Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained

A Look at Loyalty Programs with Mark Ross-Smith

Mark Ross Smith · March 27, 2023

Entrepreneur · Leadershipin

Interview with Mark Ross Smith

Podcast: Flying Smarter: Air Travel Explained

March 27, 2023

This episode starts by looking at why you have to put your seat back and tray table up before landing. Andrew then talks with StatusMatch CEO and former airline loyalty program head Mark Ross-Smith about airline loyalty programs. Why do you have to put your seat back and tray…

View all guest episodes →

Key topicsDelivering Increased Revenue through Loyalty ProgramsA study by the Hotel Loyalty Report found that hotels with loyalty programs had an average occupancy rate of 75%, while those without programs had an average occupancy rate of 68%. This suggests that loyalty programs can help hotels fill more rooms and generate more revenue. How Artificial Intelligence and Big Data are Disrupting Airline and Hotel Loyalty ProgrammesAI and big data are transforming the way loyalty programs are managed and operated. For example, the use of AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants is allowing companies to automate routine tasks, such as account management and rewards redemption, freeing up resources for more strategic initiatives. Additionally, the use of big data is allowing companies to track and analyze customer behavior in real-time, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their loyalty programs. (Source: Forbes, "How AI and Big Data are Revolutionizing Loyalty Programs") Disruptive Trends in Loyalty: Innovating to Drive Customer EngagementThe airline loyalty status is held by the most valuable global travelers, who represent 30-40% of airline revenue. Mark Ross-Smith and his company, Loyalty Data Co, have demonstrated their expertise in this area by delivering thousands of high-value travelers to Canada in 2021/2022 through their platform, Status Match.com, in conjunction with Destination Canada and Air Canada. View all topics →

About Mark Ross Smith

Award Winning Loyalty Data Thought Leader

25+ Major travel brands worked with100,000s Travellers helped by Loyalty Status Co2022 Loyalty Royalty 30 Under 40800,000+ members Australian social network co-founded & sold

Mark Ross-Smith is a global leader in the airline loyalty industry, with a passion for delivering value to both travellers and airlines. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Loyalty Data Co, Mark is shaking up the industry with his cutting-edge loyalty platform, StatusMatch.com. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Mark has a proven track record of success, having led the Malaysia Airlines Enrich Loyalty Program to consecutive years of financial growth. He was also the CEO of a leading high-tech start-up, where he harnessed the power of big data to drive incremental revenue for Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone.

Mark is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, known for his unique approach to loyalty innovation. He's been featured in major media outlets such as CNN, BBC, The Economist, and Financial Times, and has published numerous papers and articles on airline loyalty on his website, www.traveldatadaily.com. In 2022, Mark was also awarded Loyalty Magazine's prestigious "Loyalty Royalty" 30 Under 40 Award.

Mark's entrepreneurial journey has been nothing short of impressive. He co-founded and sold the largest Australian-owned social network, which had over 800,000 members and major global brands as customers. He's now focused on airline and loyalty data and has published over 50 thought-leadership articles on airline loyalty and big data monetization.

Featured onApple Featured onSpotify Featured onYouTube

View profile →

About this episode

Why do you have to put your seat back and tray table up before landing? It’s all about safety. Learn more in this episode. Mark Ross-Smith brings his wealth of knowledge and experience with airline loyalty programs to this episode of Flying Smarter. He talks with Andrew about how the airline loyalty business works, why airline loyalty programs can be worth more than the airlines themselves, and much more. What are the trends and challenges with loyalty programs these days? What are some of the top programs out there? Mark shares valuable insights, tips, and advice for travelers when it comes to airline loyalty. Mark Ross-Smith is the CEO of StatusMatch, which creates customer acquisition technology for airlines while helping travellers enjoy the full potential of their loyalty and status. He is also the Editor of Travel Data Daily, a resource for loyalty program owners including airlines, hotels and other industry professionals. He was previously the head of Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich Loyalty Program, where he managed the program to the most successful point in the history of the airline. You can find Mark on LinkedIn.

Enjoying the podcast? Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more!

Connect with Flying Smarter:

Facebook: Flying Smarter Podcast

Instagram: @flyingsmarter

Twitter: @flying_smarter

LinkedIn: Flying Smarter

Website: www.flyingsmarter.com

Places I Remember with Lea LaneAward-winning writer shares travel memories, tips w/ savvy travelers. Smart, lively, fun!Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Guest: Mark Ross Smith