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Best Frequent Flyer Programs? Top 5 Airlines Ranked

Thursday February 28, 2019

Looking to parlay your spending into savings? The number of frequent flyer programs and award-driven credit cards can be overwhelming. WalletHub has just released its Best Frequent Flyer Report for 2019. Here are some of their findings:

  • Delta SkyMiles is the best frequent flyer program for the fourth straight year.

  • The average airline rewards program gives frequent flyers up to 12% off their airline spending. And they're all free to join.

  • Hawaiian Airlines offers the most rewards value, at $21.29 per $100 spent. Alaska Airlines comes in second, with $18.12 per $100 spent.

  • Three of the 10 largest airlines are offering more rewards in 2019 than in 2018, sweetening the pot by an average of 13%.

  • Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways are the only two major airlines whose miles do not expire because of inactivity.

  • The Barclaycard Arrival Plus and the Lufthansa Credit Card are 2019's best airline credit cards, according to WalletHub's editors.

    WalletHub compared the 10 largest domestic airlines' loyalty rewards programs across 23 key metrics, ranging from the value of a rewards point or mile to blackout-date policies.

    Here are the best frequent flyer programs:

    Delta SkyMiles

    United Airlines - Mileage Plan

    JetBlue Airways - TrueBlue

    Southwest Airlines - Rapid Rewards

    Hawaiian Airlines - HawaiianMiles