On 8 July 2026, Aaron Wong (BAcc 2013), Founder of The MileLion, joined moderator Jocelyn Yeo (BBM 2024) for a lively fireside chat on the evolving world of payments, miles and rewards.
The session explored how miles and rewards have grown from a niche interest into a mainstream strategy, influencing not only how consumers spend and travel, but also how banks, fintechs and payment networks design their products and compete for that coveted “top-of-wallet” position.
Moving from industry trends and product design to practical tips for making the most of miles and rewards, Aaron shared his perspectives on the changing landscape of card rewards and loyalty programmes, the thinking behind miles strategies, and how payments, points and partnerships can influence customer behaviour. For those working in payments, the discussion also offered a closer look at what increasingly informed and rewards-savvy customers expect from the products they use.
Our alumni came ready with plenty of thoughtful questions, keeping Aaron, our “walking miles dictionary”, on his toes and taking the discussion well beyond the scheduled session.
We thank Aaron for generously sharing his expertise, experiences and candid reflections, Jocelyn for steering the lively exchange, and everyone who joined us and contributed their questions and perspectives.
Interested in future industry conversations and meeting fellow alumni in the payments industry? Keep a lookout for upcoming events. To find out more about joining the SMU Payments Alumni Group, email alumni@smu.edu.sg.
