Electronic Payments Coalition
Countless local communities are built on travel and tourism. From family-owned businesses on Main Street to our national economy, credit card rewards programs play a critical role in helping Americans travel and support jobs in communities across the country. Oxford Economics has estimated that eliminating these rewards would deliver a nearly quarter-trillion-dollar hit to the economy and put approximately 160,000 jobs at risk. Simply put, policies undermining these programs threaten economic growth, reduce consumer benefits, and jeopardize the very communities dependent on a strong and vibrant travel sector. Washington should be focused on strengthening local economies, not stifling them with harmful mandates.
Richard Hunt, Executive Chairman, Electronic Payments Coalition
Airlines for America
Credit card travel rewards are how millions of Americans are able to take trips and visit family, and they support jobs across the travel and tourism sector. The CCCA would increase the cost and complexity of maintaining these popular reward programs, putting at risk the benefits travelers have earned and rely on. Consumers value the competition and choice that exists today, and policies that disrupt the marketplace could take away those rewards.
Airlines for America
New Mexico Chamber of Commerce
Tourism is a cornerstone of New Mexico’s economy. Visitors who come to explore Carlsbad Caverns, greet the sunrise over Taos Pueblo, or experience the wonder of the International Balloon Fiesta are more than sightseers, they are vital drivers of economic activity. Every hotel stay, every local business patronized, and every piece of handmade jewelry purchased from a New Mexico artisan puts money directly into the hands of working families and small businesses. Entire communities depend on this revenue, and we take that responsibility seriously. In New Mexico, tourism keeps our small towns vibrant, our cultural traditions alive, and our economy moving forward.
Matthew Jaramillo, Board Chair, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce
Mesa Gateway Airport Authority
At Mesa Gateway Airport, we recognize travel and tourism as key contributors to the economic well-being of our region. Each visitor passing through our airport directly supports local businesses, contributes to job creation, and enhances the vibrancy and development of the East Valley. Maintaining this activity is supported by travel rewards programs, which play an important role in making travel more accessible for countless visitors and encouraging individuals to explore new destinations. Without the consistent engagement and support these programs provide, the ongoing growth of our airport and the broader economic progress of our communities would likely experience noticeable impacts. We value the travel and tourism economy as a fundamental asset for the success of our state’s airports and the communities they serve.
J. Brian O’Neill, Executive Director/CEO, Mesa Gateway Airport Authority
Seattle Latino Chamber of Commerce
Travel and tourism are not just industries; they are bridges between cultures, communities, and economic opportunity. Here in the Pacific Northwest, our Latino businesses are woven into the fabric of what makes Seattle a world-class destination. Protecting and investing in our travel and tourism economy means protecting jobs, supporting small business owners, and ensuring that Latino entrepreneurs have a seat at the table in one of our region’s most vital economic sectors.
Marcos Wanless, Seattle Latino Chamber of Commerce
Albuquerque International Sunport
At the Albuquerque International Sunport, we see every day how travel rewards programs drive passenger demand, bringing folks through our gates and into the heart of New Mexico. The Durbin-Marshall bill puts that momentum at serious risk, and we believe Congress should hear directly from airports like ours before moving forward. Airline miles and travel rewards are not just perks for a select few. They influence how millions of travelers choose when and where to fly. When those incentives are weakened, discretionary travel declines. That decline affects passenger volumes, route viability, and ultimately the broader economic impact felt across Albuquerque.
Daniel Jiron, Associate Director, Albuquerque International Sunport
Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce stands firmly with the small business owners, entrepreneurs, and working families who make up the backbone of our community, and we are deeply concerned about what the Durbin-Marshall bill would mean for them. Our member businesses rely on consumer spending. Whether it is a family-owned restaurant in the South Valley, a boutique on Old Town Plaza, or a local hotel welcoming guests to one of the most culturally rich cities in America, these businesses thrive when people choose to visit, spend, and come back again. Credit card rewards programs are a proven driver of that behavior. They give everyday consumers, including many in our own Hispanic community, a tangible reason to travel, explore, and open their wallets.
Ernie C’deBaca, President and CEO, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
Maine Credit Union League
Maine’s tourism and travel industry is the backbone of our state’s economy, and the Durbin-Marshall bill threatens to undermine it in a very real way. When credit card rewards programs are diminished, consumers lose the points, miles, and travel benefits that incentivize them to book trips, stay in Maine hotels, eat at our restaurants, and visit our attractions. For a state that depends on seasonal visitors, that is not an abstract concern. Maine credit unions have long offered competitive rewards products that serve our members and drive economic activity in our communities. We ask Congress to consider the real-world consequences for states like Maine before moving forward with legislation that benefits big-box retailers at the expense of consumers and the local economies they support.
Jared Gay, Director of Advocacy and Compliance, Maine Credit Union League
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
For the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML), the travel and tourism economy is fundamental. It is through the frequent travelers to the Ceder Rapids area that we are able to keep the stories of Czech and Slovak heritage alive for generations to come. Our visitors range from loyal patrons to those on their first visit, and their interest in destinations such as ours help to ensure a vibrant future for our surrounding communities. The NCSML is a museum for all to also learn about their culture, no matter what it be.
Dr. Cecilia Rokusek, President & CEO, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
Colorado Black Women for Political Action
Travel rewards programs represent something deeply meaningful to our communities: access and equity. For Black families and families of color who have historically faced economic barriers, airline miles, hotel points, and travel incentives have opened doors to experiences that were once out of reach. Tourism also fuels economic opportunity in our communities. When people travel to Colorado, they support Black-owned businesses, cultural events, and entrepreneurs who have worked hard to build their place in this economy. If rewards programs disappear, it isn’t just an inconvenience — it widens an already existing gap in who gets to participate in the travel economy and who benefits from it. We stand firmly in support of protecting these programs.
Bianka Emerson, President, Colorado Black Women for Political Action
Vail Valley Partnership
Tourism is the lifeblood of the Vail Valley. Our entire regional economy, from world-renowned ski resorts to local restaurants, boutique shops, and hospitality workers, depends on visitors who choose us year after year. Travel rewards programs are a critical driver of that repeat visitation. When a family in Ohio or a couple in Texas can redeem points for a trip to Vail, they aren’t just booking a vacation; they’re investing in our local economy and supporting hundreds of jobs. Our airport and lodging industry depend on these rewards. Eliminating or gutting rewards programs would directly reduce visitor volume and devastate the small businesses and working families who make this valley thrive.
Chris Romer, President, Vail Valley Partnership
Nevada Northern Railway Museum
For the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, tourism is what keeps our historic engines running. Each ticket, every visitor, directly fuels our crucial work of preserving this National Historic Landmark and educating the public about Nevada Northern’s rich past. Without this steady stream of support, our capacity to restore these irreplaceable artifacts, sustain local jobs, and serve as a cultural cornerstone would be severely diminished. This would significantly impact the well-being of our organization and the broader rural Nevada community we proudly serve.
Mark S. Bassett, President, Nevada Northern Railway Museum
Colorado Ethiopian Community
Colorado’s Ethiopian community has built a vibrant presence in this state through our restaurants, cultural celebrations, businesses, and deep community ties. Tourism brings visitors to our doors and allows us to share our heritage, our cuisine, and our culture with the world. Travel rewards programs make it possible for working families, including many in our own community, to visit loved ones, attend cultural events, and explore this great country. These programs also encourage visitors to explore neighborhoods and communities beyond the typical tourist corridors, which means more foot traffic and revenue for minority-owned and immigrant-owned businesses like ours. Losing these rewards programs would be a setback for economic inclusion and for the diverse communities that make Colorado’s tourism economy so rich and so unique.
Samuel G Michael, President, Colorado Ethiopian Community