Problem definition.Loyalty programs (LP) introduce a new currency---the points---through which customers transact with firms. Such points represent a promise for future service, and their monetary value thus counts as a liability on the issuing firms' balance sheets. Consequently, adjusting the...

In many industries, firms reward their customers for making referrals. We analyze the optimal policy mix of price, advertising intensity, and referral fee for monopoly when buyers choose to what extent to refer other consumers to the firm. We find that the firm uses its referral fee, but not its...