Frequent flyers often seek to get the most value for their travel expenses by staying loyal to a few select airlines, allowing them to accumulate points and miles. However, choosing the best airline rewards program can be overwhelming, given the vast number of options. How does one airline’s points redemption system compare to another? Is it worth prioritizing ease of booking on a single airline over earning additional rewards and booking seats on partner airlines? And is the rewards game truly worth the effort? Where should one even begin?
According to Condé Nast Traveler, a good starting point is Point.me, a real-time points and travel rewards search platform. The platform released a comprehensive study ranking the world’s best airline rewards programs. The study analyzed 62 airline loyalty programs, focusing on the ones that offer the most value for all consumers, including those who don’t fly often.
“Our ranking factors consider how much money must be spent to earn a free flight, the points charged by the program for various routes, and how easy it is to book an award flight, along with other customer-friendly considerations,” Point.me explained in its press release. However, they emphasized that the best overall program might not necessarily align with your personal travel habits. Factors such as how often you fly, your preferred airports, and the types of rewards you prioritize can all influence your loyalty decisions.
In the overall ranking, Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue program topped the list with a score of 93.06 out of 100. Flying Blue stood out due to its extensive partnerships with other airlines, easy points transfers from major credit card companies, and flexible routing rules. These features gave travelers the most value compared to other loyalty programs.
“Flying Blue has introduced enhancements aimed at offering consumers significant value when transferring and redeeming points for travel with Air France, KLM, or any of our 40+ airline partners,” said Benjamin Lipsey, President of Flying Blue.
The Point.me study evaluated these rewards programs using a detailed rubric that considered both quantitative and qualitative factors affecting the customer experience, including:
- Ease of earning miles (25%)
- Redemption rates (20%)
- Availability on partner airlines (15%)
- Ease of booking (12.5%)
- Expanded availability on the airline’s own network (7.5%)
- Routing rules (5%)
- Ability to hold awards (5%)
- Customer service quality (5%)
- Change fees and policies (5%)
Notably, the study did not take into account tier benefits, in-flight status levels, or other factors that cater to frequent travelers with high loyalty status, ensuring the results reflect the best rewards programs for all flyers.
The top 10 airline rewards programs worldwide, as ranked by Point.me, are:
- Flying Blue (Air France / KLM)
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- United MileagePlus
- British Airways Executive Club (tie) and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (tie)
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Avianca LifeMiles
- Emirates Skywards
For those navigating the complex world of airline rewards, this study provides a valuable guide, helping travelers find the best programs to suit their needs and maximize their benefits.
