Marriott Bonvoy Report Reveals Indians Embrace Travel Points as a Primary Spending Tool
Indians are turning travel points into a second wallet: Marriott Bonvoy report

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A recent report by Marriott Bonvoy highlights that Indian travelers are increasingly treating travel loyalty programs as a secondary wallet, with 73% engaging in multiple programs. The report indicates that young Indians prioritize experiences over savings, using points for dining, travel perks, and blending business with leisure travel.
- 0173% of Indian travelers engage with multiple loyalty programs beyond hotel memberships.
- 0248% of Indian travelers are willing to trade cash for hotel points, significantly higher than the Asia-Pacific average of 25%.
- 0349% of Indian travelers combine business and leisure travel, a trend known as 'bleisure'.
- 04Millennials and Gen Z make up 90% of survey respondents, indicating a youthful shift in travel preferences.
- 0541% of respondents actively engage in loyalty programs for access to exclusive experiences.
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The Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Trends Report 2026 reveals a significant shift in how Indian travelers utilize loyalty programs, treating them as a secondary wallet rather than occasional rewards. The report indicates that 73% of Indian travelers engage with multiple loyalty programs, with 63% earning hotel loyalty points through dining and food delivery. Notably, 48% of respondents are willing to exchange cash for hotel points, nearly double the Asia-Pacific average. The trend of 'bleisure' travel is also on the rise, with 49% of Indian travelers mixing business and leisure trips, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z, who represent 90% of the survey participants. The report highlights that experiences matter more than savings, as 41% of respondents actively engage with loyalty programs for access to unique experiences. John Toomey, Chief Commercial Officer of Marriott International, emphasizes that co-branded credit cards are pivotal in integrating loyalty programs into everyday spending, allowing consumers to earn points through routine transactions.
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The trend of using travel loyalty points as a secondary wallet could change how Indian consumers approach travel spending, potentially increasing their overall travel budget.
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