WASHINGTON – U.S. News & World Report, publisher of Best Hotels, Best Cruise Lines You can also find out more about the following: Best Vacations, Unveiled the 2025-2026 Best Travel Rewards Programs To help travelers discover the best loyalty programs.
The 2025-2026 rankings are a list of nine airline programs and 14 hotels that provide the best benefits to travelers, as well as simple ways to earn and redeem miles and points.
- Choice Privileges The No. The 1st spot on the Best Hotel Rewards Programs After 10 years of being in the top five, we have been ranked for 2025-2026. Choice Privileges allows members to quickly earn free nights, and due to its acquisition of Radisson and an enhanced partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the program has expanded its reach to include both budget-focused brands and luxury offerings. Choice Privileges members can achieve elite status with ease and receive benefits like early check-in, late checkout, room upgrades and more after only 10 stays. Wyndham Reward secured the No. World of Hyatt remained at the No. 3. The two programs are notable for the ease with which they can earn a free hotel night. Wyndham offers one of largest global hotel networks.
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan The No. 1 position is maintained for the second consecutive year. The No. 1 position is maintained for the Best Airline Rewards Programs For the 11th year in a row. Members are rewarded based on the number of miles flown, not by spending money. This ensures that they can achieve elite status regardless if their ticket is expensive or not. First-tier status includes free upgrades and checked bags, as well as confirmed same-day changes to flights. Multi-airline alliances of the oneworld Alliance provide access worldwide and increase perks for frequent travellers. United MileagePlus is now ranked No. American Airlines AAdvantage moves up to No. Both benefit from the high volume of flights and the best network scores among all programs ranked.
Consumers are reviewing travel reward programs to make sure their money is being spent on worthwhile rewards. Best Travel Rewards Programs, which constantly update their reward systems, provides useful information to travelers so they can make informed decisions regarding travel rewards. Elizabeth Von TerschU.S. News senior travel editor
U.S. News looked at travel rewards in two categories, airline frequent flyer program and hotel loyalty program. The rankings were created using a comprehensive methodology The study weighed the membership benefits, network coverage and the ease of earning points and miles and redeeming them, as well as hotel diversity, airline quality and hotel property diversity.
Updates to the methodology in 2025-2026 include a revised data collection process that better reflects the purchasing habits of the average consumer and an increase in categories for the Additional Benefits score. U.S. News used 2024 Bureau of Transportation data on mishandled baggage incidents, consumer complaints, and on-time arrivals to calculate Airline Quality Scores.
2025-2026 Best Travel Rewards Programs
Hotel Rewards Programs
- Choice Privileges
- Wyndham Rewards
- World of Hyatt
- Marriott Bonvoy
- IHG One Rewards
Airline Rewards Programs
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- United MileagePlus
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Delta SkyMiles
- JetBlue TrueBlue
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