Rewards and recognition platforms are under growing pressure to keep catalogs fresh, competitive, and aspirational. Employee expectations have shifted, and travel is now appearing more frequently in RFPs as a must-have redemption option.
Adding travel rewards is no longer a nice-to-have — it’s a way for rewards and recognition providers to win new business, reduce churn, and differentiate from platforms that only offer cash, gift cards, or merchandise. Travel delivers experiences that employees value far more than transactional rewards, but not every travel rewards vendor can support the scale, compliance, or integration needs of modern recognition platforms.
That’s why knowing how to evaluate the right travel partner is critical for growth.
For rewards and recognition platforms, travel has become more than just another redemption option. It’s a strategic lever that can shape platform performance. Travel helps R&R platforms stand out in competitive RFP processes, since more enterprise buyers are explicitly asking for it in their catalogs. Once integrated, travel also deepens client retention, as aspirational experiences lead to higher redemption activity and program stickiness.
From a financial standpoint, travel tends to carry stronger perceived value and healthier margins compared to gift cards or merchandise. By embedding travel into the recognition experience, platforms signal to their clients that they understand the need for high-value, memorable rewards that employees genuinely want.
The right partner should make it simple to weave travel seamlessly into your recognition ecosystem. White-label branding ensures the booking path feels like an extension of your platform, while flexible APIs make it easy to integrate travel into your catalog or app. A mobile-friendly design is equally important, as employees expect to plan and book rewards from any device without friction.
Choice drives adoption, so vendors must offer more than just flights and hotels. The strongest partners provide access to car rentals, curated activities, and travel insurance as well. For multinational clients, global reach is especially critical. A limited catalog can quickly create inequities between regions, frustrating both clients and their employees.
R&R platforms handle sensitive employee and corporate data every day, which means data security is non-negotiable. Look for vendors who demonstrate enterprise-grade compliance such as SOC 2 Type 2 certification, alongside proven security protocols and international regulatory readiness. These assurances protect your brand while giving enterprise buyers confidence in your platform.
As your platform grows, your travel solution must grow with it. The right vendor should handle a range of employee tiers, budgets, and geographies, while also offering personalization powered by AI or machine learning. This level of customization transforms a generic catalog into a more engaging and rewarding experience that clients will associate with your platform’s value.
Travel is a live experience — employees will be traveling across time zones, sometimes facing disruptions. Strong 24/7 traveler support ensures employees feel cared for, while dedicated account management gives your platform team a reliable partner to work with behind the scenes. Without robust service, even the best technology can fall flat.
Finally, R&R platforms should demand clear pricing and measurable outcomes. Hidden fees or vague cost structures erode trust, while detailed analytics on redemption rates, liability reduction, and engagement uplift prove business value. When you can demonstrate these metrics to your clients, you turn travel from a perk into a profit driver.
When comparing travel rewards vendors, be cautious of limited catalogs that exclude global users, hidden fees, or rigid point structures that frustrate employees, and vendors that lack compliance certifications. Another common issue is vendor lock-in: inflexible contracts that prevent you from evolving as your clients’ needs change.
When evaluating travel rewards partners, the right questions can uncover whether a vendor is equipped to support both your platform and your enterprise clients. Here are five that should be at the top of your list:
How do you support global inventory and diverse employee needs?
R&R platforms often serve multinational companies, which means employees may be based anywhere in the world. A travel vendor without robust global coverage risks creating inequities — where some employees have access to exciting options while others are left out. Asking this question ensures the vendor can deliver the breadth of flights, hotels, cars, and experiences needed to satisfy a distributed workforce.
What reporting can you provide on redemption rates and ROI?
Enterprise buyers expect evidence that rewards programs drive measurable outcomes. A strong travel vendor should provide detailed analytics on redemption activity, engagement uplift, and liability reduction. This data not only proves ROI but also gives your platform valuable insights to strengthen client renewals and upsell opportunities.
How quickly can your platform be implemented into our system?
Speed-to-market is often a deciding factor in RFPs. A vendor that requires nine months of custom development could cost you new business, while a partner with proven APIs and implementation playbooks can have travel live in a matter of weeks. By asking this question, you’ll understand whether the vendor aligns with your own platform’s agility and client expectations.
Do you offer white-label customization to carry our brand through the booking journey?
For R&R platforms, maintaining brand consistency is essential. Employees should feel like they’re still inside their company’s recognition program — not redirected to a third-party site. White-label customization allows you to deliver a seamless, branded experience that strengthens trust and enhances adoption. This question helps uncover whether a vendor can protect your brand equity while adding value.
What compliance and security standards do you meet?
Recognition platforms handle sensitive employee and corporate data, so compliance can’t be an afterthought. Vendors that lack SOC 2 Type 2 certification or GDPR readiness may put your clients at risk. Asking this question helps you separate partners who treat security as a core competency from those who view it as a checkbox. Enterprise-grade compliance not only builds trust but also makes your platform a safer choice for large organizations.
For rewards and recognition platforms, integrating travel rewards isn’t just about enhancing the catalog — it’s about accelerating growth. Offering travel allows you to win more RFPs, differentiate from competitors, and keep clients engaged with rewards that employees actively want to redeem. It also improves your own business outcomes: better margins than traditional rewards categories and stronger client retention over time.
Travel rewards are quickly becoming table stakes in recognition catalogs, and platforms that fail to offer them risk losing ground. The best travel rewards vendors bring global inventory, fast integrations, enterprise-grade compliance, and the traveler support that keeps client relationships strong.
By choosing a travel rewards partner who delivers on these fronts, rewards and recognition platforms can win more business, reduce churn, and offer recognition experiences that truly resonate. To explore how Switchfly can help you incorporate travel rewards, contact us today and schedule a demo.