Ranking the Major US Airlines’ Frequent Flyer Programs

The Best and Worst US Airline Loyalty Programs of 2022
As travel resumes and more passengers return to the skies more frequently, airline loyalty programs are beginning to achieve their pre-pandemic significance for many. But it can be hard to know which frequent flyer programs are rewarding members with the most value and flexibility. Fortunately, WalletHub has once again compared the 10 largest U.S. airlines’ frequent flyer programs across 21 key metrics, including factors such as rewards value and earning policies to determine how the nation’s major loyalty programs stack up for 2022. The overall rankings are based on three annual airfare budgets, including light ($321), average ($3,658) and frequent ($6,994) to reveal how well each program suits travelers of all types.

10. Spirit Airlines – Free Spirit
Despite relaunching just last year, Spirit Airlines’ Free Spirit loyalty program still ranks last for travelers in all three categories, WalletHub found. The program is one of three among the 10 that allow points to expire without qualifying activity in 12 months and its 233 percent markup on purchased miles is the most among the 10 carriers.

9. Sun Country Airlines – Sun Country Rewards
There’s no change in ninth place either. Another ultra-low-cost carrier, Sun Country Airlines’ namesake rewards program presents a value of just $2 for every $100 spent regardless of traveler type, which is easily the lowest of all 10 carriers analyzed.

8. Frontier Airlines – Frontier Miles
Frontier Airlines’ Frontier Miles is one of the few frequent flyer programs that WalletHub looked at that actually scores better for light travelers compared to average and frequent flyers. However, frequent flying members stand to earn more value at nearly $15 per $100 spent.

7. Southwest Airlines – Rapid Rewards
Rising one spot from last year, low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program continues to rank middle of the pack. Nonetheless, it boasts one of the lowest markup percentages on purchased miles at 101 percent and never lets customers’ points expire.

6. JetBlue – TrueBlue
JetBlue’s TrueBlue program offers members fewer rewards value in 2022 compared to 2021, with frequent travelers earning just $6.95 per $100 spent. That figure is the lowest of any airline outside of Sun Country. Fortunately, members’ miles don’t expire and JetBlue has one of the lowest markup percentages on purchased miles at 119 percent.

5. American Airlines – AAdvantage
American Airlines’ AAdvantage loyalty program is the best for airline coverage with more than 350 destinations, according to WalletHub. American’s 82 percent markup on purchased miles is also the lowest of the 10 carriers that were compared. Still, AAdvantage points can expire and American only ranks fourth-best for frequent flyer partnerships with 21.

4. Hawaiian Airlines – HawaiianMiles
Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles is the best frequent flyer program for additional features and rewards value, according to WalletHub, offering the most rewards value of the 10 programs at $24.78 per $100 spent for frequent travelers. HawaiianMiles is also among the few programs offering more rewards value this year compared to 2021.

3. Delta Air Lines – SkyMiles
Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles loyalty program fares the best in terms of its redemption policies and has the second-most frequent flyer partnerships of the 10 airlines that were compared at 24. SkyMiles is also one of four programs that give preference to members when deciding to bump passengers on overbooked flights.

2. United Airlines – MileagePlus
Last year’s winner, United Airlines’ MileagePlus program is a runner-up in 2022, ranking number one for airline coverage and partner coverage. United’s 38 frequent flyer partnerships are 14 more than the next closest carrier, Delta Air Lines.

1. Alaska Airlines – Mileage Plan
Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan is the number one domestic frequent flyer program for 2022, based on WalletHub’s research. Alaska is one of three carriers to offer more rewards value in 2022 compared to 2021, with Mileage Plan members who travel frequently earning $24.65 per $100 spent. What’s more, customers’ miles don’t expire and members are favored in Alaska’s bumping policy.