Hotel loyalty programs are now so popular that an amazing 76% of users would choose their benefits over a spouse if they could take just one on the road, according to a survey of nearly 10,000 travelers by Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG).
In a travel emergency, 70% of respondents said that their elite status in a hotel loyalty rewards program would be handier than their smartphone, tablet or even their personal assistant.
Meanwhile, respondents were not above telling little white lies to get a better hotel room or hotel/airline travel upgrade.
Nearly half of respondents (45%) claimed they would pretend it was their honeymoon, 25% would pretend they had a family emergency, and 20% would pretend to be someone important.
By David Wilkening
