In this episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko break down what’s happening at the intersection of loyalty, artificial intelligence, and geopolitics.

They start with Marriott’s earnings, where the power of co-branded credit cards is now central to profitability. With 270 million Bonvoy members and over $700 million in credit card fees, loyalty has become a financial engine. But in a dramatic shift from prior years, Marriott and Hilton are now explicitly disclosing AI as a risk in their SEC filings.

Why? Because AI-powered intermediaries may change how travelers search, compare, and book hotels. Skift Research data shows that only 6% of travelers say they would remain loyal if an AI found them a better deal. That’s a sobering number for any brand betting on loyalty.

The conversation then widens to Skift Research’s 2026 outlook, where the word of the year is “resilience.” Consumers continue to prioritize travel globally, even amid affordability pressures and economic uncertainty. But geopolitics, from protests to tariffs to airspace disruptions, may be the single biggest risk facing the industry.

They close with a look at tech stock volatility, market reactions to AI, and what all of this means for travel companies heading into an uncertain year.

A sharp, data-driven discussion about loyalty, AI disruption, market risk, and the resilience of the global traveler.

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