Travel Loyalty Program Rankings Announced.
U.S. News & World Report Ranks Top Travel Loyalty Programs for 2026-2027; American Airlines, Wyndham Lead.
American Airlines' AAdvantage program has dethroned Alaska Airlines as the top airline loyalty program in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report's newly released 2026-2027 Best Travel Rewards Programs rankings. Alaska had held the top spot for 11 straight years before losing it to AAdvantage.
The rankings also debut two brand-new categories this year: best hotel loyalty program for business travelers and best airline for business travelers. Wyndham Rewards claimed the top hotel program overall, while United Airlines won the business traveler airline crown.
American Airlines Ends Alaska's 11-Year Winning Streak
Alaska Airlines had dominated the airline loyalty category for over a decade. That streak is over. U.S. News & World Report ranked American Airlines AAdvantage number one this year, citing its membership benefits, network size, ease of use, and overall quality.
The rankings use a comprehensive scoring method. Judges weigh how easy it is to earn and redeem points, how wide the airline flies, and what perks members actually get. AAdvantage scored high across all of those areas, pushing Alaska out of the top spot for the first time since the rankings began tracking it.
Wyndham Rewards Wins Best Hotel Loyalty Program
On the hotel side, Wyndham Rewards took first place overall. U.S. News & World Report highlighted two main reasons: strong redemption value and a large global footprint. In simple terms, members get good bang for their points and can use them at many hotels around the world.
Wyndham operates thousands of properties across dozens of countries. That scale gives loyalty members more chances to actually use their rewards — a key factor in the rankings. Programs where points are hard to spend rank lower, no matter how generous the earning side looks.
United Airlines Named Top Pick for Business Travelers
The two new business traveler categories are a big addition to this year's report. United Airlines won the airline award for business travelers. U.S. News & World Report pointed to United's flight availability, elite status benefits, and overall travel experience as the deciding factors.
Business travelers have different needs than leisure flyers. They fly more often, need flexible booking, and rely on upgrades and lounge access. United scored well on all of those fronts. The new business category lets the rankings speak directly to road warriors rather than treating all travelers the same.
How the Rankings Are Scored and Why It Matters
U.S. News & World Report uses a multi-factor scoring system to build these rankings. Key inputs include membership benefits, how extensive the program's network is, ease of use, and quality of the overall experience. No single factor decides the winner — it's a combined score.
For travelers, these rankings offer a practical shortcut. Loyalty programs can be confusing, with different earning rates, blackout dates, and partner deals. A trusted ranking helps people pick the program that will actually reward their travel habits — whether they fly for fun or fly for work.
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