Two Nordic travel giants have joined together to launch Spenn, a shared loyalty points system set to be used by millions of travellers across the region. Here's what you need to know about Spenn.
Despite the disruption of a few years ago, travel has bounced back to retake its position as an important industry in the Nordic region. In my job as a travel writer and content creator, I travel extensively around the region.
Personally, I hold loyalty status with both Scandinavian Airlines and Radisson Hotels, and get a lot of value from both programs.
Whether it's the extra checked bag and fast-track security when flying or the free room upgrades, early check-in, and restaurant discounts when staying at hotels, travel loyalty programs have made my travel life much easier.
So, the news of two leading brands in the travel space joining forces to create a new loyalty currency certainly caught my attention.
Spenn Explained
If you fly with Norwegian Air or stay in Strawberry (formerly Nordic Choice) hotels, chances are you've already received an email or two about Spenn.
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The new loyalty program brings together the two brands into one “loyalty currency”, with more partners expected to join in the years to come. Spenn has been founded as a new company, jointly owned by Norwegian and Strawberry.
“This will give members the opportunity to earn and use a shared loyalty currency across participating programs and their partners. I am truly excited to share this exciting news with our members, and not least to welcome new partner companies in the time to come,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.
Strawberry still suffers from a brand recognition problem following its recent rebranding, even though its hotel brands (Clarion, Comfort, Quality) are well known.
Founder and owner Petter A. Stordalen said he's looking forward to the partnership with Norwegian, which “is a strategic and cultural fit that will create enormous synergies for our members and partners.”
How to Use Spenn
From 19 November, Spenn will become the ‘currency' used by the loyalty programs of both Norwegian Air and Strawberry. The loyalty programs will remain as they are, but the ‘currency' will change. So, in Norwegian Reward, CashPoints will become Spenn.
In the Spenn smartphone app, Spenn members will be able to see their Spenn balance and use the Spenn they have earned in the various loyalty programs.
Members can earn points on hotel stays and use them to pay for flights – or vice versa, explained Spenn general manager Christoffer Sundby, who had experience in marketing at Norwegian.
“Today, a member must use earned points with partners associated with the same loyalty program. With a digital loyalty currency, members will be able to collect and use their points across various loyalty programs,” he said.
Hi David, thanks for this article (among many others)! I’m planning a trip for next year and came across the Strawberry hotels. They look pretty nice and decent value (from what I can gather of Norwegian standards), but the reviews are rather mixed, to say the least. What’s your experience with the brand? Or are there others that you would recommend more?
I don’t tend to stay with them but they are a collection of different brands rather than one brand, so more of a mixed bag than other hotel chains.