USA TODAY 10Best
Unlock unbeatable advantages with the 10 best frequent flyer programs
Best Frequent Flyer Program (2024)
Savvy frequent travelers know that loyalty to a specific airline can translate to big savings on flights, as well as the chance to receive upgrades. But not all loyalty programs work the same or have equal benefits.
So, we asked miles-and-points experts to nominate the 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 determine the winners.
Here are the 10 best frequent flyer programs.
- Air France & KLM Flying Blue
- United MileagePlus
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Cathay
- Delta SkyMiles
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Allegiant Air Allways Rewards
No. 10:
While Flying Blue is the loyalty program for two European airlines (Air France and KLM), 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.
Photo courtesy of United Airlines
No. 9:
United's MileagePlus program is excellent for domestic and international travelers, who can earn and use points with United and more than 20 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 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 American Airlines
No. 7:
AAdvantage program members can earn can miles on both American Airlines and oneworld partner airlines, as well as everyday activities like dining and shopping, making it easier to accumulate rewards. Those miles can be redeemed towards flights, hotels, upgrades, and rental cars. With tiered status levels, frequent flyers can enjoy perks such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to exclusive lounges.
No. 6:
TrueBlue, JetBlue's loyalty program, offers flexible points redemption with no blackout dates. Passengers earn points on JetBlue flights (bonus points for flights booked through the JetBlue website or app), as well as flights with partner airlines — and points never expire.
Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines
No. 5:
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 Cathay Pacific
No. 4:
Global travelers benefit from a Cathay membership by earning miles on flights. Those miles can then 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 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 flights on Delta or partner airlines, purchase cabin upgrades, or book travel packages.
Photo courtesy of Aeroplan
No. 2:
Aeroplan miles can be earned by flying to some 1,300 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 Allegiant
No. 1:
Earn all kinds of rewards in all kinds of ways with Allways Rewards by Allegiant Air — 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 1 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.
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
Cheryl Maguire
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling... Read More
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and the mother of twins and a daughter. She writes about travel, mental health, science, and parenting. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, AARP, NatGeo, The Washington Post, Success Magazine, Parents Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA and an active member of SATW. You can find her on X at @CherylMaguire05.
Cheryl Maguire
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and the mother of twins and a daughter. She writes about travel, mental health, science, and parenting. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, AARP, NatGeo, The Washington Post, Success Magazine, Parents Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA and an active member of SATW. You can find her on X at @CherylMaguire05.
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.
Travel Mom Squad
Alex, Pam, and Jess are the women behind Travel... Read More
Alex, Pam, and Jess are the women behind Travel Mom Squad. They are a trio of moms (and one is grandma) who love to travel the world for nearly free, thanks to credit card points and miles. Learning how to leverage credit card points and miles has allowed them to have incredible travel experiences they never imagined were possible. They've traveled to places like Hawaii, Greece, Africa, Italy, Mexico, Bora Bora, and more all for nearly free Using their knowledge of credit card points and miles, they teach others how to do the same so they can see the world for nearly free as well! Find them at travelmomsquad.com, Instagram, or their podcast.
Travel Mom Squad
Alex, Pam, and Jess are the women behind Travel Mom Squad. They are a trio of moms (and one is grandma) who love to travel the world for nearly free, thanks to credit card points and miles. Learning how to leverage credit card points and miles has allowed them to have incredible travel experiences they never imagined were possible. They've traveled to places like Hawaii, Greece, Africa, Italy, Mexico, Bora Bora, and more all for nearly free Using their knowledge of credit card points and miles, they teach others how to do the same so they can see the world for nearly free as well! Find them at travelmomsquad.com, Instagram, or their podcast.
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.
