CATEGORIES
CATEGORY 1
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
RETAIL
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the retail industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2024.
CATEGORY 2
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
FINANCIAL SERVICES
This award will be awarded to the brand, which demonstrates that it has
the best loyalty programme in the financial services industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2024.
CATEGORY 3
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
RESTAURANTS / QSR
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the restaurant/QSR industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2024.
CATEGORY 4
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
TRAVEL / HOSPITALITY
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the travel/leisure industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2024.
CATEGORY 5
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
B2B
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in your industry, in a B2B programme, over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2024.
CATEGORY 6
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
ONLINE / ECOMMERCE
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme online over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation. The programme must have been launched in the market before June 2024.
CATEGORY 7
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
FUEL
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the fuel industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation.
CATEGORY 8
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
TELCO
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the telco industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation.
CATEGORY 9
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
ENTERTAINMENT/ LEISURE
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in the entertainment/leisure industry over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation.
CATEGORY 10
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
SUBSCRIPTION
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best subscription programme in the over time (>12 months) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best subscription loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation.
CATEGORY 11
BEST PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
PARTNERSHIP
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it added value to its members via loyalty partnerships in its loyalty programme. This needs to demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering, showing overall commercial benefits to the organisation and enhanced partnership customer experience for members.
CATEGORY 12
BEST PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
NEWCOMER
This award will be awarded to the new loyalty brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best newcomer programme launched in 2025 and can demonstrate overall commercial benefit to the organisation (launch date: 16 February 2025 – 21 February 2026 - minimum time in market must be 3 months).
CATEGORY 13
BEST RE-LAUNCHED PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR
RE-LAUNCHED
This award will be awarded to the new loyalty brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best re-launched programme launched in 2025 and can demonstrate overall commercial benefit to the organisation (re-launch date: 16 February 2025 - 21 February 2026 - minimum time in market must be 3 months). The re-launch must be a significant change and a programme re-launch rather than incremental ad hoc programme improvements.
CATEGORY 14
BEST LONG-TERM PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR:
LONG-TERM
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates that it has operated the best loyalty programme in its industry over a long period (> 5 years) and can demonstrate how it has offered the best loyalty offering showing overall commercial benefit. to the organisation. The programme must have been in the market before 21 May 2021. The brand must demonstrate longevity and performance in the marketplace.
CATEGORY 15
BEST LOYALTY
AGENCY MARKETING / REWARDS OF THE YEAR
This award will be awarded to the best loyalty (marketing & rewards) agency in South Africa. Agencies are encouraged to submit their achievements in loyalty and CRM and for brands they have worked with in this environment. A demonstration of skills in loyalty marketing, CRM and rewards fulfilment to drive programme performance will be assessed.
CATEGORY 16
BEST LOYALTY RULES ENGINE TECHNOLOGY VENDOR OF THE YEAR
This award will be awarded to the best loyalty rules engine technology vendor servicing SA based clients. Vendors are encouraged to submit their achievements and successes for their platforms delivering loyalty & rewards technology. Judges will assess this category based on the technology vendor’s capability, NOT its clients’ programme results, i.e. please showcase your capability with client examples to highlight success
CATEGORY 17
BEST LOYALTY ENABLEMENT TECHNOLOGY VENDOR OF THE YEAR (NOT CORE LOYALTY RULES ENGINE)
This award will be awarded to the best loyalty technology enablement vendor servicing an SA based client. Vendors are encouraged to submit their achievements and successes for their platforms delivering loyalty & rewards technology. Judges will assess this category based on the technology vendor’s capability, NOT its clients’ programme results, i.e. please showcase your capability with client examples to highlight success.
This category is NOT the same as category 16. Category 16 is for core loyalty rules engine vendors. Category 17 is for additional enablement functionality (i.e. gamification, marketing automation and engagements, etc.)
CATEGORY 18
BEST LOYALTY DATA
AGENCY / VENDOR OF THE YEAR
This award will be awarded to the best loyalty data company in South Africa. Data agencies are encouraged to submit their achievements in data analytics for the brands they have worked with. They need to show skills in statistical analysis, market research, analytics, and programme performance measurements.
CATEGORY 19
BEST SHORT-TERM LOYALTY
MARKETING CAMPAIGN
OF THE YEAR
This award will go to the organisation or brand that can demonstrate how it has implemented the best marketing campaign linked to its loyalty programme or loyalty initiative. Brands must demonstrate how they have developed a winning campaign to address a challenge in the marketplace, utilise outstanding creative elements (which engages new or existing customers) and the use of relevant personalised communications (launch date: between 21 May 2025 - present day).
CATEGORY 20
BEST STRATEGIC USE OF DATA ANALYTICS / CRM APPLICATIONS
This award will be awarded to the brand that demonstrates positive results, clearly derived from the insightful use of customer data and the application in CRM. In addition, demonstration of effective targeting and modelling, profitable customer segmentation and deep analytical grasp of consumer attitudes and behaviours will be assessed
CATEGORY 21
BEST USE OF AI TO IMPROVE LOYALTY EXPERIENCE / PERFORMANCE
This award will be awarded to the brand which delivers a loyalty initiative where AI has played a pivotal role in enhancing its overall loyalty offering for their customers.
CATEGORY 22
MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR LOYALTY
This award will be awarded to the brand which delivers a loyalty initiative where technology has played a pivotal role in enhancing its overall loyalty offering for their customers. Innovation in technology for loyalty will be assessed.
CATEGORY 23
BEST USE OF GAMIFICATION OF THE YEAR
This award will be awarded to the best use of gamification in loyalty. Brands need to showcase how this has benefited the programme’s performance, how the customer experience is enhanced and how members benefit from the gamification.
CATEGORY 24
BEST USE OF INFORMATIVE CONTENT TO DRIVE LOYALTY
This award will be awarded to the best use of informative content to drive loyalty. Brands need to showcase how content has changed their members’ loyalty experience.
CATEGORY 25
BEST LOYALTY CSI OR ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE / CAMPAIGN
This award will be awarded to the brand which demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and/ or community via its loyalty initiatives. Entries will be judged according to the role the programme has played in caring for the environment and communities. Any community economic and social benefits should be highlighted. The loyalty programme or campaign must show its commitment and impact to community & sustainability initiatives, as well as social, environmental, ethical practices and working with charities.
CATEGORY 26
INDUSTRY TALENT
OF THE YEAR:
NOMINATION
We would like to recognise individuals who are making a significant contribution to the loyalty industry in South Africa. There are no set criteria for this award/recognition, but we must see strong loyalty talent demonstrated through their current or previous roles.
CATEGORY 27
INDUSTRY PERSONALITY
OF THE YEAR:
NOMINATION
We would like to recognise one individual who has made the most significant contribution to the loyalty industry in South Africa. There are no set criteria for this award/recognition but we must see service to the loyalty industry above and beyond normal job functions.
The South African Loyalty Awards are open to all companies in South Africa that have loyalty at the core of its business.
All companies irrespective of size or profile are welcome to enter the awards. Entries are welcome from all brands, agencies and loyalty technology providers.
There are 27 categories in total, and a company can enter as many categories as it wants.