The Emotional Economics of Loyalty: Why Points Matter Less Than Trust in 2026

Is loyalty dead, or simply misunderstood?In this episode of The Backlog, Laura Scott speaks with Ohad Sternberg, Founder of UpNonStop, about how loyalty has evolved across airlines, retail, and enterprise technology.They examine why points and rewards increasingly function as abstract currency, how gamification shapes customer behavior, and why emotional connection drives decisions more powerfully than discounts.From airline status chasing to supermarket subscriptions and B2B customer success, this conversation explores the structural elements that make loyalty programs effective and the trust dynamics that sustain long-term relationships.For executives, marketers, and consultants focused on retention and customer value, this episode provides a grounded perspective on the emotional economics of loyalty in 2026.Visit:www.adaptovate.comwww.upnonstop.com