Rogers Communications is set to launch a new customer loyalty program, Rogers First Rewards, designed to reward customers for their business. The program will roll out in key markets throughout the year.
Rogers First Rewards allows customers to earn points on their eligible purchases that can be redeemed for a wide selection of Rogers products and services.
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The company has already made plans to offer its own credit card, which it hopes will be available within the next 12 months. The loyalty program, combined with its own branded credit card, will help attract and retain business in the ultra-competitive cable and telecom industry.
Rogers First Rewards
Eligible customers will be enrolled as the program becomes available in their region and they’ll earn points just for being a Rogers customer. With no blackout periods, hidden fees, or a membership card to carry, points can be redeemed online and used toward an extensive and growing list of Rogers products and services from the Rogers First Rewards catalogue.
Customers will have access to various rewards, depending on their region.
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Wireless rewards including U.S. and international roaming packs; talk, and text packs; long distance calling and more will be available to customers across the country.
Within Rogers cable footprint, customers can redeem their points for rewards including upgraded internet packages; home phone long distance; premium TV content and Rogers On Demand packages.
“The loyalty program complements a number of initiatives we’re introducing to make it easier for our customers to do business with us including simplified rate plans, U.S. flat roaming rate, premium technical support and customer education programs,” said Rob Bruce, president, Rogers Communications.
Customers enrolled in the loyalty program will be assigned a Rogers First Rewards tier and point accrual rate based on an average of total account holder’s spend:
- Silver Tier customers earn 1 point per dollar
- Gold Tier customers earn 1.5 points per dollar
- Platinum Tier customers earn 2 points per dollar.
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The program will be available to consumer cable, wireless, internet and home phone customers in key markets across the country throughout the year. Eligible customers will be notified and enrolled when the loyalty program becomes available in their region.
Aeroplan announced some major changes to its recognition program, which includes the cancellation of its much reviled seven-year mileage redemption policy. Beginning January 1st, 2014 Aeroplan Miles will no longer expire for members who are active in the program each year.
The announcement came on the heels of news that TD could replace CIBC as the primary credit card issuer for Aeroplan when its 10-year agreement expires at the end of 2013.
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CIBC has until August 9th to match TD’s terms and kill the deal. In the meantime, CIBC issued a statement saying it has first right of refusal to renew the Aeroplan partnership. Snipped from the release:
“Our objective is to have the market leading travel card in Canada for our clients either through the revitalization of the Aeroplan partnership or through the launch of our own proprietary card offer.”
So we could be seeing a complete revitalization of the Aeroplan program, with its enhanced benefits and revitalized credit card partnership (with either CIBC or TD). This has to be seen as a win for consumers, many of whom have become dissatisfied with both Aeroplan and rival coalition program Air Miles.
Related: New Air Miles Expiry Policy
Aeroplan’s Enhanced Recognition Program
Other changes announced today from Aeroplan, effective January 1st, 2014, includes the launch of Distinction, a new recognition program that rewards top earners with preferential mileage levels for redemption, bonus mile offers and exclusive privileges.
They’ll also replace ClassicPlus Flight Rewards with New Market Fare Flight Rewards, which offers significantly improved value, with all Aeroplan members having access to mileage levels reduced by up to 20 percent, and Distinction members enjoying reductions of up to 50 percent.
Vince Timpano, President and CEO, Aimia, says 2014 will mark a new era for Aeroplan, as it provides members with an unrivalled loyalty experience.
“We’re redesigning core parts of the program, delivering what is most important to our members, while reinforcing Aeroplan’s position as the leading loyalty program in Canada,” he said.
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Benefits of Distinction include:
- Exclusive flight reward benefits with significantly better value on new Market Fare Flight Rewards
- Special flights to popular destinations during peak periods with 100 percent of the seats reserved for Distinction members and offered at ClassicFlight reward mileage levels
- Bonus mile offers on eligible Air Canada flights, with select hotel partners, and through Aeroplan’s eStore
- Preferential treatment, privileges and limited-time offers, special partner and reward offers and invitations to exclusive events
Distinction Levels:
Distinction levels are achieved based on miles earned across all coalition partners including airline, travel, retail and financial card partners.
Distinction includes three status levels based on a member’s total eligible mileage accumulation:
- dSilver – 25,000 miles accumulated during the calendar year
- dBlack – 50,000 miles accumulated during the calendar year
- dDiamond – 100,000 miles accumulated during the calendar year
The qualification period runs a full calendar year (Jan 1 – Dec 31).
For this special launch year, if members reach Distinction status by December 31, 2013, their benefits will take effect on January 1, 2014 and last until December 31, 2014.
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After 2013, benefits will start as soon as a member successfully reaches a Distinction level, and will last until the end of the following calendar year.
Cancellation of the seven-year mileage redemption policy
As part of its commitment to improve member satisfaction, Aeroplan announced the cancellation of its seven-year mileage redemption policy.
Prior to this announcement, miles unredeemed seven years following their accumulation date would have been removed from member accounts starting January 1, 2014.
As a result, miles will not expire as long as members stay active in the program by having at least one accumulation or redemption activity every 12 months. Learn more at www.aeroplan.com/7year
“Member feedback has inspired these major enhancements and significantly improved benefits that we’re bringing to the program,” said Kevin O’Brien, Chief Commercial Officer, Aeroplan.
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Additional changes to mileage levels for flight rewards
As of January 1, 2014, mileage levels for one-way flight rewards will decrease and require only 50 percent of the miles needed for a round-trip flight.
For example, North American one way long haul fares in economy will be reduced from 17,000 miles to 12,500 miles and European one way fares will go from 40,000 miles to 30,000 miles starting January 1st.
Unfortunately, Aeroplan will be increasing the mileage levels for certain international routes (to/from North America to Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific; Middle East and North Africa; and Asia) for business and first class ClassicFlight Rewards by 20 percent as of January 1, 2014.
Learn more about the ClassicFlight Rewards mileage level changes here: www.aeroplan.com/changes