Gaining Customer Loyalty In today's economy, businesses as well as credit card issuers are competing for customers. Because times are tough, customers want to get as much for their money as possible. Consumers want discounts, two for one deals, and want to feel like someone understands that times are tough. The fact is that businesses can't give their customers everything they want, but they have found that creativity can help them earn customer loyalty. The establishment of a loyalty reward program is an ideal way to bring consumers to a company's team. Businesses who utilize Card Reward programs want to give their customers the best buying experience possible. The developers of these incentive programs work closely with the business to create programs in which customers want to participate. If you know you are going to get something at the end of a shopping experience in addition to your purchase, the cost spent is not quite as painful as it could have been. Breakaway Loyalty is a company that develops customer loyalty programs for banks, travel companies, hotels, cruises, and more. They regularly monitor the customer satisfaction of their clients and whether or not the program is successful. The client and Breakaway Loyalty can work together to create the best program for the client and its customers. Most customer loyalty programs operate in a similar way. When customers sign-up for the program they understand they will receive points that will accrue until they reach the level where the points can be redeemed. Sometimes a maximum number of points can be reached and then used and other times the points can keep moving up to a next level of merchandise or gift card value. The customer has a choice and ownership in the experience and in the case of merchandise, the card holder could choose small items or even incentive travel for a dream vacation. The only limitation to these programs is the customer's willingness to spend money. Incentive programs are wonderful because if they are properly programed for a business, the business and the customers both win. A customer who is rewarded for their loyalty will keep coming back and that in it self is a reward for the business.