iCoupon extends its partnership with SSP to automate billing and voucher processes, enhancing efficiency and promotional strategies at travel food and beverage outlets.
LONDON, UK – iCoupon, leading provider of intelligent vouchering platforms globally, is extending its partnership with SSP, a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations. The implementation of iCoupon’s automated payment system, Autopay, will mean SSP will be able to automate their billing relationship with airlines making the process much more efficient for everyone involved.
SSP has partnered with iCoupon for over eight years to simplify the redemption of meal vouchers for delayed passengers. Designated SSP’s bars and restaurants accept iCoupon’s intelligent vouchers issued by airlines to passengers in the event of delays. By utilising iCoupon Autopay, SSP is now able to automate the billing process, significantly reducing the number of invoices it has to process and increasing efficiency.
SSP also works with iCoupon on an innovative approach to promotional initiatives. At Dublin Airport, for example iCoupon technology is used to implement a series of promotions to incentivise passengers travelling through the airport to spend at retail units. During the campaign, travellers were sent a text message thanking them for flying through DUB and inviting them to share details to receive an intelligent QR code, which could then be redeemed for a complementary drink. An impressive redemption rate of 17% was achieved, substantially above industry averages for comparable promotions.
iCoupon also works with SSP to help them support Bristol Airport staff, flight crews and others working across the airport by offering a staff discount card powered by iCoupon.
Richard Bye, CEO of iCoupon, said: “The expansion of our agreement with SSP is testament to the partnership, breadth of network and simplicity of use of iCoupon for all concerned, and the adoption of our promotional capabilities continues to drive this message home. Dublin Airport has been a valued partner of iCoupon for many years, and all F&B retailers operating at the airport are already a part of our network, but SSP’s adoption of AutoPay and promotions takes this to another level, allowing considerably more return on investment from our already deployed technology. Recent advances in our intelligent vouchering platform allow airports to really make use of the network, enabling them to create, distribute, validate, and redeem vouchers for their passengers that can be specific to each individual airport store. This means that the retailers are also able to effectively manage the financial performance of individual campaigns and stores, while also offering maximum flexibility to the airport, allowing it to offer promotions to any type of passenger.”
SSP adopted iCoupon’s Autopay system in November 2022. Since that time, if SSP had been processing invoices manually it would have had to handle around a thousand transactions, but this has now been reduced to 180. In addition, on average vouchers have been redeemed for 147% of the voucher value, leading to a substantial uptick in sales when vouchers are used. The benefits will be even greater as more airlines adopt the system.
Richard Bye said: “We have always had a close relationship with SSP across a large number of their locations around the world. As we have expanded our range of modules, we’ve been able to strengthen the partnership and embrace new opportunities together, including designing a staff discount programme for people working in many functions across the airport. Deepening our partnership to be part of SSP’s standard offering demonstrates the efficiencies iCoupon brings to F&B providers and other retailers. Adopting iCoupon’s digital solutions simplifies processes making what can be a stressful experience more simple and streamlined for both passengers and staff. And of course, another benefit is that eliminating paper vouchers and embracing digital solutions is the environmentally responsible path and can help our partners achieve their own sustainability targets.”
Sukh Tiwana, Chief Procurement Officer at SSP, said: “At SSP we’ve always sought to use the best technologies to enhance the passenger experience wherever possible. iCoupon has been a trusted partner and has innovated a stream of digital technologies over the last few years which has brought a number of additional operational and commercial benefits. We look forward to continuing to partner with iCoupon to further support our ambition to be the best part of the passenger’s journey.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
