The past 18 months have tested travelers and the travel industry alike, disrupting milestones, celebrations and everyday routines. Yet 2021 offered reason for cautious optimism: vaccine rollouts, a gradual return to in-person events, and borders reopening to vaccinated visitors. With that progress in mind, we chose the theme “Open the World” to celebrate the winners of the 18th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards—recognizing the best companies and services that helped keep travel moving.
When times are uncertain or rewarding, we look to the people who know travel best: our readers. Frequent, intrepid and experienced travelers, they nominated and voted for the services that stood out—airlines, airports, hotels, loyalty programs, credit cards and more. Below are the winners selected by those readers, honoring providers that went above and beyond to make travel as seamless, safe and enjoyable as possible.
We begin with the carriers that connect us to the world’s gateways and cultures. Singapore Airlines regained its top spot as Best Overall Airline in the World. Oneworld continued its long run as Best Airline Alliance, winning its 12th straight title. American Airlines earned several distinctions, including Best Airline Website (aa.com) for the fifth consecutive year, Best Airline for Domestic First Class for the seventh year in a row, and Best Frequent‑Flyer Elite‑Level Program for AAdvantage Executive Platinum. Readers named the Boeing 787 the Best Aircraft Type.
United Airlines collected multiple honors as well: Fastest‑Growing Airline, Trans‑Pacific; Best Frequent‑Flyer Program for United MileagePlus (18th straight year); Best Frequent‑Flyer Bonus Program (nine years); and Best Frequent‑Flyer Award Redemption. Korean Air was named Best Airline for International First Class and won Best Business‑Class Seat Design. Turkish Airlines captured its fifth consecutive award as Best Airline for Business Class and earned recognition for Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents for the sixth time; its Corporate Club was again named Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers.
PHOTO: © EMIRATES
Delta Sky Club claimed Best Airline Lounges for the third straight year, and Delta’s SkyMiles program was recognized for Best Frequent‑Flyer Customer Service. Delta also won Best Airline App. Asiana Airlines continued its survey dominance, taking Best Airline for Onboard Service and Best Airline for Flight Attendants for the 18th consecutive year. Etihad Airways was honored for Best Airline Cuisine and Best Airline in the Middle East for the second year running, while Emirates won Best Flight Attendant Uniforms.
Swiss International Air Lines was named Best Airline for Security, displacing a long‑time winner. All Nippon Airways earned recognition for Best First‑Class Seat Design and Best Trans‑Pacific Airline for the second year in a row. Air Canada retained the Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness title and was again named Best Airline in North America.
Regionally, readers picked LATAM Airlines Group as Best Airline to South America; Aeromexico as Best Airline in Mexico for the 12th consecutive year; Air Tahiti Nui as Best Airline in the South Pacific; TAP Air Portugal as Best Airline in Europe (an 11th win) and Best Trans‑Atlantic Airline; Aeroflot as Best Airline in Eastern Europe; Royal Air Maroc as Best Airline in Africa; China Airlines as Best Airline in North Asia (ninth straight year); and Air India as Best Airline in Central/South Asia & India (eighth year in a row). Japan Airlines was chosen as Best Airline to Japan.
Next, the airports that welcome us and set the tone for our journeys. Singapore Changi Airport was voted Best Overall Airport in the World for the sixth consecutive year. Chicago O’Hare International Airport maintained its 18‑year streak as Best Airport in North America and also earned Best Airport Dining. Miami International Airport was recognized for Best Airport Shopping, and Ontario International Airport in California was named Fastest‑Growing U.S. Airport for the fourth year.
PHOTO: © ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
International airport winners included Incheon International Airport as Best Airport in Asia (and Best Duty‑Free Shopping in Asia), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol as Best Airport in Europe, El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá as Best Airport in South America, and Hamad International Airport in Doha as Best Airport in the Middle East. Dubai Duty Free continued its extraordinary run as Best Duty‑Free Shopping in the World for the 15th time.
Hotels offer the home base for travel, and readers named The Ritz‑Carlton Best International Hotel Chain while Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts took Best Domestic Hotel Chain. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants debuted on the survey as Best Lifestyle Hotel. Hilton was honored with several awards—Best Hotel Website (hilton.com), Best Frequent‑Stay Elite‑Level Program (Hilton Honors Diamond), Best Frequent‑Stay Bonus Program (Hilton Honors) and Best Hotel App.
Lotte Hotels earned multiple honors, including Best MICE Hotel for LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL and continued recognition as Best Hotel in South Korea. SIGNIEL SEOUL was voted Best Hotel in Asia, with SIGNIEL BUSAN named Best New Hotel in Asia. The Peninsula Beverly Hills was again selected Best Hotel in the United States and hosted this year’s in‑person award celebration.
PHOTO: © ST. REGIS
Other notable hotel winners included IHG Rewards Club as Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World (17‑time winner), Marriott Bonvoy for Best Frequent‑Stay Award Redemption, World of Hyatt for Best Frequent‑Stay Customer Service, and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts as Best European Hotel Chain. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah was again named Best Hotel in the Middle East.
Beyond airlines, airports and hotels, readers recognized travel partners that make journeys easier: Volvo won Best Overseas Delivery Program for the sixth year, Hertz was named Best Rental Car Company, and The Parking Spot earned Best Airport Parking for the third consecutive year. Greece was selected Best Tourism Destination, and Seoul again topped the Best MICE City list.
Intelsat (Gogo Commercial Aviation) was voted Best WiFi Service, and Briggs & Riley marked its 12th win as Best Luggage Brand. In the credit card categories, the United Club Infinite Card from Chase won Best Overall Credit Card, Best Credit Card Rewards Program and Best Frequent‑Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions. The United Explorer Card from Chase was honored for Best Frequent‑Flyer Affinity Credit Card Redemptions.
PHOTO: © CHASE
Capital One Spark Miles Business Card won Best Small Business Credit Card. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card also received multiple honors across frequent‑stay credit‑card categories. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America and Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays closed out the credit card winners with long‑standing successes in affinity categories.
These winners reflect resilience, service and a commitment to reconnecting people with the world. As travel continues to rebound, we congratulate every honoree and look forward to journeys that safely and confidently Open the World in the year ahead.
THE VOTING PROCESS
Open‑ended ballots ran in subscriber copies of Global Traveler and online from Dec. 14, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021. Ballots were also distributed via direct mail and email during that period. Ballots with less than half of the required fields completed were disqualified. More than 20,000 qualified ballots were returned. Employees of FX Express Publications, Inc., and affiliated members of the travel industry were not permitted to vote.
WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Best Overall Airline in the World
1. Singapore Airlines
2. United Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. Korean Air
5. Etihad Airways
Best Airline Alliance
1. oneworld
2. Star Alliance
3. SkyTeam
Best Aircraft Type
1. Boeing 787
2. Boeing 777
3. Airbus A350
4. Airbus A330
5. Airbus A320
Best Airline Website
1. aa.com
2. delta.com
3. united.com
4. alaskaair.com
5. southwest.com
Fastest‑Growing Airline, Trans‑Pacific
1. United Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. Japan Airlines
4. All Nippon Airways
5. China Southern Airlines
Best Airline for Business Class
1. Turkish Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. Cathay Pacific Airways
5. Korean Air
Best Airline for International First Class
1. Korean Air
2. Etihad Airways
3. Cathay Pacific Airways
4. Lufthansa
5. Singapore Airlines
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. Emirates
3. Korean Air
4. Singapore Airlines
5. Cathay Pacific Airways
Best Airline Lounges
1. Delta Sky Club
2. United Club
3. United Polaris Club
4. Alaska Airlines Alaska Board Room
5. American Airlines Admirals Club
Best Airline for Flight Attendants
1. Asiana Airlines
2. Korean Air
3. Etihad Airways
4. Singapore Airlines
5. Emirates
Best Flight Attendant Uniforms
1. Emirates
2. Cathay Pacific Airways
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Air France
5. All Nippon Airways
Best Airline Cuisine
1. Etihad Airways
2. Turkish Airlines
3. Korean Air
4. Air France
5. Singapore Airlines
Best Airline for Security
1. Swiss International Air Lines
2. EL AL Israel Airlines
3. British Airways
4. Lufthansa
5. United Airlines
Best First‑Class Seat Design
1. All Nippon Airways
2. Emirates
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Cathay Pacific Airways
5. Japan Airlines
Best Business‑Class Seat Design
1. Korean Air
2. United Airlines
3. Turkish Airlines
4. Swiss International Air Lines
5. Singapore Airlines
Best Corporate Program for Business Travelers
1. Turkish Airlines Corporate Club
2. Air Canada Corporate Rewards
3. United PerksPlus
4. American Express Platinum Card
5. Korean Air KAL BIZ
Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness
1. Air Canada
2. United Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. American Airlines
5. Alaska Airlines
Best Overall Frequent‑Flyer Program
1. United MileagePlus
2. Air Canada Aeroplan
3. Delta SkyMiles
4. American AAdvantage
5. Lufthansa Miles & More
Best Frequent‑Flyer Elite‑Level Program
1. American AAdvantage Executive Platinum
2. Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
3. United MileagePlus Premier Executive 1K
4. Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold
5. Southwest Rapid Rewards A‑List Preferred
Best Frequent‑Flyer Bonus Program
1. United MileagePlus
2. American AAdvantage
3. Delta SkyMiles
4. Alaska Mileage Plan
5. Air Canada Aeroplan
Best Frequent‑Flyer Award Redemption
1. United MileagePlus
2. Air Canada Aeroplan
3. Southwest Rapid Returns
4. American AAdvantage
5. Delta SkyMiles
Best Frequent‑Flyer Customer Service
1. Delta SkyMiles
2. United MileagePlus
3. Air Canada Aeroplan
4. Alaska Mileage Plan
5. American AAdvantage
Best Airline in North America
1. Air Canada
2. United Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. American Airlines
5. JetBlue
Best Airline to South America
1. LATAM Airlines Group
2. Aerolineas Argentinas
3. Avianca
Best Airline in Mexico
1. Aeromexico
2. Interjet
3. Viva Aerobus
4. Volaris
Best Airline in Africa
1. Royal Air Maroc
2. Ethiopian Airlines
3. Kenya Airways
4. Air Seychelles
5. Air Mauritius
Best Airline in the Middle East
1. Etihad Airways
2. Emirates
3. Qatar Airways
4. Royal Air Maroc
5. Saudi Arabian Airlines
Best Airline in North Asia
1. China Airlines
2. Korean Air
3. Cathay Pacific Airways
4. Japan Airlines
5. All Nippon Airways
Best Airline in Central/South Asia and India
1. Air India
2. Indigo
3. SpiceJet
4. SriLankan Airlines
5. Air Astana
Best Airline to Japan
1. Japan Airlines
2. All Nippon Airways
3. United Airlines
4. American Airlines
5. Delta Air Lines
Best Trans‑Atlantic Airline
1. TAP Air Portugal
2. United Airlines
3. British Airways
4. Brussels Airlines
5. American Airlines
Best Trans‑Pacific Airline
1. All Nippon Airways
2. Korean Air
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Japan Airlines
5. Cathay Pacific Airways
Best Overall Airport in the World
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Hamad International Airport, Doha
3. Incheon International Airport
4. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
5. Munich Airport
Best Airport in North America
1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
2. Miami International Airport
3. San Francisco International Airport
4. Denver International Airport
5. Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Best Airport in Asia
1. Incheon International Airport
2. Singapore Changi Airport
3. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport
4. Tokyo Haneda International Airport
5. Osaka Kansai International Airport
Best Airport in Europe
1. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
2. Munich Airport
3. Zürich Kloten International Airport
4. Frankfurt am Main Airport
5. Hamburg Airport
Best Airport in the Middle East
1. Hamad International Airport, Doha
2. Dubai International Airport
3. Abu Dhabi International Airport
4. Bahrain International Airport
5. Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Medina
Best Airport in South America
1. El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá
2. Jorge Chávez International Airport
3. Quito International Airport
4. José Joaquín de Olmedo Guayaquil International Airport
5. São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents
1. Turkish Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific Airways
3. United Airlines
4. Qatar Airways
5. Etihad Airways
Best Airport Dining
1. Chicago O’Hare International Airport
2. Hamad International Airport, Doha
3. Miami International Airport
4. Singapore Changi Airport
5. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Best Airport Shopping
1. Miami International Airport
2. Dubai International Airport
3. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
4. Hamad International Airport, Doha
5. Incheon International Airport
Fastest‑Growing U.S. Airport
1. Ontario International Airport, California
2. Austin‑Bergstrom International Airport
3. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
4. Los Angeles International Airport
5. Dallas Love Field
Best Duty‑Free Shopping in the World
1. Dubai Duty Free
2. Incheon International Airport
3. Hamad International Airport, Doha
4. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
5. Singapore Changi Airport
Best Duty‑Free Shopping in Asia
1. Incheon International Airport
2. Singapore Changi Airport
3. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
4. Tokyo Haneda International Airport
5. Osaka Kansai International Airport
Best International Hotel Chain
1. The Ritz‑Carlton
2. Conrad Hotels
3. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
4. The Peninsula Hotels
5. Park Hyatt
Best Domestic Hotel Chain
1. Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
2. The Ritz‑Carlton
3. Four Seasons
4. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
5. Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Best Lifestyle Hotel
1. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
2. Andaz
3. Aloft Hotels
4. Moxy Hotels
5. Element Hotels & Resorts
Best MICE Hotel
1. LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL
2. Hyatt Regency Incheon
3. Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Center
4. Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin
5. Hilton London Metropole
Best Hotel Website
1. hilton.com
2. ritzcarlton.com
3. ihg.com
4. marriott.com
5. peninsula.com
Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World
1. IHG Rewards Club
2. Hilton Honors
3. Marriott Bonvoy
4. World of Hyatt
5. Le Club AccorHotels
Best Frequent‑Stay Elite‑Level Program
1. Hilton Honors Diamond
2. World of Hyatt Platinum
3. Le Club AccorHotels Platinum
4. IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite
5. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Best Frequent‑Stay Bonus Program
1. Hilton Honors
2. Marriott Bonvoy
3. IHG Rewards Club
4. World of Hyatt
5. Le Club AccorHotels
Best Frequent‑Stay Award Redemption
1. Marriott Bonvoy
2. World of Hyatt
3. IHG Rewards Club
4. Hilton Honors
5. Leaders Club, Leading Hotels of the World
Best Frequent‑Stay Customer Service
1. World of Hyatt
2. Le Club AccorHotels
3. Hilton Honors
4. Sol Meliá MAS Rewards
5. Marriott Bonvoy
Best Hotel in the United States
1. The Peninsula Beverly Hills
2. Terranea Resort
3. The Broadmoor
4. The Breakers Palm Beach
5. Four Seasons Lanai
Best Hotel in Asia
1. SIGNIEL SEOUL
2. The Peninsula Bangkok
3. Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
4. Four Seasons Seoul
5. The Peninsula Hong Kong
Best New Hotel in Asia
1. SIGNIEL BUSAN
2. The Ritz‑Carlton Niseko Village Reserve
3. Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya
4. The Johri, India
5. Rosewood Hong Kong
Best Hotel in South Korea
1. LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL
2. The Plaza Seoul
3. SIGNIEL SEOUL
4. Grand Hyatt Seoul
5. The Shilla Seoul
Best Hotel in the Middle East
1. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
2. One&Only Royal Mirage
3. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel
4. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
5. Emirates Palace Hotel
Best European Hotel Chain
1. St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
3. The Ritz‑Carlton
4. Luxury Collection
5. Westin Hotels
Best Hotel Chain in Mexico
1. Fiesta Americana
2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
3. Sheraton Hotels
4. Westin Hotels
5. W Hotels
Best Hotel Chain in the Middle East
1. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
2. The Ritz‑Carlton
3. Four Seasons
4. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
5. The Address Hotels + Resorts
Best Overseas Delivery Program
1. Volvo
2. Porsche
Best Rental Car Company
1. Hertz
2. Enterprise
3. Avis
4. National Car Rental
5. Sixt
Best Airport Parking
1. The Parking Spot
2. Wally Park
3. ParkRideFly
4. AirportParking
5. ParkingConnection
Best Tourism Destination
1. Greece
2. Italy
3. Spain
4. Ireland
5. South Africa
Best MICE City
1. Seoul
2. Singapore
3. Doha
4. London
5. Dubai
Best WiFi Service
1. Intelsat (Gogo Commercial Aviation)
2. AT&T Wireless
3. Boingo Wireless
4. Verizon Wireless
5. US Mobile
Best Luggage Brand
1. Briggs & Riley
2. Tumi
3. Travelpro
4. Hartmann Luggage
5. Yeti
Best Hotel App
1. Hilton
2. Marriott Hotels
3. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
4. Hyatt Hotels
5. Shangri‑La Hotels & Resorts
Best Airline App
1. Delta Air Lines
2. United Airlines
3. American Airlines
4. Asiana Airlines
5. Singapore Airlines
Best Small‑ to Mid‑Sized Business Program
1. IHG Business Edge
2. Delta Edge
3. American Airlines BusinessExtra
4. United PerksPlus
5. Hilton Hotels
Best Small‑Business Credit Card
1. Capital One Spark Miles Business Card
2. American Airlines Aviator Barclays
3. American Express Business Platinum
4. United Explorer Business Card
5. The Business Platinum Card American Express Open
Best Credit Card Special Events
1. United Card Event
2. Citi Entertainment
3. MasterCard Priceless Cities
4. Chase Sapphire
5. Barclays The Uber Visa Card
Best Credit Cards Rewards Program
1. United Club Infinite Card from Chase
2. Membership Rewards from American Express
3. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
4. Capital One Venture Rewards
5. Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express
Best Frequent‑Stay Affinity Credit Card
1. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
3. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
4. The World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase
5. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
Best Frequent‑Stay Affinity Credit Card Promotions
1. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
2. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
3. Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
4. Hilton Honors Card from American Express
5. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
Best Frequent‑Stay Affinity Credit Card Benefits
1. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
2. The World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase
3. Hilton Honors Card from American Express
4. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
5. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
Best Frequent‑Stay Affinity Credit Card Redemptions
1. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card from American Express
2. The World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase
3. IHG Rewards Club Select Visa
4. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card from Chase
5. Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
Best Frequent‑Flyer Affinity Credit Card
1. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
2. Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express
3. Delta SkyMiles Gold Card from American Express
4. United Club Infinite Card from Chase
5. British Airways Visa Signature Card
Best Frequent‑Flyer Affinity Credit Card Promotions
1. United Club Infinite Card from Chase
2. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
3. American Airlines Aviator Barclays Card
4. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
5. British Airways Visa Signature Card
Best Frequent‑Flyer Affinity Credit Card Benefits
1. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America
2. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard
3. American Airlines Aviator Barclays Card
4. United Explorer Card from Chase
5. Aeromexico Club Premier La Tarjeta American Express
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 Club Infinite Card from Chase
5. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
Best Cruise Line Affinity Credit Card
1. Princess Cruises Visa Signature Card from Barclays
2. Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature Card
3. The Carnival Mastercard from Barclaycard
4. Norwegian Cruise Line Bank of America Mastercard
5. Royal Caribbean Visa Credit Card from Bank of America
QUINT STATUS 2021
Best Airline Website
aa.com
Best Airline for Business Class
Turkish Airlines
Best Airport in Asia
Incheon International Airport
Best Airport in the Middle East
Hamad International Airport, Doha
CRYSTAL STATUS 2021
Best Duty‑Free Shopping in the World
Dubai Duty Free
HALL OF FAME 2021
Best Hotel in South Korea
LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL
Best Frequent‑Stay Affinity Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase
Best Frequent‑Flyer Affinity Credit Card
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card from Bank of America