Loyalty
Petco loses millions due to loyalty program
Petco relaunched its Petco Perks loyalty program in the second quarter of 2026. Customer points redemptions far exceeded expectations, impacting net sales by millions of dollars and leaving them roughly flat year over year. CEO Joel Anderson said measures have been deployed to curb redemptions, and the company will focus on personalization capabilities to support long-term growth.
Carnival’s new loyalty program upends how points are earned
Carnival Cruise Line introduced a new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, on Tuesday, replacing the existing VIFP Club. The new program ties tier status to spending amount rather than number of sailing days. Members earn 3 points and 3 stars for every $1 spent, with points redeemable for shore excursions, specialty dining, and spa services, while stars determine loyalty tier. The program was announced in June 2025 and was originally scheduled to launch in June of this year.
Albertsons loyalty members can redeem points at Chevron stations
Albertsons and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. announced that shoppers can combine fuel rewards accumulated in both loyalty programs for a single purchase at Chevron-branded gas stations. This partnership is based on a program that began in California in 2012 with Vons and Pavilions, and has now expanded to more regions, though some markets (such as the Jewel-Osco area) do not participate.
Amazon Prime members now get free Alexa+ access
Amazon announced on Tuesday that its agentic AI assistant Alexa+ has completed its rollout in the United States and is now free for all Prime members. Non-Prime members can pay $19.99 per month for the full version or use a limited free text-only version. Previously, Alexa+ attracted tens of millions of users during its early access phase and significantly boosted Prime membership sign-ups. This move follows Walmart's enhancement of its paid membership program, highlighting the competitive landscape in retail where membership benefits drive growth.
Ulta combines promotions and experiences to win over cautious customers
In its latest earnings call, Ulta Beauty stated that it successfully attracted cautious consumers through personalized services and experiential promotions. Loyalty program membership grew by 3% to 47 million, and comparable store sales increased by 3.8% year-over-year.
Why restaurant loyalty programs need to go beyond the points-based game
Restaurant loyalty programs are undergoing a transformation from points transactions to personalized experiences. Experts emphasize that combining artificial intelligence, gamification elements, and tiered rewards can effectively boost customer engagement. Tropical Smoothie Cafe's Tropic Rewards program achieves a balance between retention and profitability through strategies such as points, badges, and member-exclusive events. The article also notes that loyalty programs need to consider franchisee interests, avoid excessive discounts, and focus on a consistent omnichannel experience.
Walmart touts fast delivery, strong Walmart+ membership as growth drivers
In its Q2 2027 earnings call, Walmart executives pointed to double-digit growth in Walmart+ membership and a 48% surge in fast delivery as primary growth levers. U.S. comparable sales rose 2.6%, though new drug pricing regulations weighed on results.
How hotels can leverage experiences and unique partnerships to drive loyalty
Hotel Dive's recent live event explored how experiential loyalty is reshaping guest engagement. Marriott's Lucy Werner discusses adapting to post-pandemic travel trends, the growth of Bonvoy Moments, and strategic partnerships with sports, airlines, and lifestyle brands to create value throughout the guest journey.
Walmart+ adds new perks to enhance in-store convenience
Walmart has introduced new in-store perks for Walmart+ members, including 25 free 4x6 photo prints monthly and fee-free money service transactions quarterly. The move is part of an effort to improve in-store convenience, as CFO John David Rainey noted accelerating membership fee revenue growth in Q1.
The secret behind Southwest Airlines’ rapid loyalty program growth
Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards program has achieved record growth, with membership up 35% year-over-year to nearly 100 million. In a recent webinar, VP Nandika Suri detailed the program's evolution, emphasizing a dual strategy of broadening appeal through flexible options like debit cards and eliminating friction, while also layering experiential benefits on transactional rewards to foster deeper emotional connections.