Story ID: 421Avfuelbomb
Avfuel Upgrading Avtrip Program
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: As it prepares for its 50th anniversary Avfuel is working to fully digitize its Avtrip customer loyalty program.
Word Count: 505
Global industry fuel provider Avfuel (Booth 2424) is planning an overhaul for its Avtrip loyalty program, taking it into the digital age starting next year. For the nearly three and half decades of the program’s existence, loyalty rewards were mailed to program members. That will change in the first quarter next year, when Avtrip members can choose to cash out their accrued rewards either with a debit push to the recipient in real-time or by payout through PayPal.

Either method will remove the need for any physical form of payment such as a check or gift card. Aside from an initial account setup, award redemption will continue to be completely automatic for the rewards program, according to Avfuel.

“Our team is continuously assessing our offerings to discover where efficiencies can be leveraged and how they can be adapted in a more sustainable way,” said  Avfuel v-p of marketing Marci Ammerman. "After exhaustive testing, we’re ready to make the industry’s most efficient and rewarding program even more efficient by leveraging modern technologies for annual payouts. We anticipate the extensive preparations we’ve undergone for this transition will result in a smooth process for our members and a successful update in time for the 2023 awards.”

After adding 22 branded FBOs to its network over the past year, Avfuel is attending NBAA-BACE this week in Orlando, Florida, and has brought 24 co-exhibitors representing 71 Avfuel-branded fueling locations. Avtrip members who visit the company’s booth and flash their card will receive 1,000 bonus points.

The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company began operations in 1973, as a small regional fuel provider, with three employees supplying the Michigan region. As Avfuel approaches its 50th anniversary, it has evolved into a worldwide aviation fuel distributor with a staff of more than 1,000.

“When we leapt onto the market, no one was doing what we set out to do,” said Avfuel president and CEO Craig Sincock. “We didn’t know we shouldn’t compete with the major oil companies who were the aviation fuel suppliers of the time. Maybe it wasn’t the best business plan but it worked.”

Sincock credits the company’s growth to listening to the customers and developing solutions to meet their needs, adding it was the first fuel supplier to offer a complete suite of services that surround the fuel. The innovations that Avfuel introduced, such as pilot rewards and contract fuel for corporate flight departments, are now industry standards, leading it to search for new innovations. “We’re constantly looking for new ways to push the envelope,” said Sincock. “New ways to lead the industry and add value to the fuel supplier partnership.”

Also at the show, Avfuel and Sheltair announced the inaugural recipient class of their Future Takes Flight Scholarship Program, which was launched earlier this year. Six winners each received a $5,000 award to pursue career advancement through educational opportunities. The window for next year’s round of $30,000 in scholarships opens again in December.