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Moneycontrol•13-10-2026, 22:17
Indians Turn Travel Points Into a Second Wallet According to Marriott Bonvoy Report
  • •Marriott Bonvoy’s Loyalty Trends Report 2026 reveals that young Indian travellers are using travel loyalty programs as a second wallet for everyday spending and luxury experiences.
  • •73 percent of Indian travellers engage with multiple loyalty programs, and 63 percent earn hotel points through food delivery and dining spends.
  • •Nearly 48 percent of Indian travellers are willing to trade cash for hotel points, which is almost double the Asia-Pacific average.
  • •Co-branded credit cards are driving this trend by allowing consumers to earn points on routine transactions like shopping, dining, and travel.
  • •About 49 percent of Indian travellers practice bleisure, mixing business and leisure travel, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the shift toward experience-driven rewards.

Key Questions Answered

According to the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Trends Report 2026, Indian travellers are treating travel points like a second wallet, using credit card transfers, dining spends, and loyalty perks to stretch their travel budgets for luxury stays and premium experiences instead of just saving money.

The report highlights that 73 percent of Indian travellers engage with multiple loyalty programs, while 63 percent earn hotel loyalty points through food delivery and dining spends.

Co-branded credit cards are turning loyalty programs into an everyday spending ecosystem, with 43 percent of Indian travellers transferring credit card reward points into hotel loyalty programs and nearly 48 percent willing to trade cash for hotel points.