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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider SMAC widens travel scope via global Trip.com partnership

SMAC widens travel scope via global Trip.com partnership

Published Mar 27, 2026 02:41 pm
SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) is expanding its loyalty ecosystem through a partnership with Trip.com, allowing its members to earn points on international travel.
The group’s loyalty arm, SMAC, will now permit its members to accumulate one point for every ₱250 spent on hotel and flight bookings via the online travel platform, according to a company statement. The move integrates Trip.com’s inventory of more than 1.5 million hotels and 640 airlines into SM’s domestic rewards network.
The tie-up marks a significant step in SM’s strategy to bridge its core retail and banking operations with lifestyle services. By moving beyond traditional mall-based rewards, the company aims to capture a larger share of consumer spending as travel demand remains resilient. Points earned through the platform will be credited within 60 working days after the completion of the travel service.
“Through strategic partnerships, both within and beyond the SM Group, we continue to enhance the value proposition for our members,” said Patrick Cua, SMAC chief operating officer. He noted that the collaboration allows the program to expand from local mall aisles to global destinations.
The partnership comes as SM reinforces its "ecosystem" approach, where customers are incentivized to stay within the group’s circle of services—from shopping at the SM Store to banking with BDO Unibank Inc. SMAC, formerly known as the SM Advantage Card, has been central to this data-driven strategy, and the Trip.com deal adds to a travel portfolio that already includes Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles, AirAsia Rewards, and the group’s own SM Hotels division.
To qualify for the new perks, members are required to log in through the SMAC website and access Trip.com via a dedicated portal before booking. This digital-first approach aligns with SM’s push to modernize its loyalty infrastructure, which has recently focused on seamless point conversion and broader financial services, such as remittance rewards.
Trip.com, which operates in 39 countries and 24 languages, provides the scale SM requires to globalize its program. The platform covers 3,400 airports and offers roughly 300,000 tour products, giving SMAC’s millions of members a reason to maintain their loyalty even when traveling outside the Philippines.

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