The Real Rewards Program Was Already In Your Wallet

Banks, not hotel chains or airlines, have quietly built the most powerful loyalty programs in American travel, according to a new report from Skift. For years, hospitality and airline brands trained their attention on losing bookings to online travel agencies. The credit card already in every traveler's wallet turned out to be the bigger draw, converting everyday spending into the points and perks that now shape where people book their stays and flights.

With reporting from Skift.