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U.S. News Announces the 2025-2026 Best Travel Rewards Programs
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Choice Privileges is the new No. 1 hotel rewards program; Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan holds onto top spot in airline program ranking.
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, publisher of Best Hotels, Best Cruise Lines and Best Vacations, unveiled the 2025-2026 Best Travel Rewards Programs to help everyday travelers find the best loyalty programs.
The 2025-2026 rankings highlight nine airline and 14 hotel loyalty programs that offer travelers the best perks as well as easy ways to earn and redeem points and miles:
-- Choice Privileges claims the No. 1 spot on the Best Hotel Rewards
Programs ranking for 2025-2026 after 10 consecutive years in the
ranking's top five. Choice Privileges allows members to quickly earn
free nights, and due to its acquisition of Radisson and an enhanced
partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the program has expanded
its reach to include both budget-focused brands and luxury offerings.
With Choice Privileges' reasonably attainable elite status, members also
receive impactful perks like room upgrades, early check-in and late
checkout after just 10 nights. Wyndham Rewards secured the No. 2 spot,
while World of Hyatt remains at No. 3. Both programs stand out for their
ease of earning a free night, with Wyndham offering one of the largest
global hotel networks.
-- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan maintains its No. 1 position for the Best
Airline Rewards Programs for the 11th consecutive year. Members earn
points based on miles flown rather than spending, ensuring a path to
elite status regardless of ticket price. First-tier elite status
includes free upgrades, checked bags and same-day confirmed flight
changes, while oneworld Alliance's multi-airline partnerships provide
access to destinations worldwide and increased perks for frequent
flyers. United MileagePlus moves up to No. 2 and American Airlines
AAdvantage ranks No. 3, both benefiting from high flight volume and the
strongest network scores across all ranked programs.
"With significant changes to travel rewards policies over the past few years, consumers are reviewing program offerings to ensure their spending delivers worthwhile benefits," says Elizabeth Von Tersch, U.S. News' senior travel editor. "As reward systems constantly evolve, the Best Travel Rewards Programs provide travelers with helpful data to make informed decisions about travel rewards."
U.S. News analyzed travel rewards programs in two categories: airline frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs. The rankings used a comprehensive methodology which weighed membership benefits, network coverage, the ease of earning and redeeming points or miles, hotel property diversity and airline quality.
Methodology updates for the 2025-2026 rankings include revised data collection processes to better mimic an average consumer's purchasing patterns and more categories for the additional benefits score. For airlines, U.S. News incorporated the Bureau of Transportation's 2024 data for on-time arrivals, mishandled luggage incidents and consumer complaints to better calculate Airline Quality scores.
2025-2026 Best Travel Rewards Programs Rankings
See the full rankings.
Hotel Rewards Programs
1. Choice Privileges
2. Wyndham Rewards
3. World of Hyatt
4. Marriott Bonvoy
5. IHG One Rewards
Airline Rewards Programs
1. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
2. United MileagePlus
3. American Airlines AAdvantage
4. Delta SkyMiles
5. JetBlue TrueBlue
For more information on the Best Travel Rewards Programs, visit us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and Instagram using #BestRewards.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.
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SOURCE U.S. News & World Report
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