Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines are the top performers in WalletHub’s 2025 rankings for U.S. frequent flyer programs.
The study evaluated the loyalty programs of the ten largest U.S. carriers, assessing nearly two dozen factors, including rewards value, membership perks, miles expiration, and the achievability of elite status.
Alaska Airlines Leads with Mileage Plan
For the second consecutive year, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has claimed the No. 1 spot for the best overall frequent flyer program, according to the study by personal finance site, Wallet Hub
The program’s high value and strong member satisfaction make it a standout in the rankings, and it could get even stronger with the recent merger with Hawaiian Airlines, #4 in the top five.
The United Airlines MileagePlus program, which was recognized for offering the best destination coverage, and Delta’s SkyMiles, known for strong overall performance, rounded out the top three.
Top Five Frequent Flyer Programs for 2025
- Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan – Best overall program for value and rewards.
- United Airlines’ MileagePlus – Best for destination coverage.
- Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles – Strong across multiple categories.
- Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles – Best for rewards value and membership perks.
- American Airlines’ AAdvantage – Best for airline coverage with the most destinations.
Factors Behind the Rankings
The study considered various criteria such as the flexibility in redeeming miles, elite status benefits, and flight booking restrictions.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan excelled due to its high rewards value and wide-reaching perks – and that #1 rating can be enhanced by the recent merger of Alaska and Hawwaian and their loyalty programs. .
United Airlines stood out for its extensive global reach, providing travelers with plenty of options to use their miles.
Delta Airlines SkyMiles also performed well, offering strong benefits and perks.
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles program was highlighted for offering a top-tier rewards value, with $12.99 worth of rewards for every $100 spent. This program was also praised for its exceptional membership status perks.
American Airlines AAdvantage loses points for a one-year lifespan before miles are cancelled – if you don’t book a flight or buy or redeem miles in a 12-month period you lose them all.
Some airlines will re-instate those miles if you book a flight within a few months of the miles cancellation, but American apparently does not do that.
- ecoxplorer Evelyn Kanter personal note –
- Earlier this year I lost more than 40,000 AAdvantage miles recently, because I had not booked a flight in 12 months.
- American wants $550 to reinstate the miles they cancelled – even though I booked a $1,500 flight to South America within three months of my cancelled miles.
Frontier Airlines also rated for value of it rewards.
Miles That Don’t Expire
Be aware of airlines which do not cancel miles for inactivity in a certain period.
Six major airlines have miles that do not expire because of inactivity:
Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines have miles that do not expire.
- American is the only top domestic airline which deletes your miles because of inactivity in a 12-month period.
More Loyalty Benefits
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines give preference to frequent flyer program members when deciding whom to bump from overbooked flights.
Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines Merger
A major development in the loyalty landscape is the upcoming merger of Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan and Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles program.
The two airlines, part of the same parent company following a multibillion-dollar acquisition, will integrate their loyalty programs, providing even more benefits and rewards to members.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is an award-winning journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is President Emeritus of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA).
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter also is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Assn. (NATJA) and the North American Snowsports Journalists Assn. (NASJA) and a former Board member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Copyright (C) Evelyn Kanter
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