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Loyalty Rewards Seen as Top Payment Card Travel Benefit
There is a correlation between travel benefits and increased use of payment cards
Dubai: The tourism ecosystem has made a comeback after a disruptive event affecting every industry. Travelers are once again taking to the skies for business, leisure and even pleasure. The UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows that international tourism grew by 182% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2022, with an estimated 117 million international tourists to global destinations, compared to 41 million in the first quarter of 2021.
A recent study by Collinson, the global leader in traveler experience, of nearly 2,000 frequent travelers in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia revealed some interesting insights. The analysis found that the region’s recovery in 2021 is already strong, pointing to a bright future.
To be more precise, Emirati travelers made an average of four return journeys in 2021, a 67% recovery from the pre-pandemic average of six. In Saudi Arabia, travelers made an average of 8 return trips in a typical year before the pandemic (2019) and an average of 5 return trips in 2021, with a recovery rate of 63%.
The popularity of airport lounges is amazing
According to Collinson’s research, airport lounge usage in the region is unusually high. As an indication, 98% of respondents in Saudi Arabia and 95% in UAE have used an airport lounge in the past.
Additionally, Priority Pass, the original and market-leading airport lounge and travel experience programme owned and operated by Collinson, is well known in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In this case, 76% of UAE and 66% of KSA respondents are aware of Priority Pass. The LoungeKey study saw the same result – a Collinson proposal designed specifically for payment cards, enabling banks to offer their customers a seamless airport experience globally.
The survey also looked at how travelers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia perceive travel rewards and benefits, and the value of airport lounge benefits offered by their card providers. Interestingly, 80% of Saudi Arabian and 76% of UAE travelers said they would use the card more often if it offered travel rewards or benefits.
The three most popular travel benefits among UAE respondents are loyalty rewards (62%), airport lounge access (58%) and frequent flyer rewards (56%). KSA’s findings were very similar, with loyalty rewards (58%), frequent flyer rewards (57%) and airport lounge access (55%)
Access to airport lounges in the event of flight delays and personal identity fraud protection are also among the top five perks available to cardholders. Collinson’s solution can help with both problems. As airport delays and disruptions can be exhausting and frustrating, SmartDelay turns the stress of flight delays into “lounge breaks.” Collinson’s identity protection solution, ID Sentry, provides travelers with comprehensive help to protect their identities anytime, anywhere in the world and on all devices.
Retain customers by enhancing the travel experience
While travel perks can help retain customers, research shows that more than a third of respondents in the UAE and Saudi Arabia would be happy to switch to a new card provider for a better, digital and flawless travel experience.
Collinson continues to push the boundaries of travel experiences by bringing new and innovative solutions to market, tailored for the more demanding traveler of the new age. The CarTrawler product is one of those services that adds value to Priority Pass customers, especially those who prefer the comfort and convenience of a seamless end-to-end travel experience.
Priyanka Lakhani, Senior Vice President, Collinson said: “With a large number of cardholders willing to use more products and services from their everyday card providers, now is the time to capitalize on this opportunity and redouble our efforts to proactively expand and offer more comprehensive solutions. By Providing travel benefits on a credit or charge card not only enhances the cardholder experience, but also increases transaction revenue, as almost three-quarters of customers (78% in Saudi Arabia and 74% in UAE) use them for travel-related spending.”
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