Flights can be expensive and stressful, especially when looking for an international flight. If you’re a frequent flyer, the downsides to flying stack up particularly quickly. However, while you could simply look for the cheapest flights overall regardless of airline, it might be worth your while to stick to the airlines with top ratings and build up those frequent flyer points and rewards in order to benefit you even more in the future. As ranked by The Luxury Travel Expert, these are our recommended airlines to fly with. You can earn points and rewards to travel more!
5. Avianca – LifeMiles
One of Latin America’s largest route networks, Avianca boasts 130 routes to more than 65 destinations, with 88 routes in its headquarters of Colombia alone. Founded in 1919, it is the world’s second oldest existing airline. For frequent flyers, they offer a robust, award-winning rewards program called LifeMiles, where you can earn points for flying with Avianca and other Star Alliance member airlines including Lufthansa, Air Canada, and United. To achieve elite status, you only need 6,500 points to qualify for their Red Plus tier, with at least 80% of those points accrued on Avianca flights. Basic benefits include lounge access, 24-month mileage expiration, and priority check-in. The highest tier gains access to partner VIP lounges for themselves plus a guest, additional baggage, and Group A priority boarding.
4. Korean Air – SkyPass
In business since 1969, Korean Air operates 120 routes throughout 43 countries. A founding member of airline alliance SkyTeam, frequent flyer benefits extend to 18 other airlines, including Air France, China Airlines and Delta. Korean Air’s frequent flyer points program SkyPass has three elite tiers—the Morning Calm Club tier, the Morning Calm Premium Club tier, and the Million Miler Club tier. To qualify for their first elite tier, you must accrue 50,000 miles on Korean Air, or 30,000 with Korean Air and the other 20,000 with SkyTeam partner airlines. Basic elite benefits include exclusive bag drop-off, prestigious lounge access, priority handling and additional baggage allowance, and free advanced seat selection. Third elite tier members also benefit from award ticket reissue waivers, priority wait-list reservations, and advanced extra-legroom seat selection on international flights.
3. British Airways – Executive Club
British Airways is a global airline that has been active for 100+ years, and they emphasize sustainability efforts throughout their company. A member of the One World airline alliance, partners include American Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Iberia. Their frequent flyer rewards program, Executive Club, features three elite tiers and a handy Household Accounts feature, where you can share points (called Avios) among up to 6 members. To qualify for the most basic elite tier, you must attain 300 Tier Points and fly with them for at least 2 flights per year. Basic rewards include priority check-in and boarding, free seat selection 7 days in advance, and 25% bonus Avios. The most premium rewards include first class check in and boarding, access to First lounges, extra baggage allowance, and 100% bonus Avios.
2. Alaska Airlines – Mileage Plan
Also a partner under the One World airline alliance, Alaska Airlines, our frequent flyer runner-up, routes to more than 120 destinations. Their frequent flyers rewards program, called Mileage Plan, features four elite tiers—MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75k, and MVP Gold 100k. To qualify for the most basic elite tier, you must accrue 20,000 eligible miles with Alaska Airlines or another One World airline alliance partner such as British Airways, American Airlines or Qatar Airways. Basic elite member benefits include 50% bonus miles, premium and first class upgrades, express security, and priority check-in and boarding. With the highest elite membership, benefits include a 150% mileage bonus, four Alaska Lounge passes per year, complimentary beverage or chocolate in Main Cabin seats, and complimentary same-day flight changes.
1. American Airlines – AAdvantage
Our number one airline for frequent flyers rewards is American Airlines, yet another member of the One World airline alliance, with partners including Alaska Airlines, British Airways, and Qatar Airways. With almost 1,100 international destinations, American Airlines is the largest airline in the world. Fortunately, they also have the best frequent flyers points program, called AAdvantage. They have four elite tiers, ranging from Gold to Executive Platinum. To qualify for their lowest elite status, you must accrue 30,000 miles in one calendar year. Basic elite benefits include complimentary upgrades, preferred seats, and one free checked bag. For their most premium elite tier, benefits include a 120% mileage bonus, 100-hour upgrade window and 3 free checked bags.
Whether you take a few flights a year, or dozens, frequent flyer programs are a great opportunity to accrue bonus miles and other rewards that you wouldn’t receive if you bounced around between airlines. By earning points and rewards with these airlines with top ratings, you can even travel to more places, more often. Safe travels!
