The Loyalty Newswire from The Wise Marketer
This edition covers: Yum! Brands, Circle K, Emirates, Wyndham Rewards, Marriott, Revolut, Miles & More, Pointspay, Converge, The5ers, Taiwan Millennium Health Foundation & 7-Eleven
FROM THE EDITOR
This week’s issue spotlights several ways that loyalty currency is leaving the rewards portal and showing up right at checkout. Emirates now lets travelers pay with Crypto.com directly on bookings, Miles & More members can earn and redeem miles at merchant checkout through Pointspay, and Circle K is using per-gallon loyalty pricing to soften the sting at the pump. Across sectors, the trend is clear — loyalty isn’t orbiting payments, it’s becoming part of it.
On a related note, if you’ve been thinking about the CLMP™ credential, seats are going fast for October’s Mexico City workshop with Leal Hub. Additional workshops in Brazil, Colombia, Dubai, and the US will be announced soon.
Bill Hanifin, Managing Editor — The Wise Marketer
SHORT TAKES
- [Global] Biggest Payment Processing Solutions Companies in the World
- [SG] QSR Guzman y Gomez Launches GOMEX 100 Day Recognizing Top 100 Members of GOMEX Loyalty Program
- [UK] New Report “Agentic Commerce in UK Retail: An Unresolved Liability Question” Surveys UK Merchants on Where Agentic Commerce Is Heading, and Who’s Liable When an AI Agent Gets It Wrong
- [US] 7 Brew® Enters New Era With Launch of First-Ever Mobile App
- [US] RetailMeNot Launches Rewards App Featuring AI Smart Search and Industry-First Working Code Promise
- [US] TransAct Launches New BOHA!® Capabilities to Help Restaurants and Convenience Stores Scale Into Catering — Strengthening Customer Loyalty and Competitive Position with the Top 500 Chains
- [US] Western Union & Rain Launch Stablecard as a Digital Wallet and USDPT-Backed Visa Secured Credit Card
- [US] Wingstop’s Q2 2026 Sales Grew, but Missed Wall Street’s Revenue Expectations
- [US] New iSeatz Research Reveals Travelers Are More Strategic Than Ever
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
Yum! Brands CEO Touts Impact of Customer Loyalty in Q2 Earnings Call
During Yum’s most recent earnings call, CEO Chris Turner said the company is building “deeper and more direct” relationships with its customers, saying “Loyalty creates better experiences for consumers, stronger engagement with our brands, and more powerful, demand-driving tools for franchise partners.”
Circle K’s Revamped Loyalty Program Offers 25 Cents Off Per Gallon, Up to $1 Off After 25 Visits
To help customers offset high gas prices, Circle K is offering new Inner Circle members a special deal of 25 cents off per gallon for their first five fill-ups. Those savings could go higher, based on coffee and snack consumption.
Emirates and Crypto.com Give Customers a New Way to Pay for Flights
Emirates has officially launched Crypto.com Pay™, allowing its customers to use the digital payment solution on the airline’s website and app platforms. Customers with a Crypto.com account booking on emirates.com and the Emirates App can now select Crypto.com Pay™ at checkout.
Wyndham Celebrates 20 Year Partnership with PGA Tour
To celebrate the 87th Annual Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club last week, Wyndham Rewards gave away 1 million points daily (Thursday–Sunday) to fans on-site and at home. The promotion marked 20 years of partnership between Wyndham Rewards and the PGA TOUR.
Marriott Offers Owner Fee Rebates to Ease $125M Credit Card Surge
Marriott is launching a fee rebate program funded directly from its own P&L to compensate U.S. and Canadian franchisees who achieve high guest satisfaction scores. The move comes ahead of an estimated $125 million annual surge in credit card fee revenue.
Revolut Accelerates Global Banking Expansion with Landmark APAC Licence
Revolut, which serves more than 75 million customers worldwide, has been granted an independent Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI) licence by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), marking its official launch as a licensed bank in Australia and its first banking entity in the APAC region.
Taiwan Millennium Health Foundation and 7-Eleven Launch Health Rewards for Food Redemptions
The Taiwan Millennium Health Foundation (TMHF) and 7-Eleven launched a rewards program to encourage healthy habits such as walking, balanced diets and health monitoring. TMHF Chairman Wayne Sheu said the program aims to help people at high risk of metabolic syndrome improve their lifestyle habits.
The5ers (AU) Launches Trader Rewards Through the TradePoints Ecosystem
The5ers announced a partnership with TradePoints, enabling customers to earn rewards on purchases through an ecosystem built for the retail trading industry. Eligible customers purchasing selected The5ers evaluation programs will earn TradePoints, redeemed for trading software, educational resources and lifestyle rewards.
Converge (PHI) Launches Rewards Program for Subscribers With Spider-Man Screening
Converge ICT Solutions Inc., one of the Philippines’ leading broadband providers, has launched “Converge XCLSV,” a new loyalty program designed to reward its residential FiberX subscribers. Converge said the launch marks a shift toward personalized benefits and exclusive experiences beyond standard internet connectivity.
Miles & More / Pointspay Partner to Bring Miles-at-Checkout to Members in Switzerland
Miles & More, the loyalty programme of the Lufthansa Group, and Pointspay, the pioneer in loyalty and payments platform, have announced a partnership that enables members to earn and redeem miles directly at merchant checkouts in real-time using M&Pay, Pointspay’s integrated payment method.
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Stay. Loyal. Always.