Hyatt properties, members will enjoy greater flexibility and more seamless opportunities to earn and use points throughout their travel journey.
Jacksons Food Stores Evolves “Let’s Go Rewards” Program With PAR Technology
Jacksons Food Stores, a top convenience retailer with more than 300 locations across Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, California, Montana, and Utah, has selected PAR Retail to support the evolution of its customer loyalty program, Let’s Go Rewards. The Meridian, Idaho-based chain — No. 28 on CSP’s 2026 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains — is looking to strengthen personalization as it scales the program. PAR Retail’s platform combines customer data with real-time intelligence, giving Jacksons the tools to deliver more targeted offers as customer behavior evolves.
Accor, IndiGo Merge Loyalty Programs
Accor and IndiGo Airlines launched a reciprocal loyalty points exchange between ALL Accor and IndiGo BluChip. The program allows members to convert points between hotel stays and air travel. The tie-up is described as the first of its kind between an airline and a hospitality brand in India, Accor said in a statement. It targets frequent travelers across metro cities and tier-one and tier-two markets in India, where travel demand continues to grow.
Agoda 2026 Travel Outlook Report: Key Trends for Industry Partners to Capitalize on the Year Ahead
The 2026 Travel Outlook Report highlights data-driven trends set to influence travel across Asia in the next year. Drawing on a survey of Agoda customers in key Asia-Pacific markets, the report spotlights shifts such as the rising popularity of secondary destinations, growing demand for experiential travel, and rising expectations for seamless, technology-driven journeys.
New Upside Research Reveals Most Retail Loyalty Programs Have Hit a Plateau
Upside released Escaping the Loyalty Plateau, a new report finding that most retail loyalty programs are failing to drive the behavior change they were designed to produce. Based on survey data from more than 12,000 U.S. consumers and retailers, the report shows that while 86% of shoppers say loyalty rewards matter to them, regular program usage lags way behind — leaving opportunity gaps of up to 48 percentage points.
New Shopper Research From Kroger Precision Marketing, Powered by 84.51°
New research from Kroger Precision Marketing, powered by 84.51°, finds that back-to-school season is reshuffling where families shop and what lands in the cart. Thirty-five percent of shoppers report buying different brands during the period — a real opportunity to win new customers — while 30% are leaning more on pickup or delivery to simplify busy weeks. The takeaway for loyalty marketers: back-to-school isn’t just a merchandising event, it’s one of the few windows each year when shopping habits are genuinely up for grabs.
Mobile Payment Market Size Worth $19,864.19 Billion by 2035
A new market report projects the global mobile payment market will reach $19,864.19 billion by 2035. The U.S. segment alone is expected to hit $4,171.48 billion, while Europe climbs to $3.45 trillion, driven by expanding digital wallet usage, NFC-based contactless payments, PSD3 open banking, EU instant payments, and government-led real-time payment initiatives. For loyalty marketers, the growth underscores how central mobile wallets are becoming to the redemption and engagement experience — not just the transaction itself.
Mastercard Ushers in a New Era of Digital Wallet Innovation
Mastercard is introducing Mastercard Wallet Services, a set of software tools and services that simplifies the creation of wallet capabilities on both iOS and Android, allowing more companies to quickly add secure, trusted contactless payments into their apps. New digital wallets could give consumers more choice, as companies worldwide will be able to layer in benefits, rewards, discounts, points, or features to encourage adoption. Those players stand to benefit too, building stronger connections and engagement with their user bases.
Timewise Debuts New Loyalty Program and Mobile App
Timewise’s new mobile app and Wise Rewards program are now live across the chain’s 200-plus convenience stores in Texas and New Mexico. Built with c-store app developer Rovertown, the platform bundles fuel discounts, the Refreshment and Roller Grill clubs, car wash savings, and personalized in-app offers. New members can save up to 30 cents per gallon on their first fill-up, with additional savings on future purchases. Timewise, part of Shell’s U.S. retail network, says the program is designed to deliver meaningful savings at the pump and beyond.
Kroger Rewards Program Expands With New Ways to Save
Kroger announced that rewards program members have more flexibility in how they use their rewards. Members can now redeem their Points for dollars off groceries in-store and online, in addition to fuel discounts at the pump. “Fuel Points” are simply “Points,” giving members the freedom to choose how they save.
Sandals® and Beaches® Resorts Launch Rebranded Loyalty Program, ‘Island Insiders Club’
Sandals and Beaches Resorts unveiled its new Island Insiders Club, the next chapter of its refreshed loyalty program. Replacing the long-running Sandals Select Rewards program (established in 2008), the new program is designed to elevate the guest experience with a more immersive approach to awards and recognition. Effective July 1, 2026, the transition preserves members’ current status and existing benefits while expanding access to enhanced rewards, exclusive events, and enriched experiences that bring members closer to the Caribbean.
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