Does all the fine print around frequent flier programs leave you confused about what to register for and what to book for your next meeting? Ask a frequent flier. That is exactly what InsideFlyer magazine does every year to determine the winners of The Freddie Awards. This year, 7.1 million ballots for 223 loyalty programs were submitted by frequent travelers from around the globe in 237 languages. All votes were cast using a “value voting” system that allows participants to rank their top three in each category. Some familiar names came out on top, but some surprises were hidden in the results as well.
Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards won the Program of the Year Award for the fourth consecutive time. On the hotel front, Marriott held its position for the 12th time as its newly launched Bonvoy loyalty program wins Program of the Year in the Americas region.
Norwegian Reward won Program of the Year for the Europe/Africa region for the third consecutive year and Virgin Australia Velocity received the Program of the Year Freddie Award in the Middle East/Asia/Oceania region.
Among international hotel programs, Le Club AccorHotels was named Program of the Year for the Europe/Africa region and IHG Rewards Club won Program of the Year in the Middle East/Asia/Oceania region.
More: 13 Hotels, 6 Airlines Named Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality
Chase grabbed the Best Loyalty Credit Card Award by issuing the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier credit card in the Americas region. Norwegian Reward won in the Europe/Africa region with their credit card issued by Bank Norwegian and American Express Membership Rewards won in the Middle East/Asia/Oceania region
Aeroplan, Caesars Rewards, Miles&Go, NH Rewards, ANA Mileage Club and Club ITC received the 210 Awards, that are meant to recognize up and coming programs that may not yet be on the radar of frequent travelers.
Here is the full list of winners:
Americas
Airline
Program of the Year — Southwest Airlines > Rapid Rewards
Best Elite Program — American Airlines > AAdvantage
Best Promotion — Avianca > LifeMiles
Best Customer Service — Southwest Airlines > Rapid Rewards
Best Redemption Ability — Southwest Airlines > Rapid Rewards
210 AWARD — Air Canada > Aeroplan
Hotel
Program of the Year — Marriott Hotels > Marriott Bonvoy
Best Elite Program — Hyatt > World of Hyatt
Best Promotion — Marriott Hotels > Marriott Bonvoy
Best Customer Service — Caesars Entertainment > Caesars Rewards
Best Redemption Ability — Marriott Hotels > Marriott Bonvoy
210 AWARD — Caesars Entertainment > Caesars Rewards
Credit Card
Best Loyalty Credit Card — Southwest Airlines > Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card from Chase
Europe & Africa
Airline
Program of the Year — Norwegian Air > Norwegian Reward
Best Elite Program —Aeroflot > Aeroflot Bonus
Best Promotion — AIR FRANCE/KLM > Flying Blue
Best Customer Service — Aeroflot > Aeroflot Bonus
Best Redemption Ability — AIR FRANCE/KLM > Flying Blue
210 AWARD — TAP Air Portugal > Miles&Go
Hotel
Program of the Year — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Elite Program — Marriott Hotels – Marriott Bonvoy
Best Promotion — IHG – IHG Rewards Club
Best Customer Service — Accor Hotels – Le Club Accorhotels
Best Redemption Ability — IHG – IHG Rewards Club
210 AWARD — NH Hotel Group – NH Rewards
Credit Card
Best Affinity Credit Card — Norwegian Air – Norwegian Reward > Norwegian Card from Bank Norwegian
Middle East & Asia/Oceania
Airline
Program of the Year — Virgin Australia > Velocity
Best Elite Program — Virgin Australia > Velocity
Best Promotion — Virgin Australia > Velocity
Best Customer Service — Virgin Australia > Velocity
Best Redemption Ability — Virgin Australia > Velocity
210 AWARD — ANA > ANA Mileage Club
Hotel
Program of the Year — IHG > IHG Rewards Club
Best Elite Program — Hyatt > World of Hyatt
Best Promotion — IHG > IHG Rewards Club
Best Customer Service — Accor Hotels > Le Club Accorhotels
Best Redemption Ability — IHG > IHG Rewards Club
210 AWARD — ITC Hotels > Club ITC
Credit Card
Best Affinity Credit Card — American Express > Membership Rewards from American Express
