Virtual travel experiences are no longer a futuristic concept. They’re redefining how brands build connection and loyalty. The metaverse, once synonymous with gaming, now encompasses a dynamic ecosystem of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) platforms, digital twins of real-world destinations, and thriving virtual economies where travelers can explore, earn, and engage.
These technologies allow brands to merge the physical and digital journey, creating loyalty that is experiential, emotional, and memorable. As programs evolve beyond points and tiers, immersive technology opens new paths to engagement that resonate long after a trip ends.
According to a 2025 Phocuswright study, nearly 40% of travelers have used VR to preview destinations — a clear sign that the metaverse is influencing how people dream, plan, and book travel.
The Rise of Metaverse Loyalty and Virtual Travel Experiences
From Web 2.0 Rewards to Web 3.0 Engagement
Loyalty programs have evolved from punch cards and stamps to mobile apps and AI-driven personalization. Yet even digital convenience often lacks emotional connection. The metaverse — or Web 3.0 loyalty — changes that by introducing ownership, social belonging, and immersive storytelling.
Members can now earn or collect NFTs, unlock virtual assets, or participate in exclusive digital worlds. For example:
-
Starbucks Odyssey ties NFTs to real-world achievements, giving members a collectible record of loyalty.
-
Nike’s .SWOOSH platform lets fans trade virtual sneakers and unlock physical perks.
-
Marriott offers virtual hotel previews that inspire confidence before booking.
-
Hilton has hosted VR campaigns that transport members to global destinations — fueling aspiration and emotional engagement.
These initiatives illustrate how metaverse loyalty transforms engagement from transactional to experiential.
Why the Metaverse Matters for Travel
Travel is, by nature, an experiential activity. Every trip involves anticipation, exploration, and memory-making. The metaverse enhances these experiences by offering digital tools that engage travelers before, during, and after their journeys. VR tours and digital twins of destinations allow travelers to preview hotels, attractions, and landmarks, building excitement and influencing booking decisions. After the trip, AR memories and gamified sharing extend the journey, allowing travelers to continue engaging with the brand while preserving and celebrating their experiences. By incorporating metaverse travel rewards, brands create a continuous loop of engagement that strengthens emotional connection and fosters loyalty.
Three Ways VR and AR Will Transform Travel Rewards
1. Immersive Earning: AR Gamification and Virtual Missions
AR technology turns everyday actions into interactive experiences. Members might join augmented reality scavenger hunts in airports or hotels, earning points by completing virtual missions.
In-destination AR quests could link physical check-ins or landmark visits to digital rewards — blending exploration with gamified engagement.
Result: deeper emotional connection, brand storytelling, and social sharing.
2. Virtual Redemption: VR Travel Rewards and Digital Twins
With VR travel rewards, members can redeem points for digital experiences — from concerts and events to detailed destination previews using digital twin technology.
These virtual experiences create excitement, inspire physical bookings, and strengthen loyalty through aspiration. Potential partnerships include tourism boards, airlines, and platforms like Meta Horizon, Roblox, or Decentraland.
A Mastercard Travel Insights report found that immersive experiences increase purchase intent by 28%, underscoring how virtual engagement can drive real-world bookings.
3. Hybrid Experiences: Bridging Virtual and Physical Travel
The future of loyalty lies in hybrid experiences that connect the virtual and physical worlds. Imagine earning a VR “visit” to Tokyo that unlocks a discounted in-person flight, or booking a trip that comes with a virtual pre-trip orientation or exclusive digital badge.
This blending of real and virtual creates dynamic packaging opportunities for brands — combining convenience, personalization, and aspiration in one ecosystem.
What Metaverse Loyalty Means for Brands
New Metrics of Engagement
Traditional loyalty metrics — like points earned or trips booked — tell only part of the story. In metaverse loyalty, brands can measure:
-
Time spent in virtual experiences
-
Actions completed in AR/VR environments
-
Interactions with digital assets
These insights inform more precise personalization, enabling brands to tailor real-world offers based on virtual behavior.
Community, Not Just Transactions
The metaverse redefines loyalty as participation, not just purchase frequency. Virtual communities allow travelers to share experiences, co-create content, and celebrate milestones together.
Brands can host virtual meet-ups, reward social advocacy, and recognize creativity — transforming loyalty programs into connected ecosystems where members feel seen, valued, and inspired.
Technology and Trust Challenges
While the metaverse offers vast opportunity, it also introduces new challenges: accessibility, interoperability, and data privacy.
A key factor is interoperability — ensuring a traveler’s loyalty profile and assets can move seamlessly across apps, VR spaces, and AR experiences. For example, a member could earn points through a hotel app, access a VR twin of that property, and redeem points for an AR city tour without logging into separate systems.
That’s where Switchfly’s modular platform plays a crucial role. Our infrastructure supports secure, scalable integrations, SOC 2 Type II compliance, and API flexibility, enabling brands to deliver immersive loyalty experiences without compromising security or convenience.
The Current State of Virtual Travel Experiences
While the full metaverse is still emerging, early pilots are reshaping how travelers plan and engage. Airlines, hotels, and loyalty providers are experimenting with immersive previews, AR-enabled loyalty tiers, and avatar-based service.
Over the next few years, expect to see hybrid loyalty models where virtual engagement directly drives real-world redemption, bridging emotional connection and measurable ROI.
Preparing for the Future of Loyalty
For brands, the metaverse isn’t about replacing reality — it’s about expanding it. Forward-looking loyalty programs are exploring:
-
Immersive booking previews that help travelers experience destinations before purchase
-
Avatar-based customer service for personalized, interactive support
-
Gamified status tiers that reward engagement across channels
With Switchfly’s flexible APIs, white-label travel experiences, and AI-driven personalization, brands can pilot metaverse-ready initiatives today — building the foundation for next-gen loyalty programs that blend imagination with measurable value.
Loyalty in an Immersive World
The metaverse represents the next frontier of travel loyalty — where imagination and reward intersect. By embracing virtual travel experiences, AR gamification, and immersive loyalty models, brands can create deeper, more meaningful connections with their members.
The journey to next-gen loyalty starts now. Contact Switchfly to explore how travel loyalty technology can power engagement, both in the real and virtual world.
