Loyalty Showdown: 7 Best Frequent Flyer Programs for Free Flights

These days, nearly every airline has a loyalty program. Choosing the right loyalty program for you or your family can have a significantly positive impact your travel experience. These frequent flyer programs have become an essential part of air travel, offering travelers the opportunity to earn airline miles, rewards, and benefits for their loyalty to a specific airline. But it’s important to know that you don’t need to fly frequently, and you don’t need to be loyal to only one airline to maximize these benefits. With so many options available, it’s important to consider which program aligns best with your travel needs and aspirations.

Tip: You don’t need to fly frequently or be loyal to one airline to earn and maximize many airline benefits. 

How to Choose an Airline Loyalty Program

Departure / Destination Convenience

One of the primary considerations when choosing an airline rewards program is the convenience of departure and destination options offered by the airline. Selecting a program that aligns with your home airport and frequent travel routes, along with preferred flight times and schedules, can enhance your overall experience and make it easier to earn and redeem rewards.

Airline Alliances and Partnerships

Airline alliances and partnerships can significantly enhance the value of a loyalty program by providing access to a larger network of airlines, such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. This can make it easier to earn miles through partner flights and expand your options for redeeming rewards on various carriers, giving you more flexibility in your travel plans domestically and internationally.

Earning and Redemption Options

Earning and redemption options are crucial when selecting a loyalty program. Choose a program with multiple ways to earn miles, such as through flights, credit card spending, and partner promotions. Additionally, flexible redemption options, like using miles for flights, upgrades, family pooling, and other rewards, will provide more opportunities to use your earnings.

Award Availability and Pricing

Considering award pricing is another important thing to check. How easy it is to book flights with your miles and what’s the number of miles you need? Good programs provide plenty of options, even during busy times, and have reasonable pay with miles prices. Compare different programs to see which one gives you the best value and flexibility.

Elite Status Benefits

When you fly with an airline frequently and/or you’re a credit cardholder, you gain access to different status tiers within the program. This will give you access to things like priority check-in and boarding, free checked bags, complimentary upgrades, lounge access, preferred seating, free wifi, and more.

Credit Card Partnerships

Many airlines have co-branded credit cards where you can get miles on everyday spending, in addition to extra miles for flights you book directly with the airline. These often come with perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and a fast track on status tiers. Look at the benefits of each to find the program that helps you earn rewards faster.

Customer Service and Support

Good customer service can make a big difference. Responsive support is crucial when you’re traveling, whether you need help booking flights or handling changes, so knowing your contact options like phone or chat is important. Some programs have dedicated lines for elite status members. Check reviews to find a program with strong customer service for a smoother travel experience.

7 Best Frequent Flyer Programs for

Air Canada | AirFrance-KLM | Alaska | American Airlines | ANA | United | Virgin Atlantic

Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada Aeroplan excels with its extensive partner network, flexible redemption options including stopovers, and elite benefits like priority services and lounge access, providing a comprehensive and versatile airline program for international travelers.

Air Canada Program Highlights

Star Alliance Partners	Earn and redeem miles and get status matching with a variety of international partner carriers like ANA, Avianca, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and United.
Sweet Spots	Mile redemptions for excellent value on long-haul business and first-class seats.
Family Pooling	Create a Family Sharing group of up to eight people so each member keeps their own balance, but everyone’s Aeroplan points can be combined for redemptions.
Elite Status Benefits	Priority boarding, free checked bags, complimentary upgrades, and more. Some of these benefits come standard with the Aeroplan® Card.
Transferable Points	Multiple 1:1 transfer partners to convert points to Virgin Atlantic miles, including Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards.

What are Aeroplan miles worth?

✦ 1.4 cents/mile* ✦

Example: 10,000 miles = $140.00 towards Air Canada flights

*Approximate average value

AirFrance-KLM Flying Blue

Flying Blue by Air France-KLM is celebrated for its extensive network and easy point accumulation, valuable monthly promo rewards, and extensive SkyTeam partner benefits. Members can enjoy benefits like priority services, bonus miles, and a variety of redemption options, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking value and variety.

AirFrance-KLM Program Highlights

SkyTeam Partners	Earn and redeem miles and get status matching with a variety of international partner carriers, including Aeromexico, China Airlines, Delta, ITA Airways, and Korean Air.
Sweet Spots	Mile redemptions for excellent value on long-haul business and first-class seats.
Family Pooling	Set up a Flying Blue Family account for up to two adults and six children so the family leader can transfer and pool miles from members’ accounts for faster redemptions.
Stopover Policy	Free stopover offered on international award tickets. Many other airlines either don’t allow stopovers or have limits on them.
Transferable Points	Multiple 1:1 transfer partners to convert points to Virgin Atlantic miles, including Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Miles, ThankYou® Points, and Bilt Rewards.

What are Flying Blue miles worth?

✦ 1.2 cents/mile* ✦

Example: 10,000 miles = $120.00 towards AirFrance-KLM flights

*Approximate average value

Alaska Atmos Rewards

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards stands out for its generous mile-earning rates and unique airline partnerships. Known for its excellent customer service and award availability, the program offers diverse ways to earn and use miles, making it ideal for both domestic and international travelers.

Alaska Program Highlights

Oneworld Partners	Earn and redeem miles, and get status matching with a variety of international partners like American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
Mileage Earning	You can earn miles based on the distance you fly, rather than the price of your ticket.
Companion Fare	Annual discounted companion ticket, exclusively available for Alaska credit cardholders.
Stopover Policy	Free stopover offered on international award tickets. Many other airlines either don’t allow stopovers or have limits on them.
Customer Service	Alaska consistently ranks the highest of US-based airlines for customer satisfaction.

What are Mileage Plan miles worth?

✦ 1.4 cents/mile* ✦

Example: 10,000 miles = $140.00 towards Alaska Airlines flights

*Approximate average value

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines AAdvantage shines with its extensive flight network, generous award availability, and top-tier elite benefits including systemwide upgrades, priority boarding, and access to exclusive lounges, perfect for both domestic and international travelers.

American Airlines Program Highlights

Oneworld Partners	Earn and redeem miles, and get status matching with a variety of international partners like Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
Award Chart Transparency	Clear and predictable award chart for planning redemptions.
Web Special Awards	Occasional lower mileage rates than standard MileSAAver or AAnytime awards offers big savings for flexible travelers.
Elite Status Benefits	Priority boarding, free checked bags, complimentary upgrades, and more. Some of these benefits come standard with the Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Card.
Earn on Shopping/Dining	AAdvantage miles are some of the hardest to get, but using the shopping and dining program helps you accumulate them faster.

What are AAdvantage miles worth?

✦ 1.4 cents/mile* ✦

Example: 10,000 miles = $140.00 towards American Airlines flights

*Approximate average value

ANA Mileage Club

ANA Mileage Club by All Nippon Airways is known for its excellent service, valuable luxury award redemptions, and elite status perks like priority services and lounge access, making it a top choice for travelers to and from Asia.

ANA Program Highlights

Star Alliance Partners	Earn and redeem miles and get status matching with a variety of international partner carriers like Air Canada, Avianca, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and United.
Award Pricing	Get competitive award rates for both international and domestic flights.
Sweet Spots	Mile redemptions for excellent value on long-haul business and first-class seats.
Family Pooling	2–8 eligible relatives outside Japan can combine miles from their individual ANA Mileage Club accounts, making it easier for the primary member to redeem awards for the family.
Stopover Policy	Free stopover offered on international award tickets. Many other airlines either don’t allow stopovers or have limits on them.

What are Mileage Club miles worth?

✦ 1.4 cents/mile* ✦

Example: 10,000 miles = $140.00 towards ANA flights

*Approximate average value

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus offers amazing flexibility with award availability and redemptions, a broad network of partners, and stellar elite perks like complimentary upgrades and priority services, making it a top choice for travelers looking for value and comfort.

United Program Highlights

Star Alliance Partners	Earn and redeem miles, and get status matching with a variety of international partner carriers like Air Canada, ANA, Avianca, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines.
Award Availability	High availability of economy award seats, including during peak travel times.
Family Pooling	Pool miles with up to four other members by contributing miles from individual MileagePlus accounts into a shared pool that can be redeemed on United and United Express flights.
Premier Status Benefits	Complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, free checked bags, and more. Some of these benefits come standard with the United Explorer Card.
Transferable Points	Multiple 1:1 transfer partners to convert points to United miles, including Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Bilt Rewards.

What are MileagePlus miles worth?

✦ 1.3 cents/mile* ✦

Example: 10,000 miles = $130.00 towards United flights

*Approximate average value

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club stands out with its unique earning potential, valuable partner airline access, and unique redemption opportunities. Members can enjoy a variety of exclusive perks like premium cabin upgrades and luxurious Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse access.

Virgin Atlantic Program Highlights

Partner Airlines	Earn and redeem miles with joint venture partners Delta and Air France-KLM, and redeem miles with codeshare partners like Aeromexico, LATAM, and Singapore Airlines.
Award Pricing	Get competitive award rates on partner airlines, many times much cheaper than booking directly with the partner.
Companion Pass	Gold status members receive a companion reward ticket, allowing a friend to fly along for just the cost of taxes and fees.
Family Pooling	Pool with up to nine other Flying Club members at the same address, with new points earned by all members automatically flowing into a shared household balance.
Transferable Points	Multiple 1:1 transfer partners to convert points to Virgin Atlantic miles, including Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Miles, ThankYou® Points, and Bilt Rewards.

What are Flying Club miles worth?

✦ 1.4 cents/mile* ✦

Example: 10,000 miles = $140.00 towards Virgin Atlantic flights

*Approximate average value

Best Airline Rewards Credit Cards

Airline Co-Branded Credit Cards

Co-branded airline credit cards are a popular choice for travelers who frequently fly on specific airlines. They typically offer benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, bonus miles, and more. By using a co-branded credit card, you can earn miles directly with your preferred airline, making it easier to reach elite status and unlock additional perks or elevated status.

Best Airline Miles Credit Cards:

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

Transferable Points Travel Credit Cards

On the other hand, transferable points credit cards give you flexibility by allowing you to transfer your points to a variety of airline partners. This means you can choose the best airline for each trip based on factors like price and availability. With these cards, you might not get all the loyalty perks with a specific airline, but with transferable points you can book award flights with different airlines each time you fly.

Best Essential Travel Credit Cards:

Best Luxury Travel Credit Cards:

Terms apply. Offers subject to change. Refer to card issuer for full details.

Selecting the Best Airline Reward Program for You

Picking the right program(s) can really improve your travel game. These programs are key to air travel, even if you don’t fly often, letting you rack up miles and perks. There are many airline programs out there, so make sure to find the one that fits your travel style and choices best. 

Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll want to take advantage of hotel rewards, too. Learn about the best hotel rewards programs and how to get free hotel nights next.

Editor’s note: Opinions shared in this article are solely the author’s and do not represent the views of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other organization. The content has not been evaluated, approved, or endorsed by any of the mentioned entities. These are our recommendations but it isn’t financial advice. We may receive a commission if you click through any of the links in this article.

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