Newscast 28 -  Status Wars and Loyalty Tech Consolidation

Newscast 28 - Status Wars and Loyalty Tech Consolidation

From Loyalty Wired by Loyalty Wired

March 23, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of British Airways' new spend-based loyalty status and the acquisition of SessionM by Capillary, highlighting shifts in loyalty technology.

Loyalty is shifting… but not in just one place. In this episode, Rob Burgess (Head for Points), Ben Lipsey (Air France-KLM) and Phil Gunter (Loyalty Status Co) explore what British Airways’ move to spend-based status means — and why competitors are already moving to take advantage. At the same time, Jan Pieter Lips (Capillary) and Tom Shapira (Wellesley Hills Financial) unpack Capillary’s acquisition of SessionM, and what it reveals about scale, valuation and the future of loyalty technology. If you run a loyalty programme, this episode matters. Sponsored by Loyalty Status Co.

People in this episode

Guests: Rob Burgess, Ben Lipsey, Phil Gunter, Jan Pieter Lips, Tom Shapira

Topics covered

  • loyalty programs
  • status wars
  • technology consolidation
  • acquisitions
  • business strategy

Keywords

  • loyalty
  • status
  • technology
  • acquisition
  • business
  • British Airways
  • Capillary
  • SessionM

Sponsors

Loyalty Status Co

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: British Airways, Air France-KLM, Capillary, SessionM, Wellesley Hills Financial

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