The job market has evolved, and traditional benefits alone no longer capture candidates’ attention. Companies looking to attract top talent must offer more meaningful, experience-driven perks. For organizations reevaluating how to meet employee expectations, travel is quickly surfacing as the most powerful missing component in their employee rewards portfolio.
While traditional perks like healthcare and retirement plans remain essential, they’re no longer differentiators. To break through the noise, employers are turning to experiential benefits—especially travel rewards—as a way to emotionally engage candidates and leave a lasting impression.
As companies compete for in-demand skills, offering travel incentives as part of your employee benefits package can be a game-changer. Unlike cash bonuses or material perks, travel rewards deliver emotional value. According to Shortlister, 65% of employees prefer non-cash incentives.
Incorporating travel rewards signals that your company prioritizes experiences, personal fulfillment, and work-life balance—factors that millennial and Gen Z workers increasingly value.
Experiential rewards like travel, are proven to increase employee motivation, especially in high-performing candidates. Experiences create lasting memories, emotional connections, and higher perceived value. A memorable trip is far more shareable and satisfying than a gift card—and that emotional connection can influence both a candidate’s decision to accept an offer and their long-term commitment to your company.
Travel rewards do more than sweeten the deal—they can have a direct impact on how candidates perceive your company and whether they accept your offer. Key benefits include:
A study from Staples found that over 60% of job seekers would accept a lower salary in exchange for better benefits. That makes your perks strategy a recruitment tool—not just a retention one.
Salesforce shifted from traditional cash-based incentives to experiential rewards such as company-sponsored trips and immersive learning retreats. As a result, the company reported a 27% increase in employee satisfaction and a 24% year-over-year revenue increase following implementation.
Google empowers employees with "20% time" to pursue personal projects, often in the form of external hackathons, travel-based innovation sprints, and off-site collaboration retreats. These experiences have contributed to a 25% lift in productivity and helped launch major products like Gmail and AdSense.
Amazon’s Career Choice program pre-pays tuition and provides travel stipends for employees to attend educational programs in high-demand fields. To date, more than 40,000 employees have enrolled, with 85% reporting an increased sense of value—and the program has contributed to a 10% improvement in retention.
Implementing travel rewards doesn’t have to be complex. Here are smart ways to align them with your hiring process:
Different demographics value different types of experiences. Younger employees may prefer adventurous getaways, while older professionals might lean toward relaxation and luxury. Use surveys or interview insights to tailor rewards to your candidates’ preferences.
Highlight your travel rewards on job listings, during interviews, and in offer letters. Consider featuring travel perks in recruitment marketing campaigns and in your career site messaging. Make it part of the employer brand story you’re telling to attract top talent. Experiential benefits can sway candidates who are comparing multiple offers.
Once you have attracted top talent, ensure to reinforce their availability throughout the onboarding process. Using travel incentives as post-offer bonuses or part of a welcome package can increase excitement and engagement.
A successful diverse rewards program should reflect the needs of your workforce and candidate pool ensures that everyone—regardless of lifestyle, mobility, or family situation—can access meaningful experiences. It’s vital to include flexible options such as solo trips, family-friendly vacations, or even local weekend retreats, accessibility filters, and culturally relevant offerings.
Monitor how these perks influence offer acceptance and candidate satisfaction to refine your approach.
Switchfly makes it easy for HR teams to offer high-impact travel rewards through existing employee rewards and recognition platforms without logistical headaches. Our platform supports:
Whether you’re building a new recruitment campaign or elevating your employer brand, Switchfly helps you turn travel into a competitive hiring advantage.
As job seekers grow more selective, employers must find creative ways to stand out. Integrating travel rewards into your recruitment strategy is an innovative, high-impact way to help your organization stand out, attract top talent, and build a brand that candidates remember.
Switchfly makes this easy by delivering a flexible, intuitive platform to help companies launch compelling, personalized travel rewards programs that align with their goals. Ready to rethink your recruitment incentives? Explore how Switchfly can elevate your hiring efforts and help you attract the best talent.