Indian Travelers Leverage Points as Alternative Form of Savings, Reveals Marriott Bonvoy Report

Travel Loyalty Programs Become Second Wallet for Young Indians

Travel loyalty programs are no longer just occasional rewards for frequent flyers and luxury travellers in India. Instead, they are becoming an integral part of everyday spending behaviour, with many young Indians using credit card transfers, dining spends, and loyalty perks to stretch their travel budgets.

According to Marriott Bonvoy's Loyalty Trends Report 2026, Indian travellers are increasingly using points instead of cash. A staggering 48 percent of Indian travellers surveyed said they are willing to trade cash for hotel points, almost double the Asia-Pacific average of 25 percent. This shift towards using points as a parallel currency highlights the growing importance of loyalty programs in the travel industry.

The report describes Indian travellers as "Experience Seekers", consumers who are more emotionally connected to rewards, experiences, and travel perks than many of their regional counterparts. This is reflected in the data, which shows that Indian travellers are more likely to use credit cards for travel spending and are willing to spend more if rewards improve the overall experience.

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Indian travellers are increasingly using credit cards for routine transactions such as dining, shopping, and travel, earning points across these activities. This has led to a significant increase in the use of co-branded credit cards, which are helping to turn loyalty programs into an everyday spending ecosystem.

The report also highlights the growing trend of blended travel, with about 49 percent of Indian travellers saying they travel for a mix of business and leisure. This "bleisure" trend is particularly popular among younger consumers, who are increasingly prioritising experiences, convenience, and access over discounts.

Indian travellers are more likely to engage with hotel loyalty programs if they get access to immersive or exclusive experiences, with around 41 percent of respondents saying they actively participate in these programs for this reason. This reflects the growing importance of experiences in travel spending, with younger urban consumers prioritising memorable moments and access over just discounts.

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Overall, the data suggests that travel loyalty programs are becoming an essential component of travel spending in India, with a growing emphasis on experiences, convenience, and access rather than just savings and utility.