Market overview
The global airline loyalty market is worth USD 50.9 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 95.5 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Co-brand credit cards is the largest by source segment.
| Scope | Revenue earned by airline frequent flyer programmes: miles and points sold to card issuers, hotels and retail partners, plus programme fees and redemption-related income. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and Tourism |
| Value 2025 | USD 48.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 50.9 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 95.5 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 6.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 1,143 million members |
| Volume 2036 | 1,760 million members |
| Average price 2026 | USD 44.5 per member |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Airline Loyalty market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 50.9 bn |
| 2027 | USD 54.2 bn |
| 2028 | USD 57.7 bn |
| 2029 | USD 61.5 bn |
| 2030 | USD 65.5 bn |
| 2031 | USD 69.7 bn |
| 2032 | USD 74.2 bn |
| 2033 | USD 79.1 bn |
| 2034 | USD 84.2 bn |
| 2035 | USD 89.7 bn |
| 2036 | USD 95.5 bn |
Airline Loyalty market segmentation
By source
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-brand credit cards | 58.0% | 58.8% | USD 29.5 bn | 6.6% |
| Retail and travel partners | 20.0% | 19.3% | USD 10.2 bn | 6.1% |
| Direct purchase of miles | 14.0% | 14.9% | USD 7.1 bn | 7.1% |
| Other income | 8.0% | 7.0% | USD 4.1 bn | 5.1% |
By programme type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network carriers | 72.0% | 68.8% | USD 36.6 bn | 6.0% |
| Low-cost and regional carriers | 12.0% | 14.5% | USD 6.1 bn | 8.5% |
| Gulf and Asian carriers | 16.0% | 16.8% | USD 8.1 bn | 7.0% |
By alliance
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Alliance | 31.0% | 28.0% | USD 15.8 bn | 5.4% |
| Oneworld | 26.0% | 25.0% | USD 13.2 bn | 6.1% |
| SkyTeam | 21.0% | 19.0% | USD 10.7 bn | 5.4% |
| Independent programmes | 22.0% | 28.0% | USD 11.2 bn | 9.1% |
By member tier
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry members | 31.0% | 29.0% | USD 15.8 bn | 5.8% |
| Mid-tier members | 38.0% | 38.0% | USD 19.3 bn | 6.5% |
| Elite members | 31.0% | 33.0% | USD 15.8 bn | 7.2% |
By programme model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles based | 54.0% | 46.0% | USD 27.5 bn | 4.8% |
| Revenue based | 24.0% | 32.0% | USD 12.2 bn | 9.6% |
| Hybrid | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 11.2 bn | 6.5% |
Top 25 countries for airline loyalty by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 81.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.7%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 23.4 bn | 46.0% | USD 41.5 bn | 5.9% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | USD 3.1 bn | 6.0% | USD 5.2 bn | 5.4% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 2.5 bn | 5.0% | USD 4.3 bn | 5.4% |
| 4 | France | USD 2.0 bn | 4.0% | USD 3.6 bn | 6.0% |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | USD 2.0 bn | 4.0% | USD 4.6 bn | 8.5% |
| 6 | Canada | USD 2.0 bn | 4.0% | USD 3.8 bn | 6.5% |
| 7 | Australia | USD 1.8 bn | 3.5% | USD 3.3 bn | 6.5% |
| 8 | Singapore | USD 1.5 bn | 3.0% | USD 3.2 bn | 7.5% |
| 9 | Brazil | USD 1.5 bn | 3.0% | USD 3.4 bn | 8.5% |
| 10 | India | USD 1.3 bn | 2.5% | USD 3.7 bn | 11.3% |
| 11 | China | USD 712 mn | 1.4% | USD 1.4 bn | 6.9% |
| 12 | Japan | USD 677 mn | 1.3% | USD 1.2 bn | 6.1% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 641 mn | 1.3% | USD 1.2 bn | 6.1% |
| 14 | Italy | USD 605 mn | 1.2% | USD 1.1 bn | 6.0% |
| 15 | Netherlands | USD 570 mn | 1.1% | USD 1.0 bn | 6.1% |
| 16 | Switzerland | USD 534 mn | 1.1% | USD 965 mn | 6.1% |
| 17 | Turkey | USD 499 mn | 1.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 8.0% |
| 18 | Qatar | USD 463 mn | 0.9% | USD 1.0 bn | 8.0% |
| 19 | Mexico | USD 427 mn | 0.8% | USD 926 mn | 8.0% |
| 20 | South Korea | USD 392 mn | 0.8% | USD 850 mn | 8.1% |
| 21 | Thailand | USD 356 mn | 0.7% | USD 774 mn | 8.1% |
| 22 | Saudi Arabia | USD 321 mn | 0.6% | USD 697 mn | 8.1% |
| 23 | Ireland | USD 285 mn | 0.6% | USD 621 mn | 8.1% |
| 24 | Malaysia | USD 249 mn | 0.5% | USD 544 mn | 8.1% |
| 25 | Indonesia | USD 214 mn | 0.4% | USD 468 mn | 8.2% |
| Rest of world | USD 2.7 bn | 5.3% | USD 5.0 bn | 6.3% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Lufthansa Group
- Air France-KLM
- Emirates
- Southwest Airlines
- International Airlines Group
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Qantas
- Singapore Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- LATAM Airlines
- Air Canada
- Cathay Pacific
- ANA
- Japan Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Korean Air
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Alaska Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Avianca
- JetBlue
- Etihad Airways
- Copa Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Aeromexico
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the airline loyalty market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 6.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by source, by programme type, by alliance, by member tier, by programme model. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the airline loyalty market?
The global airline loyalty market is estimated at USD 48.0 bn in 2025 and USD 50.9 bn in 2026.
How fast will the airline loyalty market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 95.5 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 44.6 bn.
Which country is the largest market for airline loyalty?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 23.4 bn in 2026, 46.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 57.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 11.3% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which airline loyalty segment is largest?
In the by source split, Co-brand credit cards is the largest segment with 58.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading airline loyalty companies?
Global leaders include Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Lufthansa Group.
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