USA TODAY 10Best
Unlock unbeatable advantages with the 10 best frequent flyer programs
Best Frequent Flyer Program (2023)
Savvy frequent travelers know that loyalty to a specific airline can translate to big savings on flights and upgrades. But not all loyalty programs work the same or have equal benefits.
So, we asked miles-and-points experts to nominate the nation's most worthwhile programs — those with plenty of ways to earn and redeem miles, great coverage, and an abundance of flight options when it comes time to book that free trip. Then, readers voted for their favorites to help crown the winners.
Here are the 10 best frequent flyer programs.
- Air France & KLM Flying Blue
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- Cathay Pacific
- United MileagePlus
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Delta SkyMiles
- Allegiant Air Allways Rewards
- Avianca Airlines LifeMiles
No. 10:
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 miles through airline partners and a wide variety of hotel and retail partners. Plus, points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Hilton Honors, and American Express Membership Rewards can be converted to Flying Blue miles.
No. 9:
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. Points can be redeemed for flights with Air Canada and partner airlines, hotel rooms, travel experiences, and more.
Photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines
No. 8:
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 several partner airlines – and by booking stays with hotel partners. Points can be used for booking free flights, cabin upgrades, and hotel stays, and MVP status begins at just 20,000 miles.
Photo courtesy of Cathay Pacific
No. 7:
Global travelers benefit from a Cathay Pacific membership by earning miles on flights. Those miles can be boosted by shopping and booking vacations with the company. With Cathay or over 800 of their partners, miles can be redeemed for flights, lifestyle rewards, and experiences.
Photo courtesy of United Airlines
No. 6:
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 towards hotels, car rentals, cruises, shopping, or experiences.
Photo courtesy of American Airlines
No. 5:
AAdvantage miles can be earned and redeemed on both American Airlines and oneworld partner airlines. Miles can be redeemed towards flights, hotels, upgrades, and rental cars, and they can be earned through more than 1,000 partner companies.
Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines
No. 4:
Points never expire and there are no blackout dates with Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards. And with unlimited reward seats, redeeming points is easy. Rapid Rewards members can earn points when they fly, on car rentals, with hotel stays, and by shopping with Rapid Rewards partners.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
No. 3:
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.
Photo courtesy of Allegiant
No. 2:
Use your points any time you wish with Allways Rewards by Allegiant Air. Earn all kinds of rewards in all kinds of ways and explore a variety of exclusive member offers and promotions. The program is free to join and points don’t expire until 24 months of inactivity. Earn one point for every dollar spent on Allegiant.com or 2 points per dollar for itineraries over $500. With no minimum required for points redemption, you can enjoy flexibility in rewards.
Photo courtesy of Avianca Airlines / LifeMiles
No. 1:
Avianca’s LifeMiles program offers some of the best redemption rates for Star Alliance award miles, and you can transfer points from American Express, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One, and Marriott Bonvoy. The airline often sells LifeMiles at a discount, an attractive option if you’re just short of an award ticket.
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
Cindy Greenstein
Cindy Greenstein is a mother of three young adults... Read More
Cindy Greenstein is a mother of three young adults and a credit-card points expert who loves to travel for free. During her more than 20 years of marriage, she has used credit card points to travel the world while rarely paying for airline flights and hotel rooms. Some of her five-figure travel savings include trips to Aspen ($26,000); Greece ($23,000) and London ($15,000). Her favorite credit cards for point accumulation include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture X and American Express Gold. Cindy—an attorney and former certified public accountant—founded The Points Mom to share her credit card rewards-program expertise with family friends and small business owners who don’t have the time to learn how to maximize their points. Her services include one-on-one consultations, group consultations, speaking engagements, and reward-program tutorials. She provides the latest offers as well as tons of tips and tricks on Instagram at thepointsmom_ . When Cindy pays for travel or hotels, she is strategic about the credit cards that she uses. For example, on her trips she pays with the card that will earn her the most rewards, gets her the closest to elite status and offers her the most lucrative benefits.
Cindy Greenstein
Cindy Greenstein is a mother of three young adults and a credit-card points expert who loves to travel for free. During her more than 20 years of marriage, she has used credit card points to travel the world while rarely paying for airline flights and hotel rooms. Some of her five-figure travel savings include trips to Aspen ($26,000); Greece ($23,000) and London ($15,000). Her favorite credit cards for point accumulation include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture X and American Express Gold. Cindy—an attorney and former certified public accountant—founded The Points Mom to share her credit card rewards-program expertise with family friends and small business owners who don’t have the time to learn how to maximize their points. Her services include one-on-one consultations, group consultations, speaking engagements, and reward-program tutorials. She provides the latest offers as well as tons of tips and tricks on Instagram at thepointsmom_ . When Cindy pays for travel or hotels, she is strategic about the credit cards that she uses. For example, on her trips she pays with the card that will earn her the most rewards, gets her the closest to elite status and offers her the most lucrative benefits.
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.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
