This report provides a detailed analysis of the travel loyalty program market in the U.S., a massive and complex group of organizations that are often intertwined into the programs of the others. The largest group of programs are those belonging to the airlines, which have amassed trillions of unredeemed frequent flyer miles, a large liability but also a significant marketing tool.

With concerns over future value of frequent flyer accounts, a widening array of mileage-accrual options becomes even more critical. Hotels and cars routinely provide airline miles, with the same hotel or car company participating in dozens of flight programs. The addition of programs that allow mileage accrual through the purchase of goods and services such as restaurant meals, cell phone service, ISP companies, mortgage bankers, investment firms, online retailers, and even cereal boxes have expanded an airline’s ability to gain favor with the traveler.

Research data and analysis answer questions such as:

- How do travel habits of loyalty program members differ from the general population?

- How are consumers choosing to acquire and redeem their loyalty points or miles?

- How do opinions on loyalty programs differ between less and more frequent travelers?

- Which consumers are concerned about the future value of frequent traveler points or miles?

This report covers loyalty programs offered by major airlines, hotel chains and car rental companies, as well as those offered by online travel sites. In some cases, loyalty programs are multi-layered, with many companies following the points/miles program, while other programs work more with real-time discounts and customer service concepts rather than points accrual.

A number of U.S. reports covering related sectors have been published, are planned, or are in preparation, including:

- Internet Travel, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, September 2003

- Inbound Tourism, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, April 2003

- Cruises, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, January 2003

- (The) Tour Market, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, November 2002

- Airlines, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, August 2002

- Hotels, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, August 2002

- Post-Family Leisure, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, July 2002

- Outdoor Activities Vacations, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, June 2002

- Short Vacations, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, March 2002

- Snow Sports Vacations, consumer intelligence--U.S. Report, February 2002