Frequent flyer points can be strangely emotional. People track them, protect them, chase them and occasionally make questionable decisions in pursuit of them. Anyone who has ever worked with a frequent traveller knows that airline status can be a very serious business.
But in corporate travel, loyalty programs are not just about personal perks.
Used well, points, status and traveller benefits can become practical tools that support productivity, comfort, cost control and better business outcomes.
This will be one of the topics explored in detail at FACTS 2026, where loyalty and frequent flyer programs come under the spotlight in the context of business travel. For EAs, PAs and in-house event planners, it is a useful reminder that loyalty is not something that sits off to the side of the corporate travel program. It can significantly influence business expenses and decision making across every part of the business.
That does not mean every EA or PA needs to become a points expert. But it does mean understanding the role loyalty can play when planning travel for executives, teams and event attendees.
The tangible impact of loyalty
For frequent business travellers, status can make a real difference. Not just for the traveller, but for you – the travel arranger.
Priority check-in, lounge access, additional baggage, preferred seating, better service recovery and upgrade opportunities can all reduce travel friction while enhancing productivity and comfort on the road. These benefits may sound like luxuries, but for a busy traveller moving quickly between meetings, cities and time zones, they can support better performance and wellbeing.
An airport lounge is not just a comfy chair and a decent coffee. It can be a place to take an important business call, answer urgent emails, refocus attention between flights or avoid sitting at a crowded gate before a high-stakes meeting.
A seat upgrade is not just an indulgence. On some trips, particularly long-haul or tightly scheduled itineraries, it may help a traveller arrive better rested and ready to perform.
Priority support during disruption can also be highly valuable. When flights are delayed or cancelled, travellers with higher status may have better access to immediate assistance, alternative options and rebooking support.
For EAs and PAs, these benefits matter because they directly affect the amount of reactive problem-solving required behind the scenes. That’s a win:win.
Managing the complexities of travel loyalty
However, loyalty can become complicated when it is not managed strategically.
Many businesses do not have a strong view of how points are earned, who owns them, which programs they should participate in, how points should be used, or whether they are supporting strategic business outcomes. In some organisations, points are treated as a personal benefit. In others, they may be used to offset future travel costs, support upgrades or reward employees.
There is no single right model for every company. But with education there comes clarity. That’s where FACTS comes in.
New to FACTS 2026 is a dedicated education stream built around travel loyalty programs: the FACTS Points & Loyalty Summit. Co-presented by the iFLYflat Flights Club, the summit will provide a deep-dive into the points economy and the journey from everyday spend to extraordinary business travel.
The summit will explore:
- Who creates points?
- Who buys them?
- What are they really worth?
- How does a credit card transaction eventually become a Business Class boarding pass?
- And much more
Why loyalty matters
Without clear guidelines, loyalty can quietly shape travel behaviour in ways that may not always support the business. A traveller may choose a more expensive fare to earn extra points, or select a supplier or product to boost personal status rather than cost optimisation.
This is where EAs, PAs and travel bookers can help ask better questions to ensure the business understands the real value sitting inside its travel activity and how to harness it.
Elevate your travel loyalty knowledge at FACTS 2026
Arm yourself with the latest travel, events and loyalty insights and practical tips to maximise your travel program’s points and loyalty performance, and drive better outcomes in your role. Join FACTS 2026 at ICC Sydney, 25 and 26 November 2026.
Complimentary passes for eligible travel and event buyers are now available through the FACTS Qualified Buyer Program.
Places are limited, so apply today to secure your spot at Australia’s leading business travel and events conference.