Best air miles programs

Go with the more valuable currency when dealing with raw numbers. That, in a nutshell, is the difference between the best Alaska and worst Spirit airline rewards program. Keep in mind that miles are not cash, and the hypothetical return on spending with any of these programs depends on one crucial variable: whether you actually use the miles.

Still, the differences are stark. These rankings are a good indication of which airlines are dedicated to offering value to their most frequent customers and which are throwing up smoke and mirrors.

The fact that it took us weeks of data collection and analysis to determine these figures demonstrates how opaque the travel rewards game can be. Hopefully, this offers some clarity. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of , including those best for:.

Which airline offers the best rewards rate? What does this mean for you? What about the value of points and miles themselves? Key takeaways. How to maximize your rewards. On a similar note Dive even deeper in Travel. Explore Travel. Flyers need to earn at least , qualifying points or fly qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year to earn the coveted Companion Pass benefit.

Once you qualify, Companion Pass is good for the rest of the year, plus the entire calendar year after that. JetBlue TrueBlue points are worth an estimated 1. Cardholders with the JetBlue Plus Card earn 5, bonus points after their account anniversary every year. Although the specific rules and benefits of rewards programs vary from airline to airline, these steps should help you get value out of your travel.

To find the best airline loyalty programs, we analyzed the most popular U. We also tried to focus on airlines that serve a large number of cities, not just one region of the country. Image: Beautiful young couple smiling at each other as they review the best airline rewards programs on a tablet. Advertiser Disclosure We think it's important for you to understand how we make money. Standout elite benefit: Gold elites earn Star Alliance Gold benefits like access to hundreds of lounges worldwide.

Beware of high fuel surcharges costing hundreds of dollars. Minimum elite status requirements: Earn Tier Points within a rolling month period based on flight activity. By Eric Rosen August 23, Save Pin More. Best Airline Loyalty Programs. The loyalty programs of the six biggest U. Because of those overhauls, many travelers might find it worthwhile to consider the mileage programs of international carriers. They are listed in alphabetical order, with the U.

Award prices can vary and are sometimes cheaper if you fly on a partner airline, which may require telephone booking. Also check the special offers on airline websites for award-redemption discounts.

Start Slideshow. Credit: Getty Images. Alaska Airlines Loyalty Program. Minimum elite status requirements: Fly 20, qualifying miles or 30 segments Standout elite benefit: Earn 50, bonus miles when you hit MVP Gold 75K status.

American Airlines Frequent Flyer Program. Credit: James D. Delta Airlines Loyalty Program. JetBlue Loyalty Program.