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6 ways to launch a successful loyalty program in the travel industry

7 minutes to read

Why should you consider implementing innovative loyalty campaigns in the travel industry?

1. use loyalty points to create memorable experiences with your brand, 2. reward all referral engagement with your brand, 3. offer discounts for other brands - partner up with hotels and restaurants, 4. launch customer loyalty programs for multiple buyer personas, 5. appeal to your customers' values and sense of worth, 6. reward loyal customers based on their spend, key takeaways for the travel industry, faqs on loyalty in the travel industry.

The tourism sector has become a fiercely competitive landscape, with a substantial increase in new customers in all its industries such as airline companies, hospitality businesses, and travel insurance companies.

The dynamic nature of this sector has led to increased flexibility in loyalty and reward program offerings that is influential in retaining customers.

However, the multifaceted nature of loyalty and reward programs can, sometimes, make it difficult to connect with your customers on an emotional level or increase customer retention in the long run.

As a result, attracting and retaining loyal customers in the travel sector has become a continuously developing process that goes beyond discounted and non-monetary rewards.

In a nutshell, innovative loyalty campaigns can:

Boost the revenue of your business

Increase customer retention

Encourage purchase frequency

Gain new customers

Boost customer satisfaction

Add higher lifetime value

84% of consumers are more drawn to a brand that offers a loyalty program and 66 % of customers mention the ability to gain rewards influences their spending behaviour. - Nielsen

Whether you are starting from scratch or updating your existing loyalty programs, we share 6 creative ways that can guide you through a successful and unique loyalty program.

Especially in the travel industry, you have to build an emotional connection between unconventional elements that satisfy and encourage your customers to choose and stay loyal to your brand.

Your target audience is very diverse, and your aim is to add customer value to each travel experience and to each target audience.

This is a perfect way to build your company as a true brand ambassador.

Example: When your customers book a flight, offer them loyalty points that can be redeemed over a specific period of time, and can ensure them a bigger discount on a trip to a different destination of their choice.

Sponsoring a trip to a different place can seem like a big investment at the beginning, but the loyalty of your customers will pay off in the long run.

Loyalty programs and friend referrals go hand in hand in the travel sector.

There must be a continuous innovation process for the creation and implementation of loyalty campaigns to break through the highly competitive landscape in the travel industry, and to attract and retain loyal customers.

Referral programs can be implemented in various creative ways.

Think of social media referrals, influencer referrals or mobile referral programs.

In this article , you can find some inspiring ideas to design your referral campaigns.

A great way to boost customer loyalty is to reward all engagement activities like social media shares.

Make joining your brand a breeze and think of using social media channels like Facebook and Instagram for the sign-in.

Reward each share of the referrers on social media channels with a 15% discount on the next purchase.

76% of travelers decide on their travel destination and the services they use based on their friends recommendations. - Hospitalitynet

Example: Let each customer invite 5-10 friends per year on social media channels and reward the referrer with 2,000 points.

You can also give 1,000 bonus points or a 25% discount if a customer stays at a hotel you partner with for two or three more days.

If you own a hotel, you can encourage repeat visits and gain new customers if the existing customers refer 5 friends the first 7 days.

Reward the referrers with 2,000 points for their next visit to your hotel.

Think creatively and implement loyalty campaigns with the most powerful API-based promotion platform .

Partnering with other brands in the travel sector means both parties are able to significantly increase the value customers get out of their loyalty program.

Customers can earn points and discounts for other frequently used services.

Example: You can partner up with hotels that offer a free night for the next holiday, if the customer has already collected 15,000 points.

Or offer a 25% discount for the whole hotel stay for 20,000 points accumulated.

Forget about one-size-fits-all loyalty marketing campaigns in the travel industry.

Build your customer loyalty programs in a strategic manner that targets multiple buyer personas.

That way, you can increase customer retention, and improve customer satisfaction which in the long run leads to increased business revenue.

Millennials tend to go on weekend trips more often during the year than other customer targets, who prefer planning full week holidays instead.

: Hospitalitynet

68% will remain loyal to a program that offers them the most rewards like cash/freebies, upgrades, discounts. - Hospitalitynet

Embrace spontaneity and implement flash sales on airline tickets, time-limited discounts and hotel deals for one-night-only, as well as last-minute ticket sales for different destinations.

An innovative and creative loyalty program takes the focus away from “pushing” the customers to spend more.

The re-centered goal is to create meaningful value for customers.

Be authentic when you create loyalty campaigns for your brand! When your customers purchase a flight ticket or book a room at your hotel, consider offering them the possibility to become a temporary or a lifetime member of a sports club or camp in the area they travel to.

Example: For a one-time price, they can participate in group hiking trips, biking tours, adventure classes, or can get expert advice on particular trails.

In the long run, your new customers can become repeat customers which will increase your business revenue.

In this way, your brand shows that you cultivate values beyond ordinary purchases that your customers actually resonate with.

Another great way to customize unique loyalty programs is to go beyond monetary incentives that can make a real difference on a global scale.

You can donate a percentage of the flight ticket your customer buys to international organizations that tackle various social inequalities or even give your customers the choice of charity on your platform.

With Talon.One , you can easily implement a loyalty campaign that also embraces social causes.

How do you reward different spending groups in the travel industry?

Rewarding your customers based on their spend will establish their loyalty to your travel brand in the long run.

A welcome voucher or a discount sets the tone for a new customer to join your airline company, for instance.

After this, rewards should keep flowing for the customer to become a repeat customer, and eventually a VIP customer.

Understanding your customer is table stakes.

Tip : Offer your VIP customers more loyalty points for each ticket purchase together with other exclusive perks like free gifts in partnership with other brands that can satisfy your customers needs.

Example: Think, for instance, of offering 3,000 points for a flight ticket purchase to your VIP customers and a free gift in partnership with a retail brand that sells sports apparel.

Members can get access to more rewards when they spend different amounts within specified levels.

This will encourage high-spenders to come back to your brand and purchase more which guarantees a sustainable brand loyalty program.

Curated experiences build a stronger bond between your customers and your brand.

In this white paper, you can read about the most common loyalty program types that can suit the needs of your business model.

Given the fiercely competitive landscape in the travel industry, you should provide that extra value to customers that motivates them to choose your brand over your competitors and plant innovative incentives throughout their journey that help you earn their loyalty in the long term. That way, you can turn the tables.

Check out our " Loyalty in the travel and hospitality industry " to delve into the significance of promotions and rewards in nurturing customer loyalty and boosting profits.

How do loyalty campaigns in the travel industry specifically address the challenge of connecting with customers on an emotional level?

Loyalty campaigns in the travel industry often focus on creating emotional connections with customers by offering experiential rewards that go beyond traditional discounts or points. These campaigns aim to appeal to travelers' desire for memorable experiences by providing access to unique activities, exclusive events, or personalized services that resonate with their interests and values.

What strategies can travel businesses implement to tailor loyalty programs to different buyer personas and demographics, considering the diverse needs and preferences of travelers?

Travel businesses can tailor loyalty programs to different buyer personas and demographics by segmenting their customer base and customizing rewards and incentives accordingly. This may involve offering specialized perks or discounts based on factors such as travel frequency, destination preferences, or travel style (e.g., leisure travelers vs. business travelers). By understanding the diverse needs and preferences of travelers, businesses can create targeted loyalty programs that cater to specific segments of their customer base, thereby enhancing engagement and satisfaction.

Can you provide insights into how loyalty programs in the travel industry leverage innovative approaches to stand out in the highly competitive landscape and foster long-term customer loyalty beyond conventional rewards?

Loyalty programs in the travel industry leverage innovative approaches to stand out in the competitive landscape and foster long-term customer loyalty by incorporating experiential rewards, strategic partnerships, and digital enhancements. For example, some programs offer access to unique travel experiences, partnerships with local businesses for exclusive discounts, or digital features such as mobile apps for seamless booking and rewards redemption. By continuously innovating and adapting to evolving customer expectations, these loyalty programs differentiate themselves from competitors and create lasting connections with travelers, ultimately driving repeat business and brand loyalty.

Loyalty in the travel and hospitality industry

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Choosing the Best Loyalty Programs for You in 2024

Here are the best ways to get rewarded by airlines, hotels—even credit card companies—this year..

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Airline and hotel loyalty programs are free to join, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by signing up.

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A new year means new opportunities to rack up points and acquire elite status in the myriad loyalty programs of the travel industry. Whether you’re new to the game in 2024 or simply looking to switch your brand allegiance, there’s plenty of good news. Despite a trend of more stringent elite qualifications and the overall inflation of points and miles, select programs still reward travelers with plenty of perks, points, and VIP benefits. Here are the top travel loyalty programs to consider joining in 2024—and some tips on how to get started.

Important basics of loyalty programs

The first thing to know about airline and hotel loyalty programs is that they are free to join, meaning you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by signing up. Points and miles expire in some programs but not all—so in many cases they can lie dormant in an account for extended periods. It’s a myth that you can’t belong to multiple loyalty programs. You can—and you should!—belong to numerous ones, including international programs. For example, I am a huge fan of the Air France/KLM Flying Blue program and Air Canada’s Aeroplan program. If you plan to join multiple programs, it’s a good idea to track points and miles in a single spreadsheet or use an app such as AwardWallet , which tracks the balances of your loyalty programs in a single place.

For those looking to attain elite status, note that qualification years for elite programs vary among hotel and airline programs. For hotel programs, the elite status qualification year follows the calendar year (i.e., January 1 to December 31). This is also true for the airline loyalty programs of Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. But the elite qualification year for Delta runs from February 1 to January 31, and for American Airlines from March 1 to February 28. Additionally, if you earn elite status in one qualifying year for any of these programs, it will extend for the rest of that year and through the entire next qualifying year.

In many cases getting a cobranded credit card boosts your points balance for a specific airline or hotel group and offers options for achieving elite status faster. Getting a general travel credit card can also lead to significant points accrual plus the freedom to transfer points to multiple hotel and airline programs.

Finally, all points and miles aren’t created equal. Points and miles of every program should be viewed as different currencies. Just as the U.S. dollar, the Mexican peso, and the Euro carry different values, so do the points and miles of, say, American Airlines, United, and Delta.

Choosing a hotel loyalty program

Of the four big hotel loyalty programs —Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, and World of Hyatt— Marriott Bonvoy is the biggest, but not necessarily the best. It’s great if you can achieve Platinum Elite status or higher, but that requires staying at Marriott Bonvoy hotels a minimum of 50 nights per year. Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at about one cent each (i.e., 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points typically covers a hotel valued at $500). Also, Marriott Bonvoy charges taxes and resort fees on award bookings. Loyalty program newcomers or those who have been at the points game only a few years should instead consider World of Hyatt or Hilton Honors.

World of Hyatt is the most highly regarded hotel loyalty program in the world of points and miles because its points are the most valuable of any hotel or airline loyalty program. Thanks to World of Hyatt’s fixed, published award chart—versus the dynamic pricing of competitors—it’s not uncommon to score an award booking for which points are valued more than two to three cents apiece. For example, I successfully booked the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme for 40,000 points per night for an April 2024 stay (versus €1,450 per night), yielding a points value of more three cents per point. World of Hyatt also rewards travelers as they climb the elite ladder with Milestone Rewards , and its top status, Globalist, requires only 60 nights per year. (To give you some perspective, Marriott’s top status, Ambassador Elite, requires more than 100 nights per year and more than $23,000 of qualifying spend per year.) World of Hyatt waives taxes and resort fees on award bookings, which can amount to significant savings, especially at posh beachfront properties.

If you don’t feel like working (or booking overnights) for elite status in 2024, fast-track to Gold or top-tier Diamond status with Hilton Honors by getting one of its cobranded credit cards. While most hotel cards give you an elite bump, Hilton goes all out, granting top Diamond elite status to those who have the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card or Gold status with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card . These cards often carry welcome offers of more than 150,000 bonus points, which is enough to experience several free nights to test out elite status. Another fast track to hotel elite status is through The Platinum Card® from American Express . Just by being a card member, you’ll be granted Gold status in Hilton Honors and Gold status in Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).

Choosing an airline loyalty program

In the past few years, much has changed within the loyalty programs of the “big four” domestic airlines in the United States: American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines. (They collectively account for 74 percent of U.S. airline seats sold per year.)

A lot of attention has been given to the unpopular modifications Delta recently made to its SkyMiles program . However, United made comparable changes in previous years—it just happened to be better timed and thus flew under the radar. Even considering Delta’s elite status qualification changes, Delta’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum statuses are still easier to achieve than similar tiers on United in 2024. Since both Delta and United’s elite statuses remain tied to spending requirements with each airline, they’re sure to remain popular among business travelers whose companies are paying for their tickets.

But if you are trying to get status on your own dime, status with American Airlines is easier to achieve. Why? Elite status on American Airlines is based on Loyalty Points, which can be accrued in so many ways beyond flying. With American’s shopping, dining, hotel, and event platforms, it’s easy to rack up Loyalty Points. Plus, all purchases using the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard count as Loyalty Points (at a rate of one point per dollar spent), and 10,000-point bonuses are awarded after hitting 40,000 Loyalty Points and 90,000 Loyalty Points levels in a membership year. Personally, I was able to earn 77,404 Loyalty Points in the last quarter of 2023 alone, and I’m now looking at top-rung Executive Platinum status for 2024, even though I flew only three times on American in 2023.

Then there’s Southwest, which made elite status easier to earn in 2024 compared to 2023. However, elite status on Southwest is separate from Companion Pass status; and since Southwest already gives free bags and does not have class differences, it makes elite status changes a bit of a non-event. For those who do seek elite status, here’s what you’ll get: A-List perks include same-day flight change and same-day standby benefits, priority lanes, and a dedicated phone line. A-List Preferred benefits are the same as A-List’s, plus two drinks per flight, free internet, and 100 percent bonus points on flights.

In general, if you live near a hub for a specific airline, it might make sense for you to attempt to earn elite status with that airline (like Delta in Atlanta or United in Denver). The catch, however, is that with so many people using that strategy, you’ll probably never get upgraded in a hub city if you have a lower-tier elite status (as you’ll be competing with so many fliers with higher status).

Going beyond airline and hotel loyalty programs

Points programs through credit card companies can also be considered loyalty programs—and they’re the most straightforward. You are part of the loyalty program just by having the card—no elite ladder to climb. The best examples are the travel credit cards from American Express, Chase, and Capital One, all of which have their own respective rewards programs. You earn based on your spending and often score bonus points in specific categories. These credit card rewards programs partner with hotel and airline loyalty programs so that you can transfer your credit card points to select hotels and airlines. Moreover, these credit cards function as loyalty programs do: Cardholders have access to VIP events and elite-like offerings given through proprietary booking engines. To get these perks—plus welcome offers and other benefits such as generous statement credits—consider applying for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , Chase Sapphire Reserve® , or The Platinum Card® from American Express .

While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.

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Creating a Travel Rewards Program: 7 Easy Tips to Follow

By following these 7 surefire tips for your travel rewards program, winning back travelers’ hearts and loyalty has never been easier!

It’s hard to argue, but the travel industry has been through some rough years. Compared to 2019, there have been more than 1 billion fewer international arrivals , prompting many railway companies and airlines to reevaluate their strategies. And, even though both domestic and international travel is predicted to make a comeback , the seeds of tomorrow must be sown today! The current market environment presents multiple opportunities to build loyalty among aspiring travelers so that when the industry recovers, they can become valuable customers. And what better way to do it than with a travel rewards program?

In this guide, we’ll showcase not only the best courses of action for companies to take if they wish to have an enticing travel loyalty program, but also the various features and technologies required for success. So strap in and take flight!

Looking to create your own loyalty program? Download our handy concept-building worksheet that will guide you through the most important steps!

Key Takeaways – TL; DR

• There is a forecasted growth of vacation-goers both domestically and internationally
• Travel rewards programs need to disrupt the industry, just like they did in the 80’s
• Some of the emerging opportunities include streamlined enrollments and more emphasis on privileges and special treatment
• Setting up scoalitions and using partner rewards can unlock new horizons
• Being innovative might require a full revamp and a rethinking of the core concept

Table of Contents

What is a travel rewards program.

Travel rewards programs are a catch-all term for the loyalty programs run by various travel businesses, including frequent flyer programs, railway loyalty programs, travel agency reward systems and cruise line reward programs, just to name a few. The goal of a travel rewards program is to provide extra incentives for customers to travel with a specific brand. Loyalty programs usually allow members to travel for lower fees based on the number ‘miles’ or points the member has collected. Access to VIP lounges, complimentary drinks and upgrades to baggage allowance are also common perks in these rewards programs.

The travel industry’s recovery has been uneven and sporadic. Economic concerns are taking center stage just as many travel brands prepare to end their elite status extensions. Traveler loyalty is up for grabs and we should expect to see the fight for share of travel wallet intensify. Travel brands will need to meet the twin challenges of retaining the loyalty of returning travelers as well as competing to acquire new customers. There has never been a better time for travel brands to know more about their customers.

Steve Arsenault

Industry Strategist at  Acxiom

The Recent Shift in the Landscape of Travel Loyalty Programs

Even though reward programs have been around in some capacity since the 1700s, loyalty programs as we know them were born around 1981, with the introduction of the American Airlines frequent flyer program. The AAdvantage loyalty program initiated a transformation of the loyalty market, as many similar companies introduced their own solutions.

This, however, led to oversaturation within the travel industry, and it became very difficult for newcomers to stand out with their rewards programs, while long-standing brands aimed to increase revenue yield instead of innovating their existing programs.

For so long, frequent flier programs were specifically tied to business travelers. We know it will take a while before FFPs get back to normal. There were far fewer miles earned on flight and travel activities in the last year. So, one of the business problems to solve for travel and hospitality brands is how to keep members engaged when loyalty programs aren’t top of mind. Earn and burn of their currencies via online commerce partners will play an enormously large role in this field, in combination with travel programs also becoming important players in the payment space.

Chief Commercial Officer at  Loylogic

All of this changed after the pandemic , which sort of de-escalated travel rewards programs to an earlier lifecycle stage. Right now, instead of a steady number of avid travelers, there’s a predicted boom of vacationers , which will prove to be a retention challenge, just like in the old days. And for savvy travel businesses, this can be an opportunity to become industry trailblazers and set a new course for the vertical, just like American Airlines did.

The Biggest Challenges for Travel Rewards Programs

In the post-Covid era, ‘old-school’ travel rewards have lost their appeal in large part because the concept is no longer sustainable. According to a report by Arrivia, only 42% of people used their rewards to lower the cost of a trip. This most likely stems from the fact that there are fewer frequent flyers overall. In other words, if people travel less, they won’t accumulate enough ‘miles’ to reap the full benefits of a travel loyalty program.

As COVID-19 derailed travel plans across the world, companies have to adopt their marketing strategy. There are three tips for travel businesses who are looking to build long-lasting loyalty. First, they have to stay in touch with their customers wherever they’ve opted in to receive marketing communications.  Omnichannel  marketing is essential in today’s market. Secondly, they should show that they understand their customers by accurately predicting the customer journeys and keeping the brand top of customers’ minds. Lastly, they need to capture customer feedback.  Zero-party data  is necessary data that should be collected whenever possible.

Carl Bleich

Head of Content at  Bloomreach

Another noteworthy highlight of Arrivia’s survey is that only 49% of customers say earning points on bookings is important, meaning that half of the intended audience isn’t engaged by the traditional point system that has been around in the industry since 1981. The fact that 51% of travelers are looking for more than transactional (hard) benefits, can be perceived as a positive, though, as it opens up plenty of room for experimenting with more experiential, privilege-driven rewards.

For travel brands, it’s important to understand individual customers’ travel preferences and deliver experiences that match those preferences. To develop a rewards program that builds long-lasting loyalty, teams need to be able to access a single view of the customer and to use that data to power individual-level offers in real time. To be successful, it’s critical to invest in tooling that allows you to understand customer needs and orchestrate tailored loyalty experiences based on that information.

Joey Colvin

Team Manager, Content Marketing and Strategy at  mParticle

7 Tips To Seize New Opportunities With Your Travel Loyalty Program

One big reason to come up with a new, innovative concept for your travel rewards program is that the industry has, slowly but steadily, started to regenerate . So there’s no time to waste, because once tourism is back in full swing it will be too late to think about new retention strategies.

Times have never been more challenging and yet potentially rewarding for brand loyalty marketing in the travel industry. While consumers are longing to reinvigorate travel bookings after 2 years of pandemic withdrawal, inflationary cost pressures create new uncertainties and tendencies towards lower-priced white-label brands, particularly for volume market providers. Two key factors are fit to make brands come as loyalty winners out of the crisis: First, an alignment of values with their top customers creates a sense of community and deeper emotional connections. Second, an altered or decreased share of wallet in these challenging times should not disregard customer lifetime value and inherent loyalty strength of your brand lovers.

Lars Formanek

Strategy Consultant, EMEA at  Acxiom

To help you get a head start on customer loyalty, we have 7 innovative tips on how to make sure your travel reward program flies higher than the competition’s.

Tip #1: Shake Up Your Value Proposition

It’s important to highlight that you don’t have to completely reinvent the wheel with your loyalty program. Simply shake things up a bit. For instance, completely abandoning the ‘miles’ system might be risky, as many customers expect a way to reduce their costs, even if they don’t make full use of the system.

Instead, strive to place the emphasis on new program elements and program types, such as:

• All-inclusive perks
• Gamified challenges and badges
• Community-driven benefits
• Lifestyle rewards

Mixing existing program elements with new ones would naturally lead to a hybrid-style loyalty program , which is the best solution if you are looking to cover a wide variety of KPIs.

When dealing with a more complex rewards program, make the value proposition as clear as possible, because if the program is convoluted or the rules and earning method aren’t explained well, customers will be more likely to switch to the competition.

Include a go-green element in the loyalty program design. As travellers are travelling with vengeance now, and the push for sustainability is getting stronger, brands that incentivise their members for environmentally friendly behaviour will stand out from the rest. Just think about Etihad’s Conscious Choices program.

Henry Christian

Head of Brand and Engagement Marketing at  GoTo Group Loyalty

Tip #2: Ditch the Overly Long Registration Process

To this day, many travelers are unwilling to enroll in a travel loyalty program (especially while at the airport or railway station) because they assume it will take ages. But advances in loyalty programs mean the registration process only takes a couple of minutes nowadays, and can be done online.

People travel for different purposes. Understanding the customer’s travel objective is very important for travel brands to design personalized rewards programs to meet all kinds of preferences. In order to achieve that, travel brands need to understand their customers and segment them into different “interest groups”. Offer something to each person as if you knew them personally, like an old friend. Creating an emotional connection between customers and brands is the key to winning their hearts in the long run.

Strategic Alliance and Partnership Manager at Infobip

Nevertheless, the key to boosting acquisition numbers for a loyalty program is to make the enrollment process as quick and seamless as possible. The rule of thumb is to ask as few questions as possible during the registration, and keep detailed inquiries for later. Then, once members have enrolled, offer them a small reward, like bonus miles or a one-time freebie, in exchange for completing a lengthier questionnaire in their customer profile, where you can ask everything, down to whether they prefer a seat next to a window.

Tip #3: Experiences Are More Important Than Ever

All it takes is one negative experience to turn a customer away. That’s especially true today — news travels faster than ever in the age of social media. That means that a poor experience can cause you to lose not one, but several potential customers. That’s why experiences and long-term engagement in loyalty programs are so important.

Because sustainability has become increasingly important to the consumer, price sensitivity of those consumers has diminished as they understand sustainability comes at a price. That brings extra complexity to companies in the travel industry trying to survive. We expect that the industries’ focus will therefore shift even more from transactional to emotional Loyalty Marketing Strategy to increase CX.

Léon Huyben

Loyalty Consultant at  Emakina

When someone is part of a loyalty program, having access to various benefits makes them less likely to view a bad experience as a net negative. Of course, it’s still possible that they say “I’ll spend all my miles on my next trip, and I’m out”. To avoid this, think long-term and offer tiers : the more time and effort a member spends in achieving a tier level, the more reluctant they will be to switch to another program, as it would mean they’d have to start all over.

Tip #4: Place More Emphasis on Soft Benefits, Privileges & Members-Only Content

Earlier we discussed Arrivia’s findings , where 49% of participants claimed that earning points on booking was important. So what kind of reward systems should you offer for the remaining 51%?

Many travel reward programs — especially airline loyalty programs — have been utilizing soft benefits, like access to VIP lounges, waitlist priorities, complimentary seat selection, free Wifi access and free drinks, for decades now. Placing emphasis on these benefits and giving members a straightforward way to earn them, would definitely improve travelers’ overall experience.

Here are a few ideas:

• Spin the prize wheel to win one-time priority access to all services at the airport
• Create a perks program where low-value privileges, like lounge access and priority service, are available for all members, but they need to join a paid VIP club for more valuable benefits
• Gear the reward experience around exclusive content, like guides on how to make the most out of a vacation in a specific region, or a behind-the-scenes look at luxury travel properties

Tip #5: Expand Your Horizons With Partner Rewards

Partnerships and partner rewards have always been the backbone of travel rewards programs. By creating a joint proposition with hotels or car rental services , program members could earn miles and use discounts when booking accommodation. Similarly, partnering with credit card companies or financial institutions for a joint offer (booking flights with a specific card type or applying for a special type of insurance) is predicted to be a key partnership for both industries .

As life returns to a ‘new normal’, loyalty marketers in travel will need to re-assess whether their programme matches these new customer needs. A good place to start for everyone is identifying what type of customers you have in your active base, understanding their needs and wants, and matching these to your reward portfolio. Adding value to members’ lives more broadly is also going to be an important feature in the travel industry moving forward. This value-add can come in the form of brand partnerships, enhancing their experience on the journey, or during those key pre and post-travel moments.

Abigayle Blanshard

Senior Strategist at  Mando-Connect

This mutually beneficial relationship should definitely be nurtured, but running a creative partner rewards program requires a flexible and modernized back-end. Travel brands who are in the process of digitalizing should seek out pure-play loyalty management platforms because they are specialized in flexible program management and engaging reward journeys — even across multiple brands.

For instance, the future of partner rewards can be a journey where booking a ticket at an airline company could unlock a discount for a specific product in an airport store (based on the member’s preferences). If the customer carries through and redeems the offer, they will unlock a new deal for a one-time free spa visit in the hotel of their choosing, and so on.

Tip #6: Bring Together Multiple Brands Under a Coalition

Although partnerships are an important aspect of travel loyalty programs, when it comes to the true coalition loyalty structure , it’s more recommended for airports, railway companies, or any other travel business with a heavy retail presence.

Modern coalition loyalty programs would allow these businesses to directly involve tenant brands in the loyalty program and create enticing cross-brand reward campaigns, while maintaining control over the program itself. However, remember that coalition programs are a delicate balancing act, and require a loyalty technology that offers these capabilities:

• The ability to manage the clearing and settlement of tenant brands
• Extended reporting capabilities
• Tenant and offer management features
• Ways to enroll and track guest customers

Tip #7: Don’t Be Afraid to Revamp

With all these features and strategies in mind, you might be wondering whether you should revamp your existing loyalty program . Though this is a tough decision, which may require a lot of internal discussion, what we know is that, across the globe, 8 out of 10 companies with an existing loyalty program plan to revamp their existing loyalty program within the next three years — according to our Global Customer Loyalty Report 2023 .

Though the report is based on a cross-industry survey, it was a clear takeaway that, following the pandemic, there are many reasons — other than dissatisfaction — to want to revamp a loyalty program. Many organizations seek to upgrade their rewards program in order to keep things innovative by adding new features, such as gamification. As such, revamping your travel rewards program could be the missing piece required to keep customers engaged — even while travel is still down.

5 Noteworthy Travel Rewards Program Examples

In order to give you a broader perspective about the current state of travel reward programs, here are five travel loyalty program examples from bus, railway, airline and airport companies, and the reasons they are considered noteworthy.

1. Carnival – VIFP Club

International cruise line Carnival calls its loyalty program ‘Very Important Fun Person Club’ for a reason: they don’t let convoluted and complex reward rules stand in the way of people’s fun. Therefore, the program is based on an easy-to-understand tiered system that incentivizes seafarers to keep choosing Carnival.

• There are five tiers in total, and customers can earn points for each day spent on cruises
• Customers qualify for the second tier on their second cruise vacation, but the remaining tiers require a given number of points
• High-tier benefits include a one-time free cabin upgrade, guaranteed seating during dinners, priority debarkation, and one-time free entry to the casino tournaments.

Why it works:

• The program is straightforward and easy to understand
• Carnival aims for long-term engagement and repeat bookings with its tiers
• There are some benefits even on lower tiers
• High-end rewards are all privilege-based

2. Emirates Skywards

Emirates is the fourth-largest airline in the world (and the largest in the Middle East) and offers some of the most elite flight experiences out there, coupled with a loyalty program that rewards travelers with both high and low lifetime value.

• Miles can be earned through booking flights at Emirates or over 15 partner airlines, or by pooling it together in a family account
• The Miles earned with each flight are determined by the route, fare type, class of travel, as well as the member’s current tier
• There’s a huge assortment of rewards, from free tickets to partner rewards and tiered privileges, like waitlist priority
• Emirates offers plenty of ways to earn points, accommodating a wide variety of travelers
• The reward list is extensive, ensuring that everyone can find incentives they like
• The optional  subscription-based club  offers further perks for travelers determined to make the most out of their membership

3. Priceline VIP

Online travel agency Priceline introduced a free travel rewards program that helps travelers rack up more and more benefits (both financial and VIP privileges), no matter whether members book hotels, cars, flights, hotels or cruises.

• There are four tiers in total and members instantly qualify for the first one upon enrollment
• Customers can reach higher tiers by making a set number of bookings or by being a Priceline Rewards credit card holder
• Rewards include discounts on specific booking types, priority booking, and the Best Price Guarantee.
• There is a huge selection of financial benefits to choose from
• It’s very convenient to level up, because customer can earn points through a variety of booking options
• Reward-hungry members can skip right to the third level by signing up for the loyalty program’s credit card

4. SNCF Connect – My Thalys World

One of the most recognized railway loyalty programs out there belongs to the national railway company of France, Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF). The program, My Thalys World , is open to everyone using the company’s service.

• The program has two types of currencies: member points, which counts towards reaching new tiers, and Miles, which are awarded after each €1 spent
• There are three tier levels; higher tier levels boost the number of Miles members get for traveling
• Miles can be spent on Thalys experiences, Thalys discounts or tickets, museum tickets, and gifts.
• Higher tiers boost the number of Miles earned, which leads to more value for less money for loyal travelers
• The tiered benefits are heavily privilege-driven, increasing the comfort and traveling experience for high-tier members
• Partner rewards, like giftcards and museum tickets, adds more variety to the rewards selection

5. Auckland Airport – Strata Club

Travelers at New Zealand’s Auckland Airport are in for a treat if they decide to join the company’s loyalty program, the Strata Club . It’s a hybrid-style program, mixing earn & burn , tiered, and coalition program elements.

• Booking parking tickets and shopping online at any airport shop grants members points
• Points can be turned into discounts for parking or at any partner shop
• There are four tiers, which are based on overall spend instead of points, that offer benefits like free drinks or parking upgrades
• The loyalty program is part of the Auckland Airport app, which can be used for identification at airport stores
• The loyalty program and airport app are tied together to boost adaptability and encourage members to frequently use the app
• Parking is a crucial point for travelers, and the loyalty program heavily emphasizes it
• Digital loyalty cards are far more convenient for customers to keep and use than traditional plastic cards

It’s Time to Take Off With Your Travel Rewards Program

Travel loyalty programs have a long and rich history, but they have arrived at a turning point, where they need to start innovating and look for uncharted paths in customer engagement. Here at Antavo, we specialize in enterprise-level loyalty technology that helps you unlock new opportunities and create never-before-seen reward campaigns. So start a discussion with our top experts by booking a demo or sending us an RFP .

Feeling ready to start brainstorming a concept for your new travel rewards program? Download our handy concept-building worksheet that will guide you through the most important steps.

Andy is the CSO and Co-founder of Antavo. He is a natural-born helper who takes the time to understand prospects’ unique business needs and is always ready to pick up the phone. He supports Antavo’s clients in finding a loyalty solution that best fits their business.

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How to build buzz-making brand loyalty programs.

Enhance customer engagement and word-of-mouth by creating brand loyalty programs that offer benefits members won’t be able to resist.

Emirates Loyalty Program: Skywards and Higher!

Do you wish to know more about the loyalty program of the largest airline in the Middle East? Find out in our Emirates loyalty program review!

Loyalty Program Strategies in Times of Crisis: An Ultimate Guide

Crisis situations change the way customers shop. Let’s see what loyalty program strategies can help brands adapt to challenging times.

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Travel Codex

Your Resource for Better Travel

Which Online Travel Agency Has the Best Rewards Program?

Hotels.com Rewards

Hotels.com Rewards  remains the simplest program despite the change in name (formerly “Welcome Rewards”). Book 10 nights and you get one night free. The value of that one night is the average of your 10 qualifying nights. It is an effective 10% rebate.

If you want to redeem at a hotel that costs more than your free night, you can pay the difference in cash rather than compromise on a cheaper property. If you do pick a cheaper hotel, your rebate from past stays will be less than 10%.

Orbitz Rewards

Orbitz customers earn “Orbucks” that are essentially dollar-value credits for future purchases from Orbitz. The key highlights are 5% back on hotels booked through the mobile app, 3% back on hotels booked on a personal computer, and 1% back on flights.

Although you can use the Orbitz Rewards Visa to earn additional rewards, it’s not necessary to participate in the program. The credit card earns an additional 5% rewards on purchases from Orbitz and 2% everywhere else, making it lucrative as long as you don’t mind redeeming those credit card rewards through Orbitz.

Expedia+ Rewards

Expedia+ Rewards promises that you’ll earn at least 2 points per dollar on hotels or packages that include a hotel, and 1 point per $5 on flights (effectively 0.2 points per dollar; that’s a 10-fold difference between earning rates on flights and hotels). If you’re a frequent customer, you can earn even more.

What are these points worth? Get a $50 hotel coupon for 7,000 points or a $50 flight coupon for 8,000 points . Because the rewards are lower with flights, and because you have to cover the entire ticket cost with points — potentially leaving credit unused — I don’t recommend it. However you earn your points, redeem them on hotels. With this assumption, the effective return is 1.42% back on hotel reservations and 0.14% back on flights.

If you get the new Expedia Rewards credit card from Citi, you can earn up to an additional 4 points per dollar on everything at Expedia, 1-2 points elsewhere, and instant status with Expedia+. With this factored in the effective return improves to 8.57% on hotel reservations or 3% on flights.

What Expedia+ really delivers are the features of a traditional loyalty program, with three tiers of status and a variety of benefits at a network of hotels they’ve assembled themselves.

Priceline Rewards

Priceline doesn’t really have a rewards program. At best it’s an opportunity to earn random credit toward your bid, in the hope that it’s more likely to be accepted. I’m not sure what strategy Priceline uses to determine if you receive bonus credit in the first place, and it’s difficult to know if your bid would have succeeded with or without that credit added on.

But because Priceline is such a behemoth I figured it worth including it in this review. There is a Priceline Rewards credit card that earns 5% back on Priceline purchases and an additional 1% back on other purchases. This is better than the Travelocity Rewards credit card that I can no longer find. For those who are good at strategic bidding, this is a worthwhile consideration.

Earning More through Shopping Portals

All of these travel agencies include the option to earn more by beginning your purchase through a shopping portal. Other choices may exist, but here I’ll list Ebates , which offers a cash rebate depending on the purchase details.

• Hotels.com: 4%
• Orbitz: 1.25%
• Expedia: 4% (select hotels)
• Priceline: 3 to 4.5%

In general there are few, if any, rewards for purchasing flights through an online travel agency. In my afterword below, I point out that booking airfare through a third party is probably a bad idea anyway for logistical reasons. I’ll limit my comparison to the rewards earned for hotel stays.

My original recommendation two years ago was to use Hotels.com for the highest rewards if you only plan to book hotels, while Travelocity had the best rewards for flights. Because Travelocity required a separate credit card to earn anything, I pointed many people to the runner up, Orbitz. Orbitz was also the second best choice for hotels. That pattern holds true in 2015.

Expedia and Priceline just don’t appeal to me. Priceline doesn’t really have much of a program to begin with. Expedia is far too complicated. The main benefit of an OTA is that I get to choose any hotel I want, but Expedia has created its own special collection that gets better rewards than the rest.

Obviously using co-branded credit cards can improve the returns from OTA loyalty programs, but remember this prevents you from using another rewards card. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2 points per dollar on travel and can easily be converted to cash or transferred to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs where they might be more valuable. Note that Hotels.com has very generous rewards that allow you to continue using your credit card of choice. This puts its maximum return at something closer to 16%.

Should You Use an Online Travel Agency?

Assuming you’ve found a good deal, I still don’t recommend online travel agencies to most people because they can create significant limitations, while their main benefit — comparison shopping — is something you’re quite capable of doing on your own with a little effort.

If you book a flight through an OTA, you’ll usually pay the exact same price as if you went to the airline, though a few airlines are beginning to impose surcharges to cover their (meager) commissions. The main advantage of using an OTA is that they do a better job of booking tickets with multiple carriers. They may also mistakenly underprice fares and are slower to remove mistakes from their systems. The main disadvantage of using an OTA is that they control the ticket, so if there’s a delay or schedule change then the two start pointing fingers. I think this disadvantage greatly outweighs the potential advantages.

If you book a hotel through an OTA, you’ll usually pay the same or less as if you went to the hotel directly. Many hotels have best rate guarantees, and OTAs have their own contracts that promise them the best rates. Commissions are much greater than for airfare, so it’s not unusual to see further promotional discounts. But there is some nuance, as if you go to the hotel you might be able to choose from a greater variety of rates with different cancellation policies, or you’ll be able to use various discounts or corporate codes that the OTA doesn’t accept. The disadvantages and advantages here depend on your personal travel habits.

And on that note, I’m curious about your own thoughts on these programs. Do you often book through online travel agencies or shopping portals when you need a hotel stay? What do you see as their advantages or disadvantages relative to each other and traditional hotel loyalty programs?

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About Scott Mackenzie

Scott is a former scientist and business student who created Travel Codex to unravel the complexity of travel loyalty programs. After 11 years in Seattle, he now lives in Austin with his wife and flies over 100,000 miles every year.

Find the Best Travel Rewards Program for You

U.S. News has ranked the top hotel and airline loyalty programs. Choose the best travel rewards program for your lifestyle.

Best Travel Rewards Programs for 2023-2024

It's easy to feel enticed by an airline or hotel rewards program. After all, who wouldn't want a free flight, a room upgrade or other lucrative benefits? The catch – as any travel rewards program loyalist can attest to – is that maximizing these perks can be challenging. While it's often easy to join a program, attaining meaningful travel points and miles may come with a string of caveats. So how can you tell if a travel rewards program is worth your time and effort?

For the 11th consecutive year, U.S. News editors evaluated each travel rewards program based on key attributes that everyday travelers value, such as the size and diversity of each airline or hotel network and how quickly you can accumulate enough miles or points to earn a free flight or hotel stay. Our rankings also take into account the number of ways you can use travel rewards and the added benefits you receive as a member. 

Read more about  how we rank the best travel rewards programs , and find out which frequent flyer and hotel rewards programs top the 2023-2024 lists.

Best Hotel Rewards Programs

• # 1 Wyndham Rewards
• # 2 Choice Privileges
• # 3 Marriott Bonvoy
• # 4 World of Hyatt
• # 5 IHG One Rewards

Best Airline Rewards Programs

• # 1 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• # 2 Delta SkyMiles
• # 3 United MileagePlus
• # 4 American Airlines AAdvantage
• # 5 JetBlue TrueBlue

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Best Airline and Hotel Rewards Programs of 2024

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Table of Contents

How we picked the best travel rewards programs

Best airline rewards program, best hotel rewards program, save money by booking with points and miles, the bottom line, methodology.

Big airline and hotel brands want your loyalty, which is why each has its own distinctive program that rewards you (the traveler) with its version of reward currency (points, miles). Yet understanding how even a single one of these programs — never mind several — actually work and compare with one another takes a tremendous amount of time and energy.

That’s where we come in.

NerdWallet’s editorial travel team spent months collecting data, analyzing the fine print and generally nerding out to determine not only the best travel loyalty programs, but also the best airline and best hotel of 2024. Check out all of our Best-Of winners .

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to our travel loyalty program rankings. If you’re just starting to collect points or miles, you may want to know what program will give you the best return on your investment. On the other hand, frequent travelers chasing a higher status may want to know what program makes earning most effortless.

With this in mind, we prioritized elements of rewards programs that offer clear, objective and measurable benefits. Then, we boiled these elements into a single overall rating across airlines and hotels.

Here’s what we compared:

Airline rewards

Rewards (mile) value .

Elite status benefits .

Hotel rewards

Rewards (point) value.

We rated each hotel brand and airline in each of the two categories on a five-point scale, then used a weighted average of these ratings to determine an overall winner. Use the links above to learn more about how we built these ratings.

» Learn more: Book smarter travel this year: The best travel credit cards might surprise you

Winner: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

For travelers who only care about earning miles and elite status, Alaska’s Mileage Plan crushes the rankings.

Because Alaska still rewards miles based on distance flown rather than the amount spent, and because it hasn’t muddied the earning qualifications for its elite status programs as some others have over the past two years, Alaska offers the best value per dollar spent for frequent flyers.

Based on our most recent analysis, NerdWallet values Alaska Airlines miles at 1.4 cents each .

Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles, including its Pualani elite program, took second place among airline rewards programs because of its modest spending requirements and valuable rewards.

American Airlines beats out the other legacy carriers (namely Delta and United) by a strong margin.

Finding Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines at the bottom of these rankings is unsurprising, given how these airlines prioritize low fares and other benefits over elite status membership.

But seeing Delta Air Lines near the bottom might be surprising for anyone who hasn’t followed its elite status devaluation meltdown . Because Delta’s elite status levels are so costly to earn, they are effectively worth less.

» Learn more: Best airline credit cards today

Winner: World of Hyatt

Focusing only on the value of hotel points and elite status perks puts the World of Hyatt in first place among hotel loyalty programs. Point value and status benefits are the two categories where Hyatt excels, putting a wide range between itself and the second-place Choice.

Based on our most recent analysis, NerdWallet values Hyatt points at 2.3 cents each , far more than any other hotel program.

Best Western finds itself in last place, which makes sense as it's a budget-conscious hotel brand.

The mega programs of Marriott, IHG and Hilton are muddling in the lower half. Since many frequent travelers chose between these large programs, seeing them score so poorly is interesting.

» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards today

Points and miles can be redeemed for award flights or stays within these top travel rewards programs. But before you start using points and miles, you have to earn them.

Beyond flying or booking hotel stays, another way to amass a large number of travel rewards is to earn a sign-up bonus for a travel credit card.

on Bank of America's website

on Chase's website

on Wells Fargo's website

If you seek more flexibility in redeeming miles for award flights, consider applying for a more general travel credit card instead. A more general travel credit card differs from an airline card in that you can book flights with multiple carriers, rather than reaping the benefits of staying loyal to a single brand.

The more high-end the travel credit card, the more benefits you can enjoy, including lounge access or automatic elite status in certain programs.

That said, a brand-specific airline or hotel card can net you benefits like waived baggage fees or free breakfast , which can have meaningful dollar value.

Alaska Airlines is one of the few airlines left that still rewards miles based on distance flown versus amount spent, making it one of the reasons it is the best airline rewards program of 2024.

World of Hyatt has been at the top for several years now, unsurprisingly, because of the high cent-per-point value and elite benefits.

No matter which airline or hotel status you choose to chase, it’s important not to let your points and miles pile up .

Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.

Best Airline Rewards Program

How we picked the programs to evaluate.

For an airline to be eligible, it had to be based in the U.S. and have a publicly available rewards search calendar with availability from 15 days to eight months from the time of search.

Nine airlines fit these criteria: Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United. No other U.S.-based airlines met these criteria.

How we chose the winner

We looked at the rewards rate and elite rewards rate. We rated each of these factors separately, then determined an overall rating based on the weighting described below.

How we rated and weighted each factor:

Rewards rate (57.1%). We determined the dollar value of each program’s rewards miles and the earnings rate of miles. To determine the rewards rate, we multiplied the value of each mile by the earnings rate, then multiplied by 100. For example, if an airline’s rewards miles were worth $0.01 apiece (the value of rewards miles) and 10 miles were earned per dollar spent (the earnings rate of miles), its program would have a 10% rewards rate. (In this example, the two equations would be: $0.01 x 10 = 0.1, then 0.1 x 100 = 10, or 10%.)

Elite rewards rate (42.9%). We determined (a) the value and (b) the cost of earning elite status with each program, and determined an overall value by dividing (a) by (b). 

How we assigned star ratings

For each factor, we subtracted the lowest value from the highest value to determine the range. Then, we split this range into five separate “star rating” ranges. We assigned each airline program an appropriate star rating based on where its value fell in the range.

How we verified our data

We independently spot-checked data collected to ensure accuracy. Information about loyalty programs was verified on the airlines’ websites.

Best Hotel Rewards Program

To be eligible, a hotel brand had to have properties in the majority of states in the U.S. and offer a loyalty program with a publicly available rewards search calendar. Rewards booking availability from 15 days to eight months from the time of search was also required.

Seven hotel brands met these requirements: Best Western, Choice, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott and Wyndham.

We compared the rewards rate and the value of the elite status program. We rated each of these factors separately, then determined an overall rating based on the weighting described below.

Rewards rate (53.8%). We determined the dollar value of each program’s rewards points and the earnings rate of points. To determine the rewards rate, we multiplied the value of each point by the earnings rate, then multiplied by 100. For example, if a hotel’s rewards points were worth $0.01 apiece (the value of rewards points) and 10 points were earned per dollar spent (the earnings rate of points), its program would have a 10% rewards rate. (In this example, the two equations would be: $0.01 x 10 = 0.1, then 0.1 x 100 = 10, or 10%.)

Elite status value rate (46.2%). We determined (a) the value and (b) the cost of earning elite status with each program, and determined an overall value by dividing (a) by (b). 

For each factor, we subtracted the lowest value among all programs from the highest value among all programs to determine the range. Then, we split this range into five separate “star rating” ranges. We assigned each hotel program an appropriate star rating based on where its value fell in the range.

We independently spot-checked data collected to ensure accuracy. Information about loyalty programs was verified on the hotels’ websites.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Rewarding Relationships

Our flexible programs drive engagement and reward specific customers. we achieve this by delivering solutions that leverage our extensive travel rewards, delivered through our technology, enhanced by analytics and matched by our strong customer advocacy..

Bringing it together.

We create programs that enable you to connect with your customers and drive positive business outcomes..

We provide services to consumers located in 14 countries and are proud of our 1,700 employees.

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A complete solution.

Our people, partners, technology, and service define the solution that will help you build lasting, rewarding relationships..

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The Loyalty Low-Down

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Looking for the GCE division, previously part of cxLoyalty? Visit Tenerity.com .

Travel invented loyalty as we know it. Now it’s time for reinvention.

Travel brands didn’t invent loyalty programs, which have been traced to as far back as the 18th century . 1 James J. Nagle, “Trading stamps: A long history,” New York Times , December 26, 1971. But ever since the first major airline frequent flier programs appeared in the early 1980s—soon to be followed by similar programs from hotel chains—the travel industry has become known for letting customers accumulate redeemable “miles” and “points.” Modern-day voyagers are deeply familiar with loyalty-related concepts such as status tiers, members-only lounges, and point-earning credit cards.

Travel loyalty programs were originally designed to influence travelers’ behavior. By offering rewards such as free flights and hotel rooms to frequent customers, a company might convince power users to consolidate their travel spending with its brand. Why fly airline X when you’re halfway to earning a free perk for remaining faithful to airline Y?

Over time, many travel loyalty programs became wildly successful—not just as a way to boost sales or strengthen customer relationships but as major profit centers in their own right. Travel companies found they could sell loyalty points in bulk to, for instance, banks, which in turn offered the points to their credit card customers as rewards for spending. In 2019, United’s MileagePlus loyalty program sold $3.8 billion worth of miles 2 Brian Sumers, “How is United Airlines’ loyalty program worth $22 billion?,” Skift, June 15, 2020. to third parties, which accounted for 12 percent of the airline’s total revenue for that year. In 2022, American Airlines’ loyalty program brought in $3.1 billion in revenue, and Marriott’s brought in $2.7 billion. 3 Form 10-K, fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, American Airlines Group, Inc.; Form 10-K, fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, Marriott International, Inc. Many loyalty programs have evolved into discrete divisions with their own profit-and-loss ledgers.

Along the way, however, some travel players have shifted their focus away from the original purpose of these programs. As loyalty programs have become powerful bottom-line enhancers, companies have sometimes been tempted to view them first and foremost as revenue generators instead of tools to sway customers’ behavior or to improve customers’ experiences . The postpandemic resurgence of travel demand has also pressured companies to shore up their loyalty programs’ viability by devaluing members’ points and miles and enacting rule changes that have at times caused customer frustration. At the same time, innovative loyalty programs in other industries are raising the bar, opening customers’ eyes to the value that loyalty programs can offer.

As a result of these factors, travel loyalty program members have become increasingly disloyal. For some customers, reaching the top tier of a loyalty program is still almost a facet of their personal identities—“Just a couple of more flights, and I’ll reach elite status!” But many loyalty program members now seem more inclined to play the field. The warm feelings at the heart of loyalty, which lead travelers to show allegiance to a brand and trust that their faithful behavior will be noticed, seem to fade when brands let their focus drift away from rewarding their most valuable and consistent customers.

Loyalty is about more than a program, a department, or a tangible redemption offer.

Loyalty is about more than a program, a department, or a tangible redemption offer. True loyalty is won through a genuine desire to forge bonds with customers and thereby maximize each customer’s lifetime value to the brand. Travel brands, therefore, should consider rethinking and reinventing their loyalty programs in ways that frame loyalty as something more than points and miles. A mindset shift, coupled with three practical actions, could help restore the luster of loyalty programs while bringing straying customers back into the fold.

A mindset shift, coupled with three actions, could restore the luster of loyalty programs while bringing customers back into the fold.

How we got here: Disruption, devaluation, and dissatisfaction

When travel came to a halt as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many travel brands—hoping to keep customers happy—“froze” the loyalty program status levels of members who might have otherwise lost perks due to a lack of travel activity. When travel spending was slow to resume, brands changed their program rules to make status tiers significantly easier to reach and maintain. These moves made sense in the face of an unprecedented disruption, with far fewer miles and points being redeemed.

But as travel recovered, loyalty programs became burdened by increased redemptions and overpopulated high-status tiers (evidenced, for example, by the lines outside the doors of airport lounges). Some major travel brands have responded by adjusting loyalty program rules. They’ve ended the status extensions that were granted during the pandemic, and they’ve devalued points and miles—raising the bar to redeem them for free flights and rooms.

All these changes have, understandably, been made with an eye toward programs’ profit-and-loss statements. But collectively, they’ve resulted in widespread customer dissatisfaction. Program members have chafed at having their points devalued and benefits clawed back. Meanwhile, successful loyalty programs in other sectors have opened customers’ eyes to other types of value that these programs can provide, such as better customer experiences, richer communities, more tailored personalization, and exclusive access to events or offers.

Loyalty surveys conducted by McKinsey in 2021 4 The 2021 loyalty survey of roughly 10,000 American consumers covered multiple sectors (including airlines, hotels, cruise lines, banks, retail, grocery, and others). and 2023 5 The 2023 loyalty survey of 3,200 American travelers covered the airline, lodging, and cruise sectors. revealed a steep decline in the likelihood that a customer would recommend airline, hotel, and cruise line loyalty programs to a friend or colleague—even though the likelihood that customers would recommend the airline, hotel, and cruise line brands remained relatively steady (Exhibit 1).

A focus on a loyalty program’s bottom line can distract from its higher purpose

A travel loyalty program might be able—at least temporarily—to disappoint its members while inflicting minimal damage on its company’s earnings. This is because so much of a modern travel loyalty program’s importance comes from B2B sales of batched points or miles. The programs’ most relevant customers in terms of generating revenue are credit card companies, not individual travelers. And these B2B deals generally involve long-term contracts that guarantee sales years in advance. A travel brand can unilaterally issue more loyalty program points to sell to third parties at any time, as well as raise the redemption levels for flights or rooms if margins become undesirable.

Meanwhile, airline travelers have fewer options than they did in the past. Consolidation of major airline brands means it’s harder for frequent fliers to abandon one airline and its loyalty program for another without losing access to convenient flight routes or departure times. And customers who have already banked a large number of miles or points with one airline or hotel program can feel locked in.

For all these reasons, loyalty programs appear to be in a position of strength. But a narrowed emphasis on revenue and costs could lead to brands’ losing focus of the big picture. Travel loyalty programs were originally conceived as a clever way to influence customer behavior—and encourage customer loyalty. But it’s not clear if the programs are currently fulfilling either mandate as successfully as they could.

McKinsey research reveals that airline loyalty programs’ ability to change fliers’ behavior declined between 2017 and 2021, and again between 2021 and 2023 (Exhibit 2). During those time frames, it became less likely that a customer who was a member of a given airline loyalty program would report that they chose the associated airline over other options or increased the frequency of their spending with that airline. If this trend continues, it could eventually create a vicious cycle: airlines would cut loyalty program budgets if they deemed them ineffective at influencing customer behavior, lower budgets would lead to reduced program benefits, and less attractive benefits would result in customers perceiving program participation as having less value.

McKinsey research further shows that loyalty program members these days aren’t especially loyal (Exhibit 3). Hotel, cruise, and airline travelers are typically members of about three or four different loyalty programs within a given sector, our analysis finds. On a yearly basis, they consider traveling with about three different brands within that sector and ultimately transact with more than one of them. Travelers don’t even consolidate their spending with the brand they say they “prefer” within a sector: the median share of the customer’s wallet for preferred brands is only about 50 percent in lodging, 60 percent in cruise lines, and 60 percent in airlines—with the remainder of the customer’s spending spread around to other players within the same sector.

Evidence suggests this trend will persist. According to our 2023 survey on travel loyalty, younger generations are more likely to consider and transact with multiple travel players. Gen Zers and millennials consider about 1.7 times as many brands as do baby boomers and the Silent Generation and transact with about 1.3 times as many brands.

All this comes at a time when the travel loyalty market is becoming more competitive. Consumer banks, which were once content to offer cobranded credit cards featuring travel brands as the marquee partner, are now launching their own self-branded travel awards ecosystems and booking platforms. Travelers might wonder why they should put all their loyalty points in one basket with a single airline or hotel brand when a consumer bank might offer more flexible rewards redemption and possibly a better user experience. (It’s worth noting that our research suggests the likelihood that a customer would recommend some of the major consumer banks with travel loyalty initiatives to a friend or colleague is far higher than the likelihood that a customer would recommend a cruise line, lodging brand, or airline.)

How to reshape loyalty for a new travel landscape

Our research finds that experience —far more than tangible, “earn and burn” benefits—is what wins customers’ loyalty. Experiential factors, including “offering an experience worth paying more for” and “feeling taken care of,” have become more important over time and now account for three of the top five (out of more than 40) drivers of loyalty to cruise lines, hotels, and airlines. For hotels, experience has four times more impact than tangible benefits on purchase frequency, while for airlines, experience is more than twice as likely to influence frequency. Positive past experiences are the biggest factor in customers’ desire to travel more with a company in the future.

The following three steps could help travel brands adjust to this changing landscape and engender loyalty that goes beyond a mere quest for redemptions and perks.

Put experience at the core of loyalty programs

When our 2023 survey asked American respondents which company they’re most loyal to, Amazon received more votes than the top six travel players combined—despite the absence of any traditional, points-based loyalty program. How does Amazon win loyalty? By providing a frictionless experience.

How can travel brands learn from this and win customers’ love even when points and miles are worth less? By offering distinctive, satisfying experiences: making customers feel delighted is the key to their hearts, but McKinsey’s 2023 loyalty survey showed that only 20 percent of travelers were delighted by a recent travel experience.

Companies should strive to design loyalty programs around experiential benefits that make travelers feel special. This can be win–win, such as when Delta offered free in-flight Wi-Fi to loyalty members, which led to a better experience for the members while also boosting enrollment in Delta’s loyalty program. In retail, some programs bring together engaged communities of like-minded brand loyalists. Advance notice or exclusive access to offers can send loyalty members a signal that the brand considers them VIPs.

Brands should seamlessly integrate customer experiences between desktop, mobile, and physical locations—meaning that frontline workers have an important role to play. Proper execution of customer service is vital for getting experiences right, so companies should try to keep frontline workers top of mind. Workers should be given the proper training and tools to satisfy customers, and the effectiveness of this training should be measured.

When it comes to mitigating, or avoiding, a negative customer experience, saying “sorry” can go a very long way. Companies should proactively engage customers after service shortfalls, as a service challenge can actually lead to an increase in customer satisfaction if handled well. The form an apology takes might be made commensurate with a customer’s status level in the brand’s loyalty program, and any recompense can be informed by a predictive analysis of its impact —considering factors such as the magnitude of the lapse and the nature of the customer’s other recent interactions with the brand.

(Finally) use data to offer personalization to members

Travel brands have long had access to reams of customer data. Loyalty program members surf on travel companies’ Wi-Fi, sleep in their hotel rooms, fly on their planes, and cruise on their ships. But many travel brands haven’t yet captured the opportunity to use these unique data to offer their members personalization on par with other industries. Likewise, although airlines and hotels have incredibly sophisticated, lightning fast, AI-enabled pricing algorithms, they aren’t consistently harnessing their technology capabilities to power real-time customer personalization.

Nontransactional engagement opportunities, such as the daily interactions fostered by social communities, offer rich troves of data that can be used to hone personalization. In turn, personalization can drive engagement, as seen in Sephora’s Pocket Contour Class initiative, which lets users upload a selfie to get personalized makeup tips.

Personalization can be employed to tailor both experiences and offers for loyalty members. Our research has shown that 78 percent of consumers are more likely to make a repeat purchase when offered a personalized experience . The goal should be to achieve a hypersegmentation of program members that’s so nuanced, it results in a “ segment of one .”

Rethink partnerships to protect self-interests while delivering customer value

Since the 1980s, travel companies have been partnering with banks to launch cobranded credit cards. But several credit card brands now offer their own, self-branded travel rewards ecosystems. These ecosystems sometimes direct bookings to airlines, hotels, and cruise lines—but they can also serve as a way for credit card brands to steal away travelers’ loyalties. These types of transactional partnerships with consumer banks might eventually cease to be a winning play for travel companies. In time, travel loyalty programs could be driven to seek alternate sources of funding.

The best kinds of partnerships build richer connections with consumers while boosting engagement through thoughtful collaborations. Uber’s partnership with Marriott gives users the option to link the brands’ loyalty programs, tapping into two large customer bases and providing more convenient travel experiences.

One promising recent example of collaboration is a travel media network. A hotel company might, for instance, launch a media network that allows third-party brands to place relevant, nonintrusive, personalized advertisements in the hotelier’s owned spaces—websites, hotel lobbies, guest room TVs, and so forth. This type of partnership can offer travelers an elegant, curated experience while providing the travel brand with an alternate monetization route.

In general, travel companies should cultivate collaborations that protect their interests, generate new revenue streams, add personalization and value for loyal customers, and diversify touchpoints with those customers. Early action could prove vital here, as the travel space will not accommodate infinite partner ecosystems.

As other industries raise the bar and consumers grow increasingly dissatisfied with travel loyalty programs as they are designed today, travel industry leaders may need to ask themselves some hard questions. How can points and miles be paired with experiences and excitement? Which partners are truly adding value? What is causing customers to stray, and how can their loyalties be won back?

Travel brands were loyalty innovators. But travel loyalty programs might soon hit an inflection point. Now is the time to innovate and win back customers’ allegiances.

Lidiya Chapple is an associate partner in McKinsey’s Atlanta office, where Jillian Tellez Holub is a partner; Clay Cowan is a partner in the Dallas office; and Ellen Scully is a consultant in the Seattle office.

The authors wish to thank Bella Alfaro, Alex Cosmas, Marilyne Crépeau, Oren Eizenman, Austin Hack, Ryan Mann, Jacob Miller, Afiya Romeo, Matthew Straus, and Jamie Wilkie for their contributions to this article.

This article was edited by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in the New York office.

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15 Top Loyalty Programs 2024 – Maximizing Your Rewards

Posted: February 24, 2024 | Last updated: February 24, 2024

For frequent travelers, loyalty programs offered by airlines and hotels can unlock a world of benefits and savings. These programs are designed to reward you for your patronage, offering everything from free flights and upgrades to hotel stays and exclusive perks. Navigating these programs can be overwhelming, but understanding and utilizing them effectively can significantly enhance your travel experience. This guide delves into some of the best loyalty programs available, providing insights on maximizing their benefits and making the most of every journey.

1. Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy encompasses a vast network of hotels, making it one of the most versatile hotel loyalty programs. As a member, you earn points for every stay, which can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and unique experiences like cooking classes with renowned chefs or tickets to sporting events.

The program offers different membership tiers, each providing additional benefits. As you climb the tiers, you’ll enjoy perks like late check-out, lounge access, and complimentary breakfast at select properties. The program’s flexibility extends to its points system, allowing you to transfer points to various airline partners and increasing the utility of your earned points.

Insider’s Tip: Use the Marriott Bonvoy app to manage your bookings and conveniently access digital room keys.

2. World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is celebrated for its reward point system and user-friendly rewards structure. As a member, you earn points for hotel stays and dining and spa services at Hyatt properties worldwide. These points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and unique experiences like private dinners.

The program is particularly generous for elite members, offering perks such as bonus points on stays, premium internet access, and room availability guarantees. Hyatt’s partnership with airlines also means you can convert your hotel points into airline miles, giving you more flexibility in using your rewards.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of Hyatt’s airline partnerships to earn miles on your stay.

3. Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is a dynamic program offering flexibility and a wide range of benefits for travelers. You earn points per dollar on stays, which can be used for room bookings, experiences, or shopping. The program stands out for its Points & Money option, allowing you to book stays using a combination of points and cash, a great feature if you’re short on points.

Elite members enjoy significant benefits like room upgrades, late check-out, and complimentary breakfast at select properties. Hilton’s extensive network of hotels means you can earn and redeem points across a diverse range of locations and property types, from luxury resorts to business hotels.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for periodic promotions that offer extra points or discounted redemption rates.

4. Delta SkyMiles

Delta SkyMiles is an airline loyalty program that rewards you with miles for every flight, which can be redeemed for free flights, seat upgrades, and more. One of the program’s strengths is the absence of blackout dates for award travel, providing greater flexibility for using your miles.

As you accumulate more miles, you can achieve elite status, which offers additional perks like priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and waived baggage fees. Delta also has partnerships with hotels, car rental agencies, and retailers, allowing you to earn miles on everyday purchases, not just flights.

Insider’s Tip: Use the Delta SkyMiles shopping portal to earn miles on everyday purchases.

5. American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is designed to reward loyal customers with miles for flights with American Airlines and its partners. These miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays. Elite status in the program brings additional perks, including free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to exclusive lounges.

One of the program’s highlights is its frequent flyer promotions, which allow you to earn bonus miles or achieve elite status faster. The program also offers a range of co-branded credit cards, providing another avenue to earn miles on everyday spending.

Insider’s Tip: Keep an eye on special offers that allow you to earn bonus miles.

6. United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus allows travelers to earn miles for flights on United Airlines and its partner airlines. These miles can be used for booking flights, seat upgrades, and hotel stays. The program is known for its generous award availability and the ability to book flights on numerous partner airlines, expanding your travel options. Elite status in MileagePlus provides free checked bags, priority check-in, and access to United Club lounges. Additionally, United frequently offers promotions that allow you to earn bonus miles or save on award bookings, maximizing the value of your miles.

Insider’s Tip: Use the United MileagePlus X app to earn additional miles on everyday purchases.

7. Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program is favored for its simplicity and customer-friendly policies. It includes no blackout dates on award flights and no change fees. Members earn points based on the fare type purchased, which can be redeemed for free flights on Southwest. The program is primarily known for its Companion Pass, which lets a designated companion fly free with you for a year (or more) after meeting certain criteria. The points you earn never expire as long as you have a flight-earning activity every 24 months, making it a great program for both frequent and occasional flyers.

Insider’s Tip: Pay attention to fare sales to stretch your points even further.

8. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is highly regarded for the high value of its miles and its extensive network of airline partners. Members earn miles for flights with Alaska Airlines and its global partners, which can be redeemed for travel on Alaska Airlines and its partners.

The program offers generous upgrade policies for elite members and unique perks like a free checked bag. One of the standout features of the Mileage Plan is the ability to book stopovers on award flights, allowing you to visit multiple destinations for the price of one.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for frequent flyer promotions to earn bonus miles.

9. IHG Rewards Club

IHG Rewards Club, the InterContinental Hotels Group’s loyalty program, offers hotel stays points, which can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, and more. The program is known for its wide range of participating hotels, from luxury properties to family-friendly accommodations.

Members can earn points quickly through hotel stays, promotions, and partnerships, and the points can be used for a variety of rewards, including hotel stays, airline miles, and merchandise. Elite members enjoy additional benefits like room upgrades and late check-out, enhancing the overall travel experience.

Insider’s Tip: Use IHG’s Points & Cash option to book stays even if you don’t have enough points for the full amount.

10. Accor Live Limitless (ALL)

Accor Live Limitless (ALL) encompasses a wide range of hotel brands, from luxury to economy, offering a loyalty program that caters to various travel styles. Members earn points for stays and services, which can be redeemed for hotel stays, experiences, and partner offers.

The program offers different membership levels, with higher tiers providing additional benefits like room upgrades and welcome drinks. ALL also features frequent promotions allowing members to earn extra points or enjoy discounted stays, making accumulating points and enjoying the program’s benefits easier.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of ALL’s frequent promotions to earn extra points.

11. British Airways Executive Club

British Airways Executive Club rewards members with Avios points for flights, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and hotel stays. The program offers tier points for each flight, helping members achieve elite status with additional benefits. Avios points can also be earned through hotel stays, car rentals, and everyday spending with program partners.

The flexibility of Avios points makes the program attractive, as they can be used for reward flights, seat upgrades, and even shopping. The Executive Club also offers household accounts, allowing families to pool their Avios points together.

Insider’s Tip: Use Avios points for short-haul flights, which often offer the best value.

12. Lufthansa Miles & More

Lufthansa’s Miles & More is Europe’s largest frequent flyer program, offering miles for flights with Lufthansa and partner airlines, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and shopping. The program provides a range of ways to earn miles, including flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and everyday spending with credit card partners.

Miles & More also features a variety of redemption options, giving members the flexibility to use their miles in a way that best suits their travel needs. Elite status in the program offers additional benefits like lounge access and extra baggage allowance, enhancing the travel experience for frequent flyers.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for Miles & More credit card offers to earn additional miles.

13. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program is known for its exceptional service and valuable reward opportunities. Members earn miles for flights with Singapore Airlines and partner airlines, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and shopping. The program is particularly beneficial for those who fly frequently with Singapore Airlines or its partners.

It offers a range of elite tiers with additional benefits like priority check-in and extra baggage allowance. KrisFlyer miles can also be used for booking award flights in Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins, known for their luxury and comfort, providing excellent value for your miles.

Insider’s Tip: Use KrisFlyer miles for Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins for the best value.

14. Qantas Frequent Flyer

Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards members with points for flights with Qantas and partner airlines, offering a wide range of redemption options. Points can be used for flights, upgrades, and a variety of products and services. The program also offers status credits, which help members achieve higher tiers with additional benefits.

Qantas Frequent Flyer is known for its extensive partner network, allowing members to earn and redeem points across various airlines, hotels, and retailers. The program’s flexibility and range of benefits make it a popular choice for travelers in Australia and beyond.

Insider’s Tip: Earn extra points by shopping at Qantas’ online mall.

15. Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards offers a rewarding experience for travelers flying with Emirates and its partner airlines. Members earn miles for flights, which can be redeemed for a wide range of rewards, including flights, upgrades, and exclusive experiences. The program is known for its luxurious rewards, including access to Emirates’ world-class lounges and premium cabin upgrades.

Skywards miles can also be used for hotel stays, car rentals, and shopping, providing flexibility in how you use your rewards. Elite status in the program offers additional benefits like priority boarding and bonus miles, enhancing the travel experience for frequent flyers.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of Skywards’ “Miles Accelerator” offers to earn bonus miles.

The Bottom Line

Leveraging loyalty programs effectively can transform your travel experiences, offering not just cost savings but also enhanced comfort and exclusive perks. Whether you’re loyal to a particular airline or hotel chain or prefer to spread your wings across multiple programs, understanding how to maximize these benefits can make a significant difference in your travels. Remember, the key to making the most of these programs is to stay informed about the latest offers and promotions and to align your travel plans accordingly. Happy travels, and enjoy reaping the rewards of your loyalty!

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The post 15 Top Loyalty Programs 2024 – Maximizing Your Rewards republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Prostock-studio.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Don’t miss out: Get perks just for signing up with these loyalty programs

I've heard it dozens of times: "I rarely travel with ___, so I haven't signed up for an account with them."

Juggling dozens of user names and loyalty account numbers can be a hassle. Thus, people don't sign up for rewards programs they don't expect to use regularly.

Unfortunately, you may be losing out on valuable benefits with this strategy. That's because many loyalty programs offer free benefits to basic members — no elite status required. Whether it's avoiding a long line or avoiding fees, these benefits can save time and money during your travels.

Here's a look at the loyalty programs that benefit everyone with a membership number.

Airline program loyalty perks

Many airline programs offer discounts on checked bags and seat selection fees for basic members. You may also move ahead of nonmembers in the line when calling customer service or putting your name on the standby list.

Additionally, some airline programs offer a valuable feature to basic members: the ability to combine points or miles. Pooling your points or miles with family and friends allows you to maximize your award redemptions, and most programs offering points or miles pooling don't require elite status for this benefit.

Related: How to get airline elite status

Here are the benefits you can obtain just by creating a free account with these airline loyalty programs:

• American Airlines AAdvantage : Get Group 6 boarding (out of nine groups) as a basic member. Basic members earn 5 miles per dollar spent.
• British Airways Executive Club : Get free seat selection up to 24 hours before departure (except when flying basic economy). Basic members earn 6 Avios per British pound spent and can pool Avios with other members of their household.
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles : Get priority check-in 48 hours before departure instead of 24 hours before. You can cancel your ticket free of charge within 24 hours after booking. Basic members earn miles based on distance flown and cabin class.
• Delta Air Lines SkyMiles : Free Wi-Fi on most domestic mainline jets, with international and regional aircraft coming by the end of 2024. Basic members earn 5 SkyMiles per dollar on all fares in main cabin or above; basic economy tickets do not earn miles.
• Emirates Skywards : Use chat services (such as WhatsApp and Messenger) via Wi-Fi for free throughout the flight, rather than paying $2.99-$5.99 per flight. Basic members earn miles based on distance flown and fare type, and you can pool your miles with immediate family.
• Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles : Get 1,000 bonus ShebaMiles when you set up a loyalty account.
• JetBlue TrueBlue : Members can pool points with friends and relatives, plus you can choose a perk like early boarding or 5,000 bonus points when you earn 10 tiles (elite status starts at 50 tiles). Basic members earn 1 point per dollar on Blue Basic fares and 3 points per dollar on all other fares. You can double these points by purchasing your ticket through the JetBlue website or app, which provides a direct booking bonus of 1 point per dollar on Blue Basic fares and 3 points per dollar on all others.
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer : Get free Wi-Fi during your flight (excluding Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft), plus discounts on baggage and seat selection fees. Miles earned depend on route distance and cabin class. There is no pooling program, but parents can transfer miles from their children's accounts.
• United Airlines MileagePlus : Basic members can now pool United miles with family and friends (only on United-operated award flights). Basic members earn 5 miles per dollar on all fare types, including basic economy.

Hotel program loyalty perks

For your next hotel stay, you can access discounted rates and elevated earning rates simply by being a member of that hotel's rewards program. You'll also start accruing points and stay credits toward elite status after registering.

You'll also enjoy the following benefits as a basic member:

• Accor Live Limitless : Enjoy priority check-in (only at Fairmont), complimentary Wi-Fi throughout your stay and waived fees for health club/sports facilities. You'll also receive complimentary access to brand-specific benefits, such as complimentary access to BMW bikes at Fairmont hotels. Basic members earn 5, 10, 12.5 or 25 points per 10 euros spent, depending on the hotel brand.
• Best Western Rewards : Get a status match if you hold elite membership with another hotel program. Basic members earn 10 points per dollar.
• Caesars Rewards : Get an extra bet credit of $5 with Caesars Sportsbook during your birthday month. You'll earn credits depending on your choice of games and bets, and you can earn 1 credit per dollar spent at participating hotels.
• Hilton Honors : Enjoy waived resort fees on award stays, free Wi-Fi throughout your stay and the ability to choose your room when checking in online or in the app. As a basic member, you'll earn 10 points per dollar at most brands (5 at Tru and Home2 Suites) and you can pool points with family and friends.
• IHG One Rewards : Enjoy free Wi-Fi and 2 p.m. late checkout (when available). Basic members earn 10 points per dollar at most properties (5 at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites).
• Marriott Bonvoy : Receive complimentary Wi-Fi throughout your stay. Basic members earn 5 or 10 points per dollar, depending on the hotel; a few brands earn 2.5 points per dollar.
• Preferred Hotels & Resorts I Prefer : Early check-in and late checkout when available, space-available room upgrades and complimentary internet access. Basic members earn 10 points per dollar at most hotels; a few properties earn 5 points per dollar.
• Sonesta Travel Pass : Enjoy complimentary upgraded Wi-Fi at all properties, plus a status match if you're an elite member with another hotel program. Basic members earn 10 points per dollar at most properties (5 at Simply Suites).
• World of Hyatt : Enjoy waived resort fees on award stays. Basic members earn 5 points per dollar spent at Hyatt's portfolio of hotels, including its 700-plus new properties through Mr & Mrs Smith .
• Wyndham Rewards : Get free Wi-Fi throughout your stay. For each qualifying stay, you'll earn 10 points per dollar or 1,000 points, whichever is more.

Related: What are hotel and airline status matches, and how do you get one?

Car rental program loyalty perks

Joining a car rental loyalty program provides one of my favorite perks: skipping the line and going straight to your car when beginning your rental. This is because these programs save your driver's license information online, so in most cases, all you have to do is show your confirmation when you exit the lot and drive off. This can save you hours of time when renting during peak travel times.

This benefit is available upon joining most programs, as is the ability to save your rental preferences (such as car type) in your account. You'll also enjoy the following perks as a basic member:

• Dollar Express Rewards : Add your spouse or domestic partner as a free additional driver, plus you can choose any car in the same class as your reservation without an extra cost. Members earn 1 point per dollar spent.
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards : Choose your preferred car in your assigned section with Ultimate Choice, and add your spouse or domestic partner as a complimentary second driver. Members earn 1 Gold Plus Rewards point per dollar spent.
• National Car Rental Emerald Club : Add any second driver to your rental for free, and choose from any car in the Emerald aisle at no extra cost if you have a midsize-vehicle reservation (in the U.S. and Canada only). Instead of earning points per dollar, you'll earn 1 rental credit for each qualifying car rental; it takes 7 credits to redeem a free rental day (up to midsize).

Related: 11 common rental car mistakes — and how to avoid them

Bottom line

These are not jaw-dropping benefits. Basic members (those who've joined a program but don't have elite status) won't receive flashy perks like suite upgrades or lounge access.

However, you can receive valuable benefits from joining rewards programs. These range from complimentary Wi-Fi and waived fees to benefits during a hotel stay. Whether you're saving time or money, it's worth joining these programs before your next trip and adding your loyalty number to your upcoming reservations to enjoy these benefits.