United Airlines, British Airways and Singapore Airlines took home three of the coveted Best Reward Program categories in the eighth annual FlyerTalk Awards, announced Monday.
The awards were voted on by members of FlyerTalk, a popular online community devoted to frequent-traveler interests. In addition to airlines, hotel and rental car loyalty programs also were scored.
United and Singapore Airlines were first-time winners. United’s MileagePlus frequent-flyer program ended a two-year run at the top of the Americas category by Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan program. Prior to Alaska's win in 2017, American had dominated the category, taking the top spot every year since the FlyerTalk Awards began in 2012 through 2016.
For the Middle East/Asia/Oceana region, Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer program unseated Qatar Airways and its Privilege Club program that had claimed the title for the past two years.
British Airways was a repeat winner, winning the best program title for the Europe/Africa region for the eighth consecutive time.
(Scroll down for the full list of categories and winners.)
The Best Reward Program wins were the first for both United and Singapore.
“It’s hard to believe, but MileagePlus had never won a FlyerTalk Award for Best Program in any category until now,” Paul O’Brien, FlyerTalk awards producer, said to USA TODAY.
“The real story in Asia is Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer,” he added. “Some FlyerTalkers have speculated that KrisFlyer’s newfound popularity might have something to do with the blockbuster 2018 movie ‘Crazy Rich Asians.’"Hilton sweeps hotel awards
Another big shakeup came on the hotel front, where Hilton swept all six hotel categories.
“This is a huge win for Hilton, as this is the first year in the history of the FlyerTalk Awards that Hilton won for Best Hotel Rewards Program in the Americas, as well as its first win for Best Hotel Rewards Program in the Middle East/Asia/Oceana category.”
Hilton’s sweep came at the expense of Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), two loyalty programs that operated separately last year but have since been combined under the name “Bonvoy” as part of a merger between the two hotel giants.
“There are multiple theories floating around the FlyerTalk offices as to why Hilton outgunned Marriott and SPG in such a big way,” O’Brien said. “Some think it could be a natural uptick in overall satisfaction with Hilton Honors as Hilton has been on a big advertising binge over the past year. Others think the win is a straight-up rebuke of Marriott/SPG/Bonvoy.”
The big win by Hilton in the latest FlyerTalk Awards could presage a new rivalry with Marriott and its new Bonvoy program in the years to come.
“Regardless of the reason, Hilton certainly earned its honors this year, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing how the program squares off against Bonvoy next year,” O’Brien said.How awards are determined
The FlyerTalk Awards are one of two rankings by big frequent-traveler communities that recognize frequent-flyer and other loyalty programs. They join the long-standing Freddie Awards, now in their 30th year. The Freddies, the most high-profile of the awards for loyalty programs, are set to be unveiled later this year.
For FlyerTalk, voting is open to active FlyerTalk members, known as "FlyerTalkers." FlyerTalkers may cast one ballot, voting for up to four programs in each category. The votes are weighted, giving more sway to a first-place vote than a second-place vote and so on.
Beyond the Best Rewards Program category that recognizes a company’s overall loyalty scheme, the FlyerTalk Awards also include one other category; the Outstanding Benefit award, which highlights a special promotion or specific perk offered by a loyalty program during the previous year.
For the Americas, United’s complimentary economy plus access for elites was named the Outstanding Benefit for airlines while Hilton’s free breakfast perk won in the hotel category.The full list of awardsBEST REWARDS PROGRAM (2019)Americas
Fly: United Airlines MileagePlusStay: Hilton HonorsDrive: Hertz Gold Plus RewardsEurope/Africa
Fly: British Airways Executive ClubStay: Hilton HonorsDrive: Hertz Gold Plus RewardsMiddle East/Asia/Oceana
Fly: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyerStay: Hilton HonorsDrive: Hertz Gold Plus RewardsOUTSTANDING BENEFIT (2019)Americas
Fly: United Airlines MileagePlus (Complimentary access to Economy Plus for all Premier members)Stay: Hilton Honors (Free breakfast)Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Ultimate Choice at select airport locations)Europe/Africa
Fly: British Airways Executive Club (Lounge access)Stay: Hilton Honors (Free breakfast)Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Five Star & President's Circle)Middle East/Asia/Oceana
Fly: Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club (Lounge access)Stay: Hilton Honors (Room upgrades)Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Platinum Elite)PREVIOUS WINNERS: AMERICASFly – Best Program
2018: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan2017: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan2016: American Airlines AAdvantage2015: American Airlines AAdvantage2014: American Airlines AAdvantage2013: American Airlines AAdvantage2012: American Airlines AAdvantageFly – Outstanding Benefit
2018: American Airlines (oneworld lounge access on international flights)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
2018: Starwood Preferred Guest2017: Starwood Preferred Guest2016: Starwood Preferred Guest2015: Starwood Preferred Guest2014: Starwood Preferred Guest2013: Starwood Preferred Guest2012: Starwood Preferred GuestStay – Outstanding Benefit
2018: Marriott Rewards (Concierge lounge access and breakfast for two)2017: Hilton Honors (Free breakfast)2016: Hilton Honors (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
2018: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards2017: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards2016: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards2015: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards2014: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards2013: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards2012: Hertz Gold #1 ClubDrive – Outstanding Benefit
2018: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards (Ultimate choice)2017: National Emerald Club (Choice of car/bypassing rental counter)2016: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards2015: 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/AFRICAFly – Best Program
2018: British Airways Executive Club2017: British Airways Executive Club2016: British Airways Executive Club2015: British Airways Executive Club2014: British Airways Executive Club2013: British Airways Executive Club2012: British Airways Executive ClubFly – Outstanding Benefit
2018: British Airways Executive Club (Reward flight saver)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
2018: Hilton Honors2017: Hilton Honors2016: Starwood Preferred Guest2015: Hilton Honors2014: Starwood Preferred Guest2013: Starwood Preferred Guest2012: Hilton HonorsStay – Outstanding Benefit
2018: Hilton Honors (Free breakfast)2017: Hilton Honors (Free breakfast)2016: Hilton Honors(Executive lounge access)2015: Starwood Preferred Guest (2 for 1 nights/4 for 2 nights)2014: Hilton Honors (Executive lounge access)2013: Hilton Honors (Executive lounge access)2012: Hilton Honors (Complimentary room upgrades)Drive – Best Program
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