Let’s face it. Travel is expensive. It takes considerable time and work to save money to enjoy a week of vacation.
Many travelers utilize rewards programs as a strategy to save money for trips. The challenge is to determine which program is right for you. With travel credit cards, hotel rewards programs, and frequent flyer programs, the path ahead is foggy.
WalletHub’s frequent flyer study compares the 10 largest domestic airlines’ loyalty rewards programs across 21 vital metrics, spanning from the value of a reward point (or mile) to blackout-date policies. The results will clear the fog and determine the best frequent flyer programs.
Your Airfare Budget Matters
WalletHub acknowledges that rewards programs are not one-size-fits-all because not everyone travels at the same frequency. They account for these differences by scoring loyalty programs across three annual airfare budget levels:
Of course, the best frequent flyer programs are well-rounded, satisfying the needs of travelers of all types.
The study includes a . You can enter your annual flight spending to see the top two frequent flyer programs based on your airfare budget.
Best Overall Frequent Flyer Programs
So, which frequent flyer programs are the best, according to the study? The top 5 programs for 2025 are:
Alaska Airlines – Mileage Plan
United Airlines – MileagePlus
Delta Airlines – SkyMiles
Hawaiian Airlines – HawaiianMiles
American Airlines – AAdvantage
Destinations Offered
It is essential to note that each airline offers a different number of destinations, a factor that may matter to some travelers. Alaska Airlines finished first in the overall rankings but offers 128 destinations. United has 365, Delta 312, Hawaiian 30, and American 406.
While United finished second in the overall rankings by a slim margin, the airline offers more than twice the destinations as top-rated Alaskan Airlines.
A Closer Look at Where Each Program Shines
While Alaska Airlines finished first overall, where do the remaining top four programs shine? United MileagePlus ranks the best for destination coverage, including domestic and international flights.
Although Delta SkyMiles did not finish first in any individual category, the program scored well across the board. HawaiianMiles offers the best rewards value and membership status perks. American AAdvantage provides the best airline coverage.
Let’s look at some specific categories.
Which Programs Offer the Best Value?
Hawaiian Airlines offers the best value for frequent flyers at $12.55 per $100 spent. Frontier Airlines is second, at $11.75, and Southwest Airlines is third, at $9.95.
Hawaiian Airlines’ rewards values hold steady if your annual airfare budget is average or light. While Frontier and Southwest remain the second and third-best carriers for average and light travelers, their reward values dip considerably.
Frontier yields $10.47 for average and $8.49 for light travelers, while Southwest provides a value of $8.76 for average and $8.52 for light travelers.
Generally, most frequent flyer programs provide lesser value this year. Of the ten largest airlines, only three offer increased reward value in 2025 compared to the previous year: JetBlue, Spirit, and Hawaiian.
Miles Expiration
You worked hard for those reward miles, so you do not want to lose them. However, not all programs are equal in this key feature.
Four of the rewards programs have points expiring due to inactivity within 12 to 36 months. The six programs where miles do not expire are Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, and United.
Other Factors to Consider
Some programs, such as American, Delta, United, and Alaska, give frequent flyer program members preferential treatment when determining who gets bumped from overbooked flights.
Alaska, United, American, Delta, Hawaiian, and JetBlue allow members to earn and redeem miles with partner carriers.
Many programs allow members to purchase points in addition to earning them. It is essential to note that airline miles cost an average of 2.6 times more than they are worth when purchased rather than earned.
Delta, United, and Frontier have the biggest markups on purchasing points, while American, Southwest, and Hawaiian have the lowest markups.
Customer Service
Julie and I firmly believe customer service still matters outside of the loyalty rewards programs. Travelers want to be treated fairly and feel that they matter.
We have found Delta Airlines to be the most flexible and accommodating whenever any questions or issues arise. Other airlines have been far more rigid, showing little to no flexibility, let alone apathy.
Although Delta did not rank first in any categories, its strong overall scores and excellent customer service make its rewards program attractive.
Airline Rewards Programs in the Future
What can we expect from airline rewards programs in the next five to ten years?
Jaishankar Ganesh, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing at Rutgers, School of Business, Camden, says, “I would venture to say that technology will play a greater role in personalizing reward programs and tying benefits accrual and redemption to the individual’s travel and purchase behaviors. You are likely to see extended use of AI tools and applications for such personalization and to provide an enhanced digital experience.”
Choosing a Rewards Program
It is essential to select an airline rewards program that is right for you. Use the WalletHub calculator and the data from their study as a starting point to evaluate your options. It is an excellent way to on your trips.