Protecting America’s Travel & Tourism Economy
About the Alliance
Launched in April 2026, the U.S. Tourism Economy Alliance (USTEA) unites diverse organizations to provide a unified voice for travel and tourism, protecting an industry that creates jobs and drives economic growth. We help lawmakers understand tourism’s critical role and advocate for the small businesses, attractions, airports, and hospitality leaders that rely on it. Born out of urgency over proposals threatening credit card rewards programs and credit access, USTEA gives a voice to travelers, workers, and communities during critical policy debates.
What’s at stake?
The Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Mandate Bill would deliver a double hit to travel and tourism. By threatening to eliminate credit card rewards, it would change how everyday Americans pay for and afford travel, while also pulling customers away from the small businesses and communities that rely on tourism to survive. The result would be fewer travelers, less spending, and real consequences for an industry that fuels local economies and supports millions of jobs.
Your next trip becomes unaffordable.
Flights to your favorite destinations could disappear.
Ticket prices go up, and so does everything else.
The credit card perks you count on vanish.
Your points become less valuable.
Fewer rewards mean less economic activity and significant U.S. job loss.
The Facts
16.7 million
jobs support travel and tourism in the U.S.
Over 30 million
U.S. households have airline rewards credit cards.
15 million
air trips are booked annually with credit card rewards.
84%
of credit cards offer rewards, which can be redeemed for travel.
Nearly $44 billion
in total spending is generated for travel businesses by credit card rewards travelers.
After Sen. Durbin passed similar mandates on debit cards in 2010, consumers never saw the promised benefits. In fact, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond found that 98% of retailers actually raised or kept prices the same. The 2010 Durbin debit card mandates led many banks to scale back or outright eliminate debit card reward programs. A similar scenario is likely to occur if Durbin-Marshall credit card mandates pass.
The bottom line:
No matter what they say, the truth is prices won’t go down, small businesses won’t save money, and consumers will face higher costs, greater fraud risks, fewer rewards and less access to credit.
Sign Up for Email Updates
We need your help protecting tourism-reliant businesses and jobs.
Sign up for email updates to stay informed and find out about opportunities to take action.
"*" indicates required fields
By clicking Submit, you agree to receive email updates from USTEA.
We will not sell or share your information. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Newsroom
-
U.S. Tourism Economy Alliance Applauds Gov. Polis for Supporting Colorado’s Jobs and Travel Industry
An alliance of more than 30 organizations in the travel and tourism industry nationwide has applauded the veto of Governor Jared Polis on a bill that would have damaged the…
-
A Bill That Would Result in Us Losing Our Credit Card Rewards
RealClearMarketsFuel costs related to the conflict in Iran have sent airlines into a panic as the summer vacation season inches closer—consumers are going to feel the squeeze. Millions of Americans…
-
Congress Must Protect the Travel Economy That Powers Maine
Portland Press HeraldMainers know that our state has earned its reputation as “Vacationland,” a designation that transcends the phrase on our license plates and speaks to a defining element of our state’s…
Alliance Members
