Programs
Southwest Offers Big Perk for New Credit Cards
Those who sign up for the airline’s credit cards will receive major perks. “When you open any of the three personal cards, you can earn 60,000 Rapid Reward points when you spend $2,000 in the first three months. The usual bonus is only 40,000 points after meeting minimum spend requirements.” New card holders will also be more able to earn a Companion Pass, which has previously been one of the most difficult Southwest perks to get.
Most Business Travelers Wouldn’t Stay at a Hotel That Didn’t Offer Points
A new La Quinta survey improves our understanding of business travelers. “In its new survey, La Quinta sheds light on burning business travel questions, including how many travelers actually unpack their suitcases, the latest they’ve stayed up preparing for meetings, the alarming number of people who have stocked up at the hotel breakfast bar for later, and the number of business travelers who experienced loud, embarrassing stomach grumbles during a meeting.”
Customer Experience
Robots Edge Closer to Unloading Trucks in Amazon-Era Milestone
“As FedEx and United Parcel Service beef up automation to keep pace with surging e-commerce and a potential threat from Amazon, they’ve been stumped at a crucial stage: loading and unloading trucks. Robot makers are getting close to solving part of that puzzle.” With Amazon moving toward a single-day delivery standard, brands are going to have to focus on speed and convenience. Automation will play a major role.
Facial Recognition for Dogs? Facial Recognition for Dogs.
Petz, a Brazilian pet-shop chain has developed what it calls “Pet-Commerce,” which “combines artificial intelligence with facial recognition to help dogs make their own online shopping decisions.” Now, Fido will never be uninterested in the plush toy you buy for him.
Walmart’s Vudu Is the Streaming Service for “Middle Americans”
Walmart is preparing to launch its own streaming-service and has indicated that the content will be geared toward working families rather than young hipsters. “The originals will fall into four categories tailored to a traditional family structure: early childhood, kids and family, ‘co-viewing’ and parents.”