Over one hundred rewards programs worldwide vie for Best Program, signifying the finest combination of value, ease-of-redemption and customer service. FlyerTalk is presenting nine of these awards across three geographical regions, along with nine more awards for the Outstanding Benefit of the past year.
For the seventh straight year, FlyerTalkers will cast ballots to determine the community's favorite travel affinity programs. Official ballots will open in January 2018, with preliminary nominations process to take place in the FlyerTalk forums in December 2017.
Perhaps the most rewarded group in the history of these programs, FlyerTalk is a community of over half a million business and leisure travelers dedicated to finding and sharing elite-level knowledge of air, hotel and car rental programs. These are not casual travelers; they are industry influencers. Their favorite programs can truly be called the best in the world, because they have tried them all.
Over one hundred rewards programs worldwide vie for Best Program, signifying the finest combination of value, ease-of-redemption and customer service. FlyerTalk is presenting nine of these awards across three geographical regions, along with nine more awards for the Outstanding Benefit of the past year.
How the Awards are chosen
Voters are asked to submit a six-part online ballot, ranking their top four programs (1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, 4th place) in each award category. Ballots are tabulated using a single-winner voting method (a modified Borda count) with a proprietary weighting system, and audited over a period of weeks. This ensures that small programs, meeting a modest minimum qualifying percentage of votes cast, have the same chance of winning as the largest players in their industry; high program participation does not necessarily equate to a higher Quality Score. A perfect Quality Score, receiving nothing but 1st-place votes, is 10.
2018: Annual FleyerTalk Awards
Best Rewards Program
Americas
- Fly: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- Stay: Starwood Preferred Guest
- Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Europe / Africa
- Fly: Starwood Preferred Guest
- Stay: Starwood Preferred Guest
- Drive: Starwood Preferred Guest
Middle East/Asia/Oceania
- Fly: Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Stay: Starwood Preferred Guest
- Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Outstanding Benefit
Americas
- Fly: American Airlines AAdvantage – Oneworld Lounge Access on International Flights
- Stay: Marriott Rewards – Concierge Lounge access and breakfast for 2
- Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards – Ultimate Choice
Europe / Africa
- Fly: British Airways Executive Club – Reward Flight Saver
- Stay: Hilton Honors – Free breakfast
- Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards – Free upgrades
Middle East/Asia/Oceania
- Fly: Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club – Lounge Access
- Stay: Marriott Rewards – Concierge Lounge access and breakfast for 2
- Drive: Hertz Gold Plus Rewards – Gold Service
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
