BREAK OUT THE CRYSTAL — it’s time to celebrate. In 2018 we mark the 15th anniversary of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, and this year’s winners gleam like rare gemstones. Read on as we reveal the brightest names and products in travel from our 15th annual survey.
The traditional gift for a 15th anniversary is crystal, symbolizing a clear, sparkling commitment. This year’s winners embody that commitment, delivering outstanding experiences to travelers every day.
There are many stones travelers carry for luck and comfort. Whether you prefer malachite for protection on flights or moonstone for help with jet lag, you can also rely on the award-winning airlines highlighted here. We begin with Singapore Airlines, which claims its fourth consecutive title as Best Overall Airline in the World. The carrier added service this year from Singapore (SIN) to Los Angeles (LAX) and Newark (EWR), bringing premium service to North American travelers. Among aircraft, the Airbus A380 earns Best Aircraft Type, while the Airbus A350 also continued to make waves on long-haul routes.
Domestically, American Airlines collected numerous honors: Best Airline Website (aa.com) for a second year, Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific (second year), Best Airline for Domestic First Class (third win), Best Airline in North America, and Best Airline App. Its AAdvantage program won Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service, and oneworld was voted Best Airline Alliance for the ninth consecutive year.
Best Overall Airline in the World © SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Premium cabins remain an oasis for travelers. Korean Air earned Best Airline for International First Class, while Turkish Airlines took Best Airline for Business Class for the second straight year and also won Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers and Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents. EL AL Israel Airlines maintained its long record for safety, winning Best Airline for Security for the 12th consecutive year. Asiana Airlines celebrated its 15th consecutive win for Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants.
Hong Kong Airlines appears on the winners list twice this year, taking Best Flight Attendant Uniforms and Best Airline for New Service Launch for its San Francisco–Hong Kong route. Alitalia, a nine-time winner for Best Airline Cuisine, also won for Best Business-Class Seat Design. Air France earned Best First-Class Seat Design for the first time.
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents and Best Airline for Business Class © TURKISH AIRLINES
Regional winners connect destinations worldwide. LATAM Airlines Group was named Best Airline to South America for the fifth consecutive year. Aeromexico took Best Airline in Mexico for the ninth straight year. Qantas was Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand, and Air Tahiti Nui won Best Airline in the South Pacific. TAP Air Portugal, LOT Polish Airlines and Brussels Airlines were honored as Best Airline in Europe, Best Airline in Eastern Europe and Best Trans-Atlantic Airline, respectively. South African Airways kept its 15-year streak as Best Airline in Africa, and Hainan Airlines claimed its sixth consecutive win as Best Airline in China. Air India earned Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India, and Japan Airlines won both Best Airline to Japan and Best Trans-Pacific Airline for a second year. Emirates was Best Airline in the Middle East, and EVA Air was Best Airline in North Asia.
United Airlines dominated frequent-flyer categories, winning Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program for the 15th time and Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program for the sixth consecutive year. Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan – MVP Gold took Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program, and Air Canada Aeroplan was voted Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption.
Best Overall Airport in the World and Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia © CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP
Travelers can relax at the year’s top airports. Singapore Changi Airport was named Best Overall Airport in the World for the third year, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport retained Best Airport in North America for the 15th consecutive year. Changi also won Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia for a second year. Other regional airport winners included Incheon International Airport, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Hamad International Airport and Bogotá El Dorado International Airport, each recognized for excellence in service, shopping or duty-free offerings.
Dubai Duty Free continued to impress, claiming Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World for the 12th time and Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East twice. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was a repeat winner for Best Airport Dining, while Ontario International Airport (California) was named Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport.
Best First-Class Seat Design © AIR FRANCE
Hotels and brands also earned accolades. The Ritz-Carlton collected awards including Best International Hotel Chain and Best Domestic Hotel Chain for the fourth consecutive year. Following Marriott’s merger with Starwood, many winners are part of the Marriott International family: Aloft Hotels (Best Lifestyle Hotel), Le Méridien Seoul (Best New Luxury Hotel in Asia), Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite (Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program), and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts (Best European Hotel Chain), among others.
Asian hospitality stood out: Lotte Hotels secured multiple honors—Lotte Hotel Seoul was Best MICE Hotel and Best Hotel in South Korea—while SIGNIEL Seoul was voted Best Luxury Hotel in Asia. The Peninsula Hotels won Best Hotel Website and The Peninsula Beverly Hills was named Best Hotel in the United States. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei earned Best Hotel in Asia, and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts was voted Best Hotel Chain in Asia.
Best Hotel in the United States © PENINSULA BEVERLY HILLS
InterContinental Hotels Group’s IHG Rewards Club earned its 14th consecutive nod as Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World. Hilton Honors was recognized for Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption.
In other categories, Volvo’s Overseas Delivery Program won Best Overseas Delivery Program for the third time and Hertz was named Best Rental Car Company for the fifth consecutive year. Kenya topped the list as Best Tourism Destination, and Seoul was voted Best MICE City for the fourth time.
For tech and travel essentials, Boingo Wireless was named Best WiFi Service for the eighth straight year. Hotel Tonight was voted Best Hotel App, Lyft earned Best Ride Share, and Briggs & Riley was again Best Luggage Brand. Sony’s MDR1000XM2 took Best Noise-Cancelling Headset.
Best Overall Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program © UNITED MILEAGEPLUS CLUB CARD FROM CHASE
Credit cards that reward travel were also recognized. The United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase earned Best Overall Credit Card and Best Credit Card Rewards Program. The United Explorer Card from Chase won Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions for the sixth straight year. Other winners included Marriott Rewards Card from Chase, Hilton Honors Card from American Express and the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America.
Our Wines on the Wing competition also returned in 2018, with professional wine judges selecting the best in-flight selections. All Nippon Airways took Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing and Best International First-Class Champagne, while Delta earned Best International Business-Class Wines and American Airlines won multiple North American categories.
THE VOTING PROCESS
Open ballots ran in subscriber copies of Global Traveler and online from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2018. Ballots were also distributed by direct mail and email. Entries with less than 50 percent of fields completed were disqualified. More than 20,000 qualified ballots were returned. Employees of FXExpress Publications, Inc., and affiliated travel-industry members were not eligible to vote.
AWARD WINNERS 2018
Best Overall Airline in the World
1. Singapore Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Asiana Airlines
4. Swiss International Air Lines
5. Delta Air Lines
6. Qatar Airways
7. British Airways
8. Emirates
9. Lufthansa
10. Korean Air
Best Airline Alliance
1. oneworld
2. Star Alliance
3. SkyTeam
Best Aircraft Type
1. Airbus A380
2. Boeing 787
3. Airbus A350
4. Boeing 777
5. Boeing 747
6. Boeing 737
7. Airbus A340
8. Boeing 767
9. Airbus A330
Best Airline Website
1. aa.com
2. delta.com
3. united.com
4. jetblue.com
5. southwest.com
6. britishairways.com
7. alaskaair.com
8. hongkongairlines.com
9. qatarairways.com
10. china-airlines.com
Fastest-Growing Airline, Trans-Pacific
1. American Airlines
2. Hong Kong Airlines
3. Japan Airlines
4. China Southern Airlines
5. Hainan Airlines
6. All Nippon Airways
7. United Airlines
8. China Airlines
9. Xiamen Airlines
10. China Eastern Airlines
Best Airline for Business Class
1. Turkish Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Singapore Airlines
4. China Airlines
5. Qatar Airways
6. Delta Air Lines
7. Asiana Airlines
8. Alitalia
9. Lufthansa
10. Hong Kong Airlines
Best Airline for International First Class
1. Korean Air
2. Swiss International Air Lines
3. Emirates
4. Asiana Airlines
5. Qatar Airways
6. Singapore Airlines
7. Etihad Airways
8. Lufthansa
9. Cathay Pacific Airways
10. Air France
Best Airline for Domestic First Class
1. American Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. Alaska Airlines
Best Airline for Onboard Service
1. Asiana Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Swiss International Air Lines
4. Korean Air
5. LATAM Airlines Group
6. Hong Kong Airlines
7. Qatar Airways
8. South African Airways
9. Turkish Airlines
10. Emirates
Best Airline for Flight Attendants
1. Asiana Airlines
2. Hong Kong Airlines
3. Lufthansa
4. Singapore Airlines
5. Emirates
6. Etihad Airways
7. LATAM Airlines Group
8. Qatar Airways
9. Korean Air
10. South African Airways
Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
1. Hong Kong Airlines
2. Air France
3. Delta Air Lines
4. Emirates
5. Asiana Airlines
6. Singapore Airlines
7. Korean Air
8. Etihad Airways
9. China Airlines
10. Qatar Airways
Best Airline Cuisine
1. Alitalia
2. Swiss International Air Lines
3. Qatar Airways
4. Air France
5. Brussels Airlines
6. Lufthansa
7. Turkish Airlines
8. Etihad Airways
9. Singapore Airlines
10. Asiana Airlines
Best Airline for Security
1. EL AL Israel Airlines
2. Swiss International Air Lines
3. British Airways
4. Lufthansa
5. United Airlines
6. Austrian Airlines
Best First-Class Seat Design
1. Air France
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Qantas
4. Asiana Airlines
5. Qatar Airways
6. Cathay Pacific Airways
7. British Airways
8. Emirates
9. Korean Air
10. Etihad Airways
Best Business-Class Seat Design
1. Alitalia
2. Singapore Airlines
3. China Airlines
4. LATAM Airlines Group
5. Swiss International Air Lines
6. Turkish Airlines
7. Hong Kong Airlines
8. Qantas
9. Asiana Airlines
10. Cathay Pacific Airways
Best Airline for New Service Launch
1. Hong Kong Airlines (SFO to HKG)
2. American Airlines (DFW to KEF)
3. Aer Lingus (PHL to DUB)
4. Lufthansa (SJC to FRA)
5. American Airlines (PHL to BUD)
6. Norwegian (ORD to LGW)
7. British Airways (LHR to BNA)
8. United Airlines (EWR to OPO)
9. American Airlines (ORD to VCE)
10. LOT Polish Airlines (JFK to BUD)
Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers
1. Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
2. American Express Platinum Card
3. American Airlines Business Extra
4. United PerksPlus
5. Delta SkyBonus
6. Lufthansa PartnerPlus
7. Air France SkyBlue
8. British Airways One Business
9. Korean Air KAL BIZ
10. Air Canada Corporate Rewards
Best Overall Frequent-Flyer Program
1. United MileagePlus
2. American Airlines AAdvantage
3. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
4. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
5. Lufthansa Miles & More
6. JetBlue TrueBlue
7. Southwest Rapid Rewards
8. British Airways Executive Club
9. Air Canada Aeroplan
Best Frequent-Flyer Elite-Level Program
1. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold
2. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles – Pualani Platinum Membership
3. American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum
4. United MileagePlus Premier Executive 1K
5. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
6. JetBlue TrueBlue
7. Frontier Airlines EarlyReturns Summit Level
8. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred
Best Frequent-Flyer Bonus Program
1. United MileagePlus
2. American Airlines AAdvantage
3. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
4. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
5. LATAM Fidelidade
6. LifeMiles (Avianca TACA)
7. Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
8. Air Canada Aeroplan
9. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
10. Frontier Early Returns
Best Frequent-Flyer Award Redemption
1. Air Canada Aeroplan
2. American Airlines AAdvantage
3. Delta SkyMiles
4. Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Miles
5. LifeMiles (Avianca TACA)
6. Southwest Airlines Rapid Returns
7. LATAM Fidelidade
8. United MileagePlus
9. Frontier Early Returns
Best Frequent-Flyer Customer Service
1. American Airlines AAdvantage
2. LifeMiles (Avianca TACA)
3. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
4. United MileagePlus
5. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
6. LATAM Pass
7. Air Canada Aeroplan
8. Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Miles
9. LATAM Fidelidade
Best Airline in North America
1. American Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Alaska Airlines
4. Delta Air Lines
5. JetBlue
6. Air Canada
7. Frontier Airlines
8. Porter Airlines
9. Southwest Airlines
Best Airline to South America
1. LATAM Airlines Group
2. Avianca
3. Aerolineas Argentinas
Best Airline in Mexico
1. Aeromexico
2. Interjet
3. VivaAerobus
4. Volaris
Best Airline to Australia and New Zealand
1. Qantas
2. Air New Zealand
3. Virgin Australia
4. Air Tahiti Nui
5. Fiji Airways
Best Airline in the South Pacific
1. Air Tahiti Nui
2. Fiji Airways
3. Qantas
4. Virgin Australia
5. Air New Zealand
Best Airline in Europe
1. TAP Air Portugal
2. Swiss International Air Lines
3. Austrian Airlines
4. Brussels Airlines
5. Lufthansa
6. Virgin Atlantic Airways
7. British Airways
8. Iberia
9. Aer Lingus
10. Alitalia
Best Airline in Eastern Europe
1. LOT Polish Airlines
2. Aeroflot
3. S7 Airlines
4. Transaero
5. Wizzair
6. Adria Airways
7. Croatia Airlines
8. Tarom Romanian Airlines
Best Airline in Africa
1. South African Airways
2. Ethiopian Airlines
3. Kenya Airways
4. Air Seychelles
5. Air Namibia
6. Air Mauritius
7. Royal Air Maroc
8. TAAG Angola Airlines
9. Mango
10. Kulula
Best Airline in the Middle East
1. Emirates
2. Qatar Airways
3. Egyptair
4. Saudi Arabian Airlines
5. EL AL Israel Airlines
6. Royal Jordanian
7. Middle East Airlines
8. Gulf Air
9. Royal Air Maroc
10. Etihad Airways
Best Airline in North Asia (excluding China)
1. EVA Air
2. Korean Air
3. Asiana Airlines
4. China Airlines
5. Japan Airlines
6. Cathay Pacific Airways
7. Dragonair
8. All Nippon Airways
Best Airline in China
1. Hainan Airlines
2. China Southern Airlines
3. Air China
4. Shenzhen Airlines
5. China Eastern Airlines
6. Juneyao Airlines
7. Shandong Airlines
8. Spring Airlines
9. Sichuan Airlines
10. Tianjin Airlines
Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India
1. Air India
2. SpiceJet
3. Indigo
4. SriLankan Airlines
5. Mihin Lanka
6. Jet Airways
7. Air Astana
8. Biman Bangladesh Airlines
9. PIA
Best Airline to Japan
1. Japan Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. All Nippon Airways
5. Delta Air Lines
Best Trans-Atlantic Airline
1. Brussels Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. TAP Air Portugal
5. Swiss International Air Lines
6. Air France
7. Lufthansa
8. Delta Air Lines
9. British Airways
10. Austrian Airlines
Best Trans-Pacific Airline
1. Japan Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. China Southern Airlines
4. Asiana Airlines
5. Korean Air
6. Hong Kong Airlines
7. United Airlines
8. China Eastern Airlines
9. Delta Air Lines
Best Overall Airport in the World
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Incheon International Airport
3. Hamad International Airport
4. Munich Airport
5. Shanghai International Airport
6. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
7. Frankfurt am Main Airport
8. Beijing Capital International Airport
9. Hong Kong International Airport
10. Tokyo International Airport/Haneda Airport
Best Airport in North America
1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
3. Denver International Airport
4. Miami International Airport
5. San Francisco International Airport
6. Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston
7. Portland International Airport
8. Pittsburgh International Airport
9. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
10. Newark Liberty International Airport
Best Airport in Asia
1. Incheon International Airport
2. Singapore Changi Airport
3. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
4. Tokyo International Airport/Haneda Airport
5. Osaka Kansai International Airport
6. Hong Kong International Airport
7. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
8. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
9. Tokyo Narita International Airport
10. Beijing Capital International Airport
Best Airport in Africa
1. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
2. Cape Town International Airport
3. King Shaka International Airport Durban
4. Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos
5. Port Elizabeth International Airport
6. O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg
7. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Mauritius International Airport
8. Cairo International Airport
9. Seychelles International Airport
Best Airport in Europe
1. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
2. Vienna International Airport
3. Zürich Kloten International Airport
4. Frankfurt am Main Airport
5. Munich Airport
6. Brussels Zaventem Airport
7. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
8. London Heathrow Airport
9. Copenhagen Airport
10. Hamburg Airport
Best Airport in the Middle East
1. Hamad International Airport
2. Dubai International Airport
3. Bahrain International Airport
4. Abu Dhabi International Airport
5. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport Medina
6. Muscat International Airport
7. King Khalid International Airport Riyadh
8. King Fahd International Airport Dammam
9. Al Maktoum Dubai World Central
Best Airport in South America
1. Bogotá El Dorado International Airport
2. Jorge Chávez International Airport
3. Quito International Airport
4. José Joaquín de Olmedo Guayaquil International Airport
5. São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport
6. Ministro Pistarini Buenos Aires International Airport
7. Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez Santiago International Airport
8. Rio de Janeiro International Airport
9. Simón Bolívar Caracas International Airport
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
1. Turkish Airlines
2. EVA Air
3. Lufthansa
4. Singapore Airlines
5. Qatar Airways
6. Delta Air Lines
7. Asiana Airlines
8. United Airlines
9. Emirates
10. Etihad Airways
Best Airport Dining
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2. Singapore Changi Airport
3. Hamad International Airport
4. Brussels Airport
5. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
6. London Heathrow Airport
7. Vienna Airport
8. Los Angeles International Airport
9. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
10. Frankfurt am Main Airport
Best Airport Shopping
1. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
2. Dubai International Airport
3. Incheon International Airport
4. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
5. Hamad International Airport
6. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
7. London Heathrow Airport
8. Hong Kong International Airport
9. Miami International Airport
10. Zürich Kloten International Airport
Fastest-Growing U.S. Airport
1. Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California
2. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
3. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
4. Dallas Love Field Airport
5. Los Angeles International Airport
6. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
7. Nashville International Airport
8. Portland International Airport
9. William P. Hobby Airport, Houston
10. Oakland International Airport
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World
1. Dubai Duty Free
2. Hamad International Airport
3. Incheon International Airport
4. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
5. Frankfurt am Main Airport
6. Singapore Changi Airport
7. Abu Dhabi International Airport
8. Hong Kong International Airport
9. Vancouver International Airport
10. London Heathrow Airport
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Asia
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Incheon International Airport
3. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
4. Tokyo International Airport/Haneda Airport
5. Osaka Kansai International Airport
6. Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
7. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
8. Tokyo Narita International Airport
9. Hong Kong International Airport
10. Beijing Capital International Airport
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Africa
1. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport
2. Seychelles International Airport
3. King Shaka International Airport Durban
4. Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos
5. Port Elizabeth International Airport
6. O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg
7. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolan Mauritius International Airport
8. Cairo International Airport
9. Cape Town International Airport
Best Duty-Free Shopping in Europe
1. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
2. London Heathrow Airport
3. Munich Airport
4. Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Rome
5. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
6. Frankfurt am Main Airport
7. Zürich Kloten International Airport
8. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
9. Brussels Zaventem Airport
10. Vienna International Airport
Best Duty-Free Shopping in the Middle East
1. Dubai Duty Free
2. Hamad International Airport
3. Bahrain Duty Free
4. Muscat International Airport
5. Amman Queen Alia International Airport Jordan
6. Abu Dhabi International Airport
7. King Khalid International Airport Riyadh
8. Al Maktoum Dubai World Central
Best International Hotel Chain
1. The Ritz-Carlton
2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
3. Westin Hotels & Resorts
4. Conrad Hotels & Resorts
5. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
6. The Peninsula Hotels
7. Marriott Hotels
8. Four Seasons
9. Park Hyatt
10. Waldorf Astoria
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
1. The Ritz-Carlton
2. JW Marriott
3. Waldorf Astoria
4. Park Hyatt
5. Hilton Hotels
6. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
7. Westin Hotels & Resorts
8. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
9. Four Seasons
10. W Hotels
Best Lifestyle Hotel
1. Aloft Hotels
2. Andaz
3. W Hotels
4. Vida Hotels + Resorts
5. Element Hotels
6. Moxy
7. Affinia Hotels
8. Hotel Indigo
9. Kimpton Hotels + Restaurants
Best MICE Hotel
1. Lotte Hotel Seoul
2. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
3. Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, Los Angeles
4. Aspen Meadows Resort
5. Hilton London Metropole
6. Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Center
7. Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin
8. Kempinski Hotel Wuxi
9. Four Seasons Hong Kong
10. The Gleneagles
Best Hotel Club Floor
1. Grand Hyatt Grand Club
2. The Ritz-Carlton Club Level
3. The Peninsula Hotels
4. JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts
5. Westin Hotels & Resorts
6. Hilton Hotels
7. Marriott Hotels & Resorts
8. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
9. Renaissance Hotels
Best Hotel Website
1. peninsula.com
2. ritzcarlton.com
3. intercontinental.com
4. marriott.com
5. hilton.com
6. loews.com
7. shangri-la.com
8. mandarinoriental.com
9. hyatt.com
Best New Luxury Hotel in Asia
1. Le Méridien Seoul
2. Park Hyatt, Bangkok
3. Murray Hong Kong
4. COMO Una Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
5. Six Senses Fiji
6. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andaman Islands
7. Morpheus, Macau
8. Mandarin Oriental, Qianmen
9. Six Senses Bhutan
Best Luxury Hotel in Asia
1. SIGNIEL Seoul
2. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
3. Le Méridien Seoul
4. The Peninsula Hong Kong
5. The Peninsula Shanghai
6. The Mulia, Bali
7. Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, Indonesia
8. The Upper House, Hong Kong
9. Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi
10. Four Seasons Seoul
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
1. InterContinental Hotels Group IHG Rewards Club
2. Marriott Rewards
3. Hilton Honors
4. Le Club AccorHotels
5. World of Hyatt
6. Radisson Rewards
7. Loews Hotel YouFirst
8. Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club
9. Fairmont President’s Club
10. Shangri-La Hotels Golden Circle
Best Frequent-Stay Elite-Level Program
1. Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite
2. Hilton Honors Diamond
3. World of Hyatt Platinum
4. Fairmont President’s Club Platinum
5. InterContinental Hotels Group IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite
6. Wyndham Rewards ByRequest
7. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
8. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
9. Choice Privileges Platinum
Best Frequent-Stay Bonus Program
1. Marriott Rewards
2. Hilton Honors
3. InterContinental Hotels Group IHG Rewards Club
4. World of Hyatt
5. Club Carlson
6. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
7. Wyndham Rewards
8. Omni Select Guest
9. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
10. Fairmont President’s Club
Best Frequent-Stay Award Redemption
1. Hilton Honors
2. World of Hyatt
3. InterContinental Hotels Group IHG Rewards Club
4. Marriott Rewards
5. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
6. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
7. Club Carlson
8. Wyndham Rewards
9. Omni Select Guest
10. Fairmont President’s Club
Best Frequent-Stay Customer Service, Americas
1. Marriott Rewards
2. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards
3. Le Club AccorHotels
4. InterContinental Hotels Group IHG Rewards Club
5. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
6. World of Hyatt
7. Hilton Honors
8. Club Carlson
9. Kimpton InTouch
10. Fairmont President’s Club
Best Hotel in the United States
1. The Peninsula Beverly Hills
2. The Peninsula Chicago
3. The Waldorf Astoria Chicago
4. Montage Beverly Hills
5. InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
6. Mandarin Oriental, New York
7. Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
8. Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.
9. The Langham, Chicago
10. The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown
Best Hotel in Asia
1. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
2. SIGNIEL Seoul
3. The Peninsula Bangkok
4. Four Seasons Seoul
5. The Peninsula Hong Kong
6. The Peninsula Shanghai
7. The Mulia, Bali
8. Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, Indonesia
9. The Upper House, Hong Kong
10. Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Best Hotel in South Korea
1. Lotte Hotel Seoul
2. The Plaza Seoul
3. SIGNIEL Seoul
4. Grand Hyatt Seoul
5. The Shilla, Seoul
6. Four Seasons Seoul
7. InterContinental Seoul
8. The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul
9. The Westin Chosun
Best Hotel in the Middle East
1. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
2. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel
3. One&Only Royal Mirage
4. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
5. The St. Regis Dubai
6. Four Seasons Bahrain Bay
7. Al Maha Resort & Spa
8. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
9. Emirates Palace Hotel
10. The Palace Downtown Dubai
Best Hotel in Europe
1. Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice
2. Le Meurice Paris
3. Hotel de Russie Rome
4. Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, Munich
5. Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Place, Budapest
6. Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, Lisbon
7. Merrion Hotel Dublin
8. Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus
9. Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
10. Le Bristol Paris
Best European Hotel Chain
1. St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
2. Kempinski Hotels
3. The Ritz-Carlton
4. The Luxury Collection
5. Westin Hotels & Resorts
6. W Hotels
7. Marriott Hotels
8. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
9. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
10. Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in Asia
1. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
2. Grand Hyatt
3. The Peninsula Hotels
4. Mandarin Oriental
5. Park Hyatt
6. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
7. Four Seasons
8. Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces
9. Conrad Hotels & Resorts
10. Langham Hotels
Best Hotel Chain in Latin America
1. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
2. Westin Hotels & Resorts
3. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
4. Sol Meliá Hotels
5. Barceló Hotels & Resorts
6. Fiesta Americana
7. Accor Hospitality
8. The Ritz-Carlton
9. Riu Hotels & Resorts
10. Caesar Park Hotels
Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
1. Fiesta Americana
2. Sheraton Hotels
3. W Hotels
4. Westin Hotels
5. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
6. Barceló Hotels & Resorts
7. Riu Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
1. Jumeirah International
2. The Ritz-Carlton
3. The Address Hotels + Resorts
4. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
5. Marriott International
6. Four Seasons
7. Kempinski Hotels
8. W Hotels
9. Raffles Hotels
10. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
Best Overseas Delivery Program
1. Volvo
2. Porsche
3. BMW
4. Audi
5. Mercedes-Benz
Best Car Rental Company
1. Hertz
2. Sixt
3. Avis
4. Budget
5. Enterprise
6. Alamo
7. National Car Rental
8. Dollar
9. Thrifty
10. Payless
Best Tourism Destination
1. Kenya
2. Mexico
3. Ireland
4. South Africa
5. India
6. Australia
7. Israel
8. Hong Kong
9. Brazil
10. Spain
Best MICE City
1. Seoul
2. Dubai
3. Singapore
4. London
5. Hong Kong
6. Madrid
7. Abu Dhabi
8. San Francisco
9. Sydney
10. Paris
Best WiFi Service
1. Boingo Wireless
2. AT&T Wireless
3. Verizon Wireless
4. iPass
5. U.S. Mobile
6. GoGo Inflight
Best Noise-Cancelling Headset
1. Sony Digital Noise-Cancelling Headphones MDR1000XM2 Wireless
2. SonAKG N60NC Wireless
3. Bowers and Wilkins PX Wireless
4. Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones
5. Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC
6. Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
7. Sennheiser PXC 550
8. Samsung Level On Pro Wireless Headphones
Best Luggage Brand
1. Briggs & Riley
2. Travelpro
3. Tumi
4. Hartman
5. Samsonite
6. Delsey
7. Swiss Army
8. Rimowa
9. Victorinox
10. Louis Vuitton
Best Ride Share
1. Lyft
2. Uber
3. Curb
4. Juno
5. Via
6. Summon
7. Bridj
8. Way2Ride
9. Arro
10. Flywheel
Best Hotel App
1. Hotel Tonight
2. Hilton Hotels
3. Hyatt Hotels
4. Marriott Hotels
5. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
6. Four Seasons
7. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
8. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
9. The Ritz-Carlton
Best Airline App
1. American Airlines
2. Alaska Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. Asiana Airlines
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Emirates
7. Lufthansa
8. Swiss International Air Lines
9. Delta Air Lines
10. Qatar Airways
Best Overall Credit Card
1. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
2. Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express
3. American Express Platinum Card
4. American Express Blue Card
5. Chase Ink Card
6. United Explorer Card from Chase
7. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
8. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
9. Escape Card from Discover
10. Plum Card from American Express Open
Best Small-Business Credit Card
1. Chase Ink Cash Business Preferred Credit Card
2. American Express Business Platinum
3. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card from J.P. Morgan
4. Capital One Spark Miles for Business
5. American Express Business Platinum Card from Open
6. Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Credit Card from American Express
7. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card
Best Credit Card Special Events
1. Inside Access from Chase
2. Citi Private Pass
3. Chase Sapphire
Best Credit Card Rewards Program
1. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
2. Marriott Rewards Card from Chase
3. Membership Rewards Program from American Express
4. Capital One Venture Rewards
5. Delta SkyMiles by American Express
6. United Explorer Card from Chase
7. Chase Sapphire
8. Miles by Discover
9. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
10. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card from Chase
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card
1. Marriott Rewards Card from Chase
2. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Card
3. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
4. World of Hyatt Card
5. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card from J.P. Morgan
6. Hilton Honors Card from American Express
7. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Luxury Card
8. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
9. US Bank FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Card
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
1. Hilton Honors Card from American Express
2. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
3. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card from J.P. Morgan
4. Marriott Rewards Card from Chase
5. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Card
6. World of Hyatt Credit Card
7. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
8. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Luxury Card
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
1. Marriott Rewards Card from Chase
2. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
3. Hilton Honors Card from American Express
4. World of Hyatt Credit Card
5. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Card
6. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
7. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Luxury Card
Best Frequent-Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
1. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
2. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card from J.P. Morgan
3. Marriott Rewards Card from Chase
4. World of Hyatt Card
5. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Card
6. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Luxury Card
7. Hilton Honors Card American Express
8. Choice Privileges Visa Signature
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card
1. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
2. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
3. Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express
4. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
5. British Airways Visa Signature Card
6. United Explorer Card from Chase
7. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card
8. JetBlue American Express Card
9. Lufthansa Miles & More Card
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
1. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
2. United Explorer Card from Chase
3. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
4. JetBlue American Express Card
5. British Airways Visa Signature Card
6. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
7. Delta SkyMiles by American Express
8. Lufthansa Miles & More Card
9. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Card
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
1. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
2. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
3. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
4. United Explorer Card from Chase
5. Aeromexico Club Premier La Tarjeta from American Express
6. British Airways Visa Signature Card
7. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
8. Lufthansa Miles & More Card
9. JetBlue American Express Card
10. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Card
Best Frequent-Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
1. United Explorer Card from Chase
2. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
3. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
4. United MileagePlus Club Card from Chase
5. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
6. British Airways Visa Signature Card
7. JetBlue American Express Card
8. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Card
Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
1. Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays
2. Royal Caribbean Visa Credit Card from Bank of America
3. Norwegian Cruise Line MasterCard from Bank of America
4. Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature Card
5. Carnival World MasterCard Barclaycard
6. Disney Premier Visa
Wines on the Wing 2018
The Wines on the Wing competition featured airline-submitted samples judged by professional wine experts. Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing went to All Nippon Airways, which also won Best International First-Class Champagne. Delta took Best International Business-Class Wines, and American Airlines claimed multiple North American wine awards.
WINES ON THE WING WINNERS LIST
Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing
1. All Nippon Airways
2. British Airways
3. American Airlines
4. United Airlines
Best International First-Class Champagne
1. All Nippon Airways
2. American Airlines
3. British Airways
Best International First-Class White Wine
1. EL AL Israel Airlines
2. British Airways
3. All Nippon Airways
4. American Airlines
Best International First-Class Red Wine
1. American Airlines
2. All Nippon Airways
3. United Airlines
4. EL AL Israel Airlines
Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing
1. Delta Air Lines
2. United Airlines
3. All Nippon Airways
4. Brussels Airlines
5. British Airways
Best International Business-Class Champagne
1. American Airlines
2. Aeroflot
3. All Nippon Airways
4. United Airlines
5. Brussels Airlines
Best International Business-Class White Wine
1. Aeroflot
2. British Airways
3. Delta Air Lines
4. Brussels Airlines
Best International Business-Class Red Wine
1. United Airlines
2. Brussels Airlines
3. Alitalia
4. American Airlines
Best Airline Alliance Wines on the Wing
1. oneworld
2. SkyTeam
3. Star Alliance
Best North American Wines on the Wing
1. American Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. United Airlines
4. JetBlue
Best North American Sparkling Wine
1. JetBlue
2. Delta Air Lines/United Airlines (TIE)
3. American Airlines
Best North American White Wine
1. American Airlines
2. JetBlue
3. United Airlines
4. Delta Air Lines
Best North American Red Wine
1. American Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. United Airlines
These winners reflect reader preferences and industry standards in 2018. Congratulations to all the award recipients for another year of outstanding service, product innovation and travel excellence.