DFW Airport: Concession Deals are a 'Check-in' Away

DFW International Airport has launched a new program integrating Foursquare and Facebook Places location-based mobile applications with the Airport's concessions offerings. Customers who check in via social networking at any of DFW's five passenger terminals will have access to special concessions deals and discounts offered within a few yards of their location.

 

At launch, DFW passengers can redeem offers at 85 different concessions locations, such as Starbucks, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Brookstone, Hudson News, Reata Grill and many more.

 

"This program allows DFW concessionaires to place information directly into the hands of passengers, just when they are looking for it," says Jeff Fegan, CEO for DFW Airport. "It will give our customers a great snapshot of what is nearby, so they can make more educated decisions about their purchases."

 

The program is one of the first of its kind in the airport industry to take advantage of the sweeping popularity of smartphones and mobile apps by incorporating concessionaires on an airport-wide basis. A recent DFW survey shows that 84% of airport passengers use smartphones, and 36% of those smartphone users are utilizing location-based social networking apps to "check in" at certain locations.

 

"Customers who use smartphones and mobile apps are actively looking for information about their immediate environment, and this is a powerful way to easily share those specifics," says Sharon McCloskey, vice president of Marketing for DFW Airport. "This program really raises the bar for delivering excellent customer service, in a trendsetting and innovative way."

 

In support of the social networking effort, DFW also launched a new advertising campaign in the terminals promoting mobile check-ins at DFW shops, restaurants and service providers. The ad campaign can be seen throughout the DFW Airport terminals with the use of static ads including banners and wall clings, flight information display monitors, lighted dioramas, window clings and more. Additionally, the new campaign video will be broadcast on all Airport television monitors in public spaces.

 

DFW Airport will also send "brand ambassadors" into the terminals for the next several weeks to promote awareness of the mobile app integration program. The brand ambassadors will provide passengers with handouts, giveaways and most importantly, live smartphone demonstrations of how to take advantage of the deals.

 

The program works on any smartphone platform supported by Foursquare and Facebook, including Apple iOS, Blackberry, Android, and Palm.