• News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
Friday, August 29, 2025
  • Login
Auto Journal Africa
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
Ask Autojorunal AI
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa
No Result
View All Result
Morning News
No Result
View All Result
Home Read a ride Aerospace

How United Airlines transformed customer loyalty program into $20bn

David Ijaseun by David Ijaseun
May 5, 2024
in Aerospace, Premium
0
How United Airlines transformed customer loyalty program into $20bn
1.3k
SHARES
15.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

When airline loyalty programs first took off, they were simple schemes akin to punch cards at local sandwich shops. Fly a certain number of times, and get a free flight. Loyalty programs were about rewarding customers for sticking with a single airline.

Fast forward to today, and these programs have evolved into multi-billion dollar industries. They are no longer just about free flights; they’re about creating financial assets. United Airlines, with its MileagePlus program, stands out as a prime example of how airlines have turned loyalty into profit.

READ ALSO

India’s ethanol fuel drive faces backlash as motorists fear car damage

Blume to quit Porsche CEO role amid investor pressure, shares fall 45% since IPO

The evolution of loyalty programs

Modern airline loyalty programs are more than just a tool to keep customers flying. Airlines now control the accrual and redemption of loyalty points, essentially creating and managing their own currency. This allows them to profit from partnerships with credit card companies, hotels, rideshare services, and more.

For example, United Airlines partners with Chase Bank, allowing customers to earn miles through their credit card purchases. United sells these miles to Chase, who then offers them to cardholders as a reward. It’s a win-win: Chase gains a competitive edge, and United earns revenue.

United Airlines’ MileagePlus: A financial asset

During the COVID-19 pandemic, United Airlines faced financial strain and needed a $5 billion loan. To secure this loan, the airline used its MileagePlus program as collateral. United estimated the program’s value at over $20 billion, as it generates $5 billion in cash annually.

This move highlights the value airlines place on their loyalty programs. In fact, United Airlines Holdings values its loyalty program almost as much as its entire airline operation. This demonstrates how integral these programs have become to airline finances.

The transformation of airline loyalty programs into financial assets showcases the innovative ways airlines have adapted to the changing market. These programs not only drive customer loyalty but also create substantial revenue streams. For airlines like United, loyalty has truly become priceless.

Read more on World’s biggest airlines by fleet size, workforce, destinations in 2024

Tags: commercial airlinesHeadlineUnited Airlines

Related Posts

E20 Fuel in Indai
Cars/SUVs

India’s ethanol fuel drive faces backlash as motorists fear car damage

August 29, 2025
How Oliver Blume rose to the top from Audi trainee to Porsche CEO
Business

Blume to quit Porsche CEO role amid investor pressure, shares fall 45% since IPO

August 27, 2025
Stellantis
Cars/SUVs

Stellantis has paid $773m in fuel economy penalties since 2018

August 27, 2025
Mercedes-Benz has sold its entire stake in Nissan Motor
Cars/SUVs

Mercedes-Benz exits Nissan stake in $325m sale, piling pressure on Japanese carmaker

August 26, 2025
Suzuki to invest $8bn into India as first EV rolls off Gujarat plant
Electric Vehicles

Suzuki to invest $8bn into India as first EV rolls off Gujarat plant

August 26, 2025
Car loans in South Africa
News

Short relief, long pain: Why car loans cost 36% more in South Africa

August 26, 2025
Next Post
McLaren's Lando Norris wins his first Formula 1 race at Miami Grand Prix

Lando Norris secures first F1 victory at Miami Grand Prix

POPULAR NEWS

Inferno at Toyota 1000 Desert Race consumes 49 cars

Inferno at Toyota 1000 Desert Race consumes 49 cars

July 3, 2023
Mobius Motors

Mobius Motors: Rising taxes, competition ends Kenyan SUV maker’s journey

August 7, 2024
Autojournal car race

Get ready for the biggest RACE show this December in Nigeria

August 12, 2024
From style to sustainability: How Geely Auto is shaping the future of luxury vehicles

From style to sustainability: How Geely Auto is shaping the future of luxury vehicles

October 25, 2024
Oyo State Governor gifts Saheed Osupa Toyota Prado SUV worth ₦70M 

Oyo State Governor gifts Saheed Osupa Toyota Prado SUV worth ₦70M 

August 22, 2023

EDITOR'S PICK

Volkswagen ID.4

NHTSA investigates 51,500 Volkswagen electric vehicles over door safety concerns

May 21, 2024
FedEx Express Electric Vehicles in South Africa

Sustainable deliveries: FedEx takes the lead with electric vehicles in South Africa

July 6, 2023
Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida

Nissan CEO Uchida battles to revive automaker amid mounting pressure

December 10, 2024
Tesla car sales in France

New car registrations fall 7.66% in France, Tesla sales hit hardest

August 1, 2025

About

Auto Journal Africa is the leading online and print magazine for automobiles in Africa.

Follow us

Recent Posts

  • India’s ethanol fuel drive faces backlash as motorists fear car damage
  • The last Samurai: Nissan ends GT-R R35 production after 18 years
  • Blume to quit Porsche CEO role amid investor pressure, shares fall 45% since IPO
  • Nigeria opens new auto training center in Lagos to drive electric vehicle growth

Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Events
  • Tools
  • For Sale

© 2023 Auto Journal

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Premium
  • Reviews
  • Events
    • Nigeria
    • South Africa
  • Tools
    • Price Guide
    • Find your idea car
    • Car valuation
    • Sell your car
    • Car insurance quote
    • Locate a dealer
    • Deals
  • For Sale
    • New Cars for sale
    • Cheap Cars for sale
    • Bikes for sale
    • Trucks for sale
    • Boats for sale
    • Jets for sale in Africa
    • Cars under 5m
    • EV in Nigeria
    • EV in South Africa

© 2023 Auto Journal

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In