Lufthansa: Redefining Customer Loyalty with Web3
Lufthansa, one of the aviation giants in Europe, is redefining customer loyalty with a web3 partnership. The airline recently unveiled its mobile application Uptrip, an ingenious project born from the Lufthansa Innovation Hub and Miles & More, the Lufthansa loyalty initiative. This marks the airline’s entry into blockchain technology, specifically non-fungible tokens (NFTs), using the Polygon network.
Uptrip allows travelers to convert their boarding passes into NFT cards that, when collected in specific combinations, offer benefits such as flight upgrades, lounge access, or additional reward miles. The platform has garnered significant attention, with over 20,000 sign-ups and more than 200,000 minted NFT cards to date.
Web3 in the Aviation Industry: A New Frontier
Kristian Weymar, an executive at Lufthansa Innovation Hub, emphasized that while Web3 technologies are still in their infancy, the goal is to make them accessible to Lufthansa’s vast customer base. This move aligns with a broader industry trend. Earlier this year, Johannes Walter of the Lufthansa group had already signaled the company’s interest in decentralized and tokenized technologies as drivers of change for business models. The United Arab Emirates’ flagship airline, Emirates, has also signaled its intention to delve into Web3, with plans to accept Bitcoin payments and introduce NFTs in 2022.
User Experience and Operational Details
To participate, the Uptrip app requires linking a crypto wallet to mint and transfer NFTs. This works through a simple process: travelers scan their boarding passes via the app and exchange them for NFT cards. Completing certain NFT collections then activates a series of benefits such as access to premium airport lounges and frequent traveler status upgrades.
