2024 Awards Winners
The 2024 Golden Loyalty Awards winners (from left to right) are:
Organizer
Ravindra Bhagwanani, Managing Director, GLOBAL FLIGHT
Dave Canty, SVP, Head of Loyalty & Partnerships, BILT REWARDS
Rob Maclean, Founder of POINTS
Karen Chung, Assistant Vice President, SHANGRI-LA
Eric Kalali, Program Manager, SAS SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES
Harvey Lowe, Co-Founder & COO, ARCUBE - Start-Up of the Year
Simon Tavernier, CEO, STAMPIX
Master of Ceremony
David Andreadakis, CGO, BLUEWATER
Global Flight has recognised once again the best innovations in loyalty programs during the Loyalty & Awards 2024 conference, which took place in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ravindra Bhagwanani, Managing Director of Global Flight, also organiser and chairman of the Loyalty & Awards conference, stresses the importance of the Golden Loyalty Awards for the industry: "Each year, we see a few companies, program operators and suppliers alike, trying to push the boundaries. Some of these initiatives are not only successful, but actually really help to change the way the industry as it may turn our a few years later. Our Awards aim at recognizing such innovations - and at encouraging the players in the industry to continue on such path", he said.
Best Marketing Campaign
The award recognising the “Best Marketing Campaign” was received by SAS Scandinavian Airlines. The carrier operated a mystery flight in April, which was only open to members of its EuroBonus program redeeming their points for a 4-day trip. The "Destination Unknown" - Athens - was only revealed during the flight.
Best Use of Technology
Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts was the winner in the “Best Use of Technology” category. The group was rethinking the whole customer journey to introduce new standards for accessibility and guest satisfaction. This helped to increase customer satisfaction, but also to drive conversion and incremental revenue.
Best Loyalty Partnership
The last award for program operators recognised the “Best Loyalty Partnership”. Bilt Rewards, a growing US-based program rewarding members for paying rents, emerged as winner here thanks to its landmark partnership with Alaska Airlines, going clearly beyond industry norms.
Best Supplier Innovation
In the supplier category, Belgian company Stampix topped the competition for the first time, after already having been a finalist in 2023. The company enhances customer engagement and loyalty in travel by offering personalised photo rewards, notably as micro-redemptions for program members.
Best Lifetime Achievement
The Lifetime Achievement Award, aiming at identifying an industry personality with a long-time contribution to the industry, went to Rob MacLean. After a first part of his career at different Canadian companies, Rob founded Points, which he led as CEO until the company was absorbed by Plusgrade in 2022. Under his leadership, the company has grown to one of the most important and respected players in the industry, working almost with all leading travel loyalty programs around the world.
Excellence in Management
TAV Operation Services, a subsidiary of TAV Airports Holding and Group ADP, was the winner in the “Excellence in Management” category. The group initiated a project to optimize its operational procedures by applying a customer-centric focus and data-driven methodology. An AI-based algorithm was used to analyze customer and business process data. to reduce service times and elevate customer satisfaction.
