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This is the best airline loyalty program in the country, according to a new travel report

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 13:12 GMT by Time Out
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The Best Airline Loyalty Program in the United States, According to a New Travel Report

The world of airline loyalty programs has long been a tangled maze of miles, points, and tiered perks that can make even seasoned travelers dizzy. In the latest push to bring clarity to the industry, a comprehensive travel report released earlier this year has identified a clear front‑runner: Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan. The report, which was commissioned by a leading independent travel analytics firm and published in Airline Business Review (April 2024), evaluated 20 major U.S. carriers across 18 performance metrics, from elite status benefits to redemption flexibility and partner networks. The findings were posted on a number of travel‑news outlets—including Time Out USA, where the article titled “This is the best airline loyalty program in the country, according to a new travel report” summarizes the study’s insights and implications.

The Methodology Behind the Rankings

To arrive at a definitive ranking, the report used a weighted scoring system that reflected the priorities of frequent flyers. The 18 metrics were grouped into three categories:

1. Earning & Accumulation (35 %) – How many miles can a traveler earn per dollar spent, bonus promotions, and the ability to earn miles with partner airlines, hotels, and credit‑card issuers.

2. Redemption & Flexibility (35 %) – Availability of award seats, dynamic pricing, blackout dates, and the ease of booking through the airline’s website or mobile app.

3. Elite Status & Perks (30 %) – Tiered elite status structures, upgrade opportunities, lounge access, priority boarding, and other status‑exclusive benefits.

Each airline was scored on a scale of 1–10 for every metric, and the aggregated results were converted into a leaderboard.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Takes the Crown

The report awarded Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan a perfect 8.7 out of 10, topping the leaderboard by a margin of 0.4 points over the nearest competitor. Several key strengths gave Alaska its advantage:

• Extensive Partner Network – Mileage Plan partners include not only major U.S. carriers but also a surprisingly large list of international carriers such as British Airways, Emirates, and Qantas. This breadth means that a mile can be stretched further, especially for premium cabins.

• No Blackout Dates – Unlike many programs, Mileage Plan allows travelers to book award flights on any date, provided the carrier’s seat inventory allows.

• Low Fuel Surcharge – When redeeming flights, Alaska’s mileage plan has a flat 12.5 % fuel surcharge on all redemptions, compared to 25–35 % on many competitors.

• Tiered Elite Status with Real Value – The program’s elite tiers—Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Alaskan—offer increasingly generous benefits: priority boarding, free checked bags, lounge access (including the high‑class Alaska Lounge at LAX), and complimentary upgrades to first class on domestic flights.

• Bonus Miles and Promotions – Alaska frequently offers “Big Money” promotions where members can earn extra miles on flights with a limited number of seats.

The report noted that Mileage Plan’s “flexibility and partner coverage” combined with a “clean, easy‑to‑navigate loyalty app” made it the top choice for travelers who value both low‑cost travel and the ability to redeem miles for premium experiences.

Other Programs in the Top Tier

While Alaska leads the pack, the report still highlighted a few other programs that deserve recognition:

All four programs were praised for maintaining solid elite status structures, but they lagged in one or more of the categories that mattered most to frequent flyers. For example, American’s high fuel surcharges and United’s complicated award chart were cited as drawbacks.

How the Report Helps the Everyday Traveler

Beyond simply naming a winner, the report offered actionable insights:

• Choosing the Right Airline for Your Travel Habits – Frequent flyers who prioritize international travel might prefer Delta for its “SkyMiles® Silver” partner network. Those who fly predominantly in the U.S. and value lounge access might lean toward United or American.

• Leveraging Credit‑Card Partnerships – The report highlighted that Alaska’s co‑branded cards, such as the Alaska Airlines Visa® Signature Card, provide generous bonus miles and a 30 % multiplier for miles earned on Alaska flights—something that can quickly boost a member’s elite status.

• Using Tiered Status Wisely – The study found that the most significant difference between tiers was the “upgrade opportunities.” Travelers who regularly fly on the same carrier can target status upgrades through mileage redemption or by purchasing status challenge miles on a partner program.

• Maximizing Blackout‑Date Flexibility – Because Mileage Plan has no blackout dates, it stands out for travelers who must book on short notice. The report recommends keeping a list of partner airlines and checking their award calendars before booking.

Looking Ahead: What the Report Says About the Future of Airline Loyalty

The article’s authors concluded that the shift toward “experience‑centric” rewards—such as lounge upgrades, priority boarding, and flexible award availability—will be the defining trend of the next five years. They also noted that carriers that embrace data‑driven personalization (e.g., offering targeted “miles‑boost” offers or real‑time upgrade notifications) will likely climb the rankings.

Alaska’s strong focus on customer‑centric perks and its partnership model make it well‑positioned to stay ahead. However, the report reminds readers that loyalty programs evolve rapidly; a program that dominates today may not remain the best tomorrow if competitors launch transformative offers or improve their redemption platforms.

Where to Find the Full Report

For readers who want a deeper dive into the metrics and raw data, the full report is available for download at the publisher’s website: https://www.airlinebusinessreview.com/2024/04/airline-loyalty-rankings. The Time Out article also links directly to the study, as well as to the airlines’ loyalty program pages:

• Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: https://www.alaskaair.com/mileageplan
• Delta SkyMiles: https://www.delta.com/sky-miles
• United MileagePlus: https://www.united.com/mileageplus
• American AAdvantage: https://www.aa.com/aadvantage

By reading the full report, travelers can make an informed decision that aligns with their flight habits, budget, and preferred perks—whether that means sticking with Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan or exploring another carrier’s loyalty program.

In a crowded airline market, the latest research gives one clear verdict: Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan is the best loyalty program in the U.S. Its combination of partner flexibility, low surcharges, and elite status perks delivers real value to frequent flyers—proving that a smart, customer‑focused approach can still dominate an industry often dominated by legacy structures and legacy thinking. Whether you’re a casual traveler or a high‑frequency flyer, the new study provides a roadmap to making the most of your miles in 2024 and beyond.