IndiGo, India’s largest carrier by fleet and market share has announced that it plans to enter into an agreement with Accor to collaborate and offer benefits to their loyalty program members. As part of the larger relationship between IndiGo and Accor, the two partners have agreed to develop a strategic collaboration through their loyalty programs – IndiGo BluChip and ALL – Accor Live Limitless. In the coming weeks, the two brands will work towards a more comprehensive engagement framework to launch a value proposition that will drive deeper member engagement and loyalty.
This first-of-its-kind loyalty programs collaboration between IndiGo’s BluChip Rewards and Accor’s ALL Accor Live Limitless loyalty program would allow partners on a wide range of initiatives such as rewards points sharing, co-branded loyalty and seamless two-way conversion. Accor’s ALL already has a rewards points sharing partnership with Air France – KLM, which also has a codeshare with IndiGo.
When live, the partnership will allow members to earn and redeem points across flights, stays and experiences. IndiGo announced the launch of BlueChip at its 18th anniversary celebrations last year and was formally launched in November 2024, coinciding with the launch of IndiGoStretch, the business class product of IndiGo which will be available on 45 planes by the end of this year. The loyalty program has seen 2 million members in six months since launch and the airline has started adding partners recently.
The announcement comes on the day when Accor Group and InterGlobe, the parent of IndiGo announced a new partnership. The new platform will target a network of 300 hotels under Accor brands by 2030. Accor recently opened its 25th Ibis in the country. While it was one of the early entrants in India, it has trailed the likes of Marriott and Hyatt in expanding in India. Accor currently operates 71 hotels in the country with 40 more in development, spanning from economy to luxury brands. Through this alliance, Accor will significantly expand its footprint and streamline operations, deepening its commitment to solid growth in the Indian market across all segments from economy to lifestyle and luxury.
Accor and InterGlobe will bring together their currently owned assets, development and management businesses in the country to form one autonomous, integrated platform. This new entity will become the exclusive vehicle for growing all Accor brands in India, including luxury and lifestyle brands from Ennismore, Accor’s fast-growing hospitality portfolio. Accor will continue to lead operations and brand management and provide full access to its brands and services. Treebo, one of India’s leading branded budget hotel platforms, manages 800 hotels across 120 cities through its unique tech-driven approach and efficient distribution systems. Accor and InterGlobe will jointly invest in and become the largest shareholder in Treebo. Treebo will take the lead to develop the Ibis and Mercure brands in India through a master license agreement.
Under this partnership, Treebo reached an agreement with various property owners to sign ten new Mercure’s, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s expansion in India.
Accor’s brands will leverage Treebo’s state of the art technology to tap into India’s vast unbranded hotel market and accelerate growth. The combined Accor and Treebo portfolio will create India’s third-largest hospitality player, with over 30,000 rooms. Accor would hope to not just gain the lost ground but more than make up for it over the next five years.
Tailnote
These are mere announcements right now and the proof is in the pudding. How seamless is the program is what will decide its future. The million or more members come into play when they are active users and not mere registrations. Loyalty is a two way street and a double edged sword. These are early days, but hopefully it will play out well for IndiGo.
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