GLO Global Loyalty Predictions™ 2026: Episode 11 – Loyalty Budgets in 2026 • Episode 12 – Leading Loyalty Technologies and Features in 2026 • Episode 13 – One Prediction for 2026 • Antonio Ricciardi, e& • Susan Nisbet, H World International • IAG Loyalty 2025 results • Qantas • Air India • American Airlines • Etihad • Emirates • Finnair • oneworld • United Airlines • Uber • Airbnb • Radisson • Wyndham • Hyatt • Mandarin Oriental • GHA • Oceania • Loyalty Reports • Loyalty Jobs & Careers
GLOGLO Featured:
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GLO Global Loyalty Predictions™ 2026: Episode 13 – One Prediction for 2026 Featuring: Kristi Gole, Global Hotel Alliance; Ben Lipsey, Air France-KLM; Mehdi Hemici, Accor; Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Emirates; Oliver Ross, KM Malta Airlines; Bahadir Durak, Pegasus Airlines; Hoa Lan Huong, GalaxyJoy; Dounia Souilmi, EmCan; Susan Nisbet, Independent Advisor/ H World International; Guillermo Pucciano, SKY Airlines; Olivia Wasniewski, SAS; Antonio Ricciardi, e&
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Loyalty platforms are under pressure to demonstrate sustainable financial performance and measurable value. As programmes expand and ecosystems grow, focus is shifting toward partnerships, digital enablement and flexible redemption. Data analytics and automation are central to improving conversion, efficiency and ROI. In 2026, loyalty is expected to become even more popular, driven by ecosystem collaboration and stronger financial discipline.
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GLO Global Loyalty Predictions™ 2026: Episode 12 – Leading Loyalty Technologies and Features in 2026 Featuring: Kristi Gole, Global Hotel Alliance; Ben Lipsey, Air France-KLM; Mehdi Hemici, Accor; Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Emirates; Oliver Ross, KM Malta Airlines; Bahadir Durak, Pegasus Airlines; Hoa Lan Huong, GalaxyJoy; Dounia Souilmi, EmCan; Susan Nisbet, Independent Advisor/ H World International; Guillermo Pucciano, SKY Airlines; Olivia Wasniewski, SAS; Antonio Ricciardi, e&
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2025 was a year of correction for loyalty, where scale alone did not create value. Key challenges included erosion of perceived value and “AI theatre.” In 2026, the focus shifts to smaller, relationship-led programmes, disciplined spending, and quietly deployed AI-driven personalisation.
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GLO Global Loyalty Predictions™ 2026: Episode 11 – Loyalty Budgets in 2026 Featuring: Kristi Gole, Global Hotel Alliance; Ben Lipsey, Air France-KLM; Mehdi Hemici, Accor; Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Emirates; Oliver Ross, KM Malta Airlines; Bahadir Durak, Pegasus Airlines; Hoa Lan Huong, GalaxyJoy; Dounia Souilmi, EmCan; Susan Nisbet, Independent Advisor/ H World International; Guillermo Pucciano, SKY Airlines; Olivia Wasniewski, SAS; Antonio Ricciardi, e&
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Airlines, Alliances & Airports:
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Launched in partnership with Neo Financial, this new Canadian card delivers priority travel perks, free checked bags, and boosted MileagePlus earnings on flights and daily purchases, giving travellers more ways to earn and redeem miles worldwide. (Image: Neo)
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IAG Loyalty delivered strong FY2025 growth, with €2.65bn external revenue and €548m operating profit. Avios issuance rose 13% to 200bn, while holiday and partner revenues expanded. The segment remains a high-margin, asset-light priority for IAG. However, a UK VAT dispute with HMRC creates accounting uncertainty, including a €507m recognised asset.
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Qantas Frequent Flyer Unveils Biggest Status Overhaul in Program History Qantas Frequent Flyer is rolling out its biggest-ever status overhaul, allowing members to roll over unused Status Credits and earn them through everyday spending for the first time. The phased changes aim to add flexibility, reward broader engagement beyond flights, and modernize status qualification while maintaining tier exclusivity. (Image: Qantas)
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TPConnects Expands Iris Platform with Air India NDC Content TPConnects has integrated Air India’s NDC content into its Iris platform, giving travel sellers in India, the UAE, Singapore, Canada, and the U.K. access to branded fares, ancillaries, and order management tools, including refunds and voids. The move expands booking flexibility and product access for agencies and their customers.(Image TPConnects)
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American Airlines Announces $1 Billion Expansion at Miami International Airport American Airlines will invest $1 billion to expand Concourse D at Miami International Airport. The “Gate D60” project will add a new three-level extension with 17 gates for larger aircraft, eliminate outdoor boarding, and include future capacity for international arrivals with direct customs access. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. (Image: MIA)
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Bookings for Air India Express ‘PayDay Sale’ are open until 1st March 2026.(Image: Air India Express)
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ASMALLWORLD Expands Global Airline Memberships with Turkish Airlines Partnership ASMALLWORLD AG has partnered with Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles programme, adding new mileage benefits for members. Depending on tier, members receive 35,000 to 500,000 miles, redeemable for flights and upgrades. The deal expands ASMALLWORLD’s premium airline portfolio and strengthens its global luxury travel ecosystem. (Image: ASMALLWORLD)
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McLaren Racing announces Etihad Airways as an Official Partner Etihad Airways posted a record AED 2.6bn (US$698m) profit in 2025, up 47% year-on-year. Revenue grew 21% to AED 30.7bn as passenger numbers rose 21% to 22.4m. The fleet expanded to 127 aircraft and the network to 110 destinations, marking the airline’s strongest performance in its history. (Image: Etihad)
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Emirates Expands Payment Flexibility in Kenya With Cellulant’s Split-Payment Innovation Emirates has launched a split-payment solution in Kenya with Cellulant, powered by Tingg. The feature lets customers combine mobile money, cards and bank payments to complete flight bookings, overcoming wallet limits. The innovation enhances payment flexibility in Kenya and is set to expand across other African markets.
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flydubai Delivers Record 2025 Results As Revenue, Passenger Growth And Network Expansion Accelerate flydubai reported record 2025 results with AED 13.6bn revenue (+6%) and AED 2.2bn pre-tax profit, carrying 15.7m passengers. Growth was driven by higher yields, 19% Business Class demand growth and network expansion to 140 destinations. Strong cash (AED 5.6bn) supports fleet diversification, digital upgrades and continued hub connectivity with Emirates. (Image: flydubai)
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Etihad Airways Celebrates Ramadan Traditions Across Its Global Network Etihad Airways is celebrating Ramadan with curated Emirati-inspired menus, iftar options across all cabins, cultural content on E-BOX and special takeaway meals for fasting guests. The airline is also supporting Umrah travel with direct Abu Dhabi–Medina flights, reinforcing its commitment to cultural connection and elevated hospitality. (Image: Etihad)
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Etihad Airways reported a record 2025 profit of AED 2.6bn (US$698m), up 47% year-on-year, marking its fourth consecutive profitable year. Revenue rose 21% to AED 30.7bn, with 22.4m passengers carried (+21%). Fleet expanded to 127 aircraft and network to 110 destinations, while customer satisfaction and cash generation reached new highs. (Image: Etihad)
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Finnish Identity Takes Center Stage In Finnair’s Renewed Brand — With A Soundtrack By Lauri Porra Finnair has refreshed its brand strategy with a stronger focus on Finnish identity, introducing a new onboard soundscape composed by Lauri Porra. The music, inspired by Finnish nature and travel, will be featured across aircraft, lounges and digital channels, enhancing the customer journey and reinforcing Finnair’s cultural differentiation. (Image: Finnair)
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Volotea to create tailored traveler experiences with Navitaire Stratos Volotea has adopted Navitaire Stratos, an AI-powered, cloud-native retailing platform from Navitaire. The solution enables tailored offers, improved self-service and dynamic retailing, helping Volotea enhance personalisation, boost ancillary revenue and accelerate digital transformation across its European network. (Image: Volotea)
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oneworld Names Ole Orvér Chief Executive Officer Orvér replaces outgoing CEO Nathaniel Pieper wh recently took on the chief commercial role at American Airlines. Orvér will lead oneworld’s continued mission to deliver enhanced customer benefits through greater member integration and advancements in technology.
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United Gives MileagePlus Credit Cardholders More Miles, Exclusive Flight Discounts MileagePlus members with a credit, debit or Chase co-branded card can soon earn up to twice as many miles for United flights as non-cardholders, get at least 10% off award tickets and access to exclusive Saver Award fares
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Uber Launches “Uber Air” for Booking eVTOL Flights Uber has introduced “Uber Air by Joby,” enabling users to book Joby Aviation’s electric air taxis through the Uber app when service begins. Launching first in Dubai, the eVTOL aircraft carries up to four passengers, flies up to 200 mph, and has a 100-mile range. The partnership aims to expand globally pending regulatory approval, with Joby currently in final FAA certification stages. (Image: Uber)
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Hotels & Hospitality:
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Airbnb’s Next Growth Engine: Why Brian Chesky Is Betting Big on Loyalty — Without Points Airbnb is testing a new loyalty program focused on meaningful perks rather than traditional points. CEO Brian Chesky calls it a potential “massive accelerant” for growth. The initiative aims to boost repeat bookings, deepen engagement, and enhance personalised travel experiences, potentially reshaping loyalty in the vacation rental market.
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Radisson RED Lands in Auckland with a Bold Splash Radisson Hotel Group has opened Radisson RED Auckland, marking its debut in New Zealand. Located in Auckland’s Arts District, the 322-room hotel blends bold design, immersive art, and the country’s largest rooftop venue. Pet-friendly and design-led, it offers vibrant social spaces, sweeping skyline views, and flexible event facilities in the heart of the CBD.
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Wyndham Enhances Group Booking Platform with New Features Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has upgraded its group booking platform with real-time dashboards, customizable booking pages, instant group rates, and centralized management tools. Powered by Groups360’s GroupSync, the system now supports over 5,600 properties. New integrations with EventPipe, EventConnect, and Staybook also connect hotels to major events and youth sports business.
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World of Hyatt Expands Award Redemption Tiers Hyatt will expand World of Hyatt award tiers from three to five levels in May 2026, adding more pricing flexibility while keeping a fixed award chart. Top-tier Category 8 hotels could rise to 75,000 points per night, though some lower-category stays may cost fewer points. Hyatt will honour existing bookings and plans to add digital point-sharing later this year. (Image: Hyatt)
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Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Appoints Simone Biles As Its First Global Wellness Ambassador Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has appointed Simone Biles as its first Global Wellness Ambassador. The long-term partnership reinforces the brand’s focus on holistic wellbeing—combining physical strength, mental health and recovery—positioning Mandarin Oriental as a leader in modern luxury wellness. (Image: MO)
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dailypoint™ announces strategic partnership with Global Hotel Alliance dailypoint™ – The CDP for CRM & Loyalty – today announces a strategic partnership with Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. Through this collaboration, GHA’s global portfolio of member hotels will gain exclusive access to dailypoint™, the world’s #1 Hotel CRM and email marketing solution, as recognised by HotelTechAwards.
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Radisson RED Auckland marks Radisson Hotel Group’s bold debut in New Zealand Radisson RED Auckland has officially opened, marking the brand’s bold arrival in Australasia and Radisson Hotel Group’s highly anticipated debut in New Zealand. Anchored in the heart of Auckland’s Arts District, the hotel infuses bold design, artistic energy and the country’s largest rooftop space into one of the city’s most creative precincts.
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Radisson Rewards surpasses 27 million members Radisson Rewards, the global loyalty programme for Radisson Hotel Group, has surpassed 27 million members within three years, reflecting its rapid growth and strong global appeal.
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Cruises:
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Oceania Cruises® Unveils Oceania Club Ambassador Program To Power Loyalty-Driven Expansion Oceania Cruises has launched the Oceania Club Ambassador Program, rewarding loyal guests who refer first-time cruisers. Both referrer and new guest receive a US$200 Future Cruise Credit on full-fare bookings. The initiative aims to boost customer acquisition, strengthen loyalty and drive repeat bookings while preserving the brand’s premium positioning. (Image: Oceania Cruises)
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The 2027–2028 South America and Antarctica season underscores Holland America Line’s focus on destination‑driven travel, pairing extended itineraries with onboard experiences that reflect the regions guests visit. With Nieuw Amsterdam’s South America debut leading the season, travelers can explore farther and more fully while enjoying the comfort, service and enrichment that define the Holland America Line experience.
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Retail, E-commerce, F&B, Healthcare:
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Dunelm Launches New Mobile App with AI Search and Loyalty Integration Dunelm has launched a new mobile app featuring AI-powered search, integrated loyalty rewards and real-time stock availability. The app allows customers to find products more easily, track offers and check in-store inventory, supporting Dunelm’s broader omnichannel and digital growth strategy. (Image: Dunelm)
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Gap Inc.’s rebranded loyalty program is among one of the largest programs in U.S. apparel retail, with a house file of nearly 40 million active members across its brands. Encore builds on that foundation, informed by insights from Gap Inc.’s customer research showing that shoppers want earlier access, meaningful moments, and savings that feel intentional and easy to understand.
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Medspa brand’s membership program fuels recurring revenue, deepens client loyalty, and strengthens franchise scalability in a $78B industry.
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Tim Hortons U.S. Roll Up To Win® promotion is back today through March 22 Back in 1986 – 40 years ago! – Tim Hortons launched its first Roll Up The Rim To Win® promotion as a “thank you” to its guests for their loyalty. Since then, the unique promotion has grown into an annual event that awards millions of prizes to Tims guests in the U.S. and Canada.
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Eagle Eye Selected to Power Loyalty & Personalization Strategies Across Wakefern’s Retail Network Eagle Eye has been selected by Wakefern Food Corp. to modernize its loyalty strategy with an AI-powered, omnichannel platform launching in mid-2026. The new MACH-certified system will replace POS-based loyalty, enabling centralized management, real-time personalization, and scalable promotions across Wakefern’s 380+ supermarkets, driving customer engagement, incremental sales, and supplier-funded opportunities. (Image: Eagle Eye)
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Uber Eats is launching Cart Assistant, an AI-powered feature that helps users build grocery baskets quickly and effortlessly. Simply type or upload a shopping list, and the tool adds items while factoring in availability, prices, and promotions. It also personalises suggestions based on past orders—making grocery shopping faster, smarter, and more convenient. (Image Uber)
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Entertainment, Sport, Telecom & Social Media:
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Member Benefit is a proprietary platform that extends loyalty and membership programs into real-world experiences. Member Benefit currently operates across the banking, telecom and travel industries, with new membership and loyalty programs being added.
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Transport, Fuel Retail & Mobility:
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CITGO Upgrades Its Loyalty Program with New Mobile Pay Feature With CITGO PlusPAY, customers can manage the entire payment process right from their phone: linking their bank account within the Club CITGO app, completing payments directly debited from their bank account, receiving loyalty rewards and viewing transactions. The all-in-one mobile payment experience delivers convenience and extra savings at their fingertips.
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Payments, Finance, Property & Insurance:
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Khedmah redefines customer value with every transaction through Khedmah Rewards Purpose-built to reward customer loyalty while streamlining daily payments and services, the program allows users to earn rewards on every transaction, turning ordinary interactions into rewarding experiences and unlocking an array of meaningful benefits.
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Rewa launches digital rent payments and rewards app across the UAE Dubai-based Rewa has launched a digital rent payment and rewards app across the UAE, allowing tenants to pay by card or bank transfer and earn points on on-time payments. Backed by regional investors, the platform offers rewards with 150+ partners and tools for landlords to streamline collections. Rewa plans to expand across the UAE and GCC..
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Bank of America is expanding its loyalty program to attract more customers by removing minimum balance requirements and allowing all checking account holders to join. The revamped program offers tiered perks, including boosted credit card rewards, cash-back deals, loan discounts and fraud protection. The move aims to deepen customer relationships and compete more aggressively in retail banking. (Image: BofA)
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Loyalty Technology, Solutions & Consulting:
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Capillary Technologies to Acquire SessionM from Mastercard for $20 Million Capillary Technologies will acquire SessionM from Mastercard for $20m, adding $35m+ in ARR and expanding its global loyalty footprint. SessionM’s clients and team are expected to transition to Capillary. Mastercard is refocusing on payments-led, data and AI-driven loyalty capabilities embedded in its network. The deal strengthens Capillary’s scale, product depth and cross-sell potential amid loyalty SaaS consolidation. (Image: Capillary Technologies)
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Amadeus Acquires SkyLink To Accelerate AI Deployment Across Travel Amadeus has acquired SkyLink to accelerate AI adoption across travel. SkyLink’s conversational automation technology will enhance corporate booking tools and expand into airlines, airports and hospitality. The move strengthens Amadeus’ strategy to deploy scalable, production-ready AI solutions across its global platform. (Image: Amadeus)
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SuccessKPI Accelerates Global Expansion and Revenue Growth with Strategic Sales Leadership Expansion As contact centers transition from legacy systems to AI-enhanced platforms, SuccessKPI is aggressively investing to scale operations, expand its global footprint and strengthen its enterprise go-to-market engine.
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Points Africa Raises $2M to Build Sub-Saharan Africa’s First Shared Loyalty Network Ghanaian fintech Points Africa has secured $2 million in funding led by VestedWorld to launch Sub-Saharan Africa’s first coalition loyalty platform. The startup aims to unify fragmented rewards programs, enabling consumers to earn and redeem points across major brands in telecom, retail, banking, transport, and e-commerce through a single digital wallet. (Image: Points Africa)
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Omnicom Named a Leader in Commerce Services by Independent Research Firm The Forrester evaluation noted that Omnicom’s “vision of connected commerce differentiates by spanning both demand and loyalty across physical stores, online marketplaces, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) experiences. Co-innovation with partners like Adobe and Salesforce is at scale within a broad partner network, including with retail partners like Amazon, TikTok Shop, and Walmart.”
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Reports, Research, Insights & Opinions:
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Arival / Phocuswright report: The Outlook for Travel Experiences 2019–2029 Travel experiences are now central to tourism growth, reaching $271B in 2025 and projected to hit $342B by 2029, growing at 8% CAGR—outpacing the wider travel sector. According to Arival and Phocuswright, experiences now drive destination choice. Online bookings are rising (17% in 2019 to 42% by 2029), yet the sector remains under-digitized, creating major growth opportunities for operators and platforms. (Image: Arival)
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Ramadan drives increased adoption of loyalty initiatives across the GCC During Ramadan, loyalty programs across the Middle East capitalize on seasonal spending, with retail, travel, and banking poised for record engagement.
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MMDSmart Survey: For 99% of Companies, Omnichannel Is Strategically Important Survey Also Reveals 86% of Organizations That Recently Added a New Channel, Experienced Increased Customer Engagement.
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Jobs & Careers:
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Animalis is hiring: Responsable CRM et Fidélité H/F (Paris, Île-de-France, France) Location: Paris, France. Click inside to apply
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Hager is hiring: Customer Centricity and Experience Leader (m/f/d) (Paris, Île-de-France, France) Location: Paris, Île-de-France, France. Click inside to apply.
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Moynat is hiring: Retail Animation & Client Development Manager (F/M) Paris, Île-de-France, France Location: Paris, Île-de-France, France. Click inside to apply
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HOKA hiring: Manager, Retention & Engagement, HOKA NA (New York, United States) Location: New York, United States. Click inside to apply.
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Kobie is hiring: Manager, Strategic Consulting (Jersey City, NJ, USA) Location: Jersey City, NJ, USA. Click inside to apply.
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JCPenney is hiring: Manager Loyalty Strategy & Program (Plano, TX, USA) Location: Plano, TX, USA. Click inside to apply.
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Virgin Money is hiring: Senior Proposition Consultant – Credit Cards (England, United Kingdom) Location: England, United Kingdom. Click inside to apply
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Location: London, England, United Kingdom. Click inside to apply.
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Reward is hiring: Head of Insights (London Area, United Kingdom) Location: London, UK. Click inside to apply.
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Wise is hiring: Business CRM Lead (London, England, United Kingdom) Location: London, UK. Click inside to apply.
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Skyscanner is hiring: Principal Product Manager – Loyalty (London, England, United Kingdom) Location: London, England, United Kingdom. Click inside to apply.
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