oneworld® Alliance and its 15 member airlines have convened experts, innovators and industry trend watchers in customer loyalty for the inaugural oneworld Loyalty Summit, the first event of its kind hosted by an airline alliance. The summit will create a new platform for industry collaboration and dialogue, helping to shape the future of customer loyalty beyond the journey itself.
“Loyalty has an ever-expanding role as a strategic growth engine for travel businesses, powered by technology, greater personalisation and new partnerships to meet changing customer expectations,” said Ole Orvér, CEO of oneworld. “Our member airlines are already leading the field around the world, so we are creating a forum where experts from across the loyalty spectrum can share ideas, discuss trends and drive thought-provoking conversations about what’s next for loyalty.”
The one-day event is featuring insights from leaders including:
- Ole Orvér, CEO of oneworld
- Nat Pieper, Chief Commercial Officer, American Airlines
- Brian Kelly, Founder & CEO, The Points Guy
- Sarah Moore, Senior Vice President & Head of Travel, Capital One
- Parveen Chander Kumar, Executive Vice President – Commercial, The Indian Hotels Company Limited
- Gary Leff, Founder, View from the Wing
- Scott Long, Senior Vice President, American Airlines AAdvantage
- Alex Hunter, Head of Loyalty, International Airlines Group (IAG)
- Kate Sherwood, Head of Loyalty and Partnerships, Qantas
- Xavier Tausky, Vice President, Loyalty, Qatar Airways
“Delivering a personalised, more rewarding loyalty experience is something oneworld and our member airlines obsess about every day. We are constantly looking for ways to add value by touching customers’ day-to-day engagements, from how they shop to where they stay and how they bank,” said Gilbert Ott, Director of Loyalty at oneworld. “Today’s summit is an opportunity to explore how other sectors use technology, meet start-ups and create a future for loyalty that makes the most of customers’ every interaction with oneworld and our partners.”
Discovering emerging Loyalty innovation
Unique to the oneworld Loyalty Summit, live business investment pitches will provide start-ups with a powerful platform to put new ideas directly in front of industry decision-makers and loyalty leaders. Each speed session will give summit attendees an early look at new technologies and business models that could help address some of the sector’s biggest opportunities. The pitches include:
- Reclaim Protocol – Managing loyalty fraud and digital verification
- FrequentFan – Expanding redemption categories
- WeatherPromise – Trip assurance for ancillaries
- SmartMedia Technologies – Driving loyalty engagement
- Rove – Untapped loyalty revenue
- Bonafide – AI & brand loyalty identity
By: John Alwyn-Jones – © 2026.
Read Time: 2 minutes.
Author Bio:
John Alwyn-Jones is one of those rare figures who can make the business of travel sound positively adventurous.
A lifelong communicator with the polish of a broadcaster and the curiosity of a journalist, he’s spent decades shaping stories and strategies across tourism, aviation, and the cruise world. He’s led from the front as CEO, director, mentor, and advisor, and still brings warmth and wit to every boardroom and microphone.
Known for his sharp insight into global cruise lines and destinations, John has an old-school belief in professionalism, tempered with the sparkle of someone who’s genuinely seen the world. He’s not just in the business of travel; he’s made it an art form.
