Alaska Airlines Takes Top Honors in The FlyerTalk Awards
Joe Cortez April 25, 2018
Alaska Airlines takes home their second consecutive award for Best Rewards Program in the Americas in the 2018 FlyerTalk Awards, voted on by the community. Both British Airways and Qatar Airways also continued their streaks for best programs in Europe/Africa and the Middle East/Asia/Oceana regions respectively, making the European airline the only undefeated program.
The flyers have spoken – and there’s a new back-to-back favorite rewards program among American travelers. As announced by USA Today, Alaska Airlines was named the Best Rewards Program in the Americas in the 2018 FlyerTalk Awards for the second year in a row.
Alaska first unseated American Airlines AAdvantage as the Americas’ best program last year, breaking the Dallas-based carrier’s streak of five consecutive awards. The honor is Alaska’s fourth of 2018, as the airline was also named the best among U.S. Airlines by Airline Quality Rating and Money Magazine’s Best in Travel.
“The fact that Alaska Mileage Plan has taken the title again for a second year in a row tells us that last year’s win wasn’t a one-off fluke,” FlyerTalk community manager Paul O’Brien told USA Today. “And that the discerning members of FlyerTalk really value the Alaska program.”
In the Europe/Africa region, British Airways’ Executive Club was voted Best Rewards Program for the seventh consecutive year. They are the only airline to sweep their category since the awards’ inception. Qatar Airways Privilege Club was another repeat winner, earning their second award in two years as Best Rewards Program in the Middle East/Asia/Oceana region.
When it comes to the best benefits, flyers still give credit to American Airlines. AAdvantage earned the Outstanding Benefit award in the Americas for oneworld lounge access on international flights. For the Middle East/Asia/Oceana, Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club was given Outstanding Benefit honors for lounge access. In the Europe/Africa region, British Airways once again earned honors for Outstanding Benefit for discounted Reward Flight Saver awards.
The seventh edition of the FlyerTalk Awards were nominated by and voted on by members of the FlyerTalk community in three categories: Fly, Stay and Drive. The full list of winners are as follows:
BEST REWARDS PROGRAM (2018)
Americas
Fly: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Stay: Starwood Preferred Guest
Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Europe/Africa
Fly: British Airways Executive Club
Stay: Hilton HHonors
Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Middle East/Asia/Oceana
Fly: Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Stay: Starwood Preferred Guest
Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
OUTSTANDING BENEFIT (2018)
Americas
Fly: American Airlines (oneworld lounge access on international flights)
Stay: Marriott Rewards (Concierge lounge access and breakfast for two)
Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Ultimate choice)
Europe/Africa
Fly: British Airways Executive Club (Reward flight saver)
Stay: Hilton HHonors (Free breakfast)
Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Free upgrades)
Middle East/Asia/Oceana
Fly: Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club (Lounge access)
Stay: Marriott Rewards (Concierge lounge access and breakfast for two)
Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Gold service)
X X X X X X X X X X X
PREVIOUS WINNERS: AMERICAS
Fly – Best Program
2017: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
2016: American Airlines AAdvantage
2015: American Airlines AAdvantage
2014: American Airlines AAdvantage
2013: American Airlines AAdvantage
2012: American Airlines AAdvantage
Fly – Outstanding Benefit
2017: United Airlines Mileage Plus (Complimentary access to Economy Plus for all Premier members)
2016: American Airlines AAdvantage (Executive Platinum Systemwide Upgrades)
2015: American Airlines AAdvantage (Executive Platinum Systemwide Upgrades)
2014: American Airlines AAdvantage (Executive Platinum Systemwide Upgrades)
2013: American Airlines AAdvantage (Executive Platinum Systemwide Upgrades)
2012: American Airlines AAdvantage (500-mile and Systemwide Upgrades)
Stay – Best Program
2017: Starwood Preferred Guest
2016: Starwood Preferred Guest
2015: Starwood Preferred Guest
2014: Starwood Preferred Guest
2013: Starwood Preferred Guest
2012: Starwood Preferred Guest
Stay – Outstanding Benefit
2017: Hilton HHonors (Free breakfast)
2016: Hilton HHonors (Free breakfast)
2015: Starwood Preferred Guest (Platinum Room & Suite Upgrades)
2014: Marriott Rewards (Concierge Lounge Access)
2013: Club Carlson (Earn 50,000 Points Per Stay Promotion)
2012: Starwood Preferred Guest (Suite/Room Upgrades)
Drive – Best Program
2017: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2016: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2015: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2014: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2013: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2012: Hertz Gold #1 Club
Drive – Outstanding Benefit
2017: National Emerald Club (Choice of car/bypassing rental counter)
2016: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2015: National Emerald Club (Choice of car/bypassing rental counter)
2014: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Gold Service)
2013: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Gold Service)
2012: Hertz #1 Club (Gold Service)
PREVIOUS WINNERS: EUROPE/AFRICA
Fly – Best Program
2017: British Airways Executive Club
2016: British Airways Executive Club
2015: British Airways Executive Club
2014: British Airways Executive Club
2013: British Airways Executive Club
2012: British Airways Executive Club
Fly – Outstanding Benefit
2017: British Airways Executive Club (Lounge access)
2016: British Airways Executive Club (Lounge access)
2015: British Airways Executive Club (Lounge access)
2014: British Airways Executive Club (Upgrade Using Avios)
2013: British Airways Executive Club (Upgrade Using Avios)
2012: British Airways Executive Club (MFU/UUA/Avios Upgrades)
Stay — Best Program
2017: Hilton HHonors
2016: Starwood Preferred Guest
2015: Hilton HHonors
2014: Starwood Preferred Guest
2013: Starwood Preferred Guest
2012: Hilton HHonors
Stay – Outstanding Benefit
2017: Hilton HHonors (Free breakfast)
2016: Hilton HHonors (Executive Lounge access)
2015: Starwood Preferred Guest (2 for 1 Nights/4 for 2 Nights)
2014: Hilton HHonors (Executive Lounge Access)
2013: Hilton HHonors (Executive Lounge Access)
2012: Hilton HHonors (Complimentary Room Upgrades)
Drive – Best Program
2017: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2016: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2015: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2014: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2013: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2012: Hertz #1 Club
Drive – Outstanding Benefit
2017: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Five Star & President’s Circle)
2016: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2015: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Gold Service)
2014: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Gold Service)
2013: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Earn Points or Exchange For Other Programs)
2012: Hertz #1 Club (Free Upgrades)
PREVIOUS WINNERS: MIDDLE EAST/ASIA/OCEANIA
Fly – Best Program
2017: Qatar Airways Privilege Club
2016: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
2015: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
2014: Jet Airways JetPrivilege
2013: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
2012: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Fly – Outstanding Benefit
2017: Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Qcredits)
2016: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (Lounge access)
2015: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (Seat Guarantees)
2014: Jet Airways Jet Privilege (Cash Upgrades on Domestic Award Tickets)
2013: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (Seat Guarantees)
2012: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (Seat Guarantees for Marco Polo Members)
Stay – Best Program
2017: Starwood Preferred Guest
2016: Starwood Preferred Guest
2015: Starwood Preferred Guest
2014: Taj Hotels & Resorts InnerCircle
2013: Starwood Preferred Guest
2012: Starwood Preferred Guest
Stay – Outstanding Benefit
2016: Hilton HHonors (Executive Lounge access)
2015: Starwood Preferred Guest (Platinum Room & Suite Upgrades)
2014: Taj Hotels & Resorts InnerCircle (Room Upgrades)
2013: Hilton HHonors (Lounge Access)
2013: Hilton HHonors (Complimentary Room Upgrades)
Drive – Best Program
2017: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2016: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2015: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2014: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2013: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
2012: Hertz #1 Club
Drive – Outstanding Benefit
2017: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (5 Star/Presidents Circle)
2016: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Gold service)
2015: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Gold Plus Rewards)
2014: No nominated programs
2013: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (5 Star/Presidents Circle)
2012: Hertz #1 Club (Free Rental Days)
