Explore the Best Loyalty Programs Offering Top Rewards and Benefits

Want a freshly baked pizza for free? There’s a loyalty program for it! Fanatizing about spending the evening with a cup of steamy coffee in your hands? There’s a loyalty program for that, too! Are you dreaming about flying to Goa for a relaxing long vacation but don’t want to pay for the eye-watering flight fares? Yes, you thought it right! There’s a loyalty program for that as well! I’m sure hearing about these freebies would’ve made you too excited to wait. So why waste another minute reading between the lines? Join us as we dive into the details of these amazing loyalty programs to relish the maximum benefits and the best perks possible!

What Exactly are Loyalty Programs?

Running a business is unarguably one of the most rewarding activities, and if done strategically, it can easily bless anyone with fortunes for a lifetime. As fascinating as it may sound, running an actual business is not a cakewalk, and it comes with a spree of challenges that test the might and wisdom of even the best of planners. The prime among these challenges is earning and increasing profits, and for most businesses, the best way to increase their profits is to increase their customer base.

This is where loyalty programs step in. Also known as Reward Programs, they are well-thought-out and cleverly designed marketing strategies with one core goal: “Attract as many customers as possible and do it as efficiently as possible.” Reward programs do so by offering attractive perks and even free products and services in certain cases that are just too hard to resist for a lot of potential customers. Once a new customer claims the first perk, he is offered multiple smaller perks that can be unlocked by performing simple tasks and repetitive purchases that engage him for longer periods with the business. This way, the brand earns itself a loyal customer by offering exclusive benefits and a sense of being a special customer for the brand.

How do Loyalty Programs Work?

In the modern era of cutthroat competition, loyalty programs are extremely common among both leading/established businesses and new entrants in the market who are fighting tooth and nail to mark their presence in the industry. Although, at first glance, it may appear that these schemes and programs vary significantly across different brands, the core functionality behind a majority of loyalty programs is the same. Beneath the surface, most loyalty programs work on the following fundamental steps:

1. Attention - Gaining a potential customer's attention is the first step of any reward program, and it puts the entire program into action. The attention-seeking element can be anything that draws anyone to the brand, such as a catchy advertisement, a product placement in a podcast, or an engaging social media post. This initial contact sparks curiosity and interest, encouraging potential customers to learn more about the brand, its products, and its offers.
2. Trigger- Once a brand captures a potential customer’s attention, the next step is to present them with a unique one-time incentive that acts as a trigger point for them to sign up for the loyalty program. This could be a special discount, a free product, or an exclusive offer only available to new members. The trigger is designed to create a sense of urgency and excitement, making the potential customer feel like they’re getting a special deal by joining the program.
3. Conversion- After a successful sign-up, the newly registered customer starts interacting with the brand more frequently. The conversion step involves turning a successful sign-up into an active participant in the loyalty program. Brands often send a welcome email or message detailing how the program works and what benefits members can expect to encourage them to make their first purchase.
4. Hook- Reward points are the most common way businesses hook their customers for the long term. Members of a loyalty program receive reward points for repetitive purchases and completing tasks. The accumulation of these points over time acts as an incentive for customers to keep coming back.
5. Repetition- Repetition is key to the success of any loyalty program. By consistently rewarding customers for their repeat purchases and engagement, brands ensure a positive experience that keeps them returning. Regular alerts, such as loyalty point balance updates, special promotions, and personalized offers, help maintain interest and participation in the program.

This ongoing cycle of attention, trigger, conversion, hook, and repetition ensures that customers remain loyal and continue to see value in their relationship with the brand.

What’s In It For You?

What’s In It For You?

As we explore loyalty and reward programs, you may wonder why you should participate and how you can benefit from them. The answer lies in the perks. As I mentioned in the intro, you can enjoy various freebies by joining these programs. While the detailed benefits of reward programs vary from brand to brand, the following benefits for customers remain common in most cases:

• Receive exclusive benefits like discounts, offers, freebies, and sample products.
• Enjoy the extra value of reward points on eligible purchases.
• Make shopping more enjoyable and cost-effective.
• Get access to exclusive events, sales and products.
• Experience relatively more personalized shopping.
• Better customer satisfaction after every purchase.
• Build a more personalized shopping experience.
• Create a sense of belonging and loyalty to the brand
• Unlock additional perks and offers with repeated purchases.

Why do Brands Need Loyalty Programs?

Brands and businesses spend months and weeks brainstorming and implementing the most beneficial plans and loyalty programs. This entire process requires a brand to invest a significant amount of its resources and time into devising a loyalty program. If done correctly, a diligently prepared and well-executed loyalty program benefits the brand in the following ways:

• Increases retention of existing customers.
• Ensures that the customers return for future purchases.
• Helps the business in acquiring new customers cost-effectively.
• Provides deeper insights into customer’s habits, behavior, taste and preferences.
• Promotes word-of-mouth marketing through satisfied customers.
• Improves the brand’s reputation.
• Provides long-term value and stability to the business.
• Creates a group of loyal customers.

A Glance at the Best Loyalty Programs in India

So far, by reading through the blog, we have learned a great deal about the fundamentals and functioning of loyalty programs. Let’s now take a look at some of the most popular loyalty programs in India, which you can join for exciting perks and rewards.

1. Zomato Gold - For all the foodies out there, Zomato Gold is one of the best memberships that you can join today and enjoy unbeatable perks on your food orders. From free deliveries on eligible orders to exclusive offers and drool-worthy discounts as high as 30%, Zomato Gold is a no-brainer loyalty program for anyone who loves to dine on delicious meals with scrumptious savings.
   
2. Swiggy One - Similar to Zomato Gold, Swiggy One is another loyalty program that every food lover must be aware of. In addition to the benefits of food orders and dineouts, Swiggy One comes bundled with perks that apply to Instamart deliveries as well.
   
3. Marriott Bonvoy - Launched and managed by Marriott International, the global luxury hotel chain, Marriott Bonvoy is a five-tiered membership with benefits ranging from basic perks like complimentary Wi-Fi and priority check-ins to premium benefits such as a dedicated assistant to help with travel needs and chores.
   
4. Club Vistara - Vistara Airlines’ reward program, Club Vistara, offers a heap of benefits for frequent flyers. From exclusive offers and free WiFi to premium lounge access and priority service at airports, this four-tiered membership program is designed to make your travels more enjoyable and rewarding.
   
5. Reliance One - RelianceOne is a remarkable incentive program that allows you to convert a portion of your expenses into a reward. With no added fees or hidden charges, RelianceOne membership offers numerous perks, like exclusive offers and birthday discounts.
   
6. Mamaearth Goodness Insider - Goodness Insider is a new loyalty program launched by the emerging personal care brand Mamaearth. For a small one-time fee, Mamaearth rewards you with free deliveries, complimentary gifts, and exclusive access to all of its sales.
   
7. Nykaa Prive - Nykaa’s exclusive membership, Nykaa Prive, rewards its shoppers with several perks that add to their shopping experience. From free delivery, birthday gifts, and surprise coupons to premium customer care and a points multiplier, Nykaa Prive has everything required to make it an irresistible membership.

List of Popular Loyalty Program

Conclusion

Loyalty programs are a win-win for both customers and brands. For existing and potential customers, loyalty programs offer a plethora of benefits, ranging from discounts and freebies to exclusive access to events and personalized shopping experiences. These programs make every purchase more rewarding and engaging. For brands, loyalty programs help retain customers, gather valuable insights, and boost their reputation through word-of-mouth marketing. As we've seen in our blog, with popular reward programs like Zomato Gold and Marriott Bonvoy, the potential perks are vast and varied. So, if you haven’t already, it’s time to dive into the world of loyalty programs and make the most of the rewards and benefits they offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How effective are reward programs?

Ans. Depending on their usage, loyalty programs can be highly effective for customers as they provide valuable rewards, freebies, exclusive offers, and incentives to continue shopping with a brand.

Q2. How much can I save through reward programs?

Ans. Every loyalty program has different terms and benefits. Thus, the savings and perks you can enjoy by enrolling in a loyalty program depend entirely on the guidelines and offers prescribed by the brand.

Q3. How do I redeem loyalty program rewards?

Ans. The redemption method for loyalty points differs from brand to brand. For redemption details, kindly refer to the official guidelines issued by the brand offering the loyalty program.