The ability to earn rewards has always been one of the best perks of business travel. Now, companies are teaming up to give you even more reward opportunities.
Let’s be honest: Many Business Travelers don’t mind hitting the road for work because they love the chance to earn rewards. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Travelers typically have their go-to airlines, hotels and rental car providers where they are slowly but surely building up points.
There’s a new wrinkle for point-building Business Travelers to consider, though. Many travel companies are now partnering to help travelers earn even more reward points. These new partnerships may be enough to inspire some business travelers to reconsider their loyalties and choose new service providers.
Here’s a look at 3 partnerships already in place, as well as a glimpse into the future of these types of partnerships.
1. Hilton and Lyft
You can now link your Hilton and Lyft accounts to accelerate point accrual and get initial discounts. After linking your accounts, you’ll be able to:
- Earn Hilton Honors Points each time you take a Lyft in the U.S or Canada
- Earn three times the points for every dollar spent on Lyft rides
- Get $5 off your first three Lyft rides when you sign up as a new user
Maybe you’ve always taken Uber. Maybe you’re still loyal to traditional cabs. But this new partnership may motivate Hilton loyalists to start taking Lyft a lot more often.
2. Delta and Lyft
It’s not just hotels partnering with Lyft. Delta has entered a similar agreement with the ride-share company.
Again, start by linking your Delta SkyMiles and Lyft accounts. Once linked, you’ll be able to:
- Earn 1 SkyMile for every $1 spent on Lyft rides in the U.S.
- Earn 2 SkyMiles for every $1 spent on rides to the airport (for a limited time only)
- Get up to a $20 ride credit when you sign up for a new Lyft account
If you fly Delta regularly, riding with Lyft will help you accrue miles faster. Also, if you fly with Delta and stay with Hilton on a regular basis, Lyft is going to start looking like your best ride option when traveling.
3. American and Hyatt
Here’s an example of an airline (American) partnering with a hotel provider (Hyatt). As with the examples above, start by linking your American and Hyatt accounts. Then, you’ll get 1 World of Hyatt Bonus Point for every $1 spent on qualifying flights with American Airlines.
What to Expect in the Future
Expect to see more and more partnerships like these emerge over the coming months and years. The travel industry is highly competitive, and vendors will do whatever it takes to gain an advantage.
Consider also that many vendors draw a significant portion of their revenue from business travel. Business Travelers tend to accrue far more miles and points than leisure travelers. If these new partnerships inspire Business Travelers and Travel Arrangers to choose Hilton over a competitor, Lyft over a competitor or one airline over another, it’s been worth it for the companies involved in the partnership.
Choose the Best Vendors With JTB Business Travel
At JTB Business Travel, we help companies large and small get the most out of their investment in business travel — while also ensuring travelers enjoy the most comfortable experience possible. Behind every service we provide and every recommendation we make is a common sense approach to business travel.
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