Lufthansa owes the US government $25,000. The penalty is being assessed after the carrier accidentally collected nearly $125,000 from US-based passengers in “taxes” that were not applicable on “non-revenue international tickets” (i.e. frequent flier rewards).
Loyalty
Thai Smile to join Star Alliance as connecting partner
Chalk up another partner for the Star Alliance program as Thai Smile signs on. Can this move help push other Star LCC affiliates into the fold?
Star Alliance pulls back on Diamond tier plans
A year ago Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh told passengers to “keep their eyes peeled” for a new Star Alliance top elite tier. In an update at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Seoul this weekend Goh indicated that no such development is expected soon.
Sleep like Spider-man in the sky with United’s new offerings
United Airlines introduced a new marketing campaign this week, tied in to the launch of Spider-Man™: Far From Home. The deal includes an updated safety video and Polaris amenity kit for business class passengers. United is also launching an opportunity for its MileagePlus members to bid miles to attend premier parties for the movie around the country in advance of its widespread release on July 2, 2019.
Delta aims to extend loyalty with "Reclaim my Status" program
Keeping a customer engaged with a loyalty program after a major life event can be challenging. Delta SkyMiles joins the ranks of airlines with a formal program for such, launching the “Reclaim My Status” challenge offer.
Jet Airways halts operations, continues to seek funding
Maybe it is temporary, as the airline claims. More likely it is a permanent situation. Without money or a coherent plan for recovery one thing is clear: Jet Airways is no longer an operating carrier.
Emirates Skywards, Loyyal bring blockchain loyalty to life
A new era is here for loyalty programs as blockchain-based partner integration comes to life. The fact that the implementation between Emirates Skywards and Careem doesn’t really need to be a blockchain solution is a big part of what makes this so special.
Evolving co-brand: AAdvantage adjusts soft benefits for cardholders
Should you buy miles at 2 cents each on a recurring basis? Probably not, but the Flight Cents program from AAdvantage and Barclays will almost certainly do brisk business.
Lyft Rewards Introduced: Some sort of loyalty??
Ride-hailing app Lyft intends to launch a new loyalty program in December 2018. Lyft Rewards will deliver benefits like ride upgrades or discounts. Probably. The announcement is spectacularly vague about how the scheme will work and even when customers can expect to participate.
Is Alitalia’s Milemiglia loyalty scheme next to change?
As Alitalia trudges along, seeking the right mix of investors to keep its airline operations afloat, another portion of the business may prove a more interesting attraction. The Milemiglia loyalty program operates at arm’s length from the core airline business and it could be headed for an abrupt change of course.