Delta SkyMiles, in its 27th year is the best-in-class, longest running and with more than 70 million members, the largest loyalty program in the airline industry. SkyMiles has commissioned Business Golf International (BGI) to design, build and manage an exciting new golf program exclusively for Delta SkyMiles members, International Links Golf Club.
This “club without walls” will provide its members with multiple golf and travel related benefits that make playing golf when they travel more attractive and easy to arrange. This is assured to quickly become the largest “Golf Club” membership in the world!
John W. Boykin, Director of Golf at International Links Golf Club, explains: “International Links Golf Club will have a home golf course located in proximity to every worldwide destination served by Delta Airlines. This exclusive network of 350 home golf facilities will welcome International Links members, an audience that is courted and sought after for its attractive demographic.
“We invite your golf course to join this limited collection of distinguished golf facilities around the world as a participating home course in the new International Links Golf Club golf program, an exclusive benefit available only to Delta SkyMiles International Links members. This unique program will benefit both its members and the international collection of magnificent golf facilities that welcome the seasoned travelers that are avid golfers and their guests.
“International Links Golf Club will operate as a multi-faceted personalized platform assisting members with tee times and travel arrangements. Although members have the option of contacting directly the “home” golf facilities, International Links Golf Club “clubhouse staff”, at the request of members, will contact participating home golf courses to make tee times, assist with travel arrangements and even make restaurant recommendations for members and their guests.
“The home golf facility will always receive payment solely from International Links members and we’ll adhere to each golf facility’s reservation policies, valid credit card to hold booking, etc. And, the best part is you do not have to pay to participate, International Links Golf Club will never send our home golf courses an invoice.”
Benefits to “Home” Golf Courses:
- Launching in early 2010, International Links Golf Club (driven by the power of Delta SkyMiles marketing and communications to its more than 70 million SkyMiles enrollees) will promote your golf facility on the dedicated program website and through various communications that reach those 70 million.
- Significantly increasing your course’s potential to enjoy incremental golf rounds and retail/food and beverage revenues from members and their guests by being a “home” golf course in the global network and with a defined geographical advantage that provides convenient access for the enormous universe that is Delta SkyMiles International Links members. All home golf facilities will extend an everyday, all day 20% discount off “golf fees” (defined below) to International Links members only.
- An exciting aspect of this club program will be the conducting of International Links Golf Club” members-only” events/championships. All home courses will be the first considered for hosting these lucrative offerings. These will be heavily promoted through the extensive communications tactics to members driven by Delta SkyMiles.
- Best of all, there is no cost to enroll as a “home” golf facility!
Delta already has commitment from Marriott and Fairmont Hotels to participate in the program and is in substantive discussions with several other hospitality and golf management companies around the world.
“While the aim of the program is to provide high quality “home” golf facilities in each of Delta’s destination cities should other good quality golf courses, not necessarily located in a Delta destination, want to participate we would be willing to accept them into the club to increase the perceived value of membership to the individual,” said a company spokesman. “I hope you’d agree this is a great way to drive incremental rounds played at member golf courses.”
John W. Boykin concludes: “We welcome participation in this exciting global golf program exclusively for Delta SkyMiles International Links Golf Club members. Please simply contact me at jboykin@businessgolfinternational.com .”