Orethapedia

Ahead of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4 -10), Barclays US Consumer Bank revealed today that travelers are increasingly turning to rewards and loyalty programs to unlock more value. The third annual Barclays Travel Rewards and Loyalty Report, based on a survey of 1,000 US travelers by Wakefield Research, uncovers how travelers are leveraging loyalty programs and co-branded credit cards to maximize value, drawing inspiration from their favorite shows and films, and exhibiting travel preferences based on their generation, gender and family status.

Key Findings from the Report:

• Rewards are Essential: 79% of travelers depend on loyalty programs, up from 2024 and 2023. In fact, 82% of travelers acknowledge they would have to travel differently, or not at all, without travel rewards.
• Set-Jetting Soars: More than two-thirds of travelers have picked or want to pick a travel destination because of a favorite TV show or movie, with 40% having done so and 30% who want to.
• Millennials are Leading: Millennials use rewards-focused methods the most to stretch their travel budgets (72%) and are more likely to strategically use techniques to earn more points (94%) compared to other generations.
• Gender Divide: Men favor exclusivity-based rewards (e.g., upgrades), while women prefer comfort and convenience-focused rewards (e.g., free checked bags).
• Parents Prioritize Value and Cruising: Parents are the most rewards-savvy demographic and have a growing interest in cruise lines with one in five already enrolled in a cruise line loyalty program.