Blockchain-based loyalty programs in the hotel industry: a systematic review

Purpose This study aims to systematically review blockchain-based loyalty programs in hotels, identify their enabling mechanisms and reported outcomes and specify when blockchain materially extends traditional loyalty programs. Design/methodology/approach A PRISMA-guided review of Scopus and Web of Science (2014–2024) identified 55 studies. Evidence was synthesized via a standardized extraction template, qualitative thematic analysis and bibliometric co-occurrence mapping. Findings Three capabilities recur: smart-contract rule automation; shared, tamper-evident records on distributed ledgers and portability through tokenization/interoperability. Outcomes are strongest when blockchain logic is embedded at familiar booking/payment touchpoints, personally identifiable information remains off-chain with on-chain proofs and wallets abstract keys/fees. Adoption remains uneven due to regulatory classification of tokenized rewards, privacy management, throughput/fee variability, user-experience frictions and multiparty governance. Two under-specified levers – token governance and the interaction between portability and brand attachment – shape perceived fairness, economics and engagement. Evidence favors hybrid deployment layered onto incumbent systems rather than wholesale replacement. Research limitations/implications Evidence skews toward pilots and single-case designs; cost and environmental metrics are inconsistently reported. Practical implications Prioritize compliance-first hybrid designs: off-chain personal data with on-chain proofs, recovery-enabled/custodial wallets with fee abstraction and selective smart contracts for partner clearing and high-risk redemption. Originality/value This hotel-focused synthesis integrates technical, managerial and regulatory lenses; distinguishes auditability-based trust from affective attachment; and reframes portability as both opportunity and boundary condition, setting a targeted agenda around governance, user experience and cross-jurisdictional compliance.