USA TODAY 10Best
Readers choose FREE SPIRIT as best for travelers
Best Frequent Flyer Program (2019)
Savvy frequent travelers know that loyalty to a specific airline can translate to big savings on flights and upgrades. But not all loyalty programs are created equal. 10Best editors teamed up with a miles-and-points expert to nominate the nation's most worthwhile programs–programs with plenty of ways to earn and redeem miles, great coverage and plenty of flight options when it comes time to book that free trip. Our readers had four weeks to vote for their favorites, and the results are in.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Frequent Flyer Program are as follows:
Photo courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines
No. 10: Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
HawaiianMiles members enjoy reduced baggage fees when traveling between islands and can earn miles on flights, hotels and shopping with partner vendors. Miles can be redeemed for flights on Hawaiian Airlines or its partners (including Virgin America and JetBlue), as well as on hotel stays and car rentals.
No. 9: JetBlue TrueBlue
TrueBlue, JetBlue's loyalty program, offers flexible points redemption with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. Passengers earn points on JetBlue flights (bonus points for flights booked through the JetBlue website), as well as flights with six partner airlines, and points never expire. Family Pooling gives families a single shared account to accrue points faster.
Photo courtesy of United Airlines
No. 8: United MileagePlus
United's MileagePlus program is excellent for domestic and international travelers, who can earn and use points with United and more than 30 partner airlines to access over 1,000 destinations around the globe. Besides booking travel, rewards points can go toward hotels, car rentals, cruises, shopping or dining.
Photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines
No. 7: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Fliers from across the West Coast and major transportation centers throughout the United States can benefit from Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan. Passengers earn miles on every flight, as well as on eligible flights with 15 partner airlines and by booking stays with 11 different hotel partners. Points can be used for booking free flights or cabin upgrades.
Photo courtesy of American Airlines
No. 6: American Airlines AAdvantage
AAdvantage miles can be earned and redeemed on both American Airlines and oneworld partner airlines. Miles can be redeemed toward flights, hotels, upgrades and retail products, and they can be earned through more than 1,000 partner companies.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
No. 5: Delta SkyMiles
SkyMiles members earn miles with flights on Delta and several partner airlines, as well as through Delta Vacations getaways or through myriad hotel, car rental, restaurant and retail partners. Miles never expire and can be used to book travel on Delta or partner airlines, purchase cabin upgrades or shop on the SkyMiles Marketplace.
No. 4: Air Canada Aeroplan
Aeroplan miles can be earned by flying to some 1,200 destinations worldwide through Air Canada and Star Alliance partners, as well as by shopping with partners online. Altitude, Air Canada's tiered frequent flyer program, offers passengers a chance to earn Qualifying Miles to go toward flights, upgrades or Aeroplan rewards.
No. 3: Air France & KLM Flying Blue
While Flying Blue is the loyalty program for two European airlines, it does offer appealing benefits for American flyers as well, including the ability to earn and redeem miles through SkyTeam airlines and a wide variety of hotel and retail partners. Flying Blue points can also be transferred to and from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Hilton HHonors and American Express Membership Rewards.
Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines
No. 2: Southwest Rapid Rewards
Points never expire with Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards so long as there's a flight or partner earning activity every 24 months. Southwest offers some 3,900 flights daily, and with no blackout dates and unlimited reward seats, redeeming points is easy. Rapid Rewards members can also earn points on car rentals with Alamo.
Photo courtesy of Spirit Airlines
No. 1: Spirit Airlines FREE SPIRIT
FREE SPIRIT members earn miles on flights and on partner purchases through Choice Hotels, several car rental companies and dining partners. Round-trip award tickets start at 5,000 miles with extra savings during off peak periods.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning frequent flyer programs!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Dan Eleff
Dan Eleff is the CEO and founder of DansDeals.com,... Read More
Dan Eleff is the CEO and founder of DansDeals.com, voted the #1 miles and points blog by USA Today’s readers. He has personally earned over 30 million miles and points and is a recognized expert in the travel industry. He has been consulted by frequent flier programs for his advice on their programs and has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Dan started blogging in 2004 and DansDeals has since become a popular daily destination for millions of followers looking to score deals on anything and everything, including a hot spot for news and advice on all things points, miles, and travel.
Dan Eleff
Dan Eleff is the CEO and founder of DansDeals.com, voted the #1 miles and points blog by USA Today’s readers. He has personally earned over 30 million miles and points and is a recognized expert in the travel industry. He has been consulted by frequent flier programs for his advice on their programs and has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Dan started blogging in 2004 and DansDeals has since become a popular daily destination for millions of followers looking to score deals on anything and everything, including a hot spot for news and advice on all things points, miles, and travel.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist... Read More
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Sara Rathner
Sara Rathner is NerdWallet’s travel and credit... Read More
Sara Rathner is NerdWallet’s travel and credit cards expert. She appeared on the “Today” show, Nasdaq and CNBC’s “Nightly Business Report,” and has been quoted in Yahoo Finance, TIME, Reuters, NBC News, Business Insider and MarketWatch. Sara’s held a total of 23 credit cards, using travel rewards points to see the world on a budget. A proud Northwestern University alum, she also has a certificate in financial planning from Boston University.
Sara Rathner
Sara Rathner is NerdWallet’s travel and credit cards expert. She appeared on the “Today” show, Nasdaq and CNBC’s “Nightly Business Report,” and has been quoted in Yahoo Finance, TIME, Reuters, NBC News, Business Insider and MarketWatch. Sara’s held a total of 23 credit cards, using travel rewards points to see the world on a budget. A proud Northwestern University alum, she also has a certificate in financial planning from Boston University.