Insider Spotlight
The deal allows SMAC members to earn one SMAC Point for every P250 spent on hotel and flight bookings made via Trip.com. Points are credited within 60 working days after completed hotel stays or flights, aligning rewards with actual usage.
Why it matters
The tie-up signals SM’s push to deepen customer engagement by embedding rewards across everyday and aspirational spending categories, particularly travel. It strengthens SMAC’s positioning as more than a retail loyalty program, evolving into a broader lifestyle ecosystem.
From a company statement, SMAC chief operating officer Patrick Cua said, “Through strategic partnerships, both within and beyond the SM Group, we continue to enhance the value proposition for our members.”
He added, “This collaboration with Trip.com further expands our travel ecosystem, allowing members to earn rewards while accessing local and global destinations.”
The big picture
Trip.com brings scale to the partnership, with access to more than 1.5 million hotels and flights from over 640 airlines, alongside more than 300,000 tours and attractions. Its global footprint spans 3,400 airports across 220 countries and regions.
How it works
Members must log in through the SMAC website and access Trip.com via the platform before completing bookings to qualify for points. This ensures transactions are tracked within the ecosystem.
What’s next
The partnership complements SMAC’s existing travel alliances, including Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles, AirAsia Rewards, and SM Hotels, while reinforcing its expansion into financial services through collaborations with BDO and SM Store.
Bottom line
SM is steadily transforming SMAC into a cross-industry rewards engine, using partnerships like Trip.com to capture a larger share of consumer spending across travel, retail, and finance. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed:Corrie S. Narisma
