Europe's top 6 train loyalty programmes

03 May 2023 · 9 MIN READ

When choosing a train loyalty programme for you or your team, it's important to consider a few factors. For example, certain programmes offer more perks in a single country, while others cater to international train journeys across the continent.

Some programmes will pair with hotel partners or offer free reward tickets. But these bonuses will depend on usage, so consider the frequency and length of your corporate trips when deciding which loyalty scheme will suit your organisation better.

What are the best train loyalty programmes in Europe?

1. Club Eurostar

Which countries does Club Eurostar cover? Travelling from the United Kingdom to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam or somewhere further afield? Eurostar is your go-to for crossing the Channel with ease.

How does Club Eurostar work? Club Eurostar makes your travel spending stretch further. Earn 1 point for every £1 spent on train travel or 1 point for every £2 spent on train and hotel packages. Members can get reduced or free tickets and upgraded seats as they rack up more points.

What other perks are on offer? Partners also offer different ways to gain Club Eurostar points. You can boost your points and benefit from 10% off car rental with Hertz. Members can transfer American Express Rewards or Accor's Lifestyle Loyalty (ALL) points to Club Eurostar. Users can convert 500 Club Eurostar points into 1,500 ALL points, increasing their benefits on hotel bookings for overnight business trips.

What do the different Club Eurostar levels offer? You'll join Club Eurostar at the Classique level, immediately providing access to multiple membership rewards, including partner discounts and special offers. Meanwhile, Carte Blanche level (2,400 points) lets you utilise Fast-Track lanes to optimise travel time and use Business Premier or Railteam lounges to work undisturbed between departures.

Our favourite feature: At the time of writing, Advantage level (400 points) will soon allow corporate travellers to spend their points with Eurostar's partners, SNCF and Thalys.

2. My Thalys World

Which countries does My Thalys World travel between? Thalys is also a member of the Eurostar Group, connecting France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, making it a great option for those travelling across Europe.

How do you accrue My Thalys World points? Spend €1 on Thalys tickets and qualifying passes, and you will receive 1 point. Additionally, corporate travellers can earn 1, 2 or 3 Miles for every €1 they spend, depending on their loyalty status.

What are the different status levels? My Thalys World Loyalty Programme has 3 different membership statuses: Explorer, Club and Club+.

What benefits do users gain? My Thalys World members enjoy immediate benefits, including the ability to make taxi bookings on Thalys.com, a 15% reduction on Europcar rentals and discounts on admission to selected cultural sites for post-work explorations.

Club level (600 to 4,999 points) offers free Thalys Lounge access for you and 4 guests, so you and your team can plan pitches in their bookable meeting rooms. In addition, you can exchange accumulated miles for train tickets to any destination.

At the Club+ level (5000 points), corporate travellers can be prepared for last-minute changes with flexible access to any departure on the same day of their original booking.

Our favourite feature: As a member of My Thalys World, you can give back by donating your loyalty points to the non-profit organisation Secours Populaire Français, which fights poverty and social exclusion.

3. SNCF Grand Voyageur & SNCF Grand Voyageur Le Club

Which train companies does this scheme cover? If you travel on TGV inOUI, TER or Intercités trains, an SNCF rewards card can help you reap many benefits.

What are the different tiers of membership? SNCF has two simple levels in its loyalty programme. Grand Voyageur (1,500 Status Points) and premium Grand Voyageur Le Club.

How can I earn points? Boost your membership and rack up points every time you purchase train tickets over €9 or qualifying cards and passes. The Grand Voyageur loyalty programme lets you earn Prime Points with every booking, which can be used for complimentary tickets, discounts on TGV INOUI services or donated to environmental organisations.

What other benefits come with this loyalty programme? Never stand in a crowded station again. Le Club status gives you access to Grand Voyageur TGV INOUI Lounges so you can send those last-minute emails in peace.

With a host of extra perks, members can book discounted weekend parking with Effia and enjoy reduced AVIS rentals.

Our favourite feature: Users can go straight to their meetings unencumbered thanks to an exclusive 20% discount off luggage service Mes Bagages.

4. Más Renfe

Which countries does Renfe serve? Look no further than Renfe for environmentally conscious travel around Spain. Perfect for organisations looking to expand their customer base across Spain, 10 Renfe Points equal €1.

What makes Renfe a more eco-conscious option? Renfe is Spain's main consumer of renewable electricity, and they have a joint 4-step plan to combat climate change by removing 9.9 million tonnes of Co2 by 2030. Be green and gain further loyalty points when you choose public transport with their programme, Más Renfe.

Can you amass points with other partners? Users can accrue Renfe Points with train bookings, through their partner companies and using the Renfe Mastercard or Renfe American Express card. The American Express card gives users easier access to higher-level benefits, including 5% off AVE and Long Distance tickets.

What are the different membership levels? There are 4 different Más Renfe card tiers, each with numerous additional benefits. The initial level lets you use your points for travel and take advantage of partner offers. Silver gives you a 50% annual ticket discount, Gold enables you and a guest to access exclusive Club Lounges, and Platinum offers 3 upgrades yearly.

Our favourite feature: It doesn't take long to amass enough points to benefit from free travel. Users can get between Madrid and Málaga for just 203 points or from Barcelona to Bilbao for 167 points.

5. DB BahnBonus

Which countries does Deutsche Bahn serve? On top of countrywide services throughout Germany, Deutsche Bahn also offers business travellers the chance to earn points on tickets across Europe. Covering the Netherlands, Sweden and Croatia, to name just a few, this is a great option for corporate trips across the continent.

How does the BahnBonus loyalty programme work? Register with BahnBonus to start collecting bonus and status points whenever you purchase train tickets or BahnCard railcards in Germany. Each €1 spent equals 1 bonus point and 1 status point. Unsurprisingly straightforward, users can access the convenient BahnBonus mobile app to claim benefits relating to their status level and see special bonus campaigns.

What can BahnBonus points be used for? Loyalty points amassed with DB BahnBonus can be used for free etickets, partner vouchers and first-class upgrades. Deutsche Bahn has a long list of partners, from well-known hotels and other transport providers, to Deutsche Bahn's own 100% renewable energy offering, DB Strom.

There are also thoughtful client gift options, like Samsonite luggage, and you can even donate your points to charity!

What are the different status levels? There are three membership tiers Silver (1,500 status points), Gold (2,500 status points) and Platinum (6,000 status points). Each comes with added advantages and discounts to enhance your business travel.

The Gold level also offers users an exclusive seating area.

The Platinum level includes access to DB Lounge's premium spaces and 30% off onboard catering, so you can hit the ground refreshed and ready to go at your destination.

Our favourite feature: All 3 tiers offer great bonuses like an allowance of free drinks on board, DB Lounge access and 30 minutes free on every ride with Call a Bike, so you can be eco-friendly as you nip to a meeting across town.

6. Italo Più

What country does Italo Più cover? For high-speed train travel in Italy, Italo's Più loyalty programme allows you to earn two varieties of perk-reaping points. Italo Più Points for free travel, and Level Points, which provide access to exclusive rewards. Points are earned on every trip, and Level Points are earned when booking a Carnet 10 or Flex fare.

What other perks do Italo Più Points provide? You only need 800 points to claim a free ticket on short routes in Smart or Comfort Ambients, and more will generate free train journeys on longer routes and in higher-class seats.

What levels of membership are there? There are 4 different loyalty levels, ranging from Member to Platinum (6,500+ points). Higher-tier users have benefits, including free seat assignment and Italo Club Lounges access with free WiFi and light refreshments to keep you fueled on the go. Top-tier members get discounted ticket prices and unlimited class upgrades to travel in style, whether you're ending your day in Rome or Rovereto.

How can I boost my points? Multiple business partners make upgrading your membership with Italo Più even easier. Gain points through qualifying accommodation bookings and journeys with Italy-based appTaxi. Plus, you can get points and a 10% discount on Allianz Global Assistance insurance policies and Hertz rental cars internationally.

Our favourite feature: An Italo American Express Credit Card automatically gives you access to Italo Più Premium level benefits and additional bonuses such as Award Tickets for free train travel.

Want to simplify your corporate rail travel?

Whether you are based in Edinburgh or Berlin, there is a train loyalty membership to help corporate travellers level up their rail travel. As an all-in-one platform for business travel, Perk supports all of these loyalty programmes.

Streamline your experience by adding them to our platform when booking your next train trip to boost your points and keep all your membership information in one handy location.

Save money on rail travel for business trips. Request a demo and we’ll show you how