Most major airlines offer frequent flyer programs — a benefits program for avid travelers. By remaining loyal to one airline, you can earn back "miles" to spend on future flights while racking up other benefits. So, which US airline's frequent flyer program offers the most affordable miles? We're evaluating the programs of major commercial airlines nationwide to determine which has the most advantages.
The Winner: Southwest Airlines' RapidRewards We selected Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards as the winning rewards program for a number of reasons. You can access major discounts for already discounted flights on the widely acclaimed budget airline. "Wanna Get Away" fare (which is equal to basic economy) will earn you 6 points per dollar, and the amount earned goes up even more based on fare class.
You can also earn points by purchasing hotel stays and rental cars through the airlines' many partners. Chase Visa cardholders can earn even more points through everyday purchases. These points can be used for free flights, rental cars, hotel stays, and more.
Because the flights are already cheap, and the number of points per dollar is so high, this is by far the winning frequent flyer program in the affordability department. The Runner Up: Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan Launched in 1983 as the Gold Coast Travel program, Alaska Airlines' frequent flyer program is now known as Mileage Plan. Members of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program can earn points by flying Alaska Airlines or any of the brand's 30 partner airlines (including American, British Airways, and more!).
They can also earn miles by booking hotel stays through the airlines' many hotel partners, which include major brands such as Best Western and Marriott. One mile is valued at about 1.4 cents per mile, and you earn three miles per dollar spent on each flight.
Miles can be spent on a number of things: free flights, hotel stays, magazine subscriptions, and even donations. Opting into the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card can also help you accrue more points — so that may be the way to go. Other Close Contenders: American Airlines' AAdvantage Program The American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program was launched by the United States carrier on May 1st, 1981.
It was the second loyalty program to be launched by an airline worldwide, and today it is the oldest still in existence. AAdvantage members can earn both loyalty points and miles when taking flights via American Airlines or through partner companies such as JetBlue and Hawaiian Airlines. The oneworld frequent flyer network also allows you to accrue miles through British Airways and Qatar Airways, so world travelers may want to take note.
Each mile is equal to about 1.7 cents, and you'll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on each flight (though that rate is higher for Because the brand is partnered with a number of other travel companies, you can also earn points by spending on various rental car and hotel companies. Citi/Aadvantage and Barclays Aadvantage Aviator Mastercards also enable members to rack up points that way.
Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles Those who opt into Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles program can redeem points for free or discounted flights, upgrades, vacation packages, and more. Each mile equals about 1.2 cents, and each dollar spent on a Delta flight earns members 5 miles (which goes up based on your "status.
" You can also earn miles on flights booked through Delta's many partners, which include Air France and Virgin Atlantic. Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) are loyalty points that determine your status and, therefore, any additional perks. And those who sign up for an American Express Delta SkyMiles credit card can earn both MQDs and miles.
Frontier Airlines' FRONTIER Miles program Based on the amount spent on a Frontier flight, members of the Frontier Miles program can earn different amounts of Elite Status Points and Travel Miles. You can earn 10 miles per dollar spent on a flight, and each mile is valued at about $.01 each.
Miles can be used for free flights, and they can also be earned when staying at partner hotels and using the Barclays Frontier Airlines World Mastercard . Unlike other programs, points cannot be used towards bags and seats, but those with "elite" status can earn free luggage fees, seat upgrades, and more. They're also known to have giveaways , so keep a close eye out for those! There is some great value on offer in the Fronter Miles program, especially for elite members.
Hawaiian Airlines' HawaiianMiles Hawaiian Airlines' loyalty program is HawaiianMiles, and it was started back in 1983. It allows passengers to redeem earnings for free or discounted flights, to upgrade their class of travel and to access other discounts on things like car rental, hotel stays and merchandise. Members of HawaiianMiles earn points based on how far they fly — not the amount you pay.
Hence, they go by the saying, "Each mile flown is a mile earned." If you're flying business or first class, you can get a 50% bonus, while those with "elite" status can earn even more. However, those who fly the airlines' iteration of basic economy can't earn miles.
Those who sign up for the Hawaiian AirlinesWorld Elite MasterCard can also earn three miles per dollar spent. Cardholders also get two free checked bags, along with other benefits such as $100 off a companion's flight. JetBlue's TrueBlue JetBlue's loyalty program.
Anyone who opts into JetBlue's TrueBlue program is able to get three points per dollar spent on a main cabin flight. Points can also be accrued by spending on partner airlines, certain hotels, and even through purchases made through the TrueBlue shopping portal. These points can then be spent on JetBlue flights, Hawaiian Airlines flights, and on JetBlue Vacations packages.
Even more points can be earned by making everyday purchases on a JetBlue credit card . Cardholders also receive additional perks such as sign-on bonuses — as well as a higher "status." But based on the company's earnings as of late, they may be changing the loyalty program.
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