What are some of the giveaways you use to say "thank you" or to retain customers?

Here’s a unique thank you gift that you can give by itself or to supplement your other gift ideas: reward your customers with a small donation to their  favorite cause by giving SmallGyfts gift cards.

SmallGyfts allow you to reward your customers with a donation to their school, church or favorite cause. Your customers pick the cause. You get the credit. As Maya Angelou said, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. Another travel tote is nice but imagine how people will feel about your business knowing that you are helping a cause they care about. 

Our agency offers a variety of perks or Thank You amenities that range from free items, discount on on-board credits to use, cash value gift cards and even free travel for guest who assist with managing groups. In some groups who travel recognizing special events like family reunions, church event or a special recognition cause, we provide free T-shirts to wear to identify the group traveling together to further identify them, show their cause or just public recognition. In addition, based on size of group we can arrange for private parties, souvenirs and photo packages to mention a few choices. We also provide customers luggage tags for easy identification and swift pick up. In home before and after consultations on the entire trip experience is offered. We highly believe in a total personalized vacation experience.

Being in the Logistics business I give away everything from small plastic trucks, polo shirts, coffee mugs, pens and  hats. I try and focus on things that people could use daily so they see your company name.

A great way to thank your client is to show them appreciation for doing business with you. Sending a heartfelt greeting card with a photo from their trip and a heartfelt message .  You can also attach a gift to make it extra special. Then continue to send the personalized cards throughout the year to stay at top of mind. The best way is using a tool called Send Out Cards.  

It would vary depending on the spend. With   cruises it used to be a nice bottle of wine when they got into the cabin. But when cruise companies reduced their commissions some cruises it would not worthwhile. It is easier to buy a reasonable bottle of wine before they go  (usually when they pick up their travel documents). The higher the spend the more you can spend and it doesn't have to be all the time. Little things mean a lot.  Waiving a booking fee or remembering a birthday or anniversary.  Going the extra mile to get a problem resolved.  I have one client that I get up at 5.30am  to book her restaurant choices on a cruise, especially when they are on  another cruise.  Use your imagination.  Sometimes it's not about the spend it's about the loyalty over the years! Also touching base with them to see how they're doing doesn't  cost a thing.

We send clients logo’d canvas beach bags, plastic luggage tag holders and send custom thank you cards upon their return. We also send birthday cards every year.

A good CRM is a must.

Some giveaways for my Customers, to say Thank you and to retain them as Customers, are: 1. Thank you cards, 2. Small gifts in their room, when they arrive at their vacation spot, 3. A complimentary trip to another destination, 4. Luggage tags, 5. Small gift packages to carry on flight, with snacks & other necessities, etc. 

I typically charge a fee to handle someone’s trip. I will offer waiving the few the next time they would like to plan a trio in the future. I also offer discounts on future trips as well.

We offer our clients future travel credits for all referrals passed our way that book a trip. Each individual booking earns them $25 and a group is $50, we’ve made cute certificates that we send in the mail for them and the credits are combinable, transferable and have no expiry date. The feedback on these is overwhelmingly positive in addition to be being easy to do and no upfront cost (as they are redeemed when booking a new trip).

If they receive the help they deserve to get what they really are hoping for in a vacation, then they are going to come back again.  They don't need another key chain or luggage tag.