Big Brands Dive Into Web3: How Lufthansa, Emirates, LG, and Parallel Are Integrating NFTs and Crypto

When most people hear about NFTs and crypto, they likely think of multimillion dollar jpeg sales or volatile Bitcoin prices. But away from the hype and speculation, major brands are starting to explore how these emerging technologies can provide real utility and value for businesses and consumers. Let’s look at some notable examples of household names integrating NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and blockchain in innovative ways.

Lufthansa’s Gamified NFT Loyalty Program

German aviation giant Lufthansa is taking to the skies with NFTs through its new loyalty program called Uptrip. Developed in collaboration with their frequent flyer program Miles & More, Uptrip allows travelers to convert their boarding passes into unique NFT collectibles. By scanning passes in the Uptrip app, users can mint the NFTs on the Polygon blockchain.

Here’s where it gets fun: passengers can then trade and collect these digital boarding pass cards to unlock special rewards and upgrades. Specific combinations of NFTs can be redeemed for additional miles, lounge access, flight upgrades, and elevated frequent flyer status levels. It gamifies the loyalty program by letting travelers actively engage to earn benefits.

For Lufthansa, integrating NFTs provides a captivating new incentive. Over 20,000 users signed up during the initial launch period and over 200,000 NFT boarding passes have been minted already. The airline is smartly tapping into the collector appeal and status symbol potential of NFTs. According to Lufthansa’s Kristian Weymar, a core goal of Uptrip is making NFT adoption accessible for regular consumers.

Emirates Planning NFTs and Crypto Payments

As Lufthansa fires up its NFT loyalty program, rival airline Emirates reveals similar aspirations. Earlier this year, the Dubai-based carrier announced intentions to accept Bitcoin payments and launch its own NFT collectibles. This demonstrates the growing interest in NFT and crypto integration within the aviation industry.

Few details are known yet about Emirates’ specific plans. However, if its program comes to fruition, customers could potentially use Bitcoin to purchase flights, hotels, and other Emirates services. The airline could also offer unique NFTs to members of its Skywards loyalty program, similar to Lufthansa’s Uptrip.

Emirates President Tim Clark commented that emerging technologies like NFTs and the metaverse hold “significant potential” for airlines. Judging from Emirates’ and Lufthansa’s initiatives, more carriers may soon embrace crypto payments, NFT collectibles, and other Web3 technologies as value-generating customer engagement tools.

LG’s NFT Trading TV Concept

Shifting from aviation to consumer tech, LG Electronics is also getting in on the NFT action. In late 2021, the Korean tech firm filed a patent application for a smart TV capable of NFT trading. The documentation was published on the World Intellectual Property Organization’s database in May 2022.

LG’s concept involves a blockchain-based TV that can connect with crypto wallets and NFT marketplaces. On-screen QR codes would enable seamless transactions through a linked wallet. So from the comfort of your couch, you could theoretically bid on and buy sought-after NFTs right on the TV.

This shows that LG envisions practical consumer use cases for integrating NFT technology into existing products. And what better fit than a TV for trading digital collectibles and artwork? Of course, the patent filing doesn’t guarantee this NFT TV will ever ship as an actual product. But clearly LG is exploring how the blockchain, crypto payments, and NFTs could enhance the capabilities of its smart TV portfolio.

Parallel Transforming Trading Cards into NFTs

Gaming is another realm where NFT adoption thrives. Parallel, a sci-fi-themed online trading card game, demonstrates the powerful combination of digital collectibles with interactive gameplay.

In Parallel’s vividly imagined future setting, players battle with beautifully animated cards representing warriors, technologies, and abilities from rival factions. But unlike traditional trading card games, the cards in Parallel are minted as NFTs on the blockchain. You truly own your cards, and can buy, sell, and trade them just like digital art and other collectibles.

This provides an exhilarating stakes-elevating twist to the game. Because the cards hold tangible value, there’s added thrill around collecting rare and powerful ones. According to DappRadar, Parallel has amassed an incredible $150 million trading volume – making it one of the top NFT projects out there. The recent launch of Parallel’s closed beta provides a playable glimpse into the future of immersive blockchain gaming.

For creators wanting to explore play-to-earn gaming, Parallel illustrates how NFTs can massively expand possibilities. Players are incentivized to participate and trade cards to gain income, while the open marketplace dynamic keeps overall engagement high.

Practical Potential of Web3

While NFTs and crypto remain controversial in some circles, Lufthansa, Emirates, LG, and Parallel show how these tools unlock practical consumer and business benefits:

Lufthansa’s Uptrip indicates how NFTs can incentivize customer loyalty and gamify reward programs.
Emirates highlights the ability for cryptocurrency payments to open new revenue streams.
LG’s patent explores user-friendly NFT trading experiences through emerging hardware.
Parallel demonstrates how NFTs make digital items provably scarce, tradeable, and valuable.

Each brand applies NFT, crypto, or blockchain technology to enhance real-world utility that provides tangible value. As more companies recognize these benefits, mainstream adoption will accelerate.

The speculative mania around things like $500,000 cartoon apes may eventually fizzle. But for forward-thinking firms, the practical integration of Web3 tools into products, services, and experiences has only just begun.