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Best Airline and Hotel Rewards Programs of 2024

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Table of Contents

How we picked the best travel rewards programs

Best airline rewards program, best hotel rewards program, save money by booking with points and miles, the bottom line, methodology.

Big airline and hotel brands want your loyalty, which is why each has its own distinctive program that rewards you (the traveler) with its version of reward currency (points, miles). Yet understanding how even a single one of these programs — never mind several — actually work and compare with one another takes a tremendous amount of time and energy.

That’s where we come in.

NerdWallet’s editorial travel team spent months collecting data, analyzing the fine print and generally nerding out to determine not only the best travel loyalty programs, but also the best airline and best hotel of 2024. Check out all of our Best-Of winners .

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to our travel loyalty program rankings. If you’re just starting to collect points or miles, you may want to know what program will give you the best return on your investment. On the other hand, frequent travelers chasing a higher status may want to know what program makes earning most effortless.

With this in mind, we prioritized elements of rewards programs that offer clear, objective and measurable benefits. Then, we boiled these elements into a single overall rating across airlines and hotels.

Here’s what we compared:

Airline rewards

Rewards (mile) value .

Elite status benefits .

Hotel rewards

Rewards (point) value.

We rated each hotel brand and airline in each of the two categories on a five-point scale, then used a weighted average of these ratings to determine an overall winner. Use the links above to learn more about how we built these ratings.

» Learn more: Book smarter travel this year: The best travel credit cards might surprise you

Winner: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

For travelers who only care about earning miles and elite status, Alaska’s Mileage Plan crushes the rankings.

Because Alaska still rewards miles based on distance flown rather than the amount spent, and because it hasn’t muddied the earning qualifications for its elite status programs as some others have over the past two years, Alaska offers the best value per dollar spent for frequent flyers.

Based on our most recent analysis, NerdWallet values Alaska Airlines miles at 1.4 cents each .

Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles, including its Pualani elite program, took second place among airline rewards programs because of its modest spending requirements and valuable rewards.

American Airlines beats out the other legacy carriers (namely Delta and United) by a strong margin.

Finding Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines at the bottom of these rankings is unsurprising, given how these airlines prioritize low fares and other benefits over elite status membership.

But seeing Delta Air Lines near the bottom might be surprising for anyone who hasn’t followed its elite status devaluation meltdown . Because Delta’s elite status levels are so costly to earn, they are effectively worth less.

» Learn more: Best airline credit cards today

Winner: World of Hyatt

Focusing only on the value of hotel points and elite status perks puts the World of Hyatt in first place among hotel loyalty programs. Point value and status benefits are the two categories where Hyatt excels, putting a wide range between itself and the second-place Choice.

Based on our most recent analysis, NerdWallet values Hyatt points at 2.3 cents each , far more than any other hotel program.

Best Western finds itself in last place, which makes sense as it's a budget-conscious hotel brand.

The mega programs of Marriott, IHG and Hilton are muddling in the lower half. Since many frequent travelers chose between these large programs, seeing them score so poorly is interesting.

» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards today

Points and miles can be redeemed for award flights or stays within these top travel rewards programs. But before you start using points and miles, you have to earn them.

Beyond flying or booking hotel stays, another way to amass a large number of travel rewards is to earn a sign-up bonus for a travel credit card.

on Bank of America's website

on Chase's website

on Wells Fargo's website

If you seek more flexibility in redeeming miles for award flights, consider applying for a more general travel credit card instead. A more general travel credit card differs from an airline card in that you can book flights with multiple carriers, rather than reaping the benefits of staying loyal to a single brand.

The more high-end the travel credit card, the more benefits you can enjoy, including lounge access or automatic elite status in certain programs.

That said, a brand-specific airline or hotel card can net you benefits like waived baggage fees or free breakfast , which can have meaningful dollar value.

Alaska Airlines is one of the few airlines left that still rewards miles based on distance flown versus amount spent, making it one of the reasons it is the best airline rewards program of 2024.

World of Hyatt has been at the top for several years now, unsurprisingly, because of the high cent-per-point value and elite benefits.

No matter which airline or hotel status you choose to chase, it’s important not to let your points and miles pile up .

Read our editorial guidelines for additional information.

Best Airline Rewards Program

How we picked the programs to evaluate.

For an airline to be eligible, it had to be based in the U.S. and have a publicly available rewards search calendar with availability from 15 days to eight months from the time of search.

Nine airlines fit these criteria: Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United. No other U.S.-based airlines met these criteria.

How we chose the winner

We looked at the rewards rate and elite rewards rate. We rated each of these factors separately, then determined an overall rating based on the weighting described below.

How we rated and weighted each factor:

Rewards rate (57.1%). We determined the dollar value of each program’s rewards miles and the earnings rate of miles. To determine the rewards rate, we multiplied the value of each mile by the earnings rate, then multiplied by 100. For example, if an airline’s rewards miles were worth $0.01 apiece (the value of rewards miles) and 10 miles were earned per dollar spent (the earnings rate of miles), its program would have a 10% rewards rate. (In this example, the two equations would be: $0.01 x 10 = 0.1, then 0.1 x 100 = 10, or 10%.)

Elite rewards rate (42.9%). We determined (a) the value and (b) the cost of earning elite status with each program, and determined an overall value by dividing (a) by (b). 

How we assigned star ratings

For each factor, we subtracted the lowest value from the highest value to determine the range. Then, we split this range into five separate “star rating” ranges. We assigned each airline program an appropriate star rating based on where its value fell in the range.

How we verified our data

We independently spot-checked data collected to ensure accuracy. Information about loyalty programs was verified on the airlines’ websites.

Best Hotel Rewards Program

To be eligible, a hotel brand had to have properties in the majority of states in the U.S. and offer a loyalty program with a publicly available rewards search calendar. Rewards booking availability from 15 days to eight months from the time of search was also required.

Seven hotel brands met these requirements: Best Western, Choice, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott and Wyndham.

We compared the rewards rate and the value of the elite status program. We rated each of these factors separately, then determined an overall rating based on the weighting described below.

Rewards rate (53.8%). We determined the dollar value of each program’s rewards points and the earnings rate of points. To determine the rewards rate, we multiplied the value of each point by the earnings rate, then multiplied by 100. For example, if a hotel’s rewards points were worth $0.01 apiece (the value of rewards points) and 10 points were earned per dollar spent (the earnings rate of points), its program would have a 10% rewards rate. (In this example, the two equations would be: $0.01 x 10 = 0.1, then 0.1 x 100 = 10, or 10%.)

Elite status value rate (46.2%). We determined (a) the value and (b) the cost of earning elite status with each program, and determined an overall value by dividing (a) by (b). 

For each factor, we subtracted the lowest value among all programs from the highest value among all programs to determine the range. Then, we split this range into five separate “star rating” ranges. We assigned each hotel program an appropriate star rating based on where its value fell in the range.

We independently spot-checked data collected to ensure accuracy. Information about loyalty programs was verified on the hotels’ websites.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Choosing the Best Loyalty Programs for You in 2024

Here are the best ways to get rewarded by airlines, hotels—even credit card companies—this year..

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Airline and hotel loyalty programs are free to join, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by signing up.

Photo by Gary Lopater on Unsplash

AFAR partners with CreditCards.com and may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Compensation may impact how an offer is presented. Our coverage is independent and objective, and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of the AFAR editorial team.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by AFAR.

A new year means new opportunities to rack up points and acquire elite status in the myriad loyalty programs of the travel industry. Whether you’re new to the game in 2024 or simply looking to switch your brand allegiance, there’s plenty of good news. Despite a trend of more stringent elite qualifications and the overall inflation of points and miles, select programs still reward travelers with plenty of perks, points, and VIP benefits. Here are the top travel loyalty programs to consider joining in 2024—and some tips on how to get started.

Important basics of loyalty programs

The first thing to know about airline and hotel loyalty programs is that they are free to join, meaning you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by signing up. Points and miles expire in some programs but not all—so in many cases they can lie dormant in an account for extended periods. It’s a myth that you can’t belong to multiple loyalty programs. You can—and you should!—belong to numerous ones, including international programs. For example, I am a huge fan of the Air France/KLM Flying Blue program and Air Canada’s Aeroplan program. If you plan to join multiple programs, it’s a good idea to track points and miles in a single spreadsheet or use an app such as AwardWallet , which tracks the balances of your loyalty programs in a single place.

For those looking to attain elite status, note that qualification years for elite programs vary among hotel and airline programs. For hotel programs, the elite status qualification year follows the calendar year (i.e., January 1 to December 31). This is also true for the airline loyalty programs of Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. But the elite qualification year for Delta runs from February 1 to January 31, and for American Airlines from March 1 to February 28. Additionally, if you earn elite status in one qualifying year for any of these programs, it will extend for the rest of that year and through the entire next qualifying year.

In many cases getting a cobranded credit card boosts your points balance for a specific airline or hotel group and offers options for achieving elite status faster. Getting a general travel credit card can also lead to significant points accrual plus the freedom to transfer points to multiple hotel and airline programs.

Finally, all points and miles aren’t created equal. Points and miles of every program should be viewed as different currencies. Just as the U.S. dollar, the Mexican peso, and the Euro carry different values, so do the points and miles of, say, American Airlines, United, and Delta.

Choosing a hotel loyalty program

Of the four big hotel loyalty programs —Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, and World of Hyatt— Marriott Bonvoy is the biggest, but not necessarily the best. It’s great if you can achieve Platinum Elite status or higher, but that requires staying at Marriott Bonvoy hotels a minimum of 50 nights per year. Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at about one cent each (i.e., 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points typically covers a hotel valued at $500). Also, Marriott Bonvoy charges taxes and resort fees on award bookings. Loyalty program newcomers or those who have been at the points game only a few years should instead consider World of Hyatt or Hilton Honors.

World of Hyatt is the most highly regarded hotel loyalty program in the world of points and miles because its points are the most valuable of any hotel or airline loyalty program. Thanks to World of Hyatt’s fixed, published award chart—versus the dynamic pricing of competitors—it’s not uncommon to score an award booking for which points are valued more than two to three cents apiece. For example, I successfully booked the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme for 40,000 points per night for an April 2024 stay (versus €1,450 per night), yielding a points value of more three cents per point. World of Hyatt also rewards travelers as they climb the elite ladder with Milestone Rewards , and its top status, Globalist, requires only 60 nights per year. (To give you some perspective, Marriott’s top status, Ambassador Elite, requires more than 100 nights per year and more than $23,000 of qualifying spend per year.) World of Hyatt waives taxes and resort fees on award bookings, which can amount to significant savings, especially at posh beachfront properties.

If you don’t feel like working (or booking overnights) for elite status in 2024, fast-track to Gold or top-tier Diamond status with Hilton Honors by getting one of its cobranded credit cards. While most hotel cards give you an elite bump, Hilton goes all out, granting top Diamond elite status to those who have the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card or Gold status with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card . These cards often carry welcome offers of more than 150,000 bonus points, which is enough to experience several free nights to test out elite status. Another fast track to hotel elite status is through The Platinum Card® from American Express . Just by being a card member, you’ll be granted Gold status in Hilton Honors and Gold status in Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).

Choosing an airline loyalty program

In the past few years, much has changed within the loyalty programs of the “big four” domestic airlines in the United States: American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines. (They collectively account for 74 percent of U.S. airline seats sold per year.)

A lot of attention has been given to the unpopular modifications Delta recently made to its SkyMiles program . However, United made comparable changes in previous years—it just happened to be better timed and thus flew under the radar. Even considering Delta’s elite status qualification changes, Delta’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum statuses are still easier to achieve than similar tiers on United in 2024. Since both Delta and United’s elite statuses remain tied to spending requirements with each airline, they’re sure to remain popular among business travelers whose companies are paying for their tickets.

But if you are trying to get status on your own dime, status with American Airlines is easier to achieve. Why? Elite status on American Airlines is based on Loyalty Points, which can be accrued in so many ways beyond flying. With American’s shopping, dining, hotel, and event platforms, it’s easy to rack up Loyalty Points. Plus, all purchases using the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard count as Loyalty Points (at a rate of one point per dollar spent), and 10,000-point bonuses are awarded after hitting 40,000 Loyalty Points and 90,000 Loyalty Points levels in a membership year. Personally, I was able to earn 77,404 Loyalty Points in the last quarter of 2023 alone, and I’m now looking at top-rung Executive Platinum status for 2024, even though I flew only three times on American in 2023.

Then there’s Southwest, which made elite status easier to earn in 2024 compared to 2023. However, elite status on Southwest is separate from Companion Pass status; and since Southwest already gives free bags and does not have class differences, it makes elite status changes a bit of a non-event. For those who do seek elite status, here’s what you’ll get: A-List perks include same-day flight change and same-day standby benefits, priority lanes, and a dedicated phone line. A-List Preferred benefits are the same as A-List’s, plus two drinks per flight, free internet, and 100 percent bonus points on flights.

In general, if you live near a hub for a specific airline, it might make sense for you to attempt to earn elite status with that airline (like Delta in Atlanta or United in Denver). The catch, however, is that with so many people using that strategy, you’ll probably never get upgraded in a hub city if you have a lower-tier elite status (as you’ll be competing with so many fliers with higher status).

Going beyond airline and hotel loyalty programs

Points programs through credit card companies can also be considered loyalty programs—and they’re the most straightforward. You are part of the loyalty program just by having the card—no elite ladder to climb. The best examples are the travel credit cards from American Express, Chase, and Capital One, all of which have their own respective rewards programs. You earn based on your spending and often score bonus points in specific categories. These credit card rewards programs partner with hotel and airline loyalty programs so that you can transfer your credit card points to select hotels and airlines. Moreover, these credit cards function as loyalty programs do: Cardholders have access to VIP events and elite-like offerings given through proprietary booking engines. To get these perks—plus welcome offers and other benefits such as generous statement credits—consider applying for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , Chase Sapphire Reserve® , or The Platinum Card® from American Express .

While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any time and may have changed or may no longer be available.

Best Airline Rewards Programs for 2023-2024

You don't have to be a points and miles expert to find a frequent flyer program that suits your travel habits. When choosing an airline rewards program, you'll want to consider a few key criteria, such as flight options, network coverage and how easy it is to earn a free flight. To help everyday travelers weigh their options, U.S. News evaluated 10 leading airline rewards programs u sing a methodology   that takes into account each program's earning and redemption values, benefits, network coverage and airline quality ratings, among other features. Our approach places emphasis on the ease of earning miles and redeeming free flights for basic members. Browse our Best Airline Rewards Programs ranking and detailed program profiles to find the best program for you.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Delta SkyMiles

United MileagePlus

American Airlines AAdvantage

# 4 Best airline rewards Programs

JetBlue TrueBlue

# 5 Best airline rewards Programs

Southwest Rapid Rewards

# 6 Best airline rewards Programs

Free Spirit

# 7 Best airline rewards Programs

HawaiianMiles

# 8 Best airline rewards Programs

FRONTIER Miles

# 9 Best airline rewards Programs

Allegiant Air Allways Rewards

# 10 Best airline rewards Programs

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Break the mold on travel loyalty programs

Research report.

• Travel companies are loyalty pioneers. But strategies that worked for years are out of touch with the needs and expectations of travelers today.
• What travel players need are loyalty programs that balance perceived value to travelers with cost to the business.
• Our research shows that what travelers perceive as valuable in loyalty isn’t always the most costly to the business.

Loyalty pivots to leisure travelers

Travel loyalty programs have traditionally been designed for business travelers who could meet the high thresholds to qualify for status. Yet in a post-pandemic world, business travelers aren’t traveling like they once did. Earning points for perks can take much longer to achieve.

With the dynamics of the travel industry so complex, no one can be fully certain of the future. But global leisure spending is outpacing business travel for now. And because  leisure travelers  have different desires and behaviors—travel loyalty programs should look very different.

2  out of  3

consumers are likely to get back to pre-pandemic travel levels regardless of budgetary pressures 1

Value for travelers—and the business

Transforming loyalty programs should focus on ensuring that loyalty investments translate into value for travelers—and for the business. Building perceived value for travelers is critical to creating profitable loyalty programs for travel companies. The more that  travel companies  can widen the gap between  consumer perceived value  and  cost to the business , the better they can monetize loyalty programs.

"Loyalty comes from having a really good product to start with. I want to feel like my needs are being met and that a company understands my preferences. I also don’t want to jump through hoops when it comes to customer service." — JONATHAN , Traveler

Delivering what travelers want

We conducted qualitative traveler research to help travel companies rethink travel loyalty programs. The research reveals three expectations that travelers have of loyalty programs.

The power of now

Don’t make me wait for the rewards I want

Tried and true experiences

Prove to me that I can always rely on you

Flexibility my way

Show that you know me, but give me choices

Travel rewards that are truly rewarding

Loyalty programs that reward travelers—and travel companies

Travel companies should prepare for travelers’ needs, desires and behaviors to shift and evolve. The more they do this, they more insights travel companies have to reclaim their role as loyalty pioneers, transforming the value proposition, innovating supporting program structures, and enabling experiences at scale.

RELATED: IHG’s digital experience upgrade

1  Accenture Q2 Consumer Pulse Survey: February 2022

Managing Director – Strategy, Travel, North America

Liselotte focuses on travel clients to design a seamless travel experience, drive efficient operations and create value.

Senior Manager – Strategy and Consulting, Travel

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7 Professional Travelers Share Their Absolute Favorite Travel Rewards Program — and Why

Top experts pick their favorite travel loyalty program.

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For frequent travelers, having a go-to loyalty program can be a game-changer. If you tend to fly on planes, stay at hotels, or spend on credit cards — or like me, you do all of the above — sticking with a program (or two) can make travel more accessible, enjoyable, and sometimes, downright luxurious. And if you play your cards right (pun intended), the rewards can add up relatively quickly. 

Take my favorite travel rewards program of the moment, Bilt Rewards. Bilt lets me earn points on rent payments, my biggest monthly expense, without incurring additional fees. These points, similar to Amex Membership Rewards points , Chase Ultimate Rewards points , and Capital One miles , are considered a transferable currency. That means they are programs that are more versatile than traditional airline miles or hotel points since you can move them to a variety of loyalty accounts on an as-needed basis. In the case of Bilt, I can transfer my existing points to more than a dozen travel programs instantly, including the two that I am most loyal to. With Hyatt and American — my hotel and airline of choice, respectively — I can stay at luxury hotels or book business-class flights by transferring my Bilt points. 

Wondering what programs other experienced travelers can’t live without? I asked eight professional jet-setters (and trendsetters) what their favorite loyalty programs are — and how they maximize those rewards.

World of Hyatt

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

“My love of luxury hotels had a very definitive start a little over 10 years ago when another miles and points enthusiast introduced me to the Hyatt loyalty program, now known as World of Hyatt. I had been deeply entrenched in the world of luxury airline travel with miles for several years at that point, but never cared where I stayed once I got to my destination — until my first stay at a luxury hotel, using Hyatt points, changed my perspective entirely. World of Hyatt offers a combination of value, strong loyalty recognition, and transfer accessibility. I regularly book award stays valued at over two cents per point, upgrade perks as an elite member are consistent, and what I don’t earn from stays, I can transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards for redemptions. While their global footprint isn’t the largest, they make continuous efforts to expand their portfolio through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, and their focus is very clearly on establishing a strong luxury positioning. The established Small Luxury Hotels partnership and the upcoming integration of Mr. and Mrs. Smith-marketed properties are both great examples of ways Hyatt thinks outside of the box to bring members additional opportunities to earn and redeem points on luxury stays.” — Michelle González, Luxury Travel Expert and Creator ( @laxtoluxury )

American Express Membership Rewards

Silas Stein/Getty Images

"My favorite rewards program is Amex Membership Rewards and has been since day one. I got my first Amex credit card over 10 years ago when I was fresh out of college and working as an executive chef, and it literally opened up the world to me. Thanks to Amex points, I learned very quickly that if you spend smarter, you travel better. I’ve traveled to almost 80 countries, flown across the globe in style on the most aspirational first-class airlines, and spent countless nights at the most luxurious hotels. Most importantly, I’ve created lifelong memories and had travel experiences that I never thought were possible. There are two main reasons why I prefer Amex above all others. First, you can earn a significant amount of points without needing to spend substantial amounts of money to earn them by using the Amex Platinum, Amex Gold, and Amex Green cards. I’ve done this all while living within my means and keeping my credit pristine. Secondly, there’s so much power behind these points when they are redeemed properly. When transferring Amex points to its airline and hotel partners, you are able to substantially increase the value of these points by leveraging the award charts and breaking away from the fixed value of the points when used directly with Amex Travel." — Tommy Lonergan, Partner at Freedom Travel Systems ( @travelliketommy )

Delta SkyMiles

Courtesy of Delta Airlines

There is an airline loyalty program that I think pound for pound, knocks most of the other competition out. Delta’s SkyMiles program has so many benefits that I have discovered. I love how Delta makes it easy to earn miles which I can then use to book flights and vacation packages. Then, I really enjoy the perks at each status level, especially as I level up like being able to upgrade faster and easier. I appreciate Delta’s SkyTeam alliance partners and redeeming miles with over a dozen other affiliated airlines. Delta also makes me feel like I am appreciated because when I choose to fly with them, I receive personal greetings and have even gotten handwritten letters congratulating me on my new status placed in my seat before I boarded. They also sent me my own Delta location tag that will track my bag wherever. Outside of the loyalty programs, I enjoy their lounges, which are world-class and make my airport experience more relaxing. — Jeff Jenkins, Host of Never Say Never on National Geographic ( @chubbydiaries )

Editor's note: Delta SkyMiles has recently changed how travelers earn status and its lounge admissions policies. Read more here .

American Airlines AAdvantage

"As a full-time traveler, my favorite loyalty program is American Airlines. Determining the best loyalty program is subjective. All loyalty programs, obviously, have their strengths and weaknesses — and it’s really about what you prioritize as a traveler and where you land when it comes to the tier. The first thing I tend to look at is the advantages of utilizing partner airlines, because I travel internationally so often. American has quite a number of partners in the Oneworld alliance; it’s a huge advantage to have partners all over the world to redeem miles. For instance, I love Qatar Airways Qsuites, it’s my favorite way to fly. In my opinion, it’s the best redemption of American miles. As an Executive Platinum Elite member, I receive free upgrades domestically, and that also includes flights to Mexico. Of course, these are subject to availability but I’ve received numerous upgrades between Los Angeles and New York. For the price of an economy ticket, I often get a lie-flat business seat for that journey." — Valerie Joy Wilson, Solo Travel Expert ( @trustedtravelgirl )

British Airways Executive Club

"My favorite loyalty program is the British Airways Executive Club because I find the benefits to be amazing, especially as someone who is a British-American dual citizen. I live in New York and frequently travel to the United Kingdom. Plus, I don't have to spend a lot of money to earn top-tier status, because, with British Airways, I earn points toward status based on distance flown, not just the cost of the ticket. This makes it easier to achieve Oneworld Emerald status, which gives me a lot of great benefits, even on domestic economy flights on British Airways partner American Airlines. For example, I get exit row seats, three bags at 70 pounds each, and access to the exclusive Flagship First check-in area with American Airlines. Even better, I get to enter some of the best airport lounges in the world with this status, like the Qantas First Lounge at LAX, all complimentary." — Will Taylor, TV Host and Content Creator ( @brightbazaar )

Air Canada Aeroplan

Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

"I really like the Air Canada Aeroplan rewards program, because it offers so many benefits. Earning points is easy and redeeming them is incredibly flexible. I can accumulate points quickly by transferring credit card points from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and Bilt Rewards points at a one-to-one ratio to Aeroplan. Redeeming my Aeroplan points is also so flexible because they can be used for Star Alliance partner airlines, as well as non-alliance partners like Emirates, Etihad, Bamboo Airlines, and Oman Airlines. This opens up numerous options for finding award flights worldwide. The online search feature is quick, accurate, and user-friendly, making the process of redeeming points enjoyable. One of the best things about the Aeroplan program is that I can add a stopover for just an additional 5,000 points, and the stopovers are bookable online. This is perfect for me because I love exploring multiple destinations and maximizing my travel experience. Plus, transfer bonuses are occasionally available when transferring credit card points to Air Canada Aeroplan, which helps me earn even more points. Overall, I think Air Canada Aeroplan is an excellent rewards program that offers a wide range of benefits for its users." — Max Do, Loyalty and Rewards Expert ( @maxmilespoints )

Alaska Mileage Plan

Chad Slattery/Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

"As a videographer and owner of a media company that travels around the world, Alaska has been my loyalty program of choice for the last several years. I have held airline status on three different airlines, but never received anywhere near the same number of upgrades per flight taken as I do on Alaska. In the old days, airlines awarded you miles based on the distance flown (instead of the money spent), Alaska is one of the few that continues to do this, which benefits me when I fly on cheaper fares over longer distances. They partner with a unique group of airlines all over the world, which makes it easy to use their miles to travel globally for competitive rates. Plus, they have the best chocolate chip cookies." — Ian Agrimis, Founder of Capture Unlimited ( @agrimisadventures )

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Guide to Small Business Travel Programs

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Small business travel programs are a great way for employers to save money and earn points on their travel spending without sacrificing the points and miles the employee earns. They’re offered by most major airlines, hotels, and rental car companies.

But they aren’t all the same. While they all have similarities in terms of the benefits they offer, they’re very different in terms of how they work and where they apply.

This guide provides an overview of what travel companies offer small business travel programs, how they work, what benefits they offer, and who can apply for them.

Small Business Airline Programs

The three major U.S. airlines (American, Delta & United) all offer business rewards programs for small and medium-sized businesses. While the qualifications for joining vary across the programs, the overarching principle is the same. Allow the business and employee to benefit from the travel spend and both earn “miles or points” for their paid flights.

Here’s a summary of the most popular airline small business programs. 

The Business Extra program is a travel award and incentive program that allows you to lower your business travel costs by earning points for your company’s travel on American Airlines , American Eagle, and American Connection, which can then be redeemed for flights and other exciting awards. The program also allows you to manage all of your American Airlines business travel details online.

Once you enroll in the program, your company will receive credit towards Business Extra points every time one of your employees uses your Business Extra account number when they purchase qualifying tickets. Your employees will still earn their individual Advantage miles in addition to the Business Extra Points your company can accrue.

Choose from more than 50 award options, including international travel, First and Business Class travel, upgrades, Admirals Club memberships, Conference Room rentals, and One-Day Passes; even Advantage Gold Status!

Register for Business Extra Here….

Delta SkyBonus is a complimentary business travel rewards program designed specifically for small to mid-sized companies that fly Delta .   SkyBonus turns your business travel budget into rewards by converting the dollars your company spends for travel on Delta Air Lines or one of our partners into SkyBonus points.

Your company earns points for eligible travel purchased and flown after your enrollment date that can be redeemed for a wide variety of valuable travel awards: including tickets, First Class/Business Elite upgrades, Delta Sky Club memberships, Sky Club passes, and more.

Companies are required to spend a minimum of $5,000 USD in eligible flight revenue and have a minimum of five unique employee travelers each calendar year to remain active in the program and keep available points.

Register for Delta SkyBonus here….

United PerksPlus is a corporate program designed to reward small- and medium-sized companies that spend a minimum of $5,000 USD during a 12-month period on United , Lufthansa , and United Express.

As a participant, your company earns points that can be redeemed for valuable rewards for your employees’ business travels. It works in addition to United’s Mileage Plus program and Miles & More, the frequent flyer program of Lufthansa, allowing both individual travelers and companies to earn benefits.

Register for United PerksPlus….

Small Business Hotel Programs

Similar to the airlines, the major hotel chains also offer small business travel programs, however, they are not consistent with their geographic coverage. Some apply to any company in any country, others are specific to a geographic region such as EMEA or just the Asia Pacific region.

Here’s a quick summary of the major hotel small business programs.

The Hilton small business program is called “ Hilton for Small Business “.

Hilton for Business is a self-service program created for small and medium businesses to seamlessly book corporate travel with a discounted rate, earn Hilton Honors Points, and gain access to exclusive tools. Must be a Hilton Honors Member to participate in the program.

The Marriott Small Business program is called Marriott Business Ready and is focused on the EMEA region.

Join Marriott Bonvoy Business Ready and take advantage of the following benefits that are available at hotels across the UK, Europe, Middle East, and Africa:

• Access to exclusive discounted rates, including breakfast
• A monthly tracking and reporting dashboard
• Mobile check-in, late check-out, upgraded Wi-Fi access
• Plus, when you join Marriott Bonvoy you’ll receive 2,500 bonus points on your first stay as a new member (T&Cs apply).

The Hyatt Small Business Program is called “ Hyatt Leverage ” and is a global program, not tied to a specific region.

Key program benefits of Hyatt Leverage participation include:

• Save up to 25% off standard rates at participating hotels worldwide
• Convenient booking through Hyatt.com and Hyatt Reservation Centers
• A dashboard that allows administrators to view traveler information, reservations, and room expenses, as well as track total bookings and room spend
• Email templates that allow administrators to easily share information with travelers
• The ability for World of Hyatt loyalty members at participating companies to earn points on stays booked through Hyatt Leverage

The IHG Small Business Travel program is called “ IHG Business Edge ” and, like Hyatt, is a program open across the globe.

As a member of IHG Business Edge, you’ll gain access to discounts at all participating IHG hotels globally, an automatic upgrade to IHG Rewards Club Gold Elite status after your first stay with the program, and access to a customized portal with compelling insights and reporting for your business.

Small Business Car Rental Programs

In addition to hotels and airlines, rental car companies also offer small business programs. Here is a summary of the small business programs offered by the major U.S. car rental companies.

With Avis for Business , you get complimentary Avis Preferred membership to help you avoid lines and paperwork. Simply sign up for the Avis for Business program and add on Avis Preferred at any time.

• Enjoy expedited service and go straight to your car at most locations.
• Accelerate your rewards by opting into Avis Preferred Points. Receive points for every qualifying dollar you spend.  Redeem for rentals, accessories, and upgrades.
• Keep rental preferences on file and track your activity and rewards.
• Exclusive monthly email offers.
• The more you rent with Avis, the closer you are to Avis Preferred Plus providing even more benefits.

The Budget Business Program is an easy-to-join program with endless travel perks for you and your company. As members, you can save money on every rental, earn credits and so much more!

Some of our Budget Business Program benefits include:

• Up to 30% off base rates.
• $3 reward credit for every qualifying rental day.
• Access to the Budget Business Program member-only website.
• Complimentary Fastbreak membership to allow you skip the counter at pickup.
• A dedicated support team.

Hertz Business Rewards is a program under which small and medium-sized businesses may receive reduced rates and other benefits in consideration for their allowing Hertz and its affiliates, licensees, and unaffiliated business partners to market their goods and services to the businesses participating in the program.

Benefits for the company

• Up to 20% off    
• Free rental days    
• Special offers    
• Customized billing   

Benefits for employees

• Free rentals for personal use
• Free Hertz Gold membership
• Special offers
• Special rates for personal travel

National Car Rental and Enterprise Rent-A-Car offer customized business rental programs designed specifically to meet your company’s global transportation needs while saving you time and money. Benefits include discounted rates, access to their travel management solution, and complimentary emerald club membership.

Enterprise and National are owned by the same parent company and share the small business program.

Benefits of the Enterprise and National Business Car Rental Program include:

• Discounted corporate rates for car rental
• Thousands of locations in 100 countries and territories with access to an extensive fleet
• Flexible rental lengths with no-penalty cancellations or rental extensions – rent for a day, week, month, or more
• Bypass the counter for no-touch rentals at National – choose any vehicle and go (participating locations in US and Canada with Emerald Club membership)
• Complimentary  Emerald Club membership  for all travelers, offering expedited service and the ability to earn points at Enterprise and National
• Options for damage coverage and billing solutions for all your transportation needs

More Great Loyalty Program Content

Tim is a business road warrior and avid leisure traveler who has flown over two million miles in the air and spent well over a thousand nights in hotels. He enjoys sharing tips, tricks, and hacks to help readers get the most out of their travel experience and learn how to “travel like a pro”!

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Passing Thru Travel

15 Top Loyalty Programs 2024 – Maximizing Your Rewards

Posted: February 24, 2024 | Last updated: February 24, 2024

For frequent travelers, loyalty programs offered by airlines and hotels can unlock a world of benefits and savings. These programs are designed to reward you for your patronage, offering everything from free flights and upgrades to hotel stays and exclusive perks. Navigating these programs can be overwhelming, but understanding and utilizing them effectively can significantly enhance your travel experience. This guide delves into some of the best loyalty programs available, providing insights on maximizing their benefits and making the most of every journey.

1. Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy encompasses a vast network of hotels, making it one of the most versatile hotel loyalty programs. As a member, you earn points for every stay, which can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and unique experiences like cooking classes with renowned chefs or tickets to sporting events.

The program offers different membership tiers, each providing additional benefits. As you climb the tiers, you’ll enjoy perks like late check-out, lounge access, and complimentary breakfast at select properties. The program’s flexibility extends to its points system, allowing you to transfer points to various airline partners and increasing the utility of your earned points.

Insider’s Tip: Use the Marriott Bonvoy app to manage your bookings and conveniently access digital room keys.

2. World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt is celebrated for its reward point system and user-friendly rewards structure. As a member, you earn points for hotel stays and dining and spa services at Hyatt properties worldwide. These points can be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and unique experiences like private dinners.

The program is particularly generous for elite members, offering perks such as bonus points on stays, premium internet access, and room availability guarantees. Hyatt’s partnership with airlines also means you can convert your hotel points into airline miles, giving you more flexibility in using your rewards.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of Hyatt’s airline partnerships to earn miles on your stay.

3. Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is a dynamic program offering flexibility and a wide range of benefits for travelers. You earn points per dollar on stays, which can be used for room bookings, experiences, or shopping. The program stands out for its Points & Money option, allowing you to book stays using a combination of points and cash, a great feature if you’re short on points.

Elite members enjoy significant benefits like room upgrades, late check-out, and complimentary breakfast at select properties. Hilton’s extensive network of hotels means you can earn and redeem points across a diverse range of locations and property types, from luxury resorts to business hotels.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for periodic promotions that offer extra points or discounted redemption rates.

4. Delta SkyMiles

Delta SkyMiles is an airline loyalty program that rewards you with miles for every flight, which can be redeemed for free flights, seat upgrades, and more. One of the program’s strengths is the absence of blackout dates for award travel, providing greater flexibility for using your miles.

As you accumulate more miles, you can achieve elite status, which offers additional perks like priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and waived baggage fees. Delta also has partnerships with hotels, car rental agencies, and retailers, allowing you to earn miles on everyday purchases, not just flights.

Insider’s Tip: Use the Delta SkyMiles shopping portal to earn miles on everyday purchases.

5. American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is designed to reward loyal customers with miles for flights with American Airlines and its partners. These miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays. Elite status in the program brings additional perks, including free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to exclusive lounges.

One of the program’s highlights is its frequent flyer promotions, which allow you to earn bonus miles or achieve elite status faster. The program also offers a range of co-branded credit cards, providing another avenue to earn miles on everyday spending.

Insider’s Tip: Keep an eye on special offers that allow you to earn bonus miles.

6. United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus allows travelers to earn miles for flights on United Airlines and its partner airlines. These miles can be used for booking flights, seat upgrades, and hotel stays. The program is known for its generous award availability and the ability to book flights on numerous partner airlines, expanding your travel options. Elite status in MileagePlus provides free checked bags, priority check-in, and access to United Club lounges. Additionally, United frequently offers promotions that allow you to earn bonus miles or save on award bookings, maximizing the value of your miles.

Insider’s Tip: Use the United MileagePlus X app to earn additional miles on everyday purchases.

7. Southwest Rapid Rewards

Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program is favored for its simplicity and customer-friendly policies. It includes no blackout dates on award flights and no change fees. Members earn points based on the fare type purchased, which can be redeemed for free flights on Southwest. The program is primarily known for its Companion Pass, which lets a designated companion fly free with you for a year (or more) after meeting certain criteria. The points you earn never expire as long as you have a flight-earning activity every 24 months, making it a great program for both frequent and occasional flyers.

Insider’s Tip: Pay attention to fare sales to stretch your points even further.

8. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is highly regarded for the high value of its miles and its extensive network of airline partners. Members earn miles for flights with Alaska Airlines and its global partners, which can be redeemed for travel on Alaska Airlines and its partners.

The program offers generous upgrade policies for elite members and unique perks like a free checked bag. One of the standout features of the Mileage Plan is the ability to book stopovers on award flights, allowing you to visit multiple destinations for the price of one.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for frequent flyer promotions to earn bonus miles.

9. IHG Rewards Club

IHG Rewards Club, the InterContinental Hotels Group’s loyalty program, offers hotel stays points, which can be redeemed for free nights, gift cards, and more. The program is known for its wide range of participating hotels, from luxury properties to family-friendly accommodations.

Members can earn points quickly through hotel stays, promotions, and partnerships, and the points can be used for a variety of rewards, including hotel stays, airline miles, and merchandise. Elite members enjoy additional benefits like room upgrades and late check-out, enhancing the overall travel experience.

Insider’s Tip: Use IHG’s Points & Cash option to book stays even if you don’t have enough points for the full amount.

10. Accor Live Limitless (ALL)

Accor Live Limitless (ALL) encompasses a wide range of hotel brands, from luxury to economy, offering a loyalty program that caters to various travel styles. Members earn points for stays and services, which can be redeemed for hotel stays, experiences, and partner offers.

The program offers different membership levels, with higher tiers providing additional benefits like room upgrades and welcome drinks. ALL also features frequent promotions allowing members to earn extra points or enjoy discounted stays, making accumulating points and enjoying the program’s benefits easier.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of ALL’s frequent promotions to earn extra points.

11. British Airways Executive Club

British Airways Executive Club rewards members with Avios points for flights, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and hotel stays. The program offers tier points for each flight, helping members achieve elite status with additional benefits. Avios points can also be earned through hotel stays, car rentals, and everyday spending with program partners.

The flexibility of Avios points makes the program attractive, as they can be used for reward flights, seat upgrades, and even shopping. The Executive Club also offers household accounts, allowing families to pool their Avios points together.

Insider’s Tip: Use Avios points for short-haul flights, which often offer the best value.

12. Lufthansa Miles & More

Lufthansa’s Miles & More is Europe’s largest frequent flyer program, offering miles for flights with Lufthansa and partner airlines, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and shopping. The program provides a range of ways to earn miles, including flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and everyday spending with credit card partners.

Miles & More also features a variety of redemption options, giving members the flexibility to use their miles in a way that best suits their travel needs. Elite status in the program offers additional benefits like lounge access and extra baggage allowance, enhancing the travel experience for frequent flyers.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for Miles & More credit card offers to earn additional miles.

13. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program is known for its exceptional service and valuable reward opportunities. Members earn miles for flights with Singapore Airlines and partner airlines, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and shopping. The program is particularly beneficial for those who fly frequently with Singapore Airlines or its partners.

It offers a range of elite tiers with additional benefits like priority check-in and extra baggage allowance. KrisFlyer miles can also be used for booking award flights in Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins, known for their luxury and comfort, providing excellent value for your miles.

Insider’s Tip: Use KrisFlyer miles for Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins for the best value.

14. Qantas Frequent Flyer

Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards members with points for flights with Qantas and partner airlines, offering a wide range of redemption options. Points can be used for flights, upgrades, and a variety of products and services. The program also offers status credits, which help members achieve higher tiers with additional benefits.

Qantas Frequent Flyer is known for its extensive partner network, allowing members to earn and redeem points across various airlines, hotels, and retailers. The program’s flexibility and range of benefits make it a popular choice for travelers in Australia and beyond.

Insider’s Tip: Earn extra points by shopping at Qantas’ online mall.

15. Emirates Skywards

Emirates Skywards offers a rewarding experience for travelers flying with Emirates and its partner airlines. Members earn miles for flights, which can be redeemed for a wide range of rewards, including flights, upgrades, and exclusive experiences. The program is known for its luxurious rewards, including access to Emirates’ world-class lounges and premium cabin upgrades.

Skywards miles can also be used for hotel stays, car rentals, and shopping, providing flexibility in how you use your rewards. Elite status in the program offers additional benefits like priority boarding and bonus miles, enhancing the travel experience for frequent flyers.

Insider’s Tip: Take advantage of Skywards’ “Miles Accelerator” offers to earn bonus miles.

The Bottom Line

Leveraging loyalty programs effectively can transform your travel experiences, offering not just cost savings but also enhanced comfort and exclusive perks. Whether you’re loyal to a particular airline or hotel chain or prefer to spread your wings across multiple programs, understanding how to maximize these benefits can make a significant difference in your travels. Remember, the key to making the most of these programs is to stay informed about the latest offers and promotions and to align your travel plans accordingly. Happy travels, and enjoy reaping the rewards of your loyalty!

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The post 15 Top Loyalty Programs 2024 – Maximizing Your Rewards republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Prostock-studio.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Your Ultimate Guide to B2B Loyalty Programs [With Examples]

11 min read

Are you using B2B loyalty programs in your business? They are a great way to encourage and retain customers by offering rewards to help you create long-term relationships with new customers.

B2B loyalty programs can take many different shapes, so this article will explore how yours might look, why they are important, how you can build one, and some examples to inspire you.

• B2B loyalty programs reward businesses with tiers, points, cashback, and exclusive offers to foster long-term partnerships.
• Customer loyalty programs boost customer retention, repeat purchases, business relationships, and upselling /cross-selling opportunities, enhancing revenue and partnerships.
• B2B loyalty programs focus on long-term partnerships with personalized services, while B2C programs target individual consumers with general rewards and immediate purchases.
• To build a successful B2B loyalty program, set clear goals, understand your audience, and choose a suitable program type like referral, VIP membership, or partner program.
• Plan logistics carefully, defining terms, eligibility, delivery methods, and timeline to ensure smooth operation and clear communication of your B2B loyalty program.
• Efficient onboarding , with personalized flows and tailored user personas, ensures business partners understand and benefit from your B2B loyalty program.
• Measure your B2B loyalty program’s performance with KPIs like NPS, ROI, MRR, ARR, and CLV, and regularly adjust for effectiveness and long-term success.
• Leverage data effectively by measuring customer loyalty rate, program performance, and product usage with analytics tools to identify trends and optimize your B2B loyalty program.
• Tailor B2B loyalty program offers and rewards based on partners’ business type, size, needs, and preferences to ensure personalized and effective engagement.
• Proactively engage with business clients by providing top-notch support through live chat, in-app resources, and other means to maintain strong business relationships and enhance loyalty.
• Educate customers with in-app tools, communities, webinars , and seminars to reduce friction , enhance product understanding, and increase satisfaction.
• Keep your loyalty program straightforward and user-friendly to prevent frustration and encourage participation, ensuring business partners stay engaged.
• Use gamification elements like points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges to boost engagement and motivate partners to participate actively in your loyalty program.
• Collect participant feedback using personalized surveys to understand preferences and improve your loyalty program beyond data and sales metrics.
• The Salesforce Partner Program supports and rewards partners with training, certification, and resources, using tiered memberships to encourage continuous engagement and growth.
• HubSpot’s Partner Program for startups supports growth with discounted tools, personalized support, tailored onboarding, and co-marketing opportunities, fostering strong loyalty.
• The Asana Technology Program fosters loyalty by providing technical resources, co-marketing opportunities, and early access to new features, encouraging partners to enhance the Asana platform.
• IBM Partner Plus enhances partner skills with a tiered rewards program, personalized support, and comprehensive training, fostering long-term loyalty and collaboration.
• Mailchimp & Co supports freelancers and agencies with exclusive training, certifications, and priority support, fostering a community of skilled, loyal, and highly engaged users.
• If you want to start creating the best customer loyalty programs, consider Userpilot. It can help you to collect customer feedback, analyze data, offer proactive support, and more. Get a Userpilot demo to see all of these features in action.

Try Userpilot and Take Your Customer Loyalty to the Next Level

• 14 Day Trial
• No Credit Card Required

What are B2B loyalty programs?

A B2B loyalty program is designed to reward businesses for their continued partnership and encourage customers to repeat purchases.

Unlike traditional customer loyalty programs, which you might be familiar with, these programs focus on creating long-term relationships between businesses.

These programs can include various elements to increase customer retention. Some common features include:

• Tiers : The more you engage or purchase, the higher the tier you can achieve, unlocking greater benefits. Higher tiers might offer exclusive services, higher discount rates, or priority support, incentivizing businesses to increase engagement and purchases.
• Rewards and Points : Earn points for purchases you can redeem for various rewards. This system encourages regular purchases and provides a tangible benefit for loyalty, ranging from discounts to free services or products.
• Cashback : Receive a percentage of your spending back, which you can use for future purchases. This immediate financial benefit makes continued partnership economically attractive, reducing overall business costs.
• Exclusive Offers : Access special services, discounts, or products only available to loyal customers. These unique benefits can provide a competitive edge and make the loyalty program participants feel valued and privileged.

Why are B2B loyalty programs important?

Implementing a B2B loyalty program can bring several significant benefits to your business. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Increased Customer Retention : Loyalty programs encourage you to stay with a service provider long-term, reducing the likelihood of switching to a competitor. This consistency can help build a stable foundation for your business operations.
• Repeat Purchases and Higher Revenue : Participating in a loyalty program makes people more likely to make multiple purchases, driving up the revenue for your business and the service provider. This steady stream of business helps both parties grow and thrive.
• Business Relationships and Partnerships : Loyalty programs foster stronger relationships between businesses. These relationships can lead to valuable partnerships where both parties benefit from shared knowledge, resources, and opportunities.
• Upselling and Cross-Selling Opportunities : Participating in a loyalty program can expose you to upselling and cross-selling opportunities that you might not have considered otherwise for customer expansion . For example, your SaaS provider might offer additional features or complementary services to enhance your overall experience and efficiency.

What is the difference between B2B and B2C loyalty programs?

Understanding the distinctions between B2B and B2C loyalty programs is essential, as each type caters to different audiences and goals. Here are the key differences:

• Membership : B2B loyalty programs are designed for businesses, focusing on long-term partnerships, while B2C programs target individual consumers aiming for immediate multiple purchases.
• Program Type : B2B programs often involve tiered structures and personalized services tailored to business needs. In contrast, B2C programs usually include points systems, discounts, and general rewards for a broader audience.
• Rewards and Offers : In B2B programs, a rewards program might include exclusive access to advanced features, extended support, or bulk purchase discounts. B2C programs typically offer discounts, freebies, or special deals on products.
• Level of Personalization : B2B loyalty programs offer a high level of personalization , catering to specific business requirements and objectives. B2C programs, while personalized to some extent, generally aim at broad consumer segments .
• Data Collection : B2B programs collect detailed data on business operations, purchase patterns, and usage to tailor offerings. B2C programs gather consumer preferences and shopping behavior data to optimize marketing strategies.

How to build a B2B loyalty program

Creating successful customer loyalty programs involves strategic planning and a deep understanding of your customers’ needs. By focusing on customer loyalty , you can design a program that encourages customers with long-term business relationships and drives growth.

Here is how to do it.

1. Determine your loyalty strategy

The first step in building a successful B2B loyalty program is to develop a well-thought-out marketing strategy beforehand. Start by setting clear goals—increasing customer retention , boosting purchases, or enhancing customer engagement.

Understanding your audience is crucial; conduct thorough research to identify their needs, preferences, and pain points . This information will help you tailor your loyalty programs to their specific requirements.

Next, decide on the type of loyalty programs that best suit your business model and audience. Some popular types of B2B loyalty programs include:

• Referral Programs : Encourage existing customers to refer new businesses to your services, rewarding them for each successful referral.
• VIP Memberships : Offer exclusive benefits to your loyal customers, such as premium support, early access to new features, or special discounts.
• Partner Programs : Develop partnerships with other businesses to provide mutual benefits and rewards, creating a support network and shared growth.

2. Plan the specifics

Once you’ve determined your loyalty strategy, the next step is to plan the logistics. This includes defining the terms and conditions of your reward program, setting eligibility criteria, and deciding on the delivery method and timeline.

These details are crucial for ensuring that your program runs smoothly. Clearly communicating these specifics to your partners is essential to avoid confusion or disputes.

Thorough planning will help build trust and ensure everyone understands how the program works and what is expected.

3. Have efficient onboarding flows

Efficient onboarding is vital for the success of your B2B loyalty program. Develop onboarding flows to communicate the program details effectively and provide necessary instructions to your audience.

The onboarding process should be personalized for each segment or even individual partners. To achieve this, build user personas to determine where and how to personalize the onboarding experience.

This tailored approach ensures that every partner feels valued and understands how to maximize the benefits of customer loyalty programs.

4. Measure and modify

To ensure your loyalty program is effective, you must have clear KPIs to measure its performance. Key metrics might include Net Promoter Score (NPS), Return on Investment (ROI), Monthly Recurring Revenue ( MRR ), Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), and Customer Lifetime Value ( CLV ).

Regularly tracking these metrics will help you stay on top of the program’s performance and quickly adjust if you’re not achieving the expected results. Continuously measuring and modifying your program will help you maintain its relevance and effectiveness, ensuring long-term success.

7 best practices for high-performing B2B loyalty programs

To ensure your B2B loyalty program achieves its goals and delivers maximum value, it’s essential to follow best practices. Here are seven key strategies that can help you build and maintain a high-performing loyalty program.

1. Work with data

To optimize your B2B loyalty program, you need to leverage data effectively. Start by measuring key metrics such as customer loyalty rate, program performance, and product usage .

These metrics will help you identify your loyalty program’s trends, opportunities, and pitfalls. Tools like Userpilot for data collection and analytics can help you gain valuable insights into customer behavior and program effectiveness.

By analyzing this data, you can tailor your loyalty program to better meet your customers’ needs, enhance engagement, and drive long-term business growth.

2. Up the personalization

In B2B loyalty programs, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. To maximize the effectiveness of your program, tailor offers and rewards to partners based on their business type, size, needs , and preferences.

Use the data you collect to segment your audience and personalize your program, ensuring each partner feels valued and understood. This will create a more engaging and effective loyalty program that caters to each partner’s unique needs.

3. Offer proactive support

Engaging with clients proactively is crucial for maintaining strong business relationships. By anticipating their needs and addressing potential issues before they escalate, you can significantly enhance client satisfaction and loyalty.

Ensure that top-notch support is readily available through various channels, such as live chat, in-app resource centers , or other means. This proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to client success and helps build trust and long-term partnerships.

4. Invest in customer education

Educating your customers is a key part of being proactive. Customers who understand your product better experience less friction and realize value faster, leading to higher satisfaction .

Utilize in-app education tools like product tours and interactive walkthroughs to provide immediate, hands-on learning. Additionally, consider offering communities, webinars, and seminars to build stronger customer relationships and enhance customer knowledge.

5. Keep it user-friendly

Avoid complicating your loyalty program to prevent frustration. Ensure that delivering rewards, bonuses, and other incentives is straightforward.

A user-friendly program encourages participation and keeps partners engaged without unnecessary hassle.

6. Play around with gamification

Incorporate gamification elements to encourage higher engagement and the completion of favorable actions. Integrating features such as points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges into your loyalty program can make the experience more interactive and enjoyable for your partners.

This approach not only motivates partners to participate more actively in brand loyalty but also drives them to achieve desired behaviors, such as filling out surveys , making purchases, or engaging with your content.

7. Get feedback

While data and sales metrics are important, they don’t provide the full picture. Collect feedback directly from program participants to gain deeper insights into your loyalty program and to understand their likes and dislikes. Numbers and sales data can tell you what is happening, but participant feedback can tell why.

Gather this valuable information using personalized and contextual surveys. Personalized surveys allow you to tailor questions to specific segments of your audience, ensuring that the feedback you receive is relevant and actionable.

Contextual surveys , on the other hand, are delivered at appropriate times during the user experience, such as after a purchase or upon achieving a milestone, capturing feedback when it is most pertinent.

5 best B2B loyalty programs

To understand what makes a loyalty program successful from business to business, let’s examine real examples from leading companies.

These case studies showcase best practices in action and offer valuable insights into creating effective B2B loyalty strategies

1. Salesforce Partner Program

The Salesforce Partner Program offers a comprehensive loyalty initiative that supports and rewards its partners. By providing extensive training, certification, and marketing resources, Salesforce ensures its partners are well-equipped to succeed.

The program uses best practices like tiered memberships, where partners can advance to higher levels based on performance, unlocking more benefits and exclusive offers. This approach encourages continuous engagement and growth.

2. HubSpot for Startups Partner Program

HubSpot’s Partner Program for startups is a customer loyalty program designed to help early-stage companies grow by giving them discounted access to HubSpot’s powerful marketing, sales, and CRM tools.

This program uses best practices such as offering personalized support, tailored onboarding, and co-marketing opportunities. By focusing on startups’ specific needs, HubSpot helps partners succeed and grow, creating a strong and loyal customer base.

3. Asana Technology Program

The Asana Technology Program is designed to integrate and align technology partners with Asana’s project management platform. It incorporates best practices like providing technical resources, co-marketing opportunities, and early access to new features.

This program encourages partners to develop integrations that enhance the Asana experience, creating value for both parties and fostering a loyal and innovative partner ecosystem.

4. IBM Partner Plus

IBM Partner Plus offers a robust customer loyalty program that supports existing customers through various stages of their business journey. It includes best practices such as tiered rewards, personalized business support, and comprehensive training and certification programs.

By enhancing partners’ skills and capabilities, IBM ensures they are well-prepared to deliver innovative solutions, fostering long-term loyalty and collaboration.

5. Mailchimp & Co

Mailchimp & Co is a customer loyalty program designed for freelancers and agencies using Mailchimp’s marketing platform. It employs best practices, such as providing exclusive access to training, certifications, and priority support for the existing customer base.

By offering these valuable resources, Mailchimp helps its partners enhance their skills and services, fostering a community of highly engaged and loyal users better equipped to drive success for their clients.

B2B loyalty programs are great ways to increase customer loyalty and are great customer retention solutions. They strengthen business relationships and reward customers for continuing their business relationship with you.

To take your customer loyalty rewards programs to the next level, try using Userpilot. Userpilot can help you collect customer data to measure your loyalty programs’ performance, customize rewards and awards based on customers, and get customer feedback. If you want to see these features in action, Get a Userpilot demo now.

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5 Ways Travel Loyalty Programs Can Balance Customer and Business Values

Deloitte + Skift

August 31st, 2020 at 1:43 PM EDT

It’s true that travel loyalty programs have come a long way from the standard points-based system — but some may still have a long way to go when it comes to striking the right balance between customer value and business value.

This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner.

Customer loyalty and long-term engagement are evolving. In response, travel brands are trying to understand how they can differentiate themselves by transforming their points-based, “earn-and-burn” loyalty programs into vehicles that can create deeper relationships with their customers.

The current pandemic has caused major challenges for travel brands and customer retention will play an important role as people begin to travel again. Companies can take this opportunity to reevaluate their loyalty programs and create loyalty offerings that stand out. “Today’s loyalty programs largely operate in a sea of sameness,” said Ramya Murali, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP. Refreshing existing programs or building a new and unique one could help solve for that.

Hallmarks of a Successful Loyalty Program

Industry-leading loyalty programs typically get at least five things right: First, the program articulates the specific customer behaviors it wants to drive and the value it provides to the business. Second, the program delivers an ecosystem of compelling benefits. Third, the program permeates the entirety of a customer’s experience and all of their experiences. Fourth, the program incorporates employees and partners in the loyalty construct. Lastly, it is delivered in a design-led, ongoing, and evolving model.

Drive Specific Customer Behaviors

Travel brands that want to create a differentiated loyalty offering should also have clear answers to the following: What are the financial, customer, and brand objectives I want to accomplish with my loyalty program? Which customer segments will I prioritize? Which purchasing behaviors will it influence, and how? Knowing the answers to these questions can help loyalty program managers create and appropriately target the benefits their program should offer and the channels and partnerships they should use to deliver those benefits.

Deliver an Ecosystem of Compelling Benefits

A successful benefits ecosystem can help programs stand out. Determining what consumers care about and offering compelling benefits across a spectrum of rewards from “earn and burn” to alignment with causes that reinforce a travel brand’s mission can drive short-term purchase intent while building long-term emotional brand connection.

Additionally, a successful loyalty program should be able to facilitate a rational and emotional connection between the brand and its consumers. This means personalizing every interaction, offering the right kind of benefits, and cementing connections that matter to consumers. Programs can generate additional value by extending that connection across the customer journey through ecosystem expansion opportunities.

“Harness what your brand stands for and what your customers really love to further differentiate your brand,” said Bobby Stephens, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP. “For example, we helped one of our clients that operates in small midwestern towns tie its loyalty program to community involvement. This allowed the brand to leverage the passion and connection the users felt with their community to deepen its own relationship with the customers.”

permeate the customer journey and customer lifecycle

Loyalty programs should be thoughtfully integrated into the end-to-end customer experience, which requires a deep understanding of the customer journey and the lifetime experience of a customer. Leading brands tend to approach loyalty differently depending on where each customer is in the journey and the lifecycle. Loyalty offers and messaging should be tailored differently when a customer is researching travel and when they’re reaching the end of a trip. Likewise, offers and messaging should be tailored based on where the traveler is in the customer lifecycle. The current pandemic has brought most traditional customer journeys to a halt, forcing companies to interact with customers in new ways. Companies with pre-existing partnerships outside the travel journey were best placed to stay engaged with their customers throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

Engage Employees and Partners

Leading programs typically incorporate employees and partners in the loyalty construct, and face-to-face touchpoints with customers is also very important.  It is paramount employees are engaged in the program otherwise they can damage the brand and erode value in ways companies may not even know about. In a recent survey , Deloitte found that when customers trust a brand, not only are they loyal with 62 percent buying almost exclusively from that brand but 85 percent of respondents recommended that brand to a friend. Successful loyalty programs can help establish trust. The goal should be to create an all-encompassing human experience that includes everyone who interacts with a brand’s customers.

There are various factors that can impact the way a brand’s employees and partners deliver a loyalty experience. Do they feel like a valued part of the organization? Do they understand the program and how to explain it clearly and concisely? Are employees and partners equipped to create meaningful loyalty connections? Can employees and partners experience the program themselves? Employees and partners should be empowered to enhance the loyalty program when they interact with members and create an avenue for them to participate in the program.

A brand’s partners and employees are the face of its loyalty program to its customers. The more invested they feel, the more likely they are to successfully deliver the program.

Build a Living Program

Travel brands should treat loyalty like a digital product to stay close to their users and continuously evolve and enhance their offerings. Oliver Page, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP, also advises that travel brands “should think outside of the box and beyond what their current technology can deliver. For example, today the role of health and wellness may move into the forefront, however, like a digital product, health and wellness may not stay there in the future.”

Loyalty isn’t a part of the business you can ignore it’s one of the most important and valuable components of a travel brand. The pandemic’s effect on the economy will undoubtedly result in extreme competition for limited opportunities. In this future world, the role of loyalty and customer retention could help power organizations into the next economic cycle.

This content was created collaboratively by Deloitte and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX .

This publication contains general information only and Deloitte is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. This publication is not a substitute for such professional advice or services, nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your business, you should consult a qualified professional advisor.

Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this publication.

As used here, “Deloitte” means Deloitte & Touche LLP, which provides audit, assurance, and risk and financial advisory services; and Deloitte Consulting LLP, which provides strategy, operations, technology, systems, outsourcing and human capital consulting services. These entities are separate subsidiaries of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of Deloitte’s legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

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40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 21 May 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy , materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes , offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Complete guide to earning and redeeming Avianca LifeMiles

Editor's Note

While navigating a foreign airline's frequent flyer program may seem daunting, your savings on award trave l can be significant. This is particularly true for Colombian airline Avianca and its surprisingly valuable LifeMiles frequent flyer program .

LifeMiles offers highly appealing redemption rates for Star Alliance awards and additional unique features that make this program worth your attention. Let's delve into everything you need to know about Avianca LifeMiles.

How to earn Avianca LifeMiles

Cardless recently launched two new LifeMiles-branded credit cards in the United States:

• Avianca LifeMiles Elite American Express Card : Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles — 60,000 miles awarded after $4,500 spent in the first 90 days and an additional 40,000 miles after $25,000 spent in the first 365 days. Earn 3 LifeMiles per dollar spent on Avianca purchases, 2 LifeMiles per dollar spent on dining and non-Avianca travel, and 1 LifeMile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Other benefits include a 10% award redemption discount on Star Alliance flights, 500 bonus LifeMiles each month, a 25%-off award redemption discount on Avianca flights and Star Alliance Silver status for as long as you have the card. Annual fee: $249.
• Avianca LifeMiles American Express Card: Earn a bonus of up to 40,000 LifeMiles after spending $3,000 with the card in the first 90 days. Earn 2 LifeMiles per dollar spent on Avianca purchases, groceries and restaurants, and 1 LifeMile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Other benefits include Star Alliance Silver status for as long as you have the card. Annual fee: $99.

The information for the Avianca LifeMiles Elite and Avianca LifeMiles cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The cards details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You can also transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points, Capital One miles, Bilt Rewards points, Wells Fargo Rewards points and Citi ThankYou Rewards points to your LifeMiles account at a 1:1 ratio. These transferable rewards programs sometimes offer transfer bonuses .

Additionally, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio. Unlike with most major programs, you won't receive the 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer; LifeMiles was one of the programs that lost this feature in 2022.

Beyond credit cards, Avianca often offers regular discounts on LifeMiles purchases . In the past, we have seen prices drop as low as 1.2 cents per mile, although the typical sale price ranges from 1.3 to 1.35 cents per mile. These rates are significantly lower than TPG's valuation of LifeMiles at 1.7 cents each. While buying points speculatively is generally not recommended, these sales can be a good option if you have a specific redemption in mind.

If you frequently travel on paid tickets with Star Alliance carriers , it might be worth considering crediting your miles to Avianca. This can be advisable if you find more value in the LifeMiles program than in other options like United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan . Crediting your miles to Avianca is also beneficial if you don't travel enough to earn elite status but still want to maximize your redemption opportunities.

Related: Where to credit paid flights in each alliance for the most possible points

How to redeem Avianca LifeMiles

As a member of Star Alliance, Avianca allows you to use your LifeMiles for flights on the carrier or any of its partners. Additionally, Avianca has partnerships with Gol Airlines and Iberia, providing opportunities to earn and redeem LifeMiles on select flights operated by these airlines.

LifeMiles follows a standard zone-based award chart for most flights. However, flights within the U.S. sometimes deviate from the standard award chart. Dynamic pricing is typically unfavorable. However, these discrepancies have often worked in favor of travelers, offering advantageous redemption options.

Here's a one-way economy flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) that prices out 1,000 miles cheaper than Avianca's award chart suggests:

Redeeming LifeMiles is typically straightforward. You log in to the LifeMiles website and search for your desired award flight.

However, it is important to note that while Avianca should have access to the same Star Alliance award availability as United Airlines and Air Canada, the carrier's information technology is known to have limitations. This can result in phantom award space , where seats appear online but are not bookable.

Conversely, Avianca may not always display available award space on United or Air Canada. Therefore, it is advisable to double-check your search using another Star Alliance search engine or tools like ExpertFlyer (owned by TPG's parent company, Red Ventures) before transferring points to Avianca. This ensures you have accurate and up-to-date information before proceeding with your redemption.

Related: The best websites to search for Star Alliance award availability

Avianca LifeMiles sweet spots

In most cases, you are faced with a trade-off between low award rates and high fuel surcharges or spending more miles to avoid extra costs. However, LifeMiles is one of the few programs that excels in both aspects. It offers highly competitive rates for Star Alliance awards and does not pass on fuel surcharges to LifeMiles members.

As a result, you can expect to pay minimal taxes and fees when redeeming an award ticket.

Lufthansa first class from the US to Europe

Between Porsche amenity kits and gourmet inflight dining, Lufthansa's first class is often a dream come true for award travelers.

United typically prices Lufthansa first-class awards to Europe at around 154,000 miles each way. When there's award space, Air Canada charges 90,000-100,000 points. While Asiana Airlines and Lufthansa offer lower award rates for first-class redemptions, both airlines impose high taxes and fees.

Meanwhile, Avianca offers one of the best ways to book Lufthansa first class on miles. Award rates start at just 87,000 miles each way and carry minimal taxes and fees.

At 30,000 and 63,000 miles, Star Alliance economy- and business-class awards aren't bad deals, either.

ANA business and first class from Honolulu to Tokyo

If you want to travel to Japan on a shorter daytime flight, consider flying from Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).

LifeMiles charges just 27,500, 48,000 and 66,000 miles for one-way flights in economy, business and first class (respectively) between Honolulu and Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT). These award rates are at least 10% less than what Aeroplan, KrisFlyer and MileagePlus charge for the same route.

Business class from the US to Asia

As expected, award rates from the mainland U.S. to Asia are higher, with one-way flights from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) costing 47,000 miles and 90,000 miles in economy and business class, respectively.

Nevertheless, this can still be a decent way to reach the continent for fewer miles than you'd see through other programs.

Business class to New Zealand

Although premium-cabin award space on Air New Zealand can be difficult to find, another LifeMiles sweet spot is the carrier's business class to Auckland Airport (AKL), with flights costing just 80,000 miles.

As Aeroplan sells these awards for 75,000 points , you might consider booking through Air Canada — though if you're buying LifeMiles, it's still a sweet spot worth knowing about.

Business class to South America

LifeMiles also offers great award rates on certain South American flights. Business-class awards cost just 35,000 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru — a hidden gem for a flight of this length.

Mixed-cabin awards

When traveling in long-haul business or first class, it's common to encounter mixed-cabin awards through LifeMiles. This happens in the following situations:

• When airlines don't offer first class on shorter routes, requiring passengers to connect in business or economy class
• When there isn't award space in your desired cabin

Most loyalty programs determine the award rate based on the highest cabin class of service used. However, LifeMiles takes a different approach. It prices each leg of the journey separately based on the class of service booked, which often leads to a discounted rate for mixed-cabin tickets.

In the above example, you can save 3,040 miles on a one-way ticket to Europe by starting your trip in economy class at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The total cost would then be just 59,960 miles. The flight from Orlando to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) doesn't have award availability in United's domestic first class, so this is a great way to still get the award you want.

Alternatively, even when there is award availability for your entire journey, you may decide it isn't worth using extra miles for a shorter connecting flight. Even then, you can pick economy and save some of your rewards for later.

Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles

Problems with Avianca LifeMiles

Despite LifeMiles offering appealing award rates, it might not be the program for you. The program has a reputation for error-prone information technology and inconsistent customer service.

LifeMiles members often encounter website glitches when redeeming their miles. Additionally, if you reserve an economy award ticket and business class becomes available, LifeMiles requires you to pay a cancellation fee to redeposit your miles. You can then rebook your flight in business class.

While you may save thousands of miles booking with Avianca, canceling your ticket could be tedious and costly. You typically can't cancel award bookings online, and Avianca is slow to issue refunds.

However, Avianca LifeMiles is reportedly working on rectifying some of its customer service issues and implementing changes. Most recently, Avianca launched a subscription-based miles service, LifeMiles+. If you sign up for the Basic, Pro or Max account, you can enjoy no change or cancellation fees on award tickets. If you're a frequent flyer of Avianca or use the carrier's loyalty program to book partner award flights, this subscription service could be for you.

Bottom line

Avianca LifeMiles is a frequent flyer program that has proven its worth in the award travel world. With its attractive redemption rates, lack of fuel surcharges and partnerships with major transferable points programs , LifeMiles offers great value and flexibility to its members. While there may be some customer service challenges and quirks to navigate, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for many travelers.

So take the time to explore Avianca LifeMiles, delve into its sweet spots and unlock the possibilities it presents for your future travels. With a little research and planning, you can make the most of this valuable program as you consider where to transfer your credit card points.