Travel Loyalty Programs: Best Options For Globetrotters

Loyalty programs are a great way to get customers hooked to a particular brand. In the travel industry, especially, loyalty programs are extremely popular. From airlines to hotels, car companies to travel services, they all have their own loyalty programs. While some programs offer points and miles for flying, others offer free upgrades, special in-flight services, and discounted travel deals.

Some of the best airline loyalty programs include Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, American Airlines AAdvantage, Southwest Rapid Rewards, and HawaiianMiles. Hotel loyalty programs include IHG One Rewards, World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honors.

If you're a frequent traveller, it's a good idea to sign up for these programs and make the most of the benefits.

Best airline loyalty programs

There are several airline loyalty programs that stand out for their benefits and flexibility. Here are the top programs to consider:

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Ranked as the best airline rewards program by U.S. News and NerdWallet, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers excellent value for frequent flyers. The program rewards miles based on the distance flown rather than the amount spent, and it has maintained a straightforward process for earning elite status. Members can earn miles on Alaska Airlines flights and eligible flights on its 30 partner airlines, including oneworld members like American Airlines, Iberia, and British Airways. Miles can be redeemed for free flights, partner hotel stays, magazine subscriptions, or donations. Additionally, Alaska Airlines credit card users can earn miles on everyday purchases and through the airline's shopping and dining programs.

American Airlines AAdvantage

The AAdvantage program is ideal for travellers based in major US cities who fly to destinations worldwide. Members can earn Loyalty Points and base miles on American Airlines, American Eagle, and codeshare flights, as well as on affiliated partner carriers through the oneworld frequent flyer network. The program also offers opportunities to earn miles on everyday purchases with Citi / AAdvantage or Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Mastercards. AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and more.

Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest Rapid Rewards is perfect for budget-minded travellers based in the United States who frequently fly within the country, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Members earn points for every dollar spent on Southwest flights and with partner hotels, car rental, and retail companies. Southwest credit cardholders can earn additional points on purchases and redeem them for experiences like wine tastings and concerts. The program offers no blackout dates for spending points and allows points to be used for any seat at any time.

HawaiianMiles

HawaiianMiles is a great choice for those travelling to the Hawaiian Islands from the United States, Asia, and the South Pacific. The program offers various ways to earn miles, including booking flights, hotel stays, and shopping with partner vendors. Members can earn extra miles on everyday purchases with the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. Miles can be redeemed for hotel stays, car rentals, and flights on Hawaiian Airlines and its partners, including JetBlue and Korean Air.

Delta SkyMiles

The Delta SkyMiles program suits frequent flyers based in major US cities and those travelling to and from New York City. Members earn miles based on the amount paid for Delta, Delta Connection, or Delta Shuttle flights, as well as on partner airlines. Miles can be redeemed for free flights, cabin upgrades, and vacation packages. Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) earned while flying with Delta provide access to perks through the Delta SkyMiles Medallion elite membership program. Delta SkyMiles credit cardholders can also earn miles on everyday purchases.

These programs offer a range of benefits, from earning miles on flights and partner purchases to redeeming miles for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. When choosing an airline loyalty program, consider your travel habits, the ease of earning miles, and the flexibility of redemption options to find the one that best suits your needs.

Best hotel loyalty programs

Hotel loyalty programs are a great way to earn perks like free upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, and early check-ins. Here is a list of some of the best hotel loyalty programs:

Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham Rewards is perfect for leisure and business travellers who frequent popular destinations in the US, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Asia. With over 8,000 properties across several brands, including Days Inn, Dolce Hotels, and Ramada, Wyndham Rewards offers a range of options to earn points. In addition to hotel stays, members can earn points on car rentals and everyday purchases with a Wyndham Rewards Earner Visa credit card. The points can be redeemed for hotel stays, vacation rentals, flights, gift cards, and more.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy caters to business and leisure travellers visiting major cities in the US, Canada, Asia, and Europe. With over 30 affiliated brands, including Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and Westin, Marriott Bonvoy offers a wide range of options. Members can earn points on hotel stays, rental cars, tours, and purchases with Marriott-affiliated credit cards. The points can be redeemed for hotel stays, room upgrades, retail gift cards, and even TSA PreCheck applications.

World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is geared towards travellers visiting popular destinations worldwide, particularly in the US, Europe, and Asia. With over 1,300 properties and 25 brands, including Hyatt Regency, Andaz, and Park Hyatt, World of Hyatt offers a range of options. Members can earn points on hotel stays, dining, flights, and local transit. The points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, airline miles, car rentals, and unique experiences.

Choice Privileges

Choice Privileges caters to families and business travellers looking for budget-friendly options worldwide. With over 7,400 hotels across 22 brands, including Cambria Hotels, Comfort, and Radisson, Choice Privileges offers a wide range of options. Members can earn points on hotel stays and everyday purchases with a Choice Privileges Mastercard. The points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and casino resort stays.

IHG One Rewards

IHG Hotels & Resorts has over 6,300 properties in more than 100 countries, with a strong presence in major cities. IHG One Rewards members can earn points on hotel stays and everyday purchases with IHG-affiliated credit cards. The points can be redeemed for hotel stays, air travel, online shopping, and more.

Accor Live Limitless

Accor Live Limitless, also known as ALL, is perfect for business and luxury travellers who frequent major European cities like Paris, London, and Munich. With over 5,000 hotels globally, including Fairmont, Sofitel, and Swissôtel, Accor offers a range of options. Members can earn points on hotel stays, vacation rentals, and even safari trips. Accor also has alliances with airlines, allowing members to earn and redeem points as frequent flyer miles.

Best credit card loyalty programs

Credit card loyalty programs are a great way to earn rewards and perks when travelling. Here is a list of some of the best credit card loyalty programs:

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a great option for those seeking flexibility in redeeming their miles for award flights. It offers a large bonus and allows you to transfer miles to a variety of airlines and hotel partners, including IHG and Marriott.

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card is one of the few cards that still rewards miles based on distance flown rather than the amount spent. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking the best value per dollar spent. Alaska Airlines also has a large network of partners, including British Airways, American Airlines, and Delta.

World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card programme has consistently ranked highly over the years due to the high cent-per-point value and elite benefits it offers. Hyatt points are valued at 2.2 cents each, which is significantly more than other hotel programmes.

Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is a great option for loyal flyers of American Airlines. It offers benefits such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and the ability to earn miles through spending.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is perfect for those who frequently fly with Delta Airlines. It offers benefits such as earning miles with unique partners like Lyft, Starbucks, and Instacart. Additionally, Delta SkyMiles partners with airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and Air France, providing more opportunities to earn and redeem miles.

These credit card loyalty programs offer a range of benefits, from flexible redemption options to exclusive partnerships and high-value rewards. By leveraging these programs, travellers can maximise their rewards and enhance their travel experiences.

Best car rental loyalty programs

While renting a car may not be as exciting as flying or staying at a hotel, signing up for a car rental loyalty program can get you perks like exclusive discounts, free rental days, and even upgrades. Here are some of the best car rental loyalty programs:

Alamo Insiders

Alamo Insiders is a great option if you're not interested in elite status tiers. While it doesn't offer elite status or rental car points, you can get a 5% discount on base rates in the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. You can also choose to earn points or miles on qualifying car rentals from Alamo's airline or hotel partners, such as American AAdvantage, Hilton Honors, and Southwest Rapid Rewards.

Avis Preferred

Avis Preferred has three elite status tiers: Preferred, Preferred Plus, and President's Club. As a Preferred member, you'll earn 1 point per dollar spent on car rentals and 2 points per dollar spent on accessories. You can redeem points for car rentals starting at 700 points per day with no blackout dates. The primary benefit of Avis Preferred is skipping the line at the rental counter at most locations worldwide.

Budget Fastbreak

Budget Fastbreak is another loyalty program that doesn't have elite status tiers. It's free to join, and members can easily pick up and drop off their rental cars. A few times a year, Budget offers promotions like $25 in Budget Bucks to use towards a future rental when you rent twice through a specified date.

Dollar Express Rewards

The Dollar Express Rewards program allows you to earn reward points towards free rentals, priority service, expedited rental returns, and a free authorized additional driver. You'll earn 1 point per dollar spent on qualifying rentals within the US and Canada, and free rental car redemptions start at 500 points on weekends and 625 points on weekdays.

Enterprise Plus

Enterprise Plus has four elite status tiers: Plus, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Benefits include bonus points for qualifying car rentals and free upgrades. You can get Plus status just by signing up, and you'll have it through your fifth rental. Silver status is achieved after six rentals, Gold status after 12 rentals or 40 rental days, and Platinum status after 24 rentals or 85 rental days. You can redeem your points for free rental days with no blackout dates, starting at 400 points.

National Emerald Club

National Emerald Club has three levels: Emerald Club, Executive, and Executive Elite. Emerald Club members can skip the counter and choose any car from the Emerald Aisle when renting a midsize car or above. You can earn free rental days, or points or miles from one of National's partner programs. Other perks include expedited services when renting in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and free rental days after seven rental credits.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards has three elite tiers: Gold, Five Star, and President's Circle. As a Gold member, you can earn 1 point per dollar spent, access Hertz Ultimate Choice to pick your own car, and get a free additional driver for a spouse or domestic partner in the US. Five Star status is earned after 10 rentals or $2,000 in spending, and includes benefits like upgrades and access to a wider range of cars at Hertz Ultimate Choice locations. President's Circle status is achieved after 15 rentals or $3,000 in spending, and includes guaranteed car upgrades, access to the widest range of cars at Ultimate Choice locations, and a dedicated phone number.

Thrifty Blue Chip Rewards

Thrifty Blue Chip has no elite status tiers and offers a discount of up to 15% on all rentals instead of earning points. Blue Chip members can add a free authorized additional driver, benefit from quicker pickups and returns, and more.

Best travel insurance loyalty programs

Loyalty programs are a great way for travel companies to attract and keep customers. They are designed to reward customer loyalty and provide perks and benefits to make travelling easier and more enjoyable.

When it comes to travel insurance loyalty programs, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to read the fine print and check third-party reviews to understand the benefits and restrictions of each program. Some programs may offer more flexible options for redeeming rewards, while others may have more stringent requirements.

• Allianz Global Assistance: The AllTrips Executive plan offers a Frequent Traveller Reward Program benefit that can reimburse fees charged for re-depositing awards, up to a specific limit. This is useful if you need to cancel a trip booked with points or miles.
• Marriott Rewards: Marriott's loyalty program offers a wide range of benefits, including the promise of no blackout dates for redeeming points for standard rooms. With over 4,000 locations in 70+ countries, you'll have plenty of options for redeeming your rewards.
• Orbitz: Orbitz has a unique approach to its loyalty program, tiering it into three status levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. This ensures that rewards are within reach for all types of travellers, with higher tiers offering bigger and better perks.
• Choice Privileges: This program is great for business travellers, as Choice hotels are located everywhere and are priced right.
• Kimpton Hotels' Karma Rewards: If you're looking for something more upscale, Kimpton Hotels' program offers bar and spa credits on top of the standard perks.
• Hyatt World: Hyatt's loyalty program offers a great return on investment, rewarding members with a complimentary stay in a standard room with just 5,000 points.
• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: This program is perfect for those who value earning miles and elite status. Alaska Airlines still rewards miles based on distance flown rather than the amount spent, making it a great option for frequent flyers.
• World of Hyatt: Focusing on the value of hotel points and elite status perks, World of Hyatt offers high cent-per-point value and excellent status benefits.
• American Airlines AAdvantage: This program offers a strong return on investment for those collecting miles.

Frequently asked questions