Hotels and airlines aren’t the only travel-related organizations with appealing loyalty programs. Airports have them, too. An airport rewards program can deliver some great benefits and encourage travelers to fly more from an individual airport.

Should you join an airport rewards program? Most are free, so there is little downside. While it won’t send you first class to a tropical resort with miles or points, an airport loyalty program can still help make your overall travel experience more pleasant.

Here’s why you should join an airport loyalty program and where to find them before your next trip.

Why join an airport loyalty program

Airports are competing for your business just like airlines, especially as passengers may be willing to drive longer distances to reach an airport with lower fares.

Loyalty programs help airports hang on to more travelers by dangling enticing benefits in their direction, and they help travelers by giving them access to frequent discounts or other perks, like free Wi-Fi or the ability to redeem points for gift cards.

6 top airport rewards programs around the world

1. London — Heathrow Rewards

Do you travel to — or through — London often? Try Heathrow Rewards, London Heathrow's airport loyalty program. Though the airport is known for providing travelers with an experience akin to shopping at a mall, the airport’s loyalty program offers even more incentive to add LHR as a stop on any journey.

How it works: Register your credit card during enrollment in the program, and you’ll collect 10 points for every roughly $14 (£10) spent at dozens of retail brands, restaurants, bars and hotels, plus on parking at Heathrow and Heathrow Express transportation. Even currency exchanged at Travelex will earn points. Additional points may be earned at Heathrow’s airport lounges and by booking hotels through Rocketmiles — between 500 and 10,000 points per night on reservations.

Redeeming rewards is easy, as members receive a physical (or virtual) card to scan for payments at participating stores and Heathrow Express train tickets. Five hundred points is worth about $7 (£5), and when used for parking at Heathrow, 500 points is worth about $14 (£10). The same equation is provided through airport shopping vouchers that can be used at dozens of airport stores and outlets. You can also use your points toward your miles program, including Miles & More by Lufthansa, British Airways Avios and Emirates Skywards (250 Heathrow Rewards points equals 250 miles).