The loyalty trap: When travel rewards programs turn against you
Remember when travel rewards programs actuallyrewarded you? You collected points, earned status, and got “free” flights.
So why does it all feel like a trap now?
Remember when travel rewards programs actuallyrewarded you? You collected points, earned status, and got “free” flights.
So why does it all feel like a trap now?
Loyalty programs offer a powerful incentive to travel, and to travel more. Since the first frequent flier programs appeared in the early 1980s, frequent flier and frequent stayer incentives have mushroomed to proportions no one could have predicted. Today, it’s possible to collect miles without darkening the door of an aircraft, or points without checking into a hotel. You can earn them from buying groceries or subscribing to Netflix.