Travel Loyalty Programs May Become Smaller With More Perks in 2018
Photo Credit: The World of Hyatt loyalty program debuted revenue-based features in 2017. Will other hotels follow? Hyatt
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There's a smaller and perhaps more rewarding world facing frequent flyers in 2018. To reap the rewards, though, those elite travelers will have to pay up.
Frequent travelers have a loyalty industry in transition to look forward to in 2018. Revenue-based models have change the way that companies and customers interact, turning points into more of a currency than a system of vouchers while an increasing volume of travelers leave the programs in disgust.
The airline space is nearly consumed with revenue-based programs. After the programs settled in across the United States in 2017, this year will be the year of expansion into Europe.
It will also be the year that more hotel programs experiment with the model. Last year, Hyatt introduced its World of Hyatt program -- which incorporated revenue-based aspects -- and this year many competitors may follow suit.
For both flights and hotel stays, travelers will have to invest more in 2018 for the same status they earned in 2016 or 2017.
But for travelers, there are a few glimmers of hope on the horizon.
Here's what to expect from the travel loyalty industry in 2018.
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