Best Airline Rewards Programs for 2023-2024
You don't have to be a points and miles expert to find a frequent flyer program that suits your travel habits. When choosing an airline rewards program, you'll want to consider a few key criteria, such as flight options, network coverage and how easy it is to earn a free flight. To help everyday travelers weigh their options, U.S. News evaluated 10 leading airline rewards programs using a methodology that takes into account each program's earning and redemption values, benefits, network coverage and airline quality ratings, among other features. Our approach places emphasis on the ease of earning miles and redeeming free flights for basic members. Browse our Best Airline Rewards Programs ranking and detailed program profiles to find the best program for you.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- Overall Score
- 3.67/5
- No. of Daily Flights
- 1,000 - 1,999
The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan caters to flyers who frequent various destinations in Alaska, West Coast cities (like Seattle and Portland, Oregon) and major transportation hubs (like Atlanta and New York City), as well as destinations in Canada, Mexico, Belize and Costa Rica. By joining the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, you can start earning miles on every Alaska Airlines flight you take and eligible flights on Alaska Airlines' 23 partner airlines, including oneworld members like American Airlines, Iberia and British Airways. You can also earn miles by making everyday purchases with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card or by staying with six participating hotel partners, including InterContinental, Best Western and Marriott. And thanks to Alaska Airlines' partnership with Rocketmiles, you will also earn points when you reserve a hotel stay through Alaska Airlines Hotels. The miles you earn can be used toward free flights on Alaska Airlines and other participating carriers, partner hotel stays, magazine subscriptions or donations to charity.The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan caters to flyers who frequent various destinations in Alaska, West Coast cities (like Seattle and Portland, Oregon) and major transportation hubs (like Atlanta and New York City), as well as destinations in Canada, Mexico, Belize and Costa Rica. By joining the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, you can start earning miles on every Alaska Airlines flight you take and eligible flights on Alaska Airlines' 23 partner airlines, including oneworld members like American Airlines, Iberia and British Airways. You can also earn miles by making everyday purchases with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card or by staying with six participating hotel partners, including InterContinental, Best Western and Marriott. And thanks to Alaska Airlines' partnership with Rocketmiles, you will also earn points when you reserve a hotel stay through Alaska Airlines Hotels. The miles you earn can be used toward free flights on Alaska Airlines and other participating carriers, partner hotel stays, magazine subscriptions or donations to charity.- The Delta SkyMiles program is convenient for frequent flyers based in United States cities like Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Boston, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and Seattle, and for passengers who often travel to and from New York City. Delta Air Lines serves as many as 200 million passengers annually and flies to approximately 300 destinations across 50-plus countries. By becoming a SkyMiles member, you'll earn miles based on the amount you pay for your flight with Delta, Delta Connection or Delta Shuttle; you can also earn miles for flying with any of Delta's 20-plus partner airlines, including Cape Air, KLM, Air France and Virgin Atlantic, among others. Those miles can be redeemed for free air travel on any participating airline or cashed in for cabin upgrades and vacation packages. When you fly with Delta, you will also earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), which will help you gain access to a variety of perks through the Delta SkyMiles Medallion elite membership program. What's more, you can earn miles on everyday purchases if you've signed up for a Delta SkyMiles credit card by American Express.The Delta SkyMiles program is convenient for frequent flyers based in United States cities like Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Boston, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and Seattle, and for passengers who often travel to and from New York City. Delta Air Lines serves as many as 200 million passengers annually and flies to approximately 300 destinations across 50-plus countries. By becoming a SkyMiles member, you'll earn miles based on the amount you pay for your flight with Delta, Delta Connection or Delta Shuttle; you can also earn miles for flying with any of Delta's 20-plus partner airlines, including Cape Air, KLM, Air France and Virgin Atlantic, among others. Those miles can be redeemed for free air travel on any participating airline or cashed in for cabin upgrades and vacation packages. When you fly with Delta, you will also earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), which will help you gain access to a variety of perks through the Delta SkyMiles Medallion elite membership program. What's more, you can earn miles on everyday purchases if you've signed up for a Delta SkyMiles credit card by American Express.
United MileagePlus
- Overall Score
- 3.33/5
- No. of Daily Flights
- 2,000 - 4,999
The United MileagePlus program is best for travelers based in major American cities and those who travel to destinations in Europe, Central and South America, Australia, Mexico and Asia. When you become a MileagePlus member, you can earn and use miles on United and its 40-plus airline partners like Singapore Airlines, ANA and Lufthansa, many of which are part of the Star Alliance network. As a MileagePlus member, you'll accrue Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) each time you fly. Earn enough PQFs and PQPs or PQPs alone and you'll reach Premier status – MileagePlus membership levels for which you'll receive extra benefits. Additionally, you can earn miles on qualifying cruise vacations and car rentals, as well as on shopping, dining and other services. And since United partners with major hotel brands, including Marriott, Hyatt and IHG, you can earn rewards when you stay at properties worldwide. You may also redeem miles for flights, hotel stays, cruises, magazine subscriptions, destination experiences (think: sporting events and theater performances) and more. Choose to use one of four United MileagePlus credit cards from Chase Visa and you'll earn miles on flights and everyday purchases.The United MileagePlus program is best for travelers based in major American cities and those who travel to destinations in Europe, Central and South America, Australia, Mexico and Asia. When you become a MileagePlus member, you can earn and use miles on United and its 40-plus airline partners like Singapore Airlines, ANA and Lufthansa, many of which are part of the Star Alliance network. As a MileagePlus member, you'll accrue Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) each time you fly. Earn enough PQFs and PQPs or PQPs alone and you'll reach Premier status – MileagePlus membership levels for which you'll receive extra benefits. Additionally, you can earn miles on qualifying cruise vacations and car rentals, as well as on shopping, dining and other services. And since United partners with major hotel brands, including Marriott, Hyatt and IHG, you can earn rewards when you stay at properties worldwide. You may also redeem miles for flights, hotel stays, cruises, magazine subscriptions, destination experiences (think: sporting events and theater performances) and more. Choose to use one of four United MileagePlus credit cards from Chase Visa and you'll earn miles on flights and everyday purchases.- #4
American Airlines AAdvantage
#4 Best airline rewards Programs
- Overall Score
- 3.16/5
- No. of Daily Flights
- More than 5,000
The American Airlines AAdvantage program benefits travelers based in cities throughout the United States, such as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Charlotte, Chicago and Dallas, who fly to destinations around the world. AAdvantage members can earn Loyalty Points and base miles for every American Airlines, American Eagle and codeshare flight operated by other airlines like JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines. You'll also earn miles for flights on affiliated partner carriers through American Airlines' extensive oneworld frequent flyer network, which includes Qantas, British Airways and Qatar Airways. What's more, you can collect miles for everyday purchases if you use any of the Citi / AAdvantage or Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Mastercards. And thanks to American Airlines' relationship with numerous car rental companies, hotel brands and cruise lines, you can also earn AAdvantage miles on a variety of travel expenses.The American Airlines AAdvantage program benefits travelers based in cities throughout the United States, such as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Charlotte, Chicago and Dallas, who fly to destinations around the world. AAdvantage members can earn Loyalty Points and base miles for every American Airlines, American Eagle and codeshare flight operated by other airlines like JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines. You'll also earn miles for flights on affiliated partner carriers through American Airlines' extensive oneworld frequent flyer network, which includes Qantas, British Airways and Qatar Airways. What's more, you can collect miles for everyday purchases if you use any of the Citi / AAdvantage or Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Mastercards. And thanks to American Airlines' relationship with numerous car rental companies, hotel brands and cruise lines, you can also earn AAdvantage miles on a variety of travel expenses. - The JetBlue TrueBlue program best serves travelers based in East Coast cities like Boston, New York City and Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida, who primarily fly domestically and to the Caribbean, Central and South America or London. Members earn points for every dollar spent on JetBlue flights, JetBlue Vacations packages and Paisly by JetBlue (the airline's travel booking site for hotels, car rental and activities). You can also earn points on flights booked with eight partner airlines, as well as on hotel stays, car rentals and purchases with retail partners like Apple, Gap and more through the TrueBlue Shopping portal. Earn even more by making purchases with one of the JetBlue credit cards by Barclays. You can use those points to cover the cost of future air travel on JetBlue or Hawaiian Airlines, as well as the cost of JetBlue Vacations packages.The JetBlue TrueBlue program best serves travelers based in East Coast cities like Boston, New York City and Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida, who primarily fly domestically and to the Caribbean, Central and South America or London. Members earn points for every dollar spent on JetBlue flights, JetBlue Vacations packages and Paisly by JetBlue (the airline's travel booking site for hotels, car rental and activities). You can also earn points on flights booked with eight partner airlines, as well as on hotel stays, car rentals and purchases with retail partners like Apple, Gap and more through the TrueBlue Shopping portal. Earn even more by making purchases with one of the JetBlue credit cards by Barclays. You can use those points to cover the cost of future air travel on JetBlue or Hawaiian Airlines, as well as the cost of JetBlue Vacations packages.
- #6
Southwest Rapid Rewards
#6 Best airline rewards Programs
- Overall Score
- 2.95/5
- No. of Daily Flights
- 2,000 - 4,999
The Southwest Rapid Rewards program is most beneficial for budget-minded travelers based in the United States who frequently fly to major cities around the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Southwest offers about 3,500 flights a day to more than 100 destinations. By becoming a Southwest Rapid Rewards member, you'll earn points for every dollar spent on Southwest flights and with the airline's hotel, car rental and retail partners. If you have one of the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards from Chase Visa, you can earn additional points on Southwest Airlines and partner purchases and by making everyday purchases. Southwest credit card holders can also use points to cover the cost of experiences like wine tastings, cruises and spa packages.The Southwest Rapid Rewards program is most beneficial for budget-minded travelers based in the United States who frequently fly to major cities around the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Southwest offers about 3,500 flights a day to more than 100 destinations. By becoming a Southwest Rapid Rewards member, you'll earn points for every dollar spent on Southwest flights and with the airline's hotel, car rental and retail partners. If you have one of the Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards from Chase Visa, you can earn additional points on Southwest Airlines and partner purchases and by making everyday purchases. Southwest credit card holders can also use points to cover the cost of experiences like wine tastings, cruises and spa packages. - Fans of Spirit Airlines can take advantage of the company's Free Spirit rewards program to both earn and redeem points for free flights. The airline, which caters to leisure travelers, flies to more than 90 destinations in the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America, such as Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; and Lima, Peru. The Free Spirit program lets travelers book reward flights at any time with no blackout dates. Flyers can also earn points by purchasing fares, as well as add-on perks like seat selection and baggage. For additional opportunities to earn points and other benefits, flyers can sign up for a Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard credit card from Bank of America, or enroll in the fee-based Spirit Saver$ Club. What's more, Spirit Airlines has partnerships with select restaurants, cruise lines, car rental agencies and more, which allow members to accrue even more points for dining, hotel stays, cruise vacations and car rentals.Fans of Spirit Airlines can take advantage of the company's Free Spirit rewards program to both earn and redeem points for free flights. The airline, which caters to leisure travelers, flies to more than 90 destinations in the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America, such as Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; and Lima, Peru. The Free Spirit program lets travelers book reward flights at any time with no blackout dates. Flyers can also earn points by purchasing fares, as well as add-on perks like seat selection and baggage. For additional opportunities to earn points and other benefits, flyers can sign up for a Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard credit card from Bank of America, or enroll in the fee-based Spirit Saver$ Club. What's more, Spirit Airlines has partnerships with select restaurants, cruise lines, car rental agencies and more, which allow members to accrue even more points for dining, hotel stays, cruise vacations and car rentals.
- The HawaiianMiles rewards program is ideal for those traveling from the United States, Asia and the South Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian Airlines serves more than 30 domestic and international destinations and provides nonstop daily service to Hawaii from multiple U.S. cities. The HawaiianMiles program offers various ways to earn miles, from booking flights and select hotels to shopping at Hawaiian Airlines' partner vendors. Earn more miles on everyday purchases by signing up and using the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. You can redeem your miles for future hotel stays, car rentals and flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its airline partners, including JetBlue and Korean Air.The HawaiianMiles rewards program is ideal for those traveling from the United States, Asia and the South Pacific to the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian Airlines serves more than 30 domestic and international destinations and provides nonstop daily service to Hawaii from multiple U.S. cities. The HawaiianMiles program offers various ways to earn miles, from booking flights and select hotels to shopping at Hawaiian Airlines' partner vendors. Earn more miles on everyday purchases by signing up and using the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. You can redeem your miles for future hotel stays, car rentals and flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its airline partners, including JetBlue and Korean Air.
- The FRONTIER Miles program caters to travelers who frequently fly within the United States. Frontier Airlines services major domestic airports – like those in Denver, Atlanta and Chicago – as well as smaller destinations like Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Fargo, North Dakota; and Missoula, Montana. Frontier also offers flights to select destinations throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. The FRONTIER Miles program awards miles based on the airport-to-airport air mileage distance flown. Miles earned can be used for free flights and magazine subscriptions. FRONTIER Miles members can also earn miles when staying at certain hotels, purchasing services through partner merchants and charging everyday expenses to the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard from Barclays.The FRONTIER Miles program caters to travelers who frequently fly within the United States. Frontier Airlines services major domestic airports – like those in Denver, Atlanta and Chicago – as well as smaller destinations like Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Fargo, North Dakota; and Missoula, Montana. Frontier also offers flights to select destinations throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. The FRONTIER Miles program awards miles based on the airport-to-airport air mileage distance flown. Miles earned can be used for free flights and magazine subscriptions. FRONTIER Miles members can also earn miles when staying at certain hotels, purchasing services through partner merchants and charging everyday expenses to the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard from Barclays.
- #10
Allegiant Air Allways Rewards
#10 Best airline rewards Programs
- Overall Score
- 1.81/5
- No. of Daily Flights
- Fewer than 500
Allegiant's Allways Rewards program benefits budget-minded travelers looking to save on low-cost flights to and from U.S. cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Allways Rewards members can earn and redeem points on Allegiant flights and ancillary purchases like seat selection and luggage fees. Plus, members can earn and redeem points for vacation packages, including hotels and rental cars, booked through Allegiant's website, as long as a flight is included in the itinerary. Allegiant World Mastercard holders can earn extra points on Allegiantair.com purchases, as well as points on dining and everyday purchases.Allegiant's Allways Rewards program benefits budget-minded travelers looking to save on low-cost flights to and from U.S. cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Allways Rewards members can earn and redeem points on Allegiant flights and ancillary purchases like seat selection and luggage fees. Plus, members can earn and redeem points for vacation packages, including hotels and rental cars, booked through Allegiant's website, as long as a flight is included in the itinerary. Allegiant World Mastercard holders can earn extra points on Allegiantair.com purchases, as well as points on dining and everyday purchases.
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