Frequent Flyer Programs

American Airlines' AAdvantage program is one of the oldest and most popular frequent flyer programs. What distinguishes this program from others is the diversity of ways loyalty points can be earned and redeemed. From flying with partner airlines, staying at partner hotels, renting cars, or shopping with their extensive network of retail partners, earning AAdvantage miles is flexible. AAdvantage also excels at offering members a range of rewards beyond flights. For example, members can redeem miles to upgrade their seating, enjoy Admirals Club membership, or even donate to a cause.

United Airlines' MileagePlus program is lauded for the ease with which MileagePlus members can earn flyer miles and elite status. What truly sets the program apart is its exclusive experiences such as private dining with world-class chefs, stadium tours with sports heroes, private winery tours, and more. Additionally, United's unique "Excursionist Perk" allows you a free one-way award within select multi-city itineraries—an exceptional offering amongst frequent flyer programs.

Delta Airlines' SkyMiles are alluring for their lack of an expiration date. This makes Delta's program more flexible, especially for infrequent travelers. Also noteworthy is their competitive award travel with no blackout dates, allowing travelers to book award travel any time they want. Moreover, SkyMiles can be put towards cabin upgrades, goods, and services, or even towards Delta Sky Club membership. 

Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards program wins travelers over due to its uncomplicated structure and generous reward seats availability. Southwest is known for its no blackout dates and unlimited reward seats policy. Its Companion Pass, which permits members to select an individual to fly with free of charge for the length of their qualification, is one of the most coveted frequent flyer benefits across all rewards programs.

British Airways' Executive Club caters particularly well to frequent international travelers through its Avios points, which are known for their flexibility. Avios can be redeemed across 29 airline partners and brings perks like early boarding, exclusive deals, and priority check-in. The executive club also splits its members into different tiers - Blue, Bronze, Silver, and Gold - each unlocking deeper level of rewards and benefits.

JetBlue's Mosaic is the carrier's elite status level within its TrueBlue loyalty program. Unlike traditional frequent flyer programs, where you often earn rewards based on the distance traveled, JetBlue's program rewards travellers based on the dollar amount spent on flights. This appeals to many customers as earnings are transparent and straightforward. Once achieving Mosaic status, travelers enjoy an array of benefits. These include waiver of change and cancellation fees for the member and others on their itinerary, priority check-in and security, early boarding, complimentary alcoholic beverages during flight, and additional bonus points. A unique feature of the Mosaic program is the ability to pool points with family or friends to earn rewards faster, a facility not offered by many airlines.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan stands out in the field of frequent flyer programs for a few reasons. Unlike several other programs, Alaska Airlines measures rewards based on miles flown rather than money spent, making it attractive for long-haul flyers. Their program also offers one of the most generous mile-for-mile earning structures, allowing members to quickly accumulate points. In addition to utilizing miles for award travel and upgrades on Alaska Airlines, the Mileage Plan miles can be used to book flights with more than 15 partner airlines, greatly expanding members' choices for travel destinations. The airline’s companion fare offer is another exceptional feature where, each year, members receive a companion fare from $121 ($99 plus taxes and fees starting from $22) after qualifying for an Alaska Airlines credit card. This feature enhances the Mileage Plan's value for those frequently traveling with a partner.