Top 10 Best Airline Rewards Programs

overall comparison chart below

1. JetBlue Airlines

500-1,00 flights a day

The JetBlue TrueBlue program is ideal for travelers in East Coast cities like Boston, New York City, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando, Florida. It benefits those flying within the U.S., to the Caribbean, Central and South America, or London. Members earn points per dollar spent on JetBlue flights, vacations, and Paisly by JetBlue. Points can also be earned with eight partner airlines, hotel stays, car rentals, and purchases with retail partners like Apple and Old Navy via the TrueBlue Shopping portal. Using JetBlue credit cards by Barclays earns additional points. Points can be redeemed for flights with JetBlue or Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue Vacations packages.

Points

JetBlue TrueBlue members earn points for dollars spent on JetBlue flights, vacations, and Paisly by JetBlue, as well as with a JetBlue Card by Barclays. Points cover the base cost of JetBlue air travel or vacations. Members can also earn points by flying with partners like Singapore Airlines and South African Airways, redeemable for flights on JetBlue, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, or Hawaiian Airlines, and for hotel stays at participating IHG One Rewards properties.

2. Alaska Airline

1,000-2,000 flights a day

The Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan benefits frequent travelers to destinations in Alaska, West Coast cities, major hubs like Atlanta and New York City, and locations in Canada, Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica. Enroll to earn miles on Alaska Airlines flights and eligible flights with 30 partner airlines, including oneworld members. Earn additional miles with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card, Alaska Hotels bookings, stays at partners like InterContinental, and purchases through Alaska's shopping and dining platforms. Redeem miles for free flights, hotel stays, magazine subscriptions, or charitable donations.

Points

Enrolling in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan lets you earn miles based on flight distance with Alaska Airlines or its partners. These miles can be redeemed for free flights and used with various retail and travel partners.

3. American Airlines

More than 5,000 flights a day

The American Airlines AAdvantage program benefits travelers from U.S. cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Charlotte, Chicago, and Dallas who fly globally. Members earn Loyalty Points and base miles on flights with American Airlines, American Eagle, and codeshare flights with JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines. Miles are also earned with partner airlines in the oneworld network, including Qantas, British Airways, and Qatar Airways. Using Citi / AAdvantage or Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Mastercards earns miles on everyday purchases. Additionally, AAdvantage miles can be earned and redeemed through partnerships with car rental companies, hotel chains, and cruise lines.

Points

AAdvantage members earn and redeem miles for flights with American Airlines, American Eagle, oneworld partners, and affiliates. Miles can also be collected through AAdvantage credit card purchases, and for hotel stays, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages with American Airlines partners.

4. Southwest Airlines

2,000-5,000 flights a day

The Southwest Rapid Rewards program is ideal for U.S. travelers mindful of their budgets who often fly to key cities across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Southwest operates approximately 4,000 flights daily to more than 100 locations. Members accumulate points for every dollar spent on Southwest flights, as well as with hotel, car rental, and retail partners. A Southwest Rapid Rewards Chase Visa credit card enables you to earn additional points on Southwest and partner purchases, as well as on everyday spending. Cardholders can also use points for experiences like wine tastings and concerts.

Points

Enroll in the Southwest Rapid Rewards program to earn points for every dollar spent on Southwest flights. Use these points for flights, hotel stays, experiences, retail items, gift cards, and car rentals. Members with a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card can also use points for outdoor excursions and golf trips.

5. United Airlines

2,000-5,000 flights a day

The United MileagePlus program is ideal for travelers in major U.S. cities and those visiting Europe, Central and South America, Australia, Mexico, and Asia. Members earn and use miles on United and over 40 airline partners, including those in the Star Alliance like Singapore Airlines, ANA, and Lufthansa. Members accrue Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) to achieve Premier status, which offers extra benefits. Miles can also be earned on qualifying cruises, car rentals, shopping, dining, and hotel stays with partners like Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG. Redeem miles for flights, hotel stays, cruises, magazine subscriptions, and experiences. Using one of four United MileagePlus Chase Visa credit cards earns miles on flights and everyday purchases.

Points

Earn miles by flying with United or its 40+ airline partners, including Star Alliance members. Use miles for future airfare on United or partners. Accrue Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Flights (PQFs) for MileagePlus Premier status. Earn extra miles with MileagePlus Chase Visa credit cards.

6. Hawaiian

Less than 500 flights a day

The HawaiianMiles rewards program is ideal for travelers from the U.S., Asia, and the South Pacific visiting Hawaii. Hawaiian Airlines offers flights to over 30 locations, with nonstop daily service from several U.S. cities. Earn miles by booking flights, staying at select hotels, and shopping with partner vendors. Increase miles on everyday purchases with the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. Redeem miles for hotel stays, car rentals, and flights with Hawaiian Airlines and partners like JetBlue and Korean Air.

Points

As a HawaiianMiles member, earn miles for flights on Hawaiian Airlines and partners, groceries, shopping, hotel stays, and car rentals. Use the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard by Barclays for extra miles on flights and everyday purchases.

7. Delta

2,000-5,000 flights a day

The Delta SkyMiles program is ideal for frequent flyers in U.S. cities like Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Boston, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Seattle, and New York City. Delta serves nearly 200 million passengers annually, flying to about 300 destinations in over 50 countries. SkyMiles members earn miles based on flight costs with Delta, Delta Connection, or Delta Shuttle, and with over 20 partner airlines like Cape Air, KLM, Air France, and Virgin Atlantic. These miles can be redeemed for free travel, upgrades, and vacation packages. Flying with Delta also earns Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for elite membership perks. Additionally, miles can be earned on everyday purchases with a Delta SkyMiles American Express card.

Points

As a SkyMiles member, earn 5 miles per dollar spent on Main Cabin or above flights with Delta, Delta Connection, or Delta Shuttle, and varying miles with partner airlines. Use miles for future Delta or partner travel, experiences, vacation packages, and more.

8. Frontier

500-1,000 flights a day

The FRONTIER Miles program is for frequent U.S. travelers, offering flights to major and smaller domestic airports, as well as select locations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Members earn Elite Status Points and Travel Miles based on spending, and can also earn miles through hotel stays, partner merchants, and the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard from Barclays. Travel Miles can be redeemed for free flights.

Points

As a FRONTIER Miles member, earn Travel Miles and Elite Status Points from eligible purchases. Redeem Travel Miles for free flights and use Elite Status Points to advance your loyalty status. Earn extra miles through Frontier's partners, including Wyndham and Marriott stays, retail purchases, and car rentals. Use the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard for additional miles and status points.

9. Spirit 

   500-1,000 flights a day

Spirit Airlines offers the Free Spirit rewards program, allowing enthusiasts to earn and redeem points for free flights to over 90 destinations in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America. The program features no blackout dates for booking reward flights. Points can be earned through fare purchases, seat selection, and baggage fees. Additional earning opportunities are available through the Free Spirit Travel Mastercard or Travel More World Elite Mastercard from Bank of America, and the Spirit Saver$ Club. Spirit also partners with restaurants, cruise lines, and car rental agencies for extra point accumulation.

Points

Free Spirit loyalty members earn points for Spirit Airlines fares, optional extras, and everyday purchases with a Free Spirit credit card. Points can also be earned through partner companies like Avis and Vinesse Wine Club.

10. Allegiant Air

>500 flights a day

The Allways Rewards program by Allegiant offers savings on affordable U.S. flights to destinations like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Members can earn and use points on flights, seat selection, baggage fees, and vacation packages, including hotels and rental cars, when booked with a flight. Allways Rewards Visa cardholders earn additional points on Allegiant purchases, dining, and everyday expenses.

Points

Allways Rewards members earn and redeem points for flights, flight extras, and vacation packages via the Allegiant website. Points cannot be earned or redeemed on standalone hotel or car rentals. Members also earn points on everyday purchases with an Allways Rewards Visa card.

Overall Comparison