Loyalty Examples

7 Types of Loyalty Programs

Points Rewards programs are certainly a popular form of loyalty program, but it's important to remember that there are numerous loyalty program designs that don’t include points at all. In fact, there are 7 distinct types of loyalty programs to consider when revamping a loyalty program or starting a brand new one. A sound loyalty program design process will start with your objectives and the unique opportunities that exist for your brand, and only then move to program concepts that are best aligned. Although you’ll want to mix and match to achieve a balanced program design, these 7 different loyalty program types provide a good starting point for brainstorming and ideation.

Do Tiered Loyalty Programs Work?

Tiered Loyalty Programs can build real loyalty sentiment and boost retention by introducing a switching cost – members don’t want to lose their status. Each tier is achieved through a combination of spend and/or frequency, and benefits are progressively added for each threshold. The loyalty tier qualification criteria can be tweaked to enable a manageable audience for the most select benefits. Tier Based Loyalty Programs are a good fit for organizations that are well equipped to deliver the extra services – the highly competitive luxury department store sector provides useful insights and creative thought starters for this type of program. Nordstrom’s Nordy Club builds on their famous service heritage with benefits that keep high value customers coming back.

Gamification Loyalty Programs: Google Local Guides is the G.O.A.T

Google Local Guides may not come to mind as a Gamification Loyalty Program, in fact most consumers aren’t even aware of it. Take a closer look though, and you’ll see that it’s the GOAT of gamification in loyalty programs! How many other programs can tout so many members who have had such a transformative effect on their business? Google Local guides is tough to beat, with over 150 million Local Guides globally, who:

Loyalty Program Examples: Sephora vs Ulta

Category titans Sephora and Ulta both have powerful loyalty programs, in fact according to Newsweek’s “America’s Best Loyalty Programs 2021” survey they are at parity with each receiving a 7.6 rating from consumers . This article provides a thorough review of each program, digging in to how they are applying loyalty design and best practices. Both programs are strong, with Beauty Insider delivering over 80% of Sephora’s revenue and Ultamate Rewards delivering over 90% for Ulta. However, they take dramatically different approaches, and the contrast provides insight to practitioners who are considering their program design and how it plays to their brand’s strengths.

LoyaltyLevers Balanced Scorecard: Measuring Loyalty Sentiment

As noted in Loyalty Measurement: C-Suite Needs a Balanced Scorecard, executives need a balanced presentation of results to gauge program performance.  Loyalty Sentiment is one of the three elements of the LoyaltyLevers Balanced Scorecard, with measurement of the appeal of Loyalty Program Benefits and Member Affinity.  These key indicators gauge the equity you are building with positive Loyalty Sentiment and Emotional Loyalty.  This article dives deeper into measuring Loyalty Sentiment.

Using Surprise & Delight to Build True Loyalty Sentiment

Surprise and Delight is a well-established component to great brand experiences and loyalty programs, harnessing the Decision Affect theory that unexpected outcomes have a greater impact than expected outcomes. Though best suited to service oriented businesses, others have found ways to side-step the challenges of scaling this approach, succeeding brilliantly in deepening emotional connections with their customers.