Booking your flights through travel engines might not get you the same airline. This might save you money now, but you will surely lose out on some sweet perks in the long run. Majority of airlines have frequent flyer programs that rewards with points or miles, redeemable for free flights, better seats, special treatment and other benefits.
If you travel often, definitely look into signing up for the airline loyalty programs. You can continue reading below to see our top five picks for the best frequent flyer airline rewards program to sign up for!
See the best hotel loyalty programs here.
Finding The Right Airline Rewards Program
In order to get the best frequent flyer program, you have to take into consideration some personal factors such as:
- Where you live
- Where you want to fly to
- How often you fly
You should also look at what exactly the program offers:
- Is it easy to earn miles? Collect your miles quickly, and you’ll be well on your way towards a free flight.
- What is each mile worth? The more valuable the miles, the more worthwhile the program. You’ll want to shoot for at least $0.01 per mile, on average.
- Are miles easy to redeem? Go for a program that lets you cash in your miles easily. And watch out for those blackout dates, if any.
- How fast can you earn elite status? Know what it takes to unlock valuable VIP benefits.
Top 5 Airline Loyalty Programs
Here are some of the best frequent flyer programs that offers you the biggest perks for your loyalty:
1. Alaska Airlines – Mileage Plan
Alaska Airlines is partnered with 15+ carriers, including American Airlines, Emirates and Singapore Airlines, reaching more than 900 destinations worldwide. This alone makes the Alaska Airlines loyalty program a nice option for both domestic and international travel.
Keep in mind that Mileage Plan allows one stopover on one-way award flights, meaning you can travel to two destinations for the price of one.
| Hubs | Anchorage (AL), Los Angeles (CA), Portland (OR), San Francisco (CA), Seattle (WA) |
| Base earning rate | 1 mile for every mile flown with Alaska or any partner airline. |
| Best use for miles | Flights with Alaska or a partner airline. Starting at 5,000 miles. |
| Average mile value | $0.018 / mile |
| Elite status | 20,000 miles on Alaska Airlines and partner flights within a calendar year. |
| Drawbacks | Miles expire after 2 years of inactivity, blackout dates |
- Aer Lingus
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Condor
- EL AL Israel Airlines
- Emirates
- Fiji Airways
- Finnair
- Hainan Airlines
- Icelandair
- Japan Airlines
- Korean Air
- LATAM Airlines
- Qantas
- Singapore Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines – SkyMiles
 The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees. You'll earn: • 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. • 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com. • $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel. Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card. Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com. You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight. There is a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150) and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees). Now, you'll get get more savings with your first checked bag for free on Delta flights. Terms Apply. |
Delta SkyMiles is known for its excellent customer experience. As a Medallion elite status member, you will feel like a VIP with their services. Redeem your SkyMiles for travel with 20+ partner airlines. There are no blackout dates for Delta award flights, and your SkyMiles will never expire.
| Hubs | Atlanta (GA), Detroit (MI), Los Angeles (CA), Minneapolis/St. Paul (MN), New York (NY, JFK and LaGuardia), Salt Lake City (UT), Seattle/Tacoma (WA) |
| Base earning rate | 5 miles for every $1 spent on Delta and partner flights. |
| Best use for miles | Flights with Delta or a partner airline. Starting at 8,000 miles. |
| Average mile value | $0.012 / mile |
| Elite status | 25,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles, $3,000 Medallion Qualifying Dollars or 30 Medallion Qualifying Segments, within a calendar year. |
| Drawbacks | No award chart |
- Aeroflot
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Air Europa
- Aeromexico
- Air France
- Air Tahiti nui
- Alitalia
- China Airlines
- China Eastern
- China Southern
- Czech Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- GOL
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Jet Airways
- Kenya Airways
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Korean Air
- Mandarin Airlines
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudia Airlines
- Shanghai Airlines
- Tarom Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Australia
- WestJet
- Xiamen Airlines
3. JetBlue Airways – TrueBlue
JetBlue provides great deals on flights and even more with the TrueBlue frequent flyer program. This airline travels to the Caribbean, Central America and South America. There are no blackout dates, and your points will never expire.
If you book directly on JetBlue.com, you’ll receive bonus points and baggage allowance.
| Hubs | Boston (MA), Fort Lauderdale (FL), Long Beach (CA), New York (NY, JFK), Orlando (FL), San Juan (PR) |
| Base earning rate | 3 points per $1 spent on JetBlue flights. |
| JetBlue.com earning rates | Blue Fare: 6x points Blue Plus Fare: 7x points Blue Flex Fare: 8x points Mint Fare: 6x points |
| Best use for points | Flights with JetBlue or Hawaiian Airlines. |
| Average point value | $0.013 / point |
| Elite status | 15,000 points, or 30 segments + 12,000 points, within a calendar year. |
| Drawbacks | Cannot book award flights with all partner airlines |
4. Southwest Airlines – Rapid Rewards
 The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers a Companion Pass good through 2/28/26 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. In addition, you'll earn 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary each year. You'll earn: • Earn 3X points on Southwest purchases. • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming. You're able to redeem your points for flights, hotel stays, gift cards, access to events and more. This card does carry a $99 annual fee, but there are no foreign transaction fee. |
Southwest Rapid Rewards is a great option if you want to earn a Companion Pass. This would essentially be a BOGO ticket! However, you need to collect 110,000 Rapid Rewards points or fly 100 Southwest segments, in one calendar year to earn the pass.
As a Rapid Rewards member, you get two checked bags for free, no blackout dates, and no change or cancellation fees.
| Hubs | Atlanta (GA), Baltimore (MD), Chicago (IL, Midway), Dallas (TX, Love), Houston (TX, Hobby), Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles (CA), Oakland (CA), Orlando (FL), Phoenix (AZ, Sky Harbor) |
| Base earning rate | Wanna Get Away Fare: 6x points Anytime Fare: 10x points Business Select Fare: 12x points |
| Best use for points | Flights with Southwest. |
| Average point value | $0.015 / point |
| Elite status | 35,000 qualifying points, or 25 segments, within a calendar year. |
| Drawbacks | Miles expire after 2 years of inactivity, limited international network |
5. United Airlines – MileagePlus
 The United Explorer Card offers 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. You'll earn: • 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays. • 1x mile on all other purchases Perks of this card include: • Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary • Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. • Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit • 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Member FDIC |
The United Airlines loyalty program provides you with access to over 1,100 destinations worldwide with its Star Alliance network. MileagePlus can get you where you want to go but United Airlines charges reasonable taxes and fees.
United offers “The Excursionist Perk” which allows you to visit two destinations for the price of one. There are tons of perks to reaching elite status. Continue reading to learn more about the worth of United Premier elite status.
| Hubs | Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Houston (TX), Los Angeles (CA), Nwark (NJ), San Francisco (CA), Washington, D.C. |
| Base earning rate | 5 miles for every $1 spent on United flights. |
| Best use for miles | Flights with United Airlines or a Star Alliance partner. Starting at 5,000 miles. |
| Average mile value | $0.014 / mile |
| Elite status | 25,000 premier qualifying miles, or 30 premier qualifying segments + $3,000 spent on United flights, within a calendar year. |
| Drawbacks | Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity, $100 last-minute booking fee, $75 change fee, $200 cancellation fee |
| Aegean | Air Canada | |
| Air China | ANA | Air New Zealand |
| Air India | Asiana Airlines | Austrian Airlines |
| Avianca | Brussels Airlines | Copa Airlines |
| Croatia Airlines | EgyptAir | Ethiopian Airlines |
| EVA Air | LOT Polish Airlines | Lufthansa |
| SAS | Shenzhen Airlines | Singapore Airlines |
| South African Airways | Swiss International Airways | Air Portugal |
| Thai Airways International | Turkish Airlines |
Other worldwide partners include:
| Aer Lingus | Aeromar | AirDolomiti |
| Azul Brazilian Airlines | Boutique Air | Cape Air |
| Edelweiss | Eurowings | Hawaiian Airlines |
| Olympic Air | Silver Airways | Vistara |
Tips & Tricks
Most frequent flyer programs have a good amount of value, to get the most for your money, see additional tips below:
Apply for an airline credit card to achieve a free flight quicker. You earn additional miles for purchases, as well as bonus miles in welcome offering. Some cards even give you free checked bags, priority boarding and other airline-specific perks.
Elite status is what makes you feel like VIP. Depending on the program, you could get bonus miles, free checked bags, complimentary upgrades, priority check-in, lounge access, inflight freebies and more.
Transferring your miles to partner programs will make your rewards more flexible, from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Marriott Bonvoy.
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Bottom Line
Signing up for a frequent flyer rewards programs might be more beneficial than you think. Keep in mind that each airline offer different loyalty programs so make sure you choose the one that best suit you location and lifestyle.
Furthermore, if you frequently travel outside of the U.S., you can check out which credit card offers no foreign transaction fee, so you don’t have to worry about paying extra. While you’re here on BCS, you can see whether Miles vs. Cash Back card fits you better and learn how much credit card points are worth.
