Switchfly CEO Craig Brennan on how airlines can get creative with flexible loyalty redemption options, such as Switchfly's miles-plus-cash feature, to encourage traveler engagement.

Japan Airlines has partnered with e-commerce travel startup Switchfly to launch a web-based reservation system for customers in USA and Canada visiting Japan during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics next July. The new platform will allow travellers to build vacation bundles of flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities.

JAL is partnering with travel-focused e-commerce platform Switchfly on a web-based Dynamic Package reservation system. Switchfly will power JAL’s vacation package bundling of flights, accommodations, transportation, and activities products.

Japan Airlines (JAL) and San Francisco-based travel-tech startup Switchfly have teamed up for a web-based reservation system that allows travelers to build custom packages of flights, accommodations, transportation and activities ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Hotels consistently strive to better understand the key drivers of loyalty program engagement to better appeal to members of all types. Loyalty data tell the story of what every member desires most, as told through his or her individual history. Hotel Management spoke with Douglas Gaccione, executive vice president of global growth at Switchfly, about how hotel brands can create a more personalized, curated experience for members.

Guest connectivity goes beyond network strength and the fastest WiFi connection. Technology is also allowing hotels to interact with guests on a more personal level due to the industry’s improved data gathering capabilities. LODGING spoke with Alan Josephs, executive vice president of product, marketing, and alliances at travel e-commerce platform Switchfly, about how executing on that data is changing the relationship between travelers and hotels. Here are three of his insights.

There’s a tremendous amount of effort put into understanding Millennial and Generation Z consumers – individuals aged 18 to 35 – what they like, what motivates them, and how they are willing to spend their disposable income.  This is for good reason; these consumers represent $143 billion in spending power, and comprise about 38% of the US workforce. Brands need to meet their needs in order to survive, and if they hope to be able to compete they need to identify ways to drive loyalty from this cohort.

There’s a tremendous amount of effort put into understanding Millennial and Generation Z consumers – individuals aged 18 to 35 – what they like, what motivates them, and how they are willing to spend their disposable income.  This is for good reason; these consumers represent $143 billion in spending power, and comprise about 38% of the US workforce. Brands need to meet their needs in order to survive, and if they hope to be able to compete they need to identify ways to drive loyalty from this cohort.

Most travel loyalty programs typically have point accrual and redemption as their core functionality.

Membership in travel loyalty programs have other privileges as well, but it’s impossible to divorce these programs from the earning and burning of points or miles. 

And for many travelers and loyalty members, that’s just fine.

But the next generation of consumers – young Millennials and Generation Z – don’t want one-size-fits-all rewards.