Top 10 best frequent flyer programs to join in 2022

Monday newsletters at all times characteristic high 10 journey lists to encourage.

At this time: Prime 10 greatest frequent flyer applications to hitch in 2022

Frequent flyer applications are utilized by many airways to foster a way of loyalty amongst passengers, who can earn factors or miles which can be redeemable free of charge flights, upgrades, lodge stays, automotive leases or purchasing. Everyone ought to take part in these applications as they will prevent cash by touring (virtually for) free in addition to give you many different perks (signing up is freed from cost and a no brainer). Sadly, the final couple of years, frequent flyer applications within the USA took a flip for the more serious, with the three largest applications going income primarily based, that means that miles are awarded primarily based on the members’ spend quite than in response to the variety of miles traveled. The remainder of the world rapidly adopted with a number of European and Asian loyalty applications changing into income primarily based as nicely.

Should you plan on touring typically this yr, then it’s time to decide on a frequent flyer program. That will help you, I’ve compiled an inventory of my very own 10 favourite loyalty applications on this planet, though the one that matches you greatest will rely by yourself journey conduct, your location, your bank card spending, and your expectations (e.g. loyalty advantages, simple award bookings, or variety of airline companions).

There’s extra info beneath the slideshow. What’s your favourite frequent flyer program? Take my ballot or go away a remark beneath.

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10. SKYMILES (DELTA AIR LINES)

Created in 1981 because the ‘Delta Air Traces Frequent Flyer Program’, its title was modified to SkyMiles in 1995. This system is handy for frequent flyers that stay near the Delta hubs of Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle, and New York Metropolis. Though Delta provides among the best and most constant inflight merchandise of all USA airways, its frequent flyer program will not be in the identical league as Delta constantly introduces shock adjustments and unannounced devaluations that go away its loyal frequent flyers baffled. Delta was additionally the primary airline on this planet to introduce a income primarily based program in 2015 (though others rapidly adopted).

Web site: SkyMiles
Alliance program: SkyTeam
Minimal elite standing requirement: 25,000 qualifying miles or 30 qualifying segments per calendar yr (and $3,000 minimal annual spending degree for USA residents).
What I like about this system: Miles don’t expire; you’ll be able to earn elite standing with out ever flying (by spending large with a Delta branded bank card); and top-tier elite members get improve certificates and 25,000 bonus miles.
What I don’t like about this system: This system could be very difficult; it prices extra SkyMiles to fly accomplice carriers quite than Delta on routes originating from the USA; and Delta does not publish an award chart of what number of miles it would price you to fly to a selected vacation spot together with your SkyMiles.
Evaluation: learn my evaluation of SkyMiles right here.

9. MILES & MORE (THE LUFTHANSA GROUP)

Miles&Extra is the frequent flyer program utilized by the airways of the Lufthansa group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airways, Austrian Airways, and Eurowings) in addition to by a couple of different carriers resembling LOT Polish Airways, Adria Airways, Croatia Airways, Luxair, and Condor. This system was launched in 1993 and is now the most important frequent flyer loyalty scheme in Europe with greater than 30 million members. Passengers earn miles on all Star Alliance airways in addition to a number of different airways and non-airline companions. This system has launched a number of devaluations over the previous years (therefore why it’s typically nicknamed Extra&Much less). This system will get a whole makeover later this yr.

Web site: Miles&Extra
Alliance program: Star Alliance
Minimal elite standing requirement: 35,000 standing miles or 30 scheduled flights in a single calendar yr.
What I like probably the most about this system: Availability for award redemptions on airways of the Lufthansa group is mostly superb (typically 4 Enterprise Class tickets per cabin); frequent flyer elite standing stays two years legitimate; and this system commonly launches mileage bargains the place you’ll be able to ebook award tickets at half the variety of miles usually required for the journey.
What I don’t like about this system: This system turned income primarily based in 2020 and First Class award tickets on the Lufthansa Group’s premium airline – SWISS – are solely obtainable to its high elite members.
Evaluation: learn my evaluation of Miles&Extra right here.

8. FLYING BLUE (KLM-AIR FRANCE)

When KLM and Air France merged in 2005, their frequent flyer applications (Fréquence Plus and Flying Dutchman) have been merged into a brand new loyalty program known as Flying Blue. Most airways inside the Air France-KLM household now use Flying Blue, together with Kenya Airways (through which KLM is a significant shareholder), Aircalin and Tarom. Greater than 100,000 new members join Flying Blue every month, making it one of the vital fashionable loyalty applications on this planet. Sadly, Flying Blue turned a revenue-based program in 2018 and has misplaced loads of its worth since then.

Web site: Flying Blue
Alliance program: SkyTeam
Minimal elite standing requirement: 100 XP (‘expertise factors) per 12 months
What I like about this system? Award availability on KLM and Air France is often nice; Flying Blue provides the most effective software for locating SkyTeam award seats, and new promo awards are launched each month, which are discounted award tickets that prevent as much as 50% on Award Miles.
What I don’t like about this system? Solely elite members of the Flying Blue program can redeem miles for Air France La Premiere (First Class), which is among the world’s biggest First Class merchandise.
Evaluation: learn my evaluation of the Flying Blue program right here.

7. MILEAGEPLUS (UNITED AIRLINES)

Following the 2011 merger settlement between United Airways and Continental Airways, United Mileage Plus was chosen to be the frequent flyer program for the mixed airline. This system was subsequently renamed to MileagePlus, and maintained its relationship with its Star Alliance companions, in addition to different airline and journey enterprise agreements. Following the merger, a number of controversial adjustments have been launched to this system, such because the discount in bonus miles for elite members, and the introduction of a income primarily based mannequin in 2015, making it a much less engaging possibility for frequent flyers.

Web site: Mileage Plus
Alliance program: Star Alliance
Minimal elite standing requirement: 25,000 qualifying miles or 30 qualifying segments per calendar yr (and $3,000 minimal annual spending degree for USA residents).
What I like about this system: United and its Star Alliance accomplice airways fly to greater than 1,100 locations worldwide; you’ll be able to earn and redeem miles on dozens of taking part airways; and top-tier elite members get six upgrades every year.
What I don’t like about this system: This system is income primarily based with guidelines that make it very advanced; the variety of seats obtainable on United for award journey is proscribed; and miles expire after 18 months of account inactivity.

6. MILES&SMILES (TURKISH AIRLINES)

Turkish Airways, with its fundamental hub at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, is the flag provider of Turkey and the world’s fourth-biggest airline on this planet, flying to extra worldwide locations than every other provider. Turkish Airways calls its frequent flyer program Miles&Smiles, providing its members many benefits, resembling award tickets, cabin upgrades and further baggage allowance. So long as you select to fly with Turkish Airways and to benefit from the numerous alternatives provided by the Miles&Smiles program companions, you’ll be able to acquire miles to spend as you would like and to make your life just a little simpler.

Web site: Miles&Smiles
Alliance program: Star Alliance
Minimal elite standing requirement: 25,000 qualifying miles per 12 months.
What I like about this system: This system is simple and simple to make use of (with one award chart for all airways); elite members have entry to a household miles pooling program; companion awards are provided at 30% off; frequent flyer elite standing stays two years legitimate; the region-based award chart is the most effective within the Star Alliance group; and Miles & Smiles has been routinely providing standing matches.
What I don’t like about this system: There are vital gas surcharges on Turkish Airways and most airline companions; and the award ticket reserving course of is usually a irritating ordeal when you must name the Turkish Airline name heart.

5. LIFEMILES (AVIANCA)

Avianca is the largest airline in Colombia and second largest in Latin America. Launched in 1919, when it was initially registered beneath the title SCADTA, it’s additionally one of many oldest airways on this planet. The frequent flyer program of Avianca is LifeMiles and its members earn miles each time they fly with Star Alliance carriers and Avianca subsidiaries or use service in some lodges, retails, automotive rental and bank card companions. This system was first launched in 2012, and whereas it has barely devaluated since then, it’s nonetheless a favourite amongst factors and miles fans and I think about LifeMiles to be the most effective Star Alliance frequent flyer program.

Web site: LifeMiles
Alliance program: Star Alliance
Minimal elite standing requirement: 22,000 qualifying miles on Avianca and/or Star Alliance airline companions in a calendar yr.
What I like about this system: This system is straightforward to make use of; the entry-level for elite standing is among the lowest of all airways; it’s also possible to ebook award tickets on non-Star Alliance accomplice Iberia; you’ll be able to redeem miles and money to cowl an award flight when you don’t have sufficient miles; LifeMiles don’t cost gas surcharges on awards, it doesn’t matter what airline you’re flying (though a $25 USD reserving charge applies for Star Alliance Award tickets); and you can redeem all award tickets utilizing LifeMiles.com or LifeMiles App (iOS/Android) to journey on Avianca, Star Alliance and different journey companions as Iberia and Aeromexico
What I don’t like about this system: LifeMiles doesn’t at all times have entry to Lufthansa First Class availability; and miles expire after 12 months of account inactivity.

4. SKYPASS (KOREAN AIR)

SkyPass – which makes use of the motto ‘Past your Creativeness’ – is the frequent flyer program of Korean Air, the flag provider of South Korea. It’s most likely one of the vital underrated frequent flyer applications on this planet. Should you are likely to fly with Korean Air typically, you undoubtedly must take a while to look into this program and its many advantages. Even once you don’t fly Korean Air so much however your choice is flying airways of the SkyTeam alliance, you need to nonetheless think about a SkyPAss membership as a result of Korean Air’s frequent flyer program is by far the most effective loyalty schedule within the SkyTeam alliance (and undoubtedly extra rewarding than Delta’s SkyMiles).

Web site: SkyPass
Alliance program: SkyTeam
Minimal elite standing requirement: 50,000 miles or 40 qualifying flights on Korean Air per calendar yr.
What I like about this system: There’s glorious award availability on Korean Air-operated flights (together with tons of First Class seat awards); SkyPass permits the registration of a household account; you’ll be able to ebook award flights with all SkyTeam members on-line; and this system has many fascinating non-SkyTeam companions (e.g. Alaska Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airways, and Japan Airways).
What I don’t like about this system: SkyPass costs vital gas surcharges; and the entry degree for elite standing requires an insane quantity of miles.

3. EXECUTIVE CLUB (BRITISH AIRWAYS)

British Airways’ tiered loyalty program known as the Government Membership and was launched in 1995. In 2011, following its merger with Iberia, the flag provider of the UK and the founding member of the One World world airline launched dramatic adjustments to its Government Membership program, creating a definite reward foreign money, Avios. Avios is a coalition program, providing members of the frequent flyer applications of British Airways and Iberia 1000’s of the way to earn and redeem Avios for flights, lodges, and even journey experiences. Though Government Membership has many downsides, it scores excessive in my record as a result of it’s the one loyalty program of a significant Western legacy airline that’s not (but) income primarily based.

Web site: Government Membership
Alliance program: One World
Minimal elite standing requirement: 300 tier factors in a calendar yr.
What I like about this system: Government Membership provides a number of flight bargains (resembling Boston to Dublin on accomplice Aer Lingus or 12,500 Avios for one-way USA West Coast to Hawaii flights); you’ll be able to pool earned Avios in a household account to maximise your earnings; elite members can invite a visitor within the airport lounges; and this system will not be income primarily based (but).
What I don’t like about this system: Government Membership provides extremely excessive surcharges for award flights, particularly for British Airways-operated flights departing from the UK.
Evaluation: learn my evaluation of Government Membership right here.

2. MILEAGE PLAN (ALASKA AIRLINES)

Mileage Plan is the frequent flyer program of USA primarily based airline Alaska Airways (which merged with Virgin America in 2016). Members earn flight miles in response to the gap flown, quite than in response to the value of their tickets (which is now the brand new customary within the USA, Europe and Asia). For the typical traveler, this implies extra free flights and sooner elite standing. Mileage Plan miles may be redeemed for award flights on Alaska Airways and its accomplice carriers and supply eligibility for frequent flyer elite standing. Alaska Airways is a member of the One World alliance however has additionally established a formidable collaboration with a dozen different airways, serving greater than 900 locations worldwide.

Web site: Mileage Plan
Alliance program: One World
Minimal elite standing requirement: 20,000 eligible miles earned on Alaska Airways and Virgin America per calendar yr.
What I like about this system: Mileage Plan will not be income primarily based; you’ll be able to earn and spend miles on nice airline companions (e.g. all One World airways and a number of other others resembling Singapore Airways, Korean Air, Fiji Airways and Emirates); and this system has among the best all-around award charts.
What I don’t like about this system: Blackout dates apply on reward journey; miles expire after two years of inactivity; and this system is simply of curiosity to USA primarily based vacationers.
Evaluation: learn my evaluation of Mileage Plan right here.

1. AADVANTAGE (AMERICAN AIRLINES)

AAdvantage is the frequent flyer program of American Airways. Launched in 1981, it was the second such loyalty program on this planet (after the primary at Texas Worldwide Airways in 1979) and stays the most important with a reported membership of greater than 100 million. For many years, AAdvantage was by far the most effective and most rewarding loyalty program, not just for Americans residing close by the American Airways hubs of Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas) but in addition for vacationers primarily based outdoors the USA. Nevertheless, that each one modified after USA Airways took over American Airways, conserving the model title and the loyalty program, however introducing an enormous devaluation and – final yr – a income primarily based incomes system. However regardless of these adjustments, I nonetheless think about AAdvantage to be the most effective frequent flyer program on this planet due to the numerous advantages.

Web site: AAdvantage
Alliance program: One World
Minimal elite standing requirement: 25,000 qualifying miles or 30 qualifying segments per calendar yr along with a $3,000 USD minimal annual spending degree.
What I like about this system: You possibly can earn miles with greater than 1,000 accomplice firms; AAdvantage has loads of fascinating non-One World airline companions (e.g. Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska Airways, Westjet, Hawaiian Airways); this system commonly launches terrific promotions to earn additional miles; and top-tier members obtain 4 upgrades per yr on American Airways flights.
What I don’t like about this system: Though it was the final of the large three USA airways to take action, AAdvantage is now revenue-based, that means miles are awarded primarily based on {dollars} spent quite than variety of miles flown. Additionally, your mileage credit score might be forfeited in case your account is inactive for 18 months.
Evaluation: learn my evaluation of the AAdvantage program right here.