If you’ve ever tried to decode an airline loyalty chart, you know it feels like advanced calculus. Points tables, blackout dates, sudden devaluations—it’s no wonder so many travelers wonder if being “loyal” to an airline even pays off.
To cut through the noise, Point.me, a points and travel rewards search platform, just released its second annual ranking of 59 global airline loyalty programs. The study weighed everything from how easy it is to earn and redeem miles to the value of airline partners and award availability. Importantly, the rankings ignore elite status perks. Instead, they focus on what matters most to everyday travelers: miles that are actually worth something.
Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ Flying Blue program took the global crown for the second year in a row. But for U.S. fliers, the standout is American Airlines AAdvantage, which jumped from sixth to second place worldwide. With 87.63 points, AAdvantage scored big thanks to its broad Oneworld alliance network, easy-to-use booking system, reliable award seats and forgiving cancellation policies. The program ranks high despite having fewer credit card transfer partners than rivals.
Not far behind, Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan—soon to be merged with the newly launched Atmos Rewards after its Hawaiian acquisition—earned 82.38 points. United’s MileagePlus earned 79.88 points, with a deep bench of partners giving it solid value. And while JetBlue’s TrueBlue program may lack the global reach of the big players, its simplicity and transparency helped it notch 69.88 points.
Loyalty still pays—if you pick the right airline. American shines for global travelers, Alaska rewards those who like outsized value on unique partners and Southwest keeps it refreshingly simple for domestic trips. The trick is less about blind loyalty and more about knowing which program matches your travel style.
The best airline loyalty programs in the U.S., according to Point.me
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- United MileagePlus
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
- Delta SkyMiles
- Frontier Miles
- Allegiant Allways Rewards
- Spirit Free Spirit