INTERNATIONAL. Intelligent vouchering platform iCoupon has extended its partnership with global travel restaurateur SSP Group through the implementation of iCoupon’s digital payment system, Autopay.
SSP has collaborated with iCoupon for over eight years to simplify meal voucher redemption for airlines’ delayed passengers across its international airport food & beverage estate.
Adopting the Autopay system has enabled SSP to automate its passenger voucher redemption billing relationship with airlines, streamlining the transaction process.
Using Autopay, SSP and iCoupon have significantly reduced the number of invoices that have to be processed, thus boosting efficiency.
iCoupon noted that since SSP started using Autopay, average vouchers have been redeemed for 147% of the voucher value, leading to a substantial uptick in airport food & beverage sales.
SSP also works with iCoupon on innovative promotional initiatives. As reported, at Dublin Airport, for example, iCoupon technology was used during a campaign to implement a series of promotions to incentivise passengers to spend at the airport’s retail units, including SSP outlets.
During the campaign, travellers were sent a message thanking them for flying through Dublin and inviting them to share details to receive an intelligent QR code, which could then be redeemed for a complementary drink at participating airport retailers.
A notable redemption rate of 17% was achieved, substantially above industry averages for comparable promotions, according to iCoupon.
iCoupon also works with SSP to support Bristol Airport staff, flight crews and others working across the airport by offering a staff discount card powered by iCoupon.
iCoupon CEO Richard Bye 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.
“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 Chief Procurement Officer Sukh Tiwana commented: “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.” 
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