Pointless Points? Why not all Loyalty Schemes are Created Equal

According to a report in The Sunday Times, Avios loyalty point collectors in the UK are stockpiling their points in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The reason? They’re worried about airlines going bust and their points consequently suffering a similar fate. It’s believed they’re taking the stockpiling measures with a view to using the points at retailers such as Tesco instead of converting them into air miles. 

With an estimated 8.7 million people saving their air miles via Avios and Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club (they have, on average, 23,000 points apiece), that’s a huge number of potentially pointless points. 

The fear is understandable; no one, after all, seems to know what’s going to happen next and people aren’t booking flights right now. However, it also demonstrates that not all loyalty schemes are created equal. 

For instance, here are a few reasons why B2Bpoints aren’t in any danger of disappearing without trace during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 1.                They’re usable almost anywhere 

Points collected with schemes like Avios provide only a narrow list of options when it comes to redeeming them. 

This means they’re tied to either air mile conversion or a select list of retailers. Therefore, it’s no wonder people are panicking with so much uncertainty in the world right now. 

With B2Bpoints, you can spend your hard-earned points almost anywhere that accepts MasterCard as a payment, which means they’re useful and redeemable in a huge variety of shops. 

 2.                Points can still be earned - today 

The high streets may be quiet, but with schemes like B2Bpoints, you can continue to earn rewards right now, thanks to tie-ins with online retailers. 

This comes back to the link with MasterCard and alleviates any fears that you’re simply accruing points which, ultimately, may not be worth anything when things get back to ‘normal’. 

Airlines are, effectively, closed right now, and that means any points schemes which are uniquely tied to air miles really are at risk. That simply isn’t the case if you rely on a more dynamic points scheme. 

 3.                They help support other businesses 

We’re all in this together, right? So, why not invest time in a points scheme that can be traded with other members, too? 

Supporting other UK businesses is more important than ever, which is why the ability to collect points while trading with other members of your chosen loyalty scheme is so refreshing. 

Again, there are no tie-ins with a narrow list of retailers, and those points can still be used today. It’s an established, community-based approach that was already streets ahead of similar schemes that have been hastily put in place as a reaction to what’s currently going on.

4.                It’s not just about points 

The best points and loyalty programs go far beyond the rewards. 

Those Avios points aren’t particularly dynamic, and that’s partly the reason people are running scared. You collect them and you use them where they dictate - that’s it.

 With schemes like B2Bpoints, businesses and customers benefit from points that are generously rewarded and which are bolstered by advertising opportunities. 

 Buy advertising from B2BTradeCard, and you not only benefit from the new work that brings in, but also from generous points rewards that can be spent pretty much anywhere you like. 

Worried about your points? Want to discover the best way to reward new customers and win their loyalty? B2BTradeCard will provide them with added peace of mind that they loyalty points aren’t going anywhere, no matter where we end up after the immediate effects of COVID-19 dissipate.