If it feels like your preferred airline is becoming less loyal to frequent flyers, you’re noticing a real shift.
Over the past six months, two major carriers announced they will base rewards on how much customers spend on fares rather than on miles flown, joining several airlines that have already tied loyalty benefits to passenger spending. This change is prompting travelers to reassess the relative value of airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Some travelers may be surprised by this trend. A recent survey commissioned by the Hilton HHonors Surpass® Card from American Express found that just over half of business travelers view airline status as more valuable than hotel status. But ongoing changes in airline programs suggest that advantage could shift toward hotels.
“Historically, airline programs have drawn more attention than hotel programs,” says Tim Winship, publisher of frequentflier.com. “There are good reasons for that: airline programs tend to be larger, more robust, and have more partners, which creates more opportunities for earning and redemption. The problem now is that it’s getting harder to use those rewards.”
By contrast, hotel loyalty programs are increasingly attractive to business travelers, especially those whose trips involve significant hotel stays in addition to airfare. Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, notes that hotels are enhancing their programs with member-only perks that can deliver clear, immediate value.
Hotels are offering special member rates, complimentary nights after a set number of stays, in-room amenities like wine, beer, or cheese and fruit, late checkout, and access to dedicated concierge services. Points can also be redeemed for gift certificates, event tickets, and even airline miles. Some chains emphasize status-based benefits such as no-fee upgrades after a limited number of visits per year.
Consider an executive who travels for work and also attends weekly college basketball games for family reasons. That traveler might find it worthwhile to get a co-branded hotel credit card to accelerate point earning and achieve higher hotel status. Cards such as the American Express Hilton HHonors offerings present multiple membership tiers, each with a different set of rewards tied to nights stayed or points earned through annual card spending.
For travelers who still want to maintain airline benefits, many hotels now offer crossover rewards with airline partners. These programs grant status with both the hotel chain and an affiliated airline, letting members enjoy perks across both types of travel providers.
“Versatility is the key with hotel points,” says Kelly. “Hotels have a wide range of redemption options. They’re trying to reinforce loyalty: stay with us, stick with the big chains, and we’ll take care of you.”
As airlines increasingly tie loyalty to spending rather than distance flown, business travelers may find that hotel programs provide more immediate, tangible advantages. With flexible redemption choices, member-only perks, and partnerships that extend benefits to airlines, hotel loyalty programs are positioning themselves as a strong, potentially more useful alternative for frequent travelers.