Point.me Ranks Top Global Airline Loyalty Programs
Navigating airline loyalty programs can be a daunting task for travelers, often involving complex mileage tables and fluctuating point values. To simplify this process, Point.me, a points and travel rewards search platform, has released its inaugural ranking of 62 global airline loyalty programs, aiming to help travelers identify the best value options available.
The rankings are based on nine quantitative and qualitative factors evaluated by a team of 55 airline experts. Key criteria included ease of earning miles (25%), redemption rates (20%), availability on partner airlines (15%), and ease of booking (12.5%). Notably, the rankings do not consider status benefits, focusing instead on programs suited for casual fliers.
“Getting real value from airline loyalty points is often significantly harder for passengers than it needs to be,” stated Adam Morvitz, CEO of Point.me. He emphasized that the rankings were developed through a combination of in-depth data analysis and industry expertise.
This report coincides with a federal consumer protection probe by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) aimed at scrutinizing airline rewards programs. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg remarked, “Points systems like frequent flyer miles and credit card rewards have become a meaningful part of our economy, with many Americans viewing their rewards points balances as part of their savings.” The DOT aims to ensure that consumers are receiving the value promised by these programs and that they are transparent and fair.
Top Ranking Airline Loyalty Program
According to Point.me, Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue program ranked as the best airline loyalty program, scoring 93.06 points. The program has recently improved its loyalty strategy, offering great redemption rates, extensive earning opportunities, and flexible routing rules that enhance its appeal to travelers. Importantly, points can be easily transferred from major credit card reward programs, making it simpler for consumers to accumulate enough points for flights.
In second place is Air Canada’s Aeroplan program, which received 77.43 points. While praised for its fair pricing, the program faced criticism for challenges associated with online ticket booking.
Best U.S. Airline Loyalty Program
United Airlines’ MileagePlus program emerged as the highest-ranking U.S. airline loyalty program, placing third with 72.22 points. It was commended for its dynamic award pricing, which can benefit casual travelers, especially those with fixed travel dates.
Other U.S. airlines in the top 10 include American Airlines AAdvantage (68.06 points), Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan (65.97 points), and JetBlue’s TrueBlue program (61.81 points). On the other hand, Spirit Airlines’ Free Spirit program (22.22 points), Frontier Airlines’ Frontier Miles (18.06 points), and Sun Country Airlines’ Sun Country Rewards (17.01 points) received the lowest ratings due to restrictive redemption rules.
Regional Rankings
Point.me also provided rankings for the best points programs by region. In North America, the top loyalty programs included:
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- United MileagePlus
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- JetBlue TrueBlue
In Europe, the leading programs were:
- Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)
- British Airways Executive Club
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Other regions, such as Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, also had their own top-ranked loyalty programs.
As travelers increasingly rely on rewards points for vacations and family trips, understanding these rankings can significantly enhance their travel experiences and help them maximize the value of their loyalty points.