Back In the health and wellness industry, customer engagement is everything. Whether you’re selling wearable fitness devices, boutique spin classes or premium wellness subscriptions, brands rely on frequent interactions and recurring spend to grow. Consumers see these products and services as valuable investments in their self-care, but these deep connections don’t automatically translate to long-term loyalty. As competition grows and consumer expectations shift, brands must continuously find new ways to augment the member experience. One way to do this? Integrating travel rewards into the wellness ecosystem.
The Role of Travel Rewards in a Holistic Lifestyle
Your customers strive to maintain healthy habits, even while traveling—but that’s not always easy. You can solidify your role in their wellness journey by offering curated travel rewards tailored to their priorities, such as activity-focused vacations, meditation retreats and fitness-friendly accommodations.
Our recent Travel Rewards in Retail study found that 64% of health and wellness program members would consider booking travel through their preferred brand if given the option. Just over 40% cited exclusive travel perks—think special discounts on healthy meal services at destinations or complimentary wellness add-ons like an airport massage—as the most compelling benefit. These insights highlight a significant opportunity: A travel rewards program designed for active, wellness-focused lifestyles strengthens brand affinity and creates differentiation in a crowded market.
Turning Travel Rewards Into a Competitive Advantage
With the rise of subscription-based models in health and wellness, a standard points system isn’t enough to keep members engaged. Consumers already invest in premium experiences, so how can you increase the value of their membership? According to our findings, 41% of health and wellness loyalty members want more ways to save with their favorite brand, while 37% want more ways to earn points. Travel rewards help with both.
Rather than restricting rewards to your core product and service, why not allow members to earn and redeem points for travel purchased through your platform, as well as on items like groceries? Flexible redemption options ensure your program remains relevant even when members aren’t actively purchasing new fitness gear or classes.
A well-designed travel rewards program can also incentivize deeper engagement with your brand: Awarding bonus points for booking wellness retreats or attending branded fitness events creates new touchpoints that strengthen the connection between you and your customer.
Appealing to the Next-Gen
Millennials and Gen Z are driving the growth of the health and wellness industry. This demographic is not only more likely to invest in fitness technology and premium wellness services—they’re also enthusiastic travelers, making them a prime audience for travel rewards. However, they expect more than traditional perks; they want flexibility and exclusivity.
Introducing flexible payment options for travel bookings, such as installment plans or membership-tiered discounts, enables you to align with their financial habits. According to our consumer study, 46% of respondents aged 18-34 said flexible payments would increase their likelihood of booking travel through a retail program, outranking better pricing by nearly 10 points.
Younger consumers also tend to gravitate towards unique, members-only experiences. Offering dedicated wellness travel opportunities, including early access to destination fitness events, VIP passes to global wellness festivals, or private fitness retreats, positions your brand as an integral part of their lifestyle.
Experiential rewards like guided adventure travel or urban wellness city tours provide added value that resonates with younger consumers looking for brands that espouse their values. Engagement with customers and members naturally deepens when loyalty programs integrate travel perks that reflect personal aspirations.
Building a Profitable Loyalty Model With Travel Rewards
Travel rewards do more than enhance the member experience; they also drive revenue. While some may view loyalty programs as cost centers, the right partnerships can turn them into profit generators. One loyalty strategy is to negotiate discounts with travel suppliers while retaining a healthy margin. For instance, if a luxury wellness resort offers a 30% discount, you might pass 25% to members while keeping 5% as revenue.
Additionally, allowing members to book travel directly through your platform keeps them within your ecosystem rather than turning to third-party booking sites. This ongoing engagement ensures that your brand remains part of their lifestyle beyond workouts and wellness routines.
Another revenue-generating opportunity lies in tiered travel perks. Premium loyalty members could receive elevated benefits—complimentary spa treatments, concierge health services while traveling, or personalized wellness itineraries—creating additional incentives for customers to upgrade their memberships.
Loyalty That Extends Beyond the Subscription
The health and wellness industry is constantly expanding. Providing great products or services is no longer enough; brands must create ecosystems that keep members excited and invested.
The key to long-term engagement isn’t just selling products; it’s supporting customers in every aspect of their wellness-focused lifestyles. Travel rewards create opportunities for brands to be present beyond the gym, the studio, or the product itself—embedding them into memorable moments in their customers’ lives.
Download our study Travel Rewards in Retail: An Overlooked Strategy for Building Stronger Loyalty, to learn how arrivia can help your brand drive revenue, higher customer lifetime value and sustained engagement through travel.