Traveler’s guide to the best frequent flyer programs
Key takeaways
- Frequent flyer programs offer rewards to encourage customer loyalty.
- Rewards are issued in the form of miles or points, and you can also earn elite status to qualify for upgrades and other perks.
- Although all frequent flyer programs are free to join, you should focus on one primary program for earning rewards and status.
Since they were introduced three decades ago, savvy travel hackers have figured out how to leverage frequent flyer programs for heavily discounted (and upgraded) travel. But you don’t have to be a seasoned pro to get started with these programs. All it takes is a quick sign-up process, a bit of research into the different ways to earn miles and remembering to credit your flights to your account.
While frequent flyer programs are free to join — and you can certainly sign up for all of them — you should focus on one primary program to earn status with. But with so many options, how do you choose? Here’s a look at some of the best airline rewards programs and how to choose one that suits your needs..
What is the best frequent flyer program?
The best frequent flyer program depends on your hub city, travel habits and goals. As hub cities go, if you’re based in Houston, United MileagePlus might be a good fit, while American AAdvantage is better suited to those living in Dallas. If your goals involve using miles to travel abroad, the allure of Southwest Rapid Rewards might be lost on you.
All that aside, some frequent flyer programs are more rewarding than others. They make earning miles and elite status easy while offering reasonable redemption rates, especially when a program’s airline is partnered with popular travel rewards credit cards.
While some of the best programs are affiliated with foreign carriers, you don’t have to fly with them to earn status or miles. You can travel on U.S. airlines in the same network as those foreign carriers and credit your flight to the foreign rewards program for better value.
Here’s a look at the best frequent flyer programs within Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance.
Alaska Mileage Plan
American Airlines
Turkish Miles&Smiles
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Southwest Rapid Rewards
United MileagePlus
How to choose the best frequent flyer program for you
Choosing the best frequent flyer program comes down to numerous personal factors that impact your travel habits and goals:
- Which airlines service your home airport?
- What do you plan on redeeming your miles for?
- How often do you fly?
- What are your status goals?
- Is your travel mostly focused domestically or internationally?
The most important factors include which airlines service your area as well as your travel and status goals. If you live in an Alaska Airlines or American Airlines hub city, then either of those frequent flyer programs will be a great fit for you. You’ll have an easier time earning miles and elite status when paying for flights, along with ample opportunities to redeem those miles for travel.
If you fly United frequently and want to redeem miles for international business class, then you may want to consider crediting your flights to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. The program has lower redemption rates than United on many of the same flights, making it an excellent frequent flyer program for earning and burning miles.
If your goal is to fly international first class, then Southwest Rapid Rewards probably isn’t the best program for you since Southwest flies mostly domestic routes and has no first class equivalent. While you should claim your miles when flying Southwest, you can probably skip the co-branded credit card.
Ultimately, frequent flyer miles should be rewarding. Think about what that means to you and which program might best serve those needs.
The bottom line
Navigating frequent flyer programs can be overwhelming, but immensely rewarding for those who put in the work. By taking the time to do your research and find the most rewarding option, you’ll be on your way to earning more miles, elite status and (nearly) free travel. By understanding how the programs work, which co-branded credit cards are worth signing up for and how to take advantage of the best redemption rates, you can stay ahead of a game that’s designed to benefit the airlines.