The Loyalty NewswireJuly 14, 2025

The Loyalty Newswire from The Wise Marketer

From the Editor

Happy Monday!

Seven brands across the globe have launched new loyalty initiatives, highlighted by Qatar Airways introducing a subscription model where members can earn Avios points, and Virgin Atlantic making changes to its frequent flyer program to reward occasional flyers.

Bilt Rewards announced a capital raise that values the business at over $10 billion, Circle K is now rewarding customers for the purchase of alcohol, and Wegman’s is testing “smart” shopping carts that allow customers to check out as they progress through the store.

We also share the latest CRMC Webinar featuring Bombas and Simon Data and a Let’s Talk Loyalty interview with recognized industry figure Deepak Pradhan, Head of Loyalty Program & CRM at ADNOC Distribution. The conversation shares a vision for the future of convenience and fuel retailing that will surely create “store envy” among many retailers.

The world of customer loyalty continues to spin, and we hope this Newsletter helps you keep up with all the change. We are here to help you succeed. Let us know how we can help.

Bill Hanifin, Managing Editor, The Wise Marketer

Short Takes & Important Reading

Let’s Talk Loyalty #685: Fueling Loyalty: How ADNOC Is Redefining Convenience Retail

In this episode, Bill Hanifin, CEO Wise Marketer Group, speaks with recognized industry figure Deepak Pradhan, Head of Loyalty Program & CRM at ADNOC Distribution. ADNOC is the UAE’s largest fuel and convenience retailer, operating over 850 locations across the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

The state of the art at ADNOC is incredible. This conversation shares a vision for the future of convenience and fuel retailing and will surely create “store envy” among many retailers. The episode is sponsored by Comarch and is available here as well as in video format on www.Loyalty.TV.

Latest CRMC Webinar Released: Inside the Bombas Customer Retention Playbook

This episode of the CRMC Webinar Series features Bombas, a comfort-obsessed brand with a heart for supporting those facing homelessness. If you don’t know, the company has to date donated over 150 million essential clothing items to over 3,500 organizations across the US.

The webinar topic is Inside the Bombas Customer Retention Playbook, and we have two strong marketers from Bombas and Simon Data telling the story of how Bombas addressed the need to shift from a focus on new customer acquisition to retaining and engaging existing ones.

Africell Launches Game-Changing Loyalty Program “Jerejeff” to Thank and Reward Customers

Africell provides fast and reliable mobile network coverage and related technology services to more than 16 million subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa. To reward customers for their everyday interactions with the brand, the company has unveiled Jerejeff, a loyalty program celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary.

Named after the Wolof word for “thank you,” Jerejeff allows subscribers to accumulate points with every recharge and AfriMoney transaction, redeemable for free data and voice bundles — while also earning chances to win one of two luxury villas.

Bilt Raises $250 Million at $10.75 Billion Valuation to Accelerate Housing and Neighborhood Commerce Platform

In a letter from Bilt Founder and CEO Ankur Jain to Bilt Members, the business announced a new capital raise of $250 million, valuing the company at $10.75 billion. The round was led by General Catalyst and GID with further investment from United Wholesale Mortgage. This milestone reflects the incredible momentum BILT has created as the nation’s largest comprehensive loyalty platform that connects where you live with your neighborhood.

At the same time, the company announced it is introducing Bilt Card 2.0, an upgraded credit card offering that will launch in February of next year and is being developed in partnership with Cardless—which also had a hand in launching the American Express Coinbase card earlier this year. In a blog post, Bilt said that its Card 2.0 will have three different options: a no-fee option and two premium levels with $95 and $495 annual fees.

Circle K and Swiftly Launch Nation’s Largest Convenience Retail Alcohol Cashback Program

Swiftly, a leading provider of innovative retail technology tools and solutions, announced the rollout of the largest alcohol cashback program in U.S. convenience retail, in partnership with Circle K, a global leader in convenience and mobility.

Now live in more than 4,300 Circle K stores across 31 states, the program offers legal-age shoppers digital cashback rebates on beer, wine, and spirits—delivered almost instantly after purchase. Since its initial rollout in May, Circle K said the program has improved rebate redemptions and conversion rates in its alcohol category.

Eggs Up Grill launches new rewards program

Eggs Up Grill is one of the fastest-growing “better breakfast” restaurant franchise in the US and Q2 2025 results reported the brand opened six new restaurants and is on pace to reach its 100th location in Q3, a milestone that reflects the growing demand for its high-quality breakfast and lunch experience in communities across the country.

Q2 marked the debut of Smile Society, Eggs Up Grill’s enhanced loyalty program designed to deliver more personalized guest engagement. Replacing the previous e-club, Smile Society offers members early access to new menu items, surprise offers throughout the year, and a complimentary sweet treat upon sign-up. Powered by Sparkfly, Attentive and Bikky, the program is intended to deliver relevant, timely rewards and communications to its guests.

Instacart and Wegmans Launch Pilot of Caper Carts to Enhance the In-Store Shopping Experience

Instacart (Nasdaq: CART), the leading grocery technology company in North America, announced the launch of Caper Carts – Instacart’s AI-powered smart carts – at Wegmans Dewitt in Syracuse, New York. This marks the first deployment of Caper Carts at Wegmans, as part of an initial in-store program offering customers a smarter, more seamless way to shop in-store.

Caper Carts enable customers to track their spending and check out seamlessly. Caper Carts automatically recognize items as they are dropped into the cart and customers can bag as they shop, tapping signals from an array of Caper Cart cameras, digital scale, and location sensors connected to NVIDIA Jetson hardware.

JSX – Dallas-based charter airline – launches first loyalty program

Dallas-based public charter airline JSX has launched its first loyalty program. Members of the loyalty program, called Club JSX, are offered an array of travel benefits. Customers will earn 5% back in rewards when booking a flight and up to five people can pool rewards together for family travel.

Members receive a birthday rewards bonus, personalized incentives based on travel habits, and those who refer a first-time JSX customer will receive a $100 flight voucher. Club JSX is free to join, and reward benefits will last for one year.

Mesquite Entertainment unveils new rewards program

Mesquite Gaming, LLC owns and operates CasaBlanca Resort and Virgin River Hotel & Casino in the town of Mesquite, Nevada. The new Mesquite Journey Rewards program accompanies a multimillion-dollar property renovation and provides guests an all-access pass to membership discounts, fun promotions and special offers across both destinations.

Along with discounts on dining, golf, spa services and hotel stays, Mesquite Journey Rewards players enjoy invitations to exclusive events at both properties. Read the full program benefit grid here.

Qatar Airways Launches Privilege Club Pro

Qatar Airways announces the launch of Privilege Club Pro, a subscription service for members to seamlessly collect additional Avios and Qpoints on a monthly basis. This marks the first time a loyalty programme with Avios has introduced a subscription that allows members to collect status points, setting a new standard for how members can boost their rewards and tier status.

Privilege Club Pro is the latest product developed in partnership with Points, a Plusgrade company specializing in ancillary revenue solutions. The subscription service allows members to grow their Avios balance and provides greater opportunities to enjoy spending on rewards, including bidding on money-can’t-buy experiences on Privilege Club Collection, booking award seat flights, shopping at Qatar Duty Free, and hundreds of partners worldwide.

Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty scheme could reward flyers who only travel once a year

Virgin Atlantic said on Tuesday that it would change its scheme to reward flyers who only flew occasionally with the airline, for example those customers who fly to the Caribbean as little as once or twice a year. This is in direct contrast to other airline loyalty schemes, which reward flyers for how often they travel with the carrier.

Anthony Woodman, the vice-president for Flying Club & CRM at Virgin Atlantic, told The Times that its new loyalty proposition was not about rewarding customers every year, but rather looking at their travel patterns over a longer period and giving them “something as a thank you” — more similar to a supermarket loyalty card scheme.

Google to Pay $2.4 Billion in Deal to License Tech of Coding Startup, Hire CEO

Google has agreed to pay about $2.4 billion in a deal to license the technology of AI coding startup Windsurf and hire its CEO and some of its employees, according to people familiar with the matter. The deal comes after talks for OpenAI to acquire Windsurf stalled, the people said.

OpenAI first struck an agreement to buy the startup for $3 billion a few months ago in an effort to boost the growth of its AI coding products. But as The Wall Street Journal reported, the deal hit a roadblock after Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, objected to some of the terms.

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