Frequent Flyer Program: Picking the Best for You

For decades, smart travelers have been racking up miles and cashing them in for flights, upgrades, and perks. Good news—you don’t need to be an expert to do the same. Signing up for a frequent flyer program is free, earning points isn’t complicated, and as long as you remember to link your flights, you’ll start seeing the benefits stack up.

Now, technically, you could sign up for every program out there, but that’s like trying to juggle five streaming subscriptions—eventually, you lose track of what’s actually useful. Sticking to one main program is usually the way to go, especially if you want elite status. But with so many choices, how do you know which one is right for you? Let’s break it down and find the best option for your travel style.

Which Frequent Flyer Program Is Right for You?

The best airline loyalty program isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal—it all comes down to where you live, how you travel, and what you want out of it. If you’re flying out of Houston all the time, United MileagePlus might be your best bet. Stuck with layovers in Dallas? American AAdvantage probably makes more sense. And if your dream is to jet off internationally using miles, Southwest Rapid Rewards won’t do much for you.

That said, some programs are more rewarding than others. The best ones make it easy to rack up miles, reach elite status, and redeem rewards without jumping through a million hoops. It helps when a program partners with major travel credit cards, making it even easier to earn points on everyday spending.

Here’s something most people don’t realize—you don’t have to fly with a foreign airline to take advantage of its loyalty program. U.S. airlines are often part of the same global networks as international carriers, meaning you can book flights with a domestic airline but credit those miles to a foreign program for way better rewards.

Let’s dive into the best frequent flyer programs within Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance.

Alaska Mileage

Alaska Mileage Plan, part of the Oneworld Alliance, is hands down one of the best frequent flyer programs out there. It’s got straightforward elite status requirements, an actual award chart (which most programs ditched), and solid redemption options. Flights start at just 4,500 miles, and thanks to their free stopover perk on one-way tickets, you can squeeze even more value out of your miles by tacking on an extra destination for no extra cost.

If you’re into premium cabin travel, this program shines. You can book business class to Asia with partners like Japan Airlines or Cathay Pacific for 50,000 miles one-way—a deal that’s hard to beat. Even after Alaska switched to a distance-based award chart in March 2024, their rates are still reasonable compared to other loyalty programs. Flying from the West Coast to Japan, for instance, still holds at that 50,000-mile mark for business class.

And with the Hawaiian Airlines merger, things are only getting better. The expanded network now covers 141 direct routes and connects to over 1,200 destinations worldwide through Oneworld partners. Soon, members will be able to transfer miles freely between accounts, book seamlessly across both airlines, and use Honolulu as a major hub—all of which make this program even more valuable.

What Makes Alaska Mileage Plan a Winner?

Extensive Global Reach – While Alaska Airlines is a U.S.-based carrier, its partnerships provide access to 1,000+ destinations worldwide (5/5).
Credit Card & Transfer Options – Alaska offers two co-branded credit cards (personal and business) and partners with Bilt Rewards for 1:1 point transfers, making it easy to accumulate miles (3/5).
Easy & Transparent Redemptions – Unlike many programs that hide award rates, Alaska still publishes an award chart, and most partner awards can be booked online (5/5).
Low Elite Status Requirements – Reaching MVP status requires just 20,000 miles, one of the lowest thresholds in any frequent flyer program. Perks include bonus miles, free checked bags, premium upgrades, lounge discounts, and priority security (5/5).
Miles Never Expire – Alaska miles do not expire, so you don’t have to worry about losing them over time (5/5).
Strong Flight Reliability – Alaska Airlines ranks above average for on-time performance, with a June 2024 OTP of 81.7%, making it a solid choice for frequent flyers (5/5).

American Airlines AAdvantage

The American Airlines AAdvantage program has a few solid perks, but it’s not without its downsides. One big plus? It still publishes an award chart for partner flights, so you’ll always know how many miles you need before booking. Since American Airlines is part of the Oneworld Alliance, your AAdvantage miles can be used on airlines like Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Finnair, giving you plenty of options beyond just American’s own flights.

There are some standout redemption deals, too. You can book off-peak economy flights to Europe for 22,500 miles each way, which is a great value. If you prefer luxury travel, Qatar Airways Qsuites to the Middle East cost just 70,000 miles each way—one of the best uses of AAdvantage miles.

Another unique feature? Elite status isn’t just tied to flying. Nearly everything you do within the program—whether it’s credit card spending, shopping portals, or dining rewards—counts toward status. That means you could reach the top-tier Executive Platinum status without ever stepping on a plane.

How American AAdvantage Stacks Up

Strong Global Network – American Airlines is one of North America’s largest carriers, serving 350+ airports in 60 countries. Through Oneworld Alliance, members can redeem miles for flights across 900+ destinations in 170 countries (4/5).
Limited Transfer Options – While American Airlines offers five co-branded credit cards, it no longer partners with Bilt Rewards for direct 1:1 transfers. The only transfer option is Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 ratio with a 5,000-mile bonus per 60,000 points transferred) (3/5).
Mixed Redemption Experience – Free flights start at 7,500 miles, and with 21 partner airlines bookable online, redeeming miles isn’t a hassle. The downside? American Airlines uses dynamic pricing, making it tough to predict how many miles you’ll need for their own flights (4/5).
Elite Status That’s Easier to Earn – Instead of just counting flight miles, AAdvantage uses Loyalty Points, which you can earn through flights, credit card spending, and other partner activity. Gold status starts at 40,000 points, while Executive Platinum requires 200,000 (4/5).
Miles Expire Quickly – AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity, which is shorter than what many other programs allow. That said, earning miles through credit cards or partner activities can easily keep your account active (2/5).
Below-Average Flight Reliability – If on-time performance matters to you, American Airlines doesn’t score well. From January to July 2024, their on-time rate was 70.91%, lagging behind the industry average of 75.36% (3/5).

Turkish Miles&Smiles

Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles program is a hidden gem for travelers looking to maximize their miles. As a Star Alliance member, it offers some of the best redemption deals out there—often cheaper than what other programs charge for the same flights. On top of that, earning elite status is refreshingly simple. Classic Plus status (equivalent to Star Alliance Silver) only requires 25,000 miles, and there’s no revenue requirement, meaning you can qualify even with budget-friendly flights.

What Makes Turkish Miles&Smiles Stand Out

Massive Global Network – Turkish Airlines flies to 349 destinations across 130 countries. When you factor in Star Alliance’s network of 1,150+ destinations in 189 countries, the options for redeeming miles are nearly endless (5/5).
Strong Transfer Partnerships – While there’s no U.S. co-branded credit card, Miles&Smiles partners with Bilt Rewards, Capital One, and Citi ThankYou, allowing 1:1 point transfers. This makes earning miles incredibly easy (4/5).
Simple & Transparent Award Chart – Unlike many programs that rely on dynamic pricing, Turkish still publishes an award chart, so you always know how many miles you need. Award flights start at just 4,500 miles one-way, and a round-trip domestic flight on United Airlines can be booked for just 20,000 miles. The best part? You can book United flights online instead of calling customer service (5/5).
Elite Status That’s Easy to Earn & Lasts Longer – Reaching Classic Plus status takes just 25,000 miles, while Elite Plus requires 80,000 miles. Unlike most programs that require annual requalification, Turkish elite status lasts for two years.
- Classic Plus members get extra baggage, business class check-in (for domestic flights), and lounge access.
- Elite Plus members get seat upgrades, a private terminal entrance at IST, priority passport control, and even the ability to gift elite status to someone else (5/5).
Mileage Expiration Policy Could Be Better – Miles expire after three years of inactivity, and point transfers don’t count as qualifying activity. However, earning or redeeming miles within that timeframe resets the expiration clock (3/5).
Improving Airline Reliability – Turkish Airlines has made strides in on-time performance. In October 2024, it ranked 10th globally, with 77.44% of flights on time, a big jump from 2022’s 64.08% ranking (3/5).

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Flying Blue, the loyalty program shared by Air France and KLM, is part of SkyTeam and offers some of the best mileage deals for international travel. With five major transfer partners, earning miles is easy, and monthly Promo Rewards provide discounts of up to 50% on award flights, making it possible to book transatlantic flights for far fewer miles than other programs require.

Why Flying Blue Stands Out

Extensive Global Network – As part of SkyTeam, Flying Blue miles can be used on flights operated by Delta, ITA Airways, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, and more, covering 1,000+ destinations in 160+ countries (5/5).
Top-Tier Transfer Partnerships – Flying Blue miles are easy to earn thanks to 1:1 transfer options from Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Wells Fargo Rewards. There’s also a co-branded U.S. credit card with a solid welcome bonus and low $89 annual fee (5/5).
Mixed Redemption Experience – While monthly Promo Rewards allow for incredible deals—like round-trip U.S.-Europe flights starting at 15,000 miles—not all partner flights can be booked online, and there’s no award chart or mileage calculator to reference (2/5).
Elite Status Based on XP (Experience Points) –
- Silver status (100 XP) – Free checked bags, priority check-in, and 6 miles per Euro spent.
- Ultimate status (900 UXP) – Only earned through Air France/KLM flights, with perks like Sky Priority access, lounge access for you + a guest, and 8 miles per Euro spent.
- Status can also be boosted through credit card spending, carbon credit purchases, and donations (4/5).
Miles Expire Quickly – Flying Blue miles expire after two years, and earning or redeeming miles won’t reset the clock. The only way to keep them active is by taking a flight on Air France, KLM, or a partner airline every two years, holding Silver status or higher, or making a purchase with a co-branded credit card (2/5).
Decent Airline Reliability – As of December 2024, KLM had a 74.69% on-time performance (OTP), while Air France sat at 68.49%, ranking 57th and 85th globally. While not the best for punctuality, it’s something to keep in mind for international travelers (4/5).

Delta SkyMiles

Delta SkyMiles is a solid loyalty program, especially for frequent domestic travelers and those who prefer a hassle-free rewards system. Unlike some programs that complicate mileage redemptions, Delta keeps it simple—your miles are directly tied to the fare price, meaning no blackout dates and no restrictive award charts.

One of its biggest draws is elite status, which comes with perks like free upgrades, priority boarding, and Sky Club lounge access at higher tiers. Delta also has strong co-branded credit card partnerships, making it easy to earn miles on everyday spending. However, its redemption rates can be unpredictable, as Delta often adjusts award prices without notice.

Why Delta SkyMiles Stands Out

Expansive Route Network – Delta serves over 300 destinations in 60+ countries and is part of SkyTeam, giving members access to 1,000+ partner airline routes worldwide (5/5).
Strong Credit Card & Transfer Options – Delta offers multiple co-branded credit cards with welcome bonuses that make earning miles fast. Plus, SkyMiles partners with Amex Membership Rewards, allowing 1:1 point transfers from eligible cards (4/5).
Simple & Flexible Redemptions – No award chart means no blackout dates or restrictions, so you can book any available flight with miles. However, Delta’s dynamic pricing system can make some redemptions feel overpriced (4/5).
Elite Status Tiers & Benefits –
- Delta’s Medallion Status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond) is based on a mix of flight miles and spending.
- Perks include free upgrades, bonus miles, waived fees, priority boarding, and Sky Club access at higher tiers (3/5).
Miles Never Expire – Unlike many programs that enforce expiration rules, Delta SkyMiles don’t expire, so you can save up for a big redemption at your own pace (5/5).
Consistently Strong Flight Performance – Delta is known for on-time flights and reliability. As of 2024, their on-time performance (OTP) reached 77.77%, putting them among the top-ranked airlines for punctuality (3/5).

Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest Rapid Rewards is one of the most straightforward airline loyalty programs, designed for travelers who want hassle-free redemptions and family-friendly perks. There are no blackout dates, no hidden fees on award bookings, and every seat is available for purchase with points. Instead of using a traditional award chart, points are tied to the cash price of a ticket, making it easy to see what your rewards are worth.

One of the biggest draws of this program is the Southwest Companion Pass, which lets a designated companion fly for just taxes and fees on every flight you take for up to two years after earning 135,000 points or taking 100 one-way flights in a year. Since points earned from Southwest credit cards count toward this requirement, it’s one of the most accessible elite perks in any airline program.

What Makes Southwest Rapid Rewards Stand Out

Domestic-Focused Network – Southwest serves over 100 destinations across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. While its international reach is limited, it offers strong coverage for domestic flyers (2/5).
Solid Credit Card & Transfer Partnerships – With five co-branded Southwest credit cards, earning points is easy. Chase Ultimate Rewards also transfers 1:1 to Southwest, making it simple to boost your balance. Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio (4/5).
Easy & Flexible Redemptions – Since Southwest doesn’t limit award availability, you can use points for any flight with an open seat. Points typically hold a value of about 1.5 cents each toward fares. No first-class cabins means no premium redemptions, but the simplicity of the system makes up for it (4/5).
Elite Status Lacks Premium Perks – Southwest offers three elite status tiers, but there’s no first-class seating, priority security, or airport lounge access.
- The biggest perk is the Companion Pass, which lets one person fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees for up to two years.
- Southwest status tiers also come with perks like free Wi-Fi, same-day standby, and priority boarding (3/5).
Points Never Expire – Southwest points never expire, making this program perfect for infrequent travelers who don’t want to worry about mileage expiration rules (5/5).
Decent Flight Reliability – Southwest has improved its on-time performance (OTP), reaching 77.77% in 2024, placing it fifth among airlines for punctuality (3/5).

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus is a go-to program for frequent domestic flyers and those who want access to a massive global network. As a Star Alliance member, United connects travelers to 1,200+ airports worldwide, making it a strong choice for international redemptions. Unlike some other Star Alliance carriers, United doesn’t add fuel surcharges to award flights, which can save you a significant amount even if mileage rates are higher.

One of the biggest reasons people stick with United? Elite status is relatively easy to earn. With the ability to rack up Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) through flights and credit card spending, climbing the status ladder isn’t just for frequent flyers—it’s also possible through everyday spending.

Why United MileagePlus Stands Out

Extensive Flight Network – United operates flights to 350 destinations and offers connections to 1,290+ locations across 200 countries through Star Alliance partners, making it a great option for international travelers (4/5).
Top-Tier Credit Card & Transfer Options – MileagePlus has six co-branded Chase credit cards and 1:1 transfer partnerships with Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, plus a 3:1 transfer option from Marriott Bonvoy, providing plenty of ways to build up miles (5/5).
Unpredictable Award Pricing – United no longer publishes an award chart, using dynamic pricing instead. While some short-haul or off-peak redemptions can be a great deal (starting at 4,500 miles), premium cabin flights can cost six figures in miles, making it tough to plan redemptions (3/5).
Flexible Elite Status Options –
- Premier Silver (entry-level status) requires 15 Premier Qualification Flights (PQF) and 5,000 Premier Qualification Points (PQP) or just 6,000 PQP.
- Higher tiers include perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, Economy Plus upgrades, and increased mileage earning rates (up to 11X miles per dollar for Premier 1K members).
- PQPs can also be earned through select United credit cards, making status easier to reach even without frequent flights (4/5).
Miles Never Expire – Unlike some programs that force you to redeem miles within a certain timeframe, United miles are yours to use whenever you want (5/5).
Strong Flight Reliability – As of November 2024, United had an on-time performance (OTP) of 80.12%, making it one of the most reliable major airlines (5/5).

Finding the Right Frequent Flyer Program for You

Picking the best frequent flyer program isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision—it all depends on your travel patterns, goals, and the airlines that operate in your area. Here are a few key questions to consider:

Which airlines have the most flights from your home airport?
Are you earning miles for domestic or international trips?
Do you care more about free flights or elite status perks?
How often do you fly?
Do you want premium cabin redemptions or just the cheapest flights?

The airline that dominates your home airport plays a big role. If you live near an Alaska Airlines or American Airlines hub, their loyalty programs will be the easiest to maximize, offering more chances to earn and redeem miles efficiently.

For those who fly United often but want better redemption rates for international business class, it might make sense to credit flights to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles instead. This program charges fewer miles for the same Star Alliance flights, giving you more value.

On the other hand, if premium travel is your goal, Southwest Rapid Rewards won’t be a great fit—it’s geared toward domestic travelers and doesn’t offer first-class seating. While it’s still worth collecting points when flying Southwest, you might want to skip their credit card if you’re not fully committed to the program.

Are Frequent Flyer Programs Worth It?

For frequent travelers, loyalty programs can be incredibly valuable, offering perks like free flights, upgrades, lounge access, and priority boarding. If you fly regularly with the same airline or alliance, these benefits can make travel more comfortable and cost-effective.

That said, if you don’t fly often, racking up enough miles for meaningful rewards can take a long time. In that case, focusing on transferable points from credit cards might be a better strategy than committing to a single airline.

For those who fly frequently for work or leisure, aiming for elite status can provide perks that enhance your overall travel experience. Pairing a frequent flyer program with a co-branded credit card can also boost your earning potential, making it easier to accumulate miles.

At the end of the day, frequent flyer programs are worth it if you’re strategic about how you earn and redeem miles. If you’re willing to stay loyal to an airline (or alliance) and take advantage of their rewards, you’ll get far more value out of your miles.