For the second consecutive year, American Airlines AAdvantage was named the frequent flyer Program of the Year at the annual Freddie Awards. And for the sixth straight year, Marriott Rewards garnered the top spot among hotel programs in the Americas region.
A record number of 2.9 million frequent travelers from around the globe voted in this year’s Freddie Awards – which were named after the late Sir Freddie Laker, who attracted fame for pioneering low-cost air travel across the Atlantic in the 1970s.
Internationally, Air France/KLM Flying Blue was named Program of the Year for the Europe/Africa region and Virgin Australia Velocity received the Program of the Year Freddie Award in the Middle East/Asia/Oceania region.
The Freddie Awards represent excellence in frequent travel programs and rate the best programs in six categories: Program of the Year, Best Promotion, Best Redemption Ability, Best Customer Service, Best Elite Program and Best Loyalty Credit Card. Voters were permitted to vote for programs in one of three global regions: Americas, Middle East/Asia/Oceania, and Europe/Africa.
Below is a list of the winners:
Program of the Year
Americas Airline: American Airlines AAdvantage
Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Virgin Australia Velocity
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: IHG Priority Club Rewards
Europe/Africa Airline: Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Europe/Africa Hotel: Le Club Accorhotels
Best Promotion
Americas Airline: American Airlines AAdvantage
Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Jet Airways JetPrivilege
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Taj Hotels & Resorts InnerCircle
Europe/Africa Airline: Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Europe/Africa Hotel: Le Club Accorhotels
Best Redemption Ability
Americas Airline: AviancaTACA LifeMiles
Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Virgin Australia Velocity
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Hyatt Gold Passport
Europe/Africa Airline: Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Europe/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Customer Service
Americas Airline: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Emirates Skywards
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Hyatt Gold Passport
Europe/Africa Airline: SAS EuroBonus
Europe/Africa Hotel: IHG Priority Club Rewards
Best Elite Program
Americas Airline: American Airlines AAdvantage
Americas Hotel: Hyatt Gold Passport
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Airline: Virgin Australia Velocity
Middle East/Asia/Oceania Hotel: Hyatt Gold Passport
Europe/Africa Airline: Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Europe/Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
Best Loyalty Credit Card
Americas: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card
Middle East/Asia/Oceania: JetPrivilege HDFC Bank Credit Card
Europe/Africa: Flying Blue American Express Card
The Freddie Awards were introduced in 1988 by Randy Petersen and have grown in stature and importance to become the most prestigious member-generated awards in the travel loyalty industry.